IRDX, RC and CRX launched a new cluster initiative for 11m and we would like you, as well known 11 meter cluster, to join us.
As we all know there are many many 11 meter clusters available on Internet, so why yet another 11 meter cluster?
The way we know clusters in 11m are not really clusters. Most of them (all of them?) are merely just websites where you can send and read spots. A
cluster in reality is a network of interconnected nodes where every user of a node can send and receive spots and those spots are replicated between
the nodes.
This week IRDX, RC and CRX connected their first cluster nodes to each other creating the new world-wide 11 meter cluster. The cluster nodes are
based on the well-known DX Spider software (see http://www.dxcluster.org/) customized for 11m.
Why are we doing this?
At the moment there are a few major 11m cluster websites running. The problem with having to rely on one website for spots is that whenever something happens to that website (technical problems, change of policies, etc), the whole 11 meter community is affected. By building a distributed network of cluster nodes, you not only create a resilient networks against failures (the cluster will never go down), also, because the cluster is based on standards, you create the possibility to use real cluster client software like Ham Radio Deluxe, DXCluster, iCluster or any other software out there. Another big advantage is that all spots can be seen by everyone, so we are helping everyone in the 11 meter world, no matter what group or what country he or she is from.
This solar cycle is not as positive for 11 meter as what it was in the last cycle. And I’m not talking about propagation only. Activity is low, groups
have changed, many operators have gone and very few new operators have joined the 11 meter community. So we need all the collaboration between
groups we can get. A cluster initiative can be a good driver for that. After all we are a small group of operators. Let’s not fight each other and
work together to keep 11m alive.
So how does it work?
There are basically two ways to use this cluster. One is a web interface you can use by pointing your browser to one of the cluster nodes like
http://30ir000.no-ip.org where you can log in to the cluster and use it. Registration is automatic, passwords are not needed.
But the most interesting and convenient way is to use one of the many DX Cluster clients available. Personally i use Ham Radio Deluxe (
http://www.ham-radio-deluxe.com). In Ham Radio Deluxe you can configure which cluster node you want to connect to. Ham Radio Deluxe is a very
useful piece of free software for radio use and the only thing you have to do is configure the cluster in HRD Logbook and add the 11 meter band.
You can use HRD for electronic logging of QSO’s, controlling your radio by using your computer, sending and receiving spots, using digital modes, etc,
etc.
You can configure 30IR000 in HRD (or any other software) by selecting protocol telnet, host 30ir000.no-ip.org and port 8000.
Our question to you as internet-savvy operator and admin of a web cluster is: Are you willing to set up a node and connect your cluster to the new world-wide 11 meter cluster?
This cluster system is new for 11 meter, but it already exists for many years on the HAM bands. There it works, so why shouldn’t it work for 11
meter?
We only see benefits to this cluster. If you see them too, please join us in the effort, use the cluster, talk about it, let people build nodes. The
more nodes we have, the more reliable the cluster will be. Let’s do it right this time. Let’s build the first and only world wide 11m CB cluster!