Ken,
From the Scanner end - The audio comes out of the scanner and fed into the computer. Then the computer processes the audio with compression.
From your computer you're first connecting to our server in Florida to get things started. From there you're directed back into the IP address in Wrightwood where the scanner and computer sit. Remember that routing can go anywhere to get here as that why it's know as the "web". You're probably using Verizon-Verzion as your ISP and data line for DSL. I'm using Linkline-Verzion so there's some more routing taking place. Oh, and did I mention the hand shaking that must take place between the computers?
Once you're connected the hand shaking continues to take place in order for the signal to be processed on your end. Then the audio on your end must be processed for you to hear it from your speakers. One last thing that must be taken into consideration on these delays is that computers on both ends are running multiple programs and can vary in speed depending on how hard they are working and the overall health and condition of the system.
When I've checked the in the past it appeared to be about a 7-8 second delay. Maybe it takes another 2-3 seconds to arrive in Phelan
