An Overview of Linked Amateur Radio Systems and Networks

Amateur radio is often misunderstood as short-range, point-to-point communication limited by terrain and line-of-sight. While simplex operation and single repeaters remain foundational skills, modern ham radio has grown into a layered, interconnected ecosystem of linked systems that routinely span cities, regions, nations, and even continents.

This article is a high-level introduction to the major types of linked ham radio systems—how they work conceptually, why they matter, and how they expand communications capability for everyday operation, emergency response, and preparedness. Each system discussed here will be explored in greater depth on dedicated pages.

The Core Concept: Linking Systems, Not Just Radios

At its simplest, a linked ham radio system allows a transmission made into one radio or repeater to be repeated elsewhere—sometimes hundreds or thousands of miles away.

Linking can occur via:

RF (radio-to-radio) links
Microwave point-to-point paths
IP networks (public or private)
Hybrid combinations of all three

The key idea is that local RF access remains the entry point, but the reach of that access is no longer limited to a single site or coverage bubble.

Linked Analog Repeaters (RF & Microwave)

Long before digital voice, amateur radio operators were linking repeaters together to extend coverage.

How It Works

Multiple FM repeaters are interconnected
Audio is passed via RF backbone frequencies or microwave links
Users operate normally on local VHF/UHF repeaters

Why It Still Matters

Works with basic analog radios
Familiar operating procedures
Often engineered for power outages
Can function without the internet

Many long-standing regional emergency and public-service networks still rely on linked analog repeaters because of their simplicity and resilience.

AllStar: The Modern Backbone for Analog Linking

One of the most important—and often misunderstood—linked systems in amateur radio today is AllStar.

What AllStar Is

AllStar is an open-source linking system built on the Asterisk PBX platform. It allows:

Analog repeaters
Simplex nodes
Hubs and bridges

to be interconnected using IP networks.

Why AllStar Matters

AllStar has become the de facto backbone for many modern analog repeater systems because it is:

Extremely flexible
Hardware-agnostic
Capable of running on private or public networks
Well-suited for regional and statewide systems

Many repeaters that appear “standalone” are, in reality, part of an AllStar-linked network behind the scenes.

Radio-to-Radio Linking Over IP: IRLP and EchoLink

As internet connectivity became widespread, amateurs began extending RF systems globally while still preserving RF access.

IRLP (Internet Radio Linking Project)

IRLP links repeaters and simplex nodes using VoIP, with strict design rules:

RF must exist on both ends
No computer-only users
Emphasis on discipline and reliability

IRLP is commonly used for:

Scheduled nets
Emergency coordination
International voice connections

EchoLink

EchoLink offers a more flexible model:

Repeater-to-repeater linking
Station-to-station connections
Optional computer and smartphone access

EchoLink is often used for:

Training and outreach
Traveling operators
Contingency access when RF paths are limited

Both systems extend RF reach while retaining amateur radio identity and control.

Digital Voice Networks and Structured Linking

Digital voice systems add structure and scalability to linked communications.

DMR and Talkgroups

DMR organizes communications using talkgroups:

Local, regional, national, and worldwide
Repeaters dynamically link based on talkgroup selection
Thousands of repeaters interconnected globally

DMR excels at:

Efficient spectrum use
Predictable channel organization
Rapid scaling during events or emergencies

D-STAR

Designed specifically for amateur radio, D-STAR integrates:

Digital voice
Callsign routing
Data and GPS capabilities

D-STAR is particularly effective for directed and organized communications, making it popular with coordinated groups and emergency operations.

Yaesu System Fusion and WIRES-X

System Fusion blends analog and digital operation:

Automatic mode switching
Simple user experience
WIRES-X “rooms” that act like digital conference spaces

Fusion is commonly used in:

Club repeater systems
Regional networks
Mixed analog/digital environments

Microwave and High-Capacity Ham Networks

Beyond voice, amateur radio also uses microwave networks to:

Link repeaters
Carry IP traffic
Provide resilient regional backbones

These systems often support:

AllStar networks
Digital voice backhaul
Emergency data services

Microwave links are frequently independent of commercial ISPs, making them valuable in disaster scenarios.

Why Linked Systems Matter for Preparedness

Linked ham radio systems provide advantages that isolated radios cannot:

Geographic reach: Local handhelds accessing regional or global networks
Redundancy: Multiple transport paths for the same traffic
Scalability: Small local nets expanding instantly
Training value: Everyday use builds familiarity before emergencies

Equally important, these systems degrade gracefully:

Local RF continues when links fail
Regional coverage persists with partial backbones
Wide-area connectivity returns as infrastructure recovers

This behavior closely mirrors real-world disaster conditions.

What This Article Is — and Is Not

This article is:

An orientation to the linked ham radio landscape
A framework for understanding capabilities
A starting point for deeper exploration

This article is not:

A setup guide
A licensing tutorial
A “best mode” comparison

No single system is universally superior. Each has tradeoffs in complexity, dependency, and resilience.

The Big Picture

Modern amateur radio is no longer just point-to-point voice. It is a distributed communications fabric built from analog repeaters, digital voice, AllStar backbones, microwave links, and IP networks—often designed and maintained by volunteers with resilience in mind.

For preparedness and disaster response, advantage doesn’t come from owning more radios. It comes from understanding how your signal moves, how far it can go, and what it depends on along the way.

Linked ham radio systems make that reach possible.