IRLP:   If  you are not familiar with the worldwide IRLP network, the  irlp.net website is  an excellent  source.  You  can find  information on  how IRLP  works, operating practices, and a current status for all nodes.     Closed repeaters:   If you are an already a UHF operator from California, you are  aware that most UHF repeaters here are operated as closed.  This is not an attempt to exclude any qualified operator from using them, just an effort to make sure that all users have similar operating standards and understand the proper control of the repeater.  There  are also  plenty of  open repeaters  in  the  Southern California area, see http://www.scrrba.org/BandPlans/Open70cmRepeaters.html for a current list.   A good analogy is:     A repeater is like your living room, you don't open your door for just anyone that  knocks.  You  qualify  those  for whom you open the door.  A repeater operating in the closed mode is much the same, people are invited to operate, much as you invite people into you home.         Membership:   If you live in the Santa Barbara or San Gabriel Valley areas, we are always looking for new compatible members.  Please listen to our operation and if it seems like something you would like to join, please e-mail us for details on a trial membership.  We have a lot of families that keep track of each other via the repeater.   Transient users:   If you will be traveling in our areas and would like to use the repeaters, please contact us in advance via e-mail with your call, rough schedule, etc.   We will be more than happy to give you the  required  transient information.  Control parameters are never discussed over the air.   E-mail contacts:   Pete Bickerdike, WB6DAO, [email protected] Bob Scott, W6GAE, [email protected]   (remove the "-no-spam" before sending)