EchoLink

by Carl VK3EMF

A couple of years ago I wrote an introduction to a Ham Radio Internet based product called "Repeater Link". This was a communications program that had to be used in conjunction with another piece of software called "I-phone".

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then, including the original "Repeater Link" as well as a couple of the more recent entrants, "I-link" & "HamLink". Two surviving Amateur Radio based programs still available as "free ware" are:

Of the above mentioned, EchoLink is my preferred option. It is user friendly and has plenty of scope for individual preferences to be installed. To assist in exploring all of the configurable options, there are very good "Help" & "FAQ" files to cope with any problems that may arise.

EchoLink is software which allows Amateur Radio stations to communicate with one another over the Internet, using voice-over-IP (VoIP) technology. The program allows worldwide connections to be made between stations, from computer to station, or from computer to computer.

EchoLink is offered free of charge to the Amateur Radio community, and is supported by a network of volunteers. Experience has shown that the majority of questions about EchoLink are similar, and can be answered by reading the Help documentation or one of the Frequently-Asked Questions sections. Most likely, you'll find that your particular question or problem has already been answered or addressed.

To get up and running, follow these basic steps

Log on at: http://www.echolink.org

Select "EchoLink"

Read "Introducing EchoLink"

Then go to "Download", where you will be asked to enter your Call Sign and E-mail address as part of the process. Download the program by following the prompts and make note of where you download it to on your Hard Drive. (WIN 95 users read the footnote before downloading).

Once the download is complete, click on the "EchoLink Setup" Icon and follow the prompts to install the program. If you are running a Fire Wall, check the "Fire Wall Solutions" section in the FAQ segment.

For security reasons it could take up to 24 hours to verify your details, after which, once cleared, you will be able to access all of the "EchoLink" features.

Software is downloaded and setup, now the fun begins

When you first log on to the site you will see a window listing all the stations that are currently on line. Starting at the top you will find the Repeaters, followed by the Links, then individual stations and finally the Conference Rooms.

I like to start at the top of the table and put out two CQs on each Repeater until I get a response.

I log on with "This is VK3EMF in Melbourne Australia, using "EchoLink" software and listening on the repeater". If there are no takers after two attempts I log off and move down the list to the next Repeater and continue on in that vein until I get a contact. Normally you wont have to try more than one or two stations before someone comes back to you.

Keep in mind the "time out" factor when using the Repeater and, with all QSOs, don't forget to move from "Transmit" to "Receive" at the end of each over. (I find using the "Space Bar" the most convenient way to do this).

Additionally, there is a "pop up" window that will keep you abreast of your "on line" status and another that will permit you to keep track of how many stations (and from what countries) are on line.

The program also features various "alarm/alert" modes that can be set to suit your requirements.

All you need to get started is an Amateur Licence ie your Call Sign, a Computer, access to the Internet and then, in no time at all, you'll be speaking to the world 24/7 and never have to worry about propagation.

For Hams in Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Retirement Villages and other places where restrictions can apply (and wireless may be frowned upon), "EchoLink" will provide an ideal means of remaining in contact with the "outside world", albeit not in the traditional manner, but "in touch" just the same. It's also a very convenient way for travelling Hams to maintain scheds and keep up with the world of AR.

It's something new, a lot of fun to use and another exciting form of communication that is open to us. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I think it will appeal to many, especially in some of the circumstances outlined above.

(For more information about VoIP programs such as EchoLink, see QST for February, 2003, page 44.)