Thank you all for some fresh ideas. I too like the hub idea even though it means a Linux server at the repeater site. The problem with Linux at a repeater site is power outrages. I work for the hosting company that has allowed me to place our high powered hub in a rack (dual Intel processors, quad core, 16GB RAM, RAID [ to be replaced with SSD ]) with a 100MBit pipe. We will be able to handle a lot of connections. At the repeater site we need to make sure that we at least have a UPS installed that will give the site owners generator time to come online. Otherwise Linux sucks when it scrambles. It may take hours to do a FSCK. That means a trip to the site unless we add a KVM over IP device. $$$ all the way around.

 

We have three repeater sites. We have three RC-210’s. I propose adding a RTCM on the 4th port of the RC-210 and then port 1 –> 2m port 2 –> 440 port 3 –> 900.

 

Here’s the price breakdown:

 

1 PC: $300

3 URI’s: $297

1 APC SmartUPS UPS: $500

1 KVM/IP: $305

 

==>> $1397

 

Compared to:

 

1 Arcom RC-210: $400

1 RTCM: $269

 

==>> $669

 

The difference here besides the price is that each repeater cannot be individually linked via Allstar. But the RC-210 can allow all three repeaters to connect to one RTCM. From what Chris Kurtis tells us the RC-210 worked out fine.

 

I’d love to read more ideas.

 

Wayne @ Node 41660