What is the Internet Radio Linking Project (IRLP)?

The Internet Radio Linking Project (IRLP) is a network designed to link amateur radio stations and repeaters over long distances using the internet. By utilizing Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), an operator can transmit to a local repeater, which then sends the digital audio over the internet to a distant repeater. This system greatly expands the range of VHF and UHF communications, allowing a user with a simple handheld radio to speak with someone on the other side of the world. The distractors incorrectly suggest that IRLP is used for accessing websites via radio or for spotting DX stations. Instead, IRLP is strictly a method for connecting radio systems together to route voice traffic.