The Blessing of Echolink
Frank Faber (KB7LYM)
on
September 25, 2004
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The Blessing of ECHOLINK
With thousands of Amateur Radio Operators that are retired, on a fixed minimum Social Security and those with low CASHFLOW, a bright light appeared in the Sky!
ECHOLINK had arrived.
No more dreaming of $5000 plus HF radios or antenna tuners at the cost of a 36" stereo color TV. No cables to splice, guide wires to attach, or holes to drill in floors and ceilings. No more leaking roofs from the previous holes drilled that were supposed to have held the antenna mast straight up and fell in a windstorm resulting in heavy damage to the Mrs.'s (no ham) car. No more cramped fingers from the shiny Morse Code device that sounds (accordingly to the Mrs.) like a woodpecker gone mad. No more reading up on frequencies, FCC laws, bylaws etc. No more cracked ribs from trying to lift a 12-Volt heavy duty Marine battery for backup on my old 2-meter handheld. No more shouting from the Mrs. No more adjusting squelch or looking at a dim frequency read out. No longer shelling out for colorful QSL cards plus postage that will now pay for my DSL network. From the saved money you too can afford a luxury recliner with build in porta-potty so you can sit and don't have to run from the shack to the john at home. We all know that on a COLD night that you can get hurt that way!
So folks get yourself ready...Just a click on the Keyboard and ECHOLINK is there! Clear and even if you can't hear it you can see it!
QSL cards are FREE in all colors and graphics; just send them to the e-mail address.
ECHOLINK--WHAT A BLESSING!!!
KB7LYM-- a proud owner of an Echolink Radio
73
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by LNXAUTHOR on September 25, 2004
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- i understand the benefits for some folks, but some of the disadvantages stated in the article are part of the attraction of amateur radio (at least for me)...
- i don't think this is article is a troll... but it will be interesting to see some of the replies here...
- haven't tried echolink, btw, so i'll remain impartial...
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by KB9YUR on September 25, 2004
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Echolink does have it's plus side. But, after spending an entire day in front of a keyboard
and computer working, I certainly don't want more when I'm trying to relax using my Icom 746
or Yaesu FT-290RII for QRP DX fun.
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by NI0C on September 25, 2004
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"QSL cards are FREE in all colors and graphics; just send them to the e-mail address."
Just what sort of accomplishment do those "qsl cards" represent?
I'll take my chances with the ionosphere, thank you.
73 de Chuck NI0C
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by N8UZE on September 25, 2004
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Your costs are WAY off. A brand spanking new HF/VHF/UHF radio cah be had for $2000 and used radios are far less.
However, I've used echolink a bit. It's OK and a convenience (like trying to find the only CW op in Wyoming and making a schedule) but just doesn't have the thrill of the "wireless".
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by KD5RGJ on September 25, 2004
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I see nothing to complain about Echolink. on September 5, I sat on top of Lookout Mountain In NE Georgia with a HT with only milliwatts left in the battery and hit a repeater in Dayton, tennessee and talked back to my friend in his truck in Sumner, Mississippi....radio to radio. i would have had a hard time even with my trusty
Kenwood 130spencer.
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by N0FPE on September 25, 2004
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And just what is an ECHOLINK RADIO??? I have not seem one of those on the market!! I have used echolink but there was no radio anywhere to be found!! Please inform me as to where I can find this peice of equipment.
Thanks Dan
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by K0CBA on September 25, 2004
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"With thousands of Amateur Radio Operators that are retired, on a fixed minimum Social Security and those with low CASHFLOW, a bright light appeared in the Sky!"
This sob story always gives me a touch of diaper rash!!!!! Was your computer, all the extra goodies you own for it AND your ISP free?
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by N2NFG on September 25, 2004
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So far, most of them don't get it Frank. Could you dumb it down a bit and still retain your great sense of humor?
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by KD5RGJ on September 25, 2004
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There was no "ECHOLINK RADIO", Dan. I was using a HTX 202 HT and my friend was using an Icom 2800H...as I said radio to radio with the Internet in between. Wake up and smell the coffee.
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by KG4RUL on September 25, 2004
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Amateur A keys up a transmitter to send RF energy (that is energy in whatever modulation scheme one chooses) to an antenna. This energy radiates out to who, we don't know yet. Amateur B receives RF energy on his antenna which is coupled to his receiver and demodulated so that Amateur can interpret it. Amateur B replies to Amateur A in a like manner and behold, a contact has been made!
Anything else is NOT Amateur Radio.
That being said, the author makes a good point. Echolink is a fun and simple way to communicate with other Amateurs. But, it is NOT RADIO!
You may agree or disagree as you please. This is my opinion and I am sticking to it.
Dennis / KG4RUL
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by G3VGR on September 25, 2004
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They're biting well today - you're obviously using the correct bait :-)
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by KG8JF on September 25, 2004
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I am sure that echolink appeals to some, but to me it just isn't radio.
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by K0RFD on September 25, 2004
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Right, it will improve your life
And grow hair
And enlarge your *****
And help you meet girls
And will get you low mortgage rates and better credit
And, for a limited time only, will help you become an ordained minister or get a PhD with no schooling required...
It's a cool tool.
It's not radio.
It's not a panacea.
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Echolink *can be* Radio
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by W2SRH on September 25, 2004
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Okay, everyone's whining about how Echolink isn't radio. Let's look at some of the ways it works.
Amateur A fires up his computer, and connects to Amateur B's computer, has a conversation with her for 30 minutes and logs off. Is it "radio"? No, it's Voice over IP.
Now, Amateur A goes into his car, fires up his radio, tunes to his simplex link radio at his house, dials Amateur B's ID and talks to her on her computer. Is it radio? Well, at some point both signals go out over RF in FCC regulated frequencies, so they'd both better ID every 10 and keep the language clean. So now, at least in part, it is radio.
Amateur B now gets in her car, and she tunes to a local repeater and dials Amateur A's simplex link. They continue talking. Each of them is talking into a radio, which sends their signals to an antenna, and then from another antenna to the other's radio. Is it radio? Yep, it is. Just happens to be linked via VoIP in the middle.
How is that different than a group of repeaters that are linked with dry pairs between them instead of UHF linking frequencies?
In short, if you ask me "Is Echolink radio?" The answer depends on how you're using it. I can't directly reach a repeater by my parents' house where a net happens every Friday that I like to hear, but I can key up a local repeater, dial the conference that they join on Echolink, and join the net with my HT in the back yard. The other members are using the repeater, and I'm using a repeater some 60 miles away. Seems like radio to me.
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The Scurge of Echolink
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by K4RAF on September 25, 2004
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This scurge occurs when on an HF frequency, having a conversation, when out of nowhere comes "N8*# repeeeter Conference On..."
Then listen to the Bink, Bonk, Ring, Ding of a repeater voice controller that throws the entire rythym of our converstaion out of whack. Who asked you here? All this disruption to appease some maladjudsted closet "operator" who insists he must "join" under equal opportunity arrogance of the internet...
I don't care about VHF/UHF repeater connections because I choose not to use them but come around HF with this circuit circus & suffer the consequences of abuse because if you can't figure out how to get on HF, EchoLink sure doesn't help you learn which way is up!
Yes it happened & the callsign of the one individual who was the worst offender is seared in my memory....
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RE: The Scurge of Echolink
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by K2WH on September 25, 2004
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Whining about the cost of equipment??? I currently have about (lost count), 12 HF transmitter, receiver and tranceivers combinations. Only one (1) of them costs more than $ 2,000.00. The others average about $ 300.00. They are used of course but still as good as any other expensive rig.
Point is, if these poverty stricken retired people can afford a computer with all the trimmings, they can certainly afford a rig to get on the air. If not well, then play cards.
K2WH
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RE: The Scurge of Echolink
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by K2WH on September 25, 2004
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"This scurge occurs when on an HF frequency, having a conversation, when out of nowhere comes "N8*# repeeeter Conference On..."
I didn't know ELink is on HF? That is certainly a tragedy.
K2WH
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by K4EKG on September 25, 2004
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Why not just use Yahoo Messenger or AOL Messenger? You can do the same things with those programs too and they have been around much longer. It may have some advantages for a few people but Its not Amateur Radio. If I can't get a real QSL card in my mailbox then I just dont need it. I have seen lots of Hams leave the hobby for the internet never to be heard from again and this is another good example of just that. Yes the internet is a fine tool and has many good uses but you have to draw the line somewhere. Thats the way I look at it...
Jason
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by NEW_TECH on September 25, 2004
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Why in Heaven's name would anyone want to spend hundreds (thousands) of dollars on ham equipment just to use Echolink? You can get a cheap laptop and a $5/mo. internet service to do the same thing as echolink does - both AIM and Yahoo messenger services are free, and more reliable as well.
Therefore, why is it necessary to clog the bands with what is the equivalent of AIM? Leave the radio waves to the RADIO operators, thank you very much...
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by X-WB1AUW on September 25, 2004
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Wrong.
That bright light was Salsa Clause, making a dry run for up coming Christmas.
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by KB1IVU on September 25, 2004
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Just deleted my echolink 2 weeks ago. Spent my time instead studying the code. Now I'm on HF having a ball. You can get a used FT840 for about 300-400 dollars on e-bay throw a piece of wire up and talk the world. Echolink has it's place but it sure ain't a replacement for ham radio. Like a friend of mine always says "what ever blows up your skirt sweetie!"
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by G3SEA on September 25, 2004
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Loved or Hated but never Ignored :) Echolink sure
reinforces that statement :)
Yes you can buy a used laptop for $250 and cheap ISP to connect to distant end VHF/UHF Repeaters but NO you cannot just buy an HF rig,throw up a wire and work the world because of:
1.CCR Antenna restrictions
2.TVI
3.Declining Solar Cycle.
I have lost count of the number of Worldwide hams who have told me ( on EchoLink ) that they have given up on HF because of lousy conditions,Interference etc.
The current migration to Echolink ( and IRLP ) will probably reverse when the Solar Cycle begins to reverse and climb around 2006/7. But that depends on
the CCR restrictions etc.
It has proved itself as a fun and reliable HYBRID system to get into Repeaters around the world.
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by KB2HSH on September 25, 2004
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Blessing?
No, Mr. Troll...the blessing is a good opening on 10 or 15....but sitting in front of your VoIP machine...well, I guess you wouldn't know...would you?
This author is little more than a trouble maker.
My $.02
John
HSH
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by K2WH on September 25, 2004
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This is a first and I am sorry I did not capture the image but you know the little featured station picture box in the upper right hand corner of Eham's screen that changes alot.
Well, there was one guy there proudly sitting in front of his "Echo Link" station. There did not seem to be any radios in the image. I did not see any.
The future is here and I am saddened by it.
K2WH
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by K0RGR on September 25, 2004
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Trolling, trolling, trolling, keep them doggies trolling...
Well, I've spent the last two weekends rebuilding my HF antennas in anticiption of less sunspots, and finally overcoming some serious shortcomings of the past. The 40 meter loop is now about 30 feet off the ground all the way around, and is capable of actually working DX on 40 and 20. An inverted L has been erected which works well on 80 and 30 meters, though the noise level on 30 still seems pretty high, but the signals I'm hearing seem pretty strong too.
Called CQ on PSK on 30 for a half hour - no takers. Worked a few in the RTTY contest on 20 and 80 - new antennas really do work. Watched the SSTV bunch on 75 for a while, and copied a few midwesterners on CW on 80. The whole time, Echolink was on in the background, and a couple of locals were working their pals elsewhere. So, it fits in pretty well.
We don't force you to use the autopatch if you prefer to use your cellphone, either. If you want to use 20 meters to talk to your ham buddies elsewhere, please do - we need the activity. In fact, I would discourage you from using Echolink if you can use HF. But if it is not convenient or practical for you to keep a sked on HF, give Echolink a try! It's great to hear from old friends when they drop in to say hello.
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by TECH2004 on September 25, 2004
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why is everyone harrasing the original author. he has made a lot of good points. just because you don't agree with him is no reason to try to berate him. he is looking to moving ahead and advancing the science of radio, unlike you dinosours who want to do your morse code to each other until your dead, but guess what, no one else is doing it and doesn't care about it. we are technologically advancing while you remain in the dark ages. hello, we have computers and cellphones now. get with it or fade away!
peace
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by W5GNB on September 25, 2004
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Hey, I think I just had a GREAT IDEA!
Why don't we move ALL CONTESTING over to the ECHOLINK?
This way, we could have our ham bands back on the weekends!~!!!~~~
Maybe we should petition the ARRL with this proposal before they SCREW up the hambands AGAIN with this dumb hamband plan they are proposing.......
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by SWL_HAM on September 25, 2004
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"QSL cards are FREE in all colors and graphics; just send them to the e-mail address"
Why not just send QSL cards for operating Yahoo Chat or ICQ?
While Echolink might be a blessing in some minds, I fail to see how this is could possibly be any different that simply "chatting" over the internet.
After all, "chatting" over the internet isn't the same as holding a D-104 mic in your hand and tuning and HF rig to your favorite frequency now is it?
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by SWL_HAM on September 25, 2004
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"we are technologically advancing while you remain in the dark ages. hello, we have computers and cellphones now. get with it or fade away!"
The trouble with your line of thinking is in the fact that you are replacing radio, not improving it.
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by SWL_HAM on September 25, 2004
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"Trolling, trolling, trolling, keep them doggies trolling..
Trollhide?
Well, in all seriousness, replacing Amateur radio with a person sitting behind a computer screen, talking into a cheap plastic computer microphone, is not in my opinion called Amateur Radio.
This would be called "Using a computer to talk into a cheap plastic microphone over the internet."
Where is the antenna tuner located on my pentium computer anyways?
Similarly, why drive our cars to work? We could just "simulate" our way to our jobs everyday using the internet.
Get the idea?
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by KG9IO on September 26, 2004
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"Similarly, why drive our cars to work? We could just "simulate" our way to our jobs everyday using the internet.
Get the idea?"
Wow! I kind of like that idea... Will it still pay as good??
DNFTF
KG9IO
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The Curse of Echolink
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by EI5FK on September 26, 2004
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Sorry Guys&dolls Echolink is not for me, but at the same time wondering who will get the first ECHOLINK dxcc or the 1st worked all IP address award :-)
Suppose it takes all kinds
Long live real radio
http://www.qsl.net/ei5fk/
Charles
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by KB7LYM on September 26, 2004
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An Echolink radio can be bought at Joe's Refined Radio Equipment store in Kansas city. Just go to his web page. www.jfre.com
KB7LYM
73
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by KB2HSH on September 26, 2004
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...and $5000 radios? MOST of us can't afford that....it's true. But, I paid $100 for my Argonaut, and $60 for my HTX-10 (new), and I am working DX regularly. Gee...$160 is what...the price of a crappy used laptop?
God, I can't believe I am trying to prove my point to you. Look, go hangout in front of your local ITT Technical Institute "campus"...THEY may be impressed by your NON-HAM exploits.
John
HSH
(busy listening to 15m for DX)
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Amazing !!!
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by KB7LYM on September 26, 2004
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Folks ... after I wrote this article I was amazed how many OLD Operators suddenly woke up from their coma's. Yes they now opened their eyes and with shaking fingers brought the wrath upon good hearted KB7LYM who knows that he did a good thing for those old behemoths. Yes HATE keeps one alive ! But it is with pleasure to announce that I now will upgrade to a new class of Operators. Extra Echolink 1 or EE1
You to can upgrade ! For a $ 15.00 fee you will get an EE1 certificate that you can proudly display on your wall. Sorry about the mistakes in the Engkliz language as I have come from the Old Country. I speek the other 7 languages just as badly.
Do not worry about me.... I am just fine
10-4 BIG FRANK on I-5 signing off
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by ON4SKY on September 26, 2004
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Hi,
Without wishing to initiate a controversy that develp without me for months and years now about Echolink, a question is often asked that might anger some of us : will the "old fashion" amateur radio survive this true revolution ? Because it is ! This is much more than one more "big chat room", or another Messenger system as say some hams. Of course EchoLink and others VoIP systems do not transmit video as Messenger does. But Messenger does not connect to repeaters located in the middle of nowhere either !
Some hams resist to the idea of integrating VoIP among the modes accessible to amateurs for several reasons, some acceptable others much less. Here are some :
- Using Internet, this is no more ham radio. This assertion is only true if both hams work without RF linking and communicate only from their PC in single-user mode.
- VoIP is not ham radio as you do no more work on the air. This argument stays valid for purists and some "oldtimers" who still do beleive that a ham radio has to use a transceiver, an antenna and shouldn't incorporate new modes and technologies to make QSO. But in that case we can also answer them : do no more work in SSB neither because in the first time of ham radio all OM worked only CW with a dipole or so... So where have you to place your technical approbation ? In that case what technology or accessory do you "accept" or not to work a station ? For some hams clusters as all digital modes are already consider as "artificial" modes. And even if these new modes work with RF some hams refuse to use them... At last there are indecisive people that should accept to use EchoLink but refuse it because if it can use repeaters and VHF/UHF transceiver, its work with VoIP which is not an RF linking. Right. This is an individual opinion that we have to respect too.
Personally I do not find many arguments con this tool, excepting these ones :
- You need to be in contact with your correspondant to hear him, excepting when you are in conference (one ham or a conference server is contacted by more than one user)
- If your contact has a bad upbringing he can disconnect without notice (never or very rarely practiced on the air)
- QSL are not valid for the DXCC, HI !, but you can send eQSL if you like.
- The application is limited to voice transmission, it is VOICE over IP. There is no option yet to work CW, SSTV, etc) even if some tools can solve this problem (i.e InterAce to send images, etc).
- An option (the white hand, "List Me as Busy") allow you to close the access to a conversation that you initiated. This let the door open to all private conversations. In respect with the ham spirit and the near-public access to the EchoLink network I consider that this option should be disabled. However there are situations where groups of users involving emergency services do not wish to be disturbed while discussing local issues. There are also clubs who wish to have a local only net. So while most do run an "open system" there are those who do not, and EchoLink support team decided to respect their wishes.
- ...anything else ? I don't think so.
In fact whether or not EchoLink is amateur radio depends on how you use it. If you are talking computer to computer, of course it is just like any chat program. But EchoLink is much more...
Examples of RF linkings handled by EchoLink
The difference between EchoLink and Internet chat rooms is that you can talk to stations that are mobile or portable in V/UHF going through their locally linked repeater. You can also use wireless adapters. Thus you are no more limited to computer to computer connections. Beside of my Japanese contact worked via the 3A2MZ-L simplex repeater, here is another and more complex example.
You can use EchoLink to talk from your portable RF transceiver, connected to a local UHF repeater, then out over EchoLink, itself connected the local CATV company RF fiber optic line, then to a satellite link to Oceania, to another RF link, to a VHF repeater, to talk at last with a ham working mobile on his 2m portable somewhere in Australia in the middle of nowhere ! In this special case, both amateurs radio picture that this transmission uses much more RF than "wired" lines ! In fact, technically speaking each of them does not really work DX but only to their nearest repeater.
You can complexify this link in using wireless PC connexions too. Imagine that you want to use your portable computer outdoor, in your garden, but of course there is no Internet connexion available outside your house. This is not a problem. There are two possibilities : WiRi and Air-base. The first is a public wireless network requesting one base station using a DSL connexion linked to the Internet. This connexion can be shared at no charge by several remote users (you can always share you telephone bill with them, hi).
Air base is more respectfuly of the ham spirit. To use your portable PC running EchoLink a few hundreds meters from your home you have to plug in the portable an USB or PCMCIA wireless adapter (e.g. D-link). This card emits a RF signal to its "Air-base" and links your remote portable to the Internet. The Air-base consists in an small external peripheral equipped with an antenna and wired to your main computer serial adapter. The signal is then handled by EchoLink.
So EchoLink is great for "on the fly" linking of/to V/UHF repeaters, wireless stations, or even "link" stations. But of course it can also be nothing more than two hams sitting at their computers talking like in a "chat room" to each other via the switched line... But even connecting directly computers, EchoLink is useful to lighten your phone bill if you regularly in contact with ham friends !
And what about the old-fashion nostalgy ?
It is sometimes difficult for some amateurs radio to grasp this new technology. They remain intimidated, timorous, and most than probably misinformed about how it really works, and therefore they seem to compensate for their lack of knowledge by criticizing new tools. These same folks are probably intimidated by computers too.
Those who do not accept EchoLink appear to know very little about the actual operation of EchoLink, or what it is really capable of (e.g. most resistants ignore the RF linking feature). Their arguments seem very similar to those "oldtimers" who criticized AM saying that it would never replace the spark gap, or those elders who criticized SSB saying it would never be "real ham radio" like should be CW, or at last those who criticized digital displays in the 80's and who bought later a VCR or a digital radio.
If you are strictly amateur radio-oriented and you won't involve other applications that "spoil your hobby", what are you doing in SSB, on ham radio forums, with APRS and other digital modes like packet radio ? Internet is definetly not ham radio, but you are probably using it too to share or to get information dealing with amateur radio, isn't it... Up to now we have never say that these hams didn't practice an amateur radio activity... EchoLink works not a different way than the other digital modes, but it is only more complete.
But we can help people resisting to new technologies. We have maybe to share our knowledge about this product and educate these "naysayers" to help them understand exactly how EchoLink works. That will not be easy, but if they demonstrate a willingness to learn, they may someday come to understand it and appreciate its features.
So, although I am using a computer at one side and a transceiver equipped with a digital display on the other side, like you I am still using RF to talk to other hams, I still have to follow my national ham regulation, and I still have to follow all these undocumented rules of the ham community because I want to respect the ham spirit using actively amateur radio bands. As many hams I am just using occasionnally remote repeaters to get contact with close friends. That still sounds like amateur radio to me, doesn't it ?
A new mode for amateurs but... OK, of course with EchoLink you could never work EME or by satellite, at least up to now. It is right. You could never hear noises on bands, tuning made by fool hams on your frequency, ducky voices of hams in QSO a fraction of kilohertz up, or participating in pile-ups or contests. Of course.
However I would like to highlight a fact that could have consequences in the future if we do not care of it. In the "full Internet" mode of EchoLink, single-user, you lost most of the advantages you have won in entering the ham community : the protection of ham bands for which IARU and national ham associations have fought hardly at WARC conferences against all civilian and military services, quality transceivers, antennas and accessories, contests, QSL buros, awards without to forget the feeling that offers the fact to be on the air, free to call DX or ragchewing.
So in order to preserve our rights on amateur radio bands I warmly recommand you to keep using your RTX in as many modes as you can, CW and SSB being the most important, far beyond all digital modes. If one day we lost these modes or even amateur bands because of there is no more amateur working, do not blame your neighboor connected to the Internet... Another way to work in preserving in the same time our bands, is buying a V/UHF FM transceiver and activating EchoLink relays, HI !
Looking at the other systems EchoLink is really fantastic. Already from a pure accessibility point of vue : it is accessible to all licensed amateurs (and only them), contacts are easy, it uses the power of your computer if necessary (for sendings mails, etc), contacts are free of QRM and fading, there is no propagation problems, no dedicated material is required (in single-user mode), no other connexion excepting Internet, and last but not least, if you are already using an DSL connexion, the price of your connexion time is already included in your fixed price.
Today many countries including the U.S.A., Germany or the small Luxembourg allow EchoLink to use V/UHF relays or, say differently, they allow amateurs to use VoIP. However some countries are opposed to this mode because private (ham radio) and public (Internet) networks are interconnected (e.g. France and Belgium) but until further notice exceptionally they accept that repeaters work this way. In fact, legally most national regulations do not regulate such systems (e.g. interconnexions of stations with Internet) but they focus on how stations are operated (manually or automatically, using or not simple VoIP node, and on what frequencies). These issues are more important than checking how your station is feeded... So guardianship ministeries (FCC, ART, IBPT, OFCOM, SRR, etc) have recognized that EchoLink counts among ham tools, like SSTV or PSK31 to name a few. Like packet radio, EchoLink allow you to enlarge the spectrum of ham activities, experimenting new antennas or interfaces if you want to work with a repeater.
In the mind of many users like in mine, EchoLink is only a new mode, nothink else, but an easy mode to work DX that every licensed ham, even the one restricted to V/UHF can use freely and that gives to amateur radio a new breath through the use of new technologies. So I really think that both activities, the "old-fashion" radio and the VoIP of EchoLink or any other sofware, have each their place in the ham world, each of us finding plus and minus sides to both activities. Now if you really want to contact your family or friends living abroad using a webcam, sure Messenger is for you, all the more that it is free.
To close this thought, remind you that amateur radio is much more than just radio. But it is nothing without radio. So let's put it into context and stay balanced.
Before giving your opinion on the air or on forums about this tool, I suggest you to check by yourself, to validate your callsign and to work only once with EchoLink, simplex of course but also via repeaters, from your garden. I am sure that your opinion will change... If you are open-minded I bet that like many amateurs you will appreciate its features. Once accepted you can no more ignore EchoLink, still less when you will use repeaters to call DX, Hi !
Hope this helps,
ON4SKY, LX3SKY, node 2273
http://www.astrosurf.com/lombry
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by N9VYK on September 26, 2004
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I bet someday soon there will be an echolink radio for sale.
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by WR8D on September 26, 2004
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I too see nothing at all wrong with echolink. I worked a fellow in London via my 2 meter repeater. He had the same setup on his side of the atlantic. I was driving around the country side here in Westvirginia and the London station was out in the country side there as well. The audio was perfect, infact if he had not told me where he was i would of thought he was an english station on vacation here in the "hills". This has so much to offer to the disabled ham. Those of us that are more fortunate need to not be such "snobs". Just because we can sling tons of rf at the atmosphere does'nt mean others less fortunate aren't having just as much fun as we are. I've used echolink a few times and really enjoyed it but i no longer have it on my computers. Let those that need it alone to enjoy it and keep our "snob" attitudes to ourselves. We're always to fast to talk down to others or look down on this or that as though we think we are better than everyone else. Hey face it those folks are having just as much fun as us rf freaks.
My 2 cents: WR8D
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by K9WLF on September 26, 2004
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To the author, if you are going to post a website for an "echolink radio", get the website correct. Not only does jfre.com not exist, the domain name is for sale. Besides, Tigerdirect.com ( online computer retailer) could be an alternate site for an "echolink radio". To KB2HSH, when I went to ITT Technical institute, we impressed the hell out of the students and instructors alike, when we built a 3 watt ATV transmitter and receiver and demonstrated fast scan TV for our last quarter project. To all who feel the need to insult and spew vitriolic diatribe, remember that it is not the class of license the Amateur holds but the class of amateur who holds the license. By the way, as far as prices of radios is concerned, I paid $425 for my original 706 and $600 for my Kenwood TS940SAT. I was also in the right place at the right time with the right friends and got my hands on an ITT MacKay MSR 8000 HF radio, autotuner, power supply and all associated cables for free. Those of you who know this radio, know what I have and it is not for sale. Sounds like about $4000 less that $5000 and about the same price as my monster computer I built, which doesn't have Echolink on it. I have tried Echolink, Ilink and IRLP, and I am convinced that they have their place. Only IRLP comes closest to radio, but it is still not real radio in my opinion. To the author, you obviously knew you were going to whack the hornet's nest with this, and you did this for what reason? This is another topic that has been beaten past the point of death, just like the code, no code debate tnat managed to rear it's ugly head by, I notice, yet another anonymous poster. Enjoy whatever facet of Amateur Radio you like, but don't try to justify your likes or forcefeed them to others. Everyone finds what they like and plays with it. Whatever you choose to do, just enjoy the hobby and expose non-hams to our hobby. We all need to work on building the quantity AND quality of the Amateurs to keep the hobby moving ahead.
73, de Tom, K9WLF/4
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by TECH2004 on September 26, 2004
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i am setting up my computer for echolink now. what would be a good microphone to use? i have a labtec now. can i get on echolink, computer-to-computer without a license yet? i want to start to use it. i think if i go thru a repeater that is ok to as third party traffic.
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by K2WH on September 26, 2004
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"I too see nothing at all wrong with echolink. I worked a fellow in London via my 2 meter repeater. He had the same setup on his side of the atlantic."
This statement is so lame. Talking to a station in Europe via you local repeater, is not the same as "working" the station. You were working your repeater.
Don't you echo link advocates get it? You are twisting and spinning the meaning of ham RADIO. No matter how many of you post the long disertations about the pros of echolink, it is still and will be a mistake calling it ham radio and an abomination in the eyes of real hams. DUMP ECHOLINK.
K2WH
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by KB9YGD on September 26, 2004
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Good Article Frank.I Am In Agreement With You On Echolink.I use It In The System Op mode To Control My Yaesu FT-847 With A Rigblaster In The Crossband Mode.This Allows Me To Wander All Over With The HT(Kenwood,TH-F6A,Dual Receive) & Transmit On UHF Which Is retransmitted On Vhf & Receive On Lets Say 146.520.I Can Even Do This From The Mobil & Have A Big Base Station Signal Within Range.And while I Am Crossbanding Other Hams Can Also Connect To Me From Anywhere On The Planet Via Their Echolink Program & Computer.Gentlemen It Doesnt Get much Better Than This.73, ``THE REAL HAM``
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by KB7LYM on September 26, 2004
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It is great to see that some of the folks here are interested in Echolink. Many shout foul etc !! But take packet for instance. Here we hook up to our local repeater. Then there was BOEING who had a free service for the so called HAMRADIO PACKET WIRELESS OPERATORS. They fed the signal via a telephone cable to EUROPE. There it was spit out and again transmitted via the repeaters. Perhaps an old version of ECHOLINK. But tghere are those that cry in their beards and many Operators not in their class are considered lepers. The new Operators who are coming in contact with them...say; L@@K he is one of those ! He did it like his forefathers and his forefathers did. Like looking into a Hamradio Expo at the Smithsonian Institute.
NO HUMOR ALLOWED. Sober and stale conversation a must.
On the other hand when a brain surgeon opperates they will tell jokes and watch cartoons of Heckle and Jeckle to break the spell of boredom
I wish you well and remember " There is no escape from Echolink "
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by N0FPE on September 26, 2004
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HAHAHAH Chomp chomp chomp...The troll bit on that one!!! I do believe you just took the bait!!! It is so funny how the ECHOLINKERS get so wound up when folks that dont see ECHOLINK as Ham radio poke fun at the mode. I will agree EL is ONE area of ham radio but it is NOT the best thing to come along. And the OLD line abt not being able to put up antennas is so tired it needs a good nap. IF you really want to get on the air you have to try harder! OH DARN I forgot, if it takes any effort at all its way to hard!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
See you on the HF Bands...I am on 18.113 right now...and Echolinkers want to have a qso???? oH SORRY YOU CANT.
dAN
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by W2SRH on September 26, 2004
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K2WH wrote:
"This statement is so lame. Talking to a station in Europe via you local repeater, is not the same as "working" the station. You were working your repeater.
"Don't you echo link advocates get it? You are twisting and spinning the meaning of ham RADIO. No matter how many of you post the long disertations about the pros of echolink, it is still and will be a mistake calling it ham radio and an abomination in the eyes of real hams. DUMP ECHOLINK."
Don't *you* get it? I would think that falls under Part 97.1(e), "Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill." But apparently what he did was not ham radio. In that case, please give me the frequency of a local Echolink-enabled repeater near you, and when you'll be listening to it, so I can tell you what I really think about your attitude. Since it's not radio, the FCC won't care what language I use, right?
"real hams". Gee, and I thought all the learning I've done and the exams I've taken meant I was a real ham too, not to mention the nets I've joined, the QSOs I've had on HF (with help from others) and VHF and above, the assistance I gave when the area around here flooded and the local EOC went active, and the general feelings I've had about all facets of amateur radio from circuit design to propagation, CW to PSK31 and SSB to AM. Guess I'm not anymore. Thank you, oh Lord William, for making me see the light. Pray tell, what must I do to become a real ham?
So you don't like Echolink. Then don't use it. As I said before, when two people use it to connect from one computer to another with no RF involved, then no, it's not radio. But using it to link repeaters most certainly still involves radio, and is a part of ham radio no matter how many times you whine and cry and stomp your feet. Guess what? I don't like phone emissions anymore. No real hams use phone, real hams only use CW. And not with their wussied-up VFOs, real hams use spark gap transmitters and thousand foot antennas. Come back when you're a real ham.
Best to keep your mouth closed and have people assume you're dumb rather than open it and prove them right.
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EchoLink " Beyond The Infinite " :)
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by G3SEA on September 26, 2004
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I guess all that remains to be said after all the above is " Enjoy whatever mode,system you use " and have fun making (Ham ) friends across this troubled world.
The above discourse is good for the hobby for it makes people think :)
All bands HF thru VHF need activity ( including EchoLink/IRLP 'Hybrid' activity )otherwise we will surely lose some.
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by W8MW on September 26, 2004
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One must look long and hard to find a ham radio article written by someone with a sense of humor. Apparently it's ever harder to find hams with a sense of humor. Thanks Frank. Bad boy.
73 Mike
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by N6AJR on September 26, 2004
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Echo link is kind of like eating food, it goes in as pie and ice cream, and comes out the other end as POO POO
goes in like radio and cpomes out like computer.. HMMMM
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YOU MUST FEEL SAD FOR THIS MAN
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by KB7LYM on September 26, 2004
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N0FPE wrote that I the Throll was biting into his bait ? But I thought ( and that might be hard for N0FPD ) What the heck... I look him up on the QRZ Search. There I found him. A lone wanderer in the Arizona desert, to much Sun ! By his own words in the profile he is bored. A former high skilled CB Operator who after years of wishing became a HAM. What kind of ham is up for debate. Now that he is laughing at poor old Frank and counting on his wisdom that he might become an Extra in about an other 25 years I wish him well. So many come like a thousand flies to a dead Camel in the desert to my Resque that I sleep comfortable however with one eye open. An old saying in Europe goes like this " Who does not laugh looking at people " Yes folks, We must feel sorry for this Desert Rat. I wish I could cool him down, on the other hand I need the Ice myself.
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by K0RGR on September 26, 2004
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As for the original post, it seemed to me that it was intended to inflame the passions of the 'anti' VOIP crowd more than to sing the praises of Echolink. Echolink should not be viewed as a substitute for 'real' radio, it's just another tool in toolbag, and a pretty nifty one at that.
But as for it being "an abomination" in the eyes of "real hams" - I'm a second generation ham for nearly 40 years, over 30 as an Extra, way more than 100 years of combined ham radio experience in the family, and I don't see it as an "abomination". I guess I'm an unreal ham, but at least my temporary antennas are better than the ones you describe in your QRZ profile (neener neener neener!).
This website seems to be growing more negative in its tone every day. Every attempt to promote anything new or different is met with the most outrageous vitriol.
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by AA2QA on September 26, 2004
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K0RGR has hit the nail pretty well. My thought is this - the folks who were on HF years ago (I was WN2CJV in 1962, WB2OSP in 1964, and received my extra along with 1st radiotelephone and 2nd radiotelegraph in 1966) and have been on CW, RTTY (model 28 ASR in my case), AM, SSB, FM and other modes would tend to welcome new technologies to amateur radio.
Someone who was in high school in the mid 80s and later and has been on the internet *before* getting their amateur license would likely see it (Echolink) in a different light. Despite the arrival of the "extra light" ticket and, at least to me, appear to be fairly easy questions, the steady complaints are to eliminate code (not a problem for me) and make the tests even easier (a problem for me).
Frankly, I'd like to see certified programs that generate random questions for resonant frequency, bandwidth, series/parallel circuits (both DC *and* AC) and print the multiple guess questions randomly (the correct answer might be "a" one time and "c" another). Of course, wrong answers would have a calculation applied that would appear correct if someone used the wrong formula. This would eliminate publishing of questions and answers and would tend to weed out those who simply want the license so they can legally use the kilowatt rigs on AM or SSB on HF. However, the programs would be available to anyone who wishes to study since they would have to figure out the answer - which would also change each time they ran it. Of course, at an official test site, the VE team would administer the test and simply print out the required number of copies (as well as a few "answer" sheets for themselves). Everyone in that room on that date would get the same test. Every different test session would have a similar, but different, test.
One simple way of curing a couple of problems ;)
73 from Rochester, NY
Jim - AA2QA
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by K2WH on September 26, 2004
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"give me the frequency of a local Echolink-enabled repeater near you, and when you'll be listening to it, so I can tell you what I really think about your attitude."
I would, but most of the repeaters around here dumped it as annoying, unworkable and quite lame. Oh, and I don't listen to Echolink, I purged it last year from my computer.
K2WH
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by SWL_HAM on September 26, 2004
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"They remain intimidated, timorous, and most than probably misinformed about how it really works, and therefore they seem to compensate for their lack of knowledge by criticizing new tools. These same folks are probably intimidated by computers too."
On the contrary, us old farts like to use computers too. We just don't want to REPLACE amateur radio with computers.
Then it would be called "computers" and not ham radio.
Now was that so hard to understand?
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by SWL_HAM on September 26, 2004
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"This argument stays valid for purists and some "oldtimers" who still do beleive that a ham radio has to use a transceiver, an antenna and shouldn't incorporate new modes and technologies to make QSO."
However, these new echolink "technologies" you propose are a REPLACEMENT, and not an enhancement to amateur radio.
It is O.K. to incorporate new technologies into amateur radio, provided that the cost at the end of the day isn't the elimination or replacement of the ARS.
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RE: EchoLink " Beyond The Infinite " :)
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by SWL_HAM on September 26, 2004
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"Enjoy whatever mode,system you use " and have fun making (Ham ) friends across this troubled world."
I hear that ICQ is a good operating mode for this purpose.
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by SWL_HAM on September 26, 2004
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"Don't you echo link advocates get it? You are twisting and spinning the meaning of ham RADIO. No matter how many of you post the long disertations about the pros of echolink, it is still and will be a mistake calling it ham radio and an abomination in the eyes of real hams."
What a beautiful comment.. I think I'm gonna cry.
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Who is that clip-clopping on my bridge?
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by N4UM on September 27, 2004
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Even better, just pick up the telephone!
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RE: The Scurge of Echolink
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by AE1X on September 27, 2004
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To: K2WH
I made an EchoLink connection to a 2 land station and used his 20mtr SSB transceiver to make contacts from NJ, where he's located. The very next day, I worked the same NJ station on 10mtr FM using an EchoLink connected station in TX to contact NJ. I'm sorry, some of EchoLink is a form of radio. I can recall a time with repeaters were not considered true amateur radio. That was in the early days of this system. I would wager that the original SSB experimenters ran afowl of their brethen when this mode first started out. It seems there is always an uproar when something new and different is introduced that breaks with the norm.
To the fellow that did not appreciate the breaking station from EchoLink from the N8*** station, it's a sorry state of affairs when an amateur station does not accomodate someone wishing to join a QSO in progress. I take it that you would not have appreciated his joining your contact if he was truely on HF and not just only linking from the Net. This should not be a comdemnation of EchoLink, but of the N8*** for not recognizing that he was not welcome to join your QSO in progress in the first place.
Look, there are many kinds of systems present on HF. Some not as traditional as others would like, but these are systems that permit HF contacts by those without the means to put up antennae. Many people these days live in places where antennae are banded outright and this may be his/her only way to enjoy an HF QSO. They should not find themselves being condemned any more than the many newcomers that join this service from other services that are not as acceptable to mainstream amateur radio. Let's welcome them and help to educate them so they are a source of contacts and enjoyment rather than an annoyance to be condemned.
Ken
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RE: The Scurge of Echolink
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by NEW_TECH on September 27, 2004
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"God, I can't believe I am trying to prove my point to you. Look, go hangout in front of your local ITT Technical Institute "campus"...THEY may be impressed by your NON-HAM exploits. "
Nice one. That really proves your point real well. Except for a few problems:
1.) There is no ITT Tech campus around here.
2.) What non-ham exploits are you talking about? Do you mean talking to people like yourself over the Internet? Well, you were right about that - reading your posts are non-ham exploits. But I don't think anyone from ITT Tech would be impressed.
3.) Your point would have been well taken, except you had to make yourself sound like a blithering idiot with that garbage you spouted at me after making your original point.
4.) You didn't answer my concerns at all. You just said you could get cheap ham stuff for the price of a laptop. You never assured me that using RADIO bandwidth would be more efficient or more reliable than AIM.
5.) Keep arguing. You're making me look real good when you reply with your snotty posts.
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by KF4LVC on September 27, 2004
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I have used echoling for some local contacts. The only comment I can make about it is this:
Hams have always been on the "bleeding-edge" of technology, often inventing or improving upon new, little-used, little-understood, and little-commecially-profitable ideas. I work in the wireless telecom industry and I know that Voice Over IP is a technology that has not yet come into it's own. We can debate the merrits of EchoLink all day as being a real "mode" of radio. The fact of the matter is that coputer technology IS changing the way the world communicates and I think it's great that Amateurs have jumped into VOIP with both feet! Look, it's free to download, it allows "DX" over VHF/UHF repeaters, and, most of all, it shows once again that Hams are not just a bunch of appliance operators. We are experimentors and pioneers. Once upon a time that meant only the world of electronics. Now, (and you need to thank the maker for this), we add the realm of computers and software to that fold. We are the "geeks" that do this stuff for fun...that ultimately becomes something useful to the rest of the world. We don't get paid for our innovations, or enthusiasm.
So, it matters not if EchoLink is real "radio". What does matter is that, again, Hams are braving the frontier of the communications world.
Thanks.
Vince
KF4LVC
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by KB2RJH on September 27, 2004
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Looks like the only TROLLS and LIDS are the ones who come on here and post negative things about other peoples posts as my parents always said if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all. I have used E C H O L I N K before and hey it's not bad at all and all so talked on HF which was nice to so to each there own.
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by AD6WL on September 27, 2004
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I could be wrong but I think this article was a joke. Why do I think that? Beacuse I was laughing as I read it.
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RE: The Blessing? of Echolink "humor"
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by K3ESE on September 27, 2004
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Reading this article, then seeing how many hams and wannabes took it seriously, argued its merits, etc., I think anyone who tries to spoof any issue to this audience of literal-minded folks might choose to use an even broader brush...if that's possible! LOL!!!
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IT IS POSSIBLE
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by KB7LYM on September 27, 2004
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I now saw that there is an ECHOLINK on SALE ON eHam and its not from me. Wow !!!!
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by SWL_HAM on September 27, 2004
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"We can debate the merrits of EchoLink all day as being a real "mode" of radio."
When can we get back to age old "AM" mode is real ham radio discussion? Did we ever reach a conclusion on that yet?
..lol
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RE: IT IS POSSIBLE
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by NEW_TECH on September 27, 2004
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I have decided to say, whatever. Echolink isn't going away, whether we "old-timers" like it or not. (Funny, because I'm a kid by most of your standards...)
Anyway, it's a hobby. I'm not in it to make enemies. That's why I am involved in politics. Hihihihi.
Most serious DXers just wouldn't see using anything besides a good rig setup and a good antenna true DX. The thrill of DXing comes from transmitting your signal via RF as far as you can get it to go, and using the internet to carry your signal just doesn't count.
Okay, so that's all for me. I'm going to find something worthwhile to discuss.
KC9GNR
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by N9LYA on September 27, 2004
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I use echolink just for what it is a VOiP Chat room.. and thats fine..
But if Echolink is to be used as you stated above.. Thus replacing a radio.. Then you are not a HAM RADIO Op... If it is used to augmnent what you have fine.. butto avoid all those things listed in your note just by using echolink.. Simply makes you a Intenret Chat user period...
And you are more then welcome to do so... But do not ask me to say it is ham radio.. Used your way it is nothing more then a VOiP Chat room that suposedly kept you from buying and installing a Rig...
Now for the invalid who is stuck in a Nurcing home.. I agree this can be great..
But for able bodied Hams to revert to Echolink just so they do not have to buy gear.... then you might as well throw away your license..
I am sure Echolink will never be on the endangered band spectrun defense list... Butthen again it is not RF Sprectrum.. it is Telephone lines..
73 jerry
73 Jerry
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by N9LYA on September 27, 2004
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I use echolink just for what it is a VOiP Chat room.. and thats fine..
But if Echolink is to be used as you stated above.. Thus replacing a radio.. Then you are not a HAM RADIO Op... If it is used to augmnent what you have fine.. butto avoid all those things listed in your note just by using echolink.. Simply makes you a Intenret Chat user period...
And you are more then welcome to do so... But do not ask me to say it is ham radio.. Used your way it is nothing more then a VOiP Chat room that suposedly kept you from buying and installing a Rig...
Now for the invalid who is stuck in a Nurcing home.. I agree this can be great..
But for able bodied Hams to revert to Echolink just so they do not have to buy gear.... then you might as well throw away your license..
I am sure Echolink will never be on the endangered band spectrun defense list... Butthen again it is not RF Sprectrum.. it is Telephone lines..
73 jerry
73 Jerry
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by WR8D on September 27, 2004
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K2WH...its a linking tool simple as that. Really no differant than a 220 or a 440 link between machines. The end result is the same. Establish long distant paths between separate repeaters, only the phone line supplys the link. The english station was a ham mobile on 2meters on his side of the atlantic. We had both our repeaters linked. I honestly can not see how so many can have a problem with this. If you guys want to bitch about something how about the chickenbanders with ham tickets that you hear "everywhere". I got so sick of hearing "rogee" yesterday on 20 and 40 meters i shut the rigs down. Ease up guys. Try hooking up to a station in Japan and let them tell you about how over crowded it is there and most of them "try" to run qrp to get out because of all the interference to each other. Echolink is really coming through for those folks.
73, John
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by TRUEHAM on September 27, 2004
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Echolink is truly a blessing and a Godsend. I like my Echolink radio room - which has a lot less clutter. My wife is happy too because no antennas on the house. It has let me enjoy the ham radio hobby much more than in the past, with little to no additional expenses beyond the computer and high-quality headset I purchased. Not as many wires and cables to connect either.
After using Echolink for the past year now, I've even managed to accumulate over 100 QSL cards too! A large portion of one wall in my Echolink radio room is completly covered with QSL cards. I call it my "brag-wall". I think Echolink is the greatest for both new and old fashioned hams alike.
Regards,
Tommy
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by KB2HSH on September 27, 2004
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"NEW-TECH":
A: Your spelling and grammar give no doubt as to your maturity and education level
B: The fact that you're a COWARD and hide behind a pseudonym is priceless.
Enjoy your VoIP, little boy.
HSH
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by OH5HZW on September 27, 2004
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I have used 2 years that Echolink and Eqso programs with my computer...It´s fun and I like it!I can make qso´s everywhere without qrm,etc.But it´s not same thing when you make qso on the air with a great tranceiver...73!See you on the band!
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by K7PEH on September 27, 2004
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NEW_TECH signed as KG9GNR and I think he is a new technician which is a good reason to sign as NEW_TECH. Maybe he joined this forum before he got his call sign.
Well, we all have opinions to share on this net but I hope we do not discourage a new ham. So, to KG9GNR, enjoy your new hobby whether it is RF or Echolink.
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by NEW_TECH on September 27, 2004
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"A: Your spelling and grammar give no doubt as to your maturity and education level
B: The fact that you're a COWARD and hide behind a pseudonym is priceless.
Enjoy your VoIP, little boy. "
I challenge you to find any significant grammar or spelling errors in my posts. I find your ad hominem attacks to be telling of your lack of a case against me.
I did indeed sign up for this site before I had my callsign, which is KC9GNR. You could easily find out just about all of my personal information with just that. Therefore, how you could think you're justified in calling me a coward is a mystery to me.
Most hams I have ever talked to were very kind people, willing to give me any advice I could possibly need to keep me on the air. One ham was even nice enough to open up my radio to perform a very delicate repair for me. The willingness of these people to help a new ham has been incredible.
Then we have you. I try to be as polite to you as possible while still maintaining some level of forcefulness in my arguments. Yet, you reply with ad hominem attacks and refuse to even address the subject matter at hand. Are you a memeber of that same community I described in the previous paragraph? I'll bet you think that you're one smart cookie, sitting behind that computer screen harassing a new 18 year old ham. I'll even bet that a lot of people here are applauding you.
And then, I'll bet a lot of people here think you are full of it. I'm trying to hold a conversation here, and instead of taking the moral high ground responding to my original post, you act like this. I'll admit I went overboard in my original post, but I backed down. You haven't. You continue to needlessly degrade my character, needlessly and falsely.
I invite you to sit there and think about that. I am heavily involved in politics, so I am used to people like you attacking me personally without ever addressing the argument that I presented. Usually people do this when they feel they are backed into a corner and can't counter an argument. Maybe this is the case here, maybe not. But you had better keep in mind that you're convincing no one, and you're really making yourself look bad when you chase a newcomer away from a hobby that you yourself probably think is dying.
Have a nice day.
KC9GNR
And again, so no one can falsely claim that I'm a coward:
Kilo Charlie Nine Golf November Romeo
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by KC9GNR on September 27, 2004
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And why are you telling me to "enjoy VoIP" if I was arguing AGAINST it?
Just a thought.
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by N8VCL on September 28, 2004
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> Your costs are WAY off. A brand spanking new HF/VHF/UHF radio cah be had for $2000 <
Not even that much. The FT-897 is on sale for under $900 these days. Others are cheaper.
Scott
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by W3ZD on September 28, 2004
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To use a saying of an old friend WB4DYJ, "If it ain't CW, it's CB"
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by NJ1K on September 28, 2004
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I have to agree with what appears to be the majority here: "YUCKO-STINK" is NOT ham radio....
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by N9LYA on September 28, 2004
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Tommy what you do and what you say are two different things..
Amateur Radio uses RF (WIRELESS Communications which is what HAMS have been doing for 100 Years)
Amateur Telephone uses the Telehpone lines.
How many watts does your Dell Brand PC Ham Rig put out???
Not a personal attack... As I do not know you..
But to bypass all the fun and enjoyment of knowing that you can be heard in austraila over the telephone .. Does not compare to what its like to do it with RADIO..
I urge you to side step the telephone lines and atleast go to a hams home and use his HF rig and have a REAL QSO and OBTAIN a REAL QSL card.
I have 4 HF rigs several VHF UHF HTs Mobiles and base radios.. I have an outdoor antenna of some kind going to each radio that is in my house... I have two towers, Two Three element beams, 4 Inverted V antennas and several Omni and VHF UHF Beams..
In my entire Station I have probably spent less then $10,000 Over its life time.. That includes License test fees.. Coax and accessories, all equipment, subscriptions to QST, Hamfests, etc... I have only bought two rigs NEW a Yaesu VX5R and a FT840
All others were bought used.. All works fine osme needed some tender loving tech work.. I diagnose and fix my own equipment where ever posible..
It is fun and exciting...
I use Echolink as well as a VOiP thingy... Because it is simply nothing more then that.. Yes there may or may not be a repeater at the other end.. or an HF Station at the other end... But its still Amateur Telephone.. When talking Keyboard to keyboard to someone or voice from my PC to Someone elses PC.. Its just no RF envolved.. When there is its nice to see... But what ever happenbed to linking repeaters over RF..
Say a 10 meter Link.. or 6 Meter link... One of the challenges of HAM RADIO is to work a station in less then optimal conditions.... and say hey... Did you know when I listen to a faraway station on Echolink.. I do think it is cool to be able to even on VOiP... But it is not and never can be called HAM RADIO.... Its just not Ham Radio..
I have no problem with the internet augmenting Ham Radio but when it is used to replace it.. its kind of silly...
Thats like someone with a Drivers license saying hey I got my Drivers license, now I can ride the bus and act like I am driving a CAR... Why have a drivers license when riding a bus.. Why have an Amateur Radio Operators license.. When what you really need is an Amateur Telephone Operators Licnse..
I can understand teh HAM in the Nursing Home needing an easy fix... No money, no space, only a Laptop and Inet connection.. its great for that... I also know those Hams need someoen on the other end to talk to.. Fine.. But the rest of us need to be realisitic and not REPLACE HAM RADIO with telephone devices..
Lets see that equates to...
The ARRL does not + ATTL But some want it to.
Buy a REAL Radio and set it up.. Enjoy Ham Radio.
A used Kenwood TS520 can be had for as little as $100 working condition(Ebay).. A Homemade Antenna, say an inverted V or MultiBand antenna for less then $60.. Mayneed a mounting place... Say a roof.. Used Tower $50, or pushup Pole $30, Mast pipe $5.. Plug it in hook it up with about $20 worth of coax and there you go..
Then use Echolink to have some fun.. but, experience RADIO before you route around the hobby..
73 Jerry N9LYA
>Echolink is truly a blessing and a Godsend. I like my >Echolink radio room - which has a lot less clutter. >My wife is happy too because no antennas on the >house. It has let me enjoy the ham radio hobby much >more than in the past, with little to no additional >expenses beyond the computer and high-quality headset >I purchased. Not as many wires and cables to connect >either.
>After using Echolink for the past year now, I've even >managed to accumulate over 100 QSL cards too! A large >portion of one wall in my Echolink radio room is >completly covered with QSL cards. I call it my "brag->wall". I think Echolink is the greatest for both new >and old fashioned hams alike.
>Regards,
>Tommy
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by N9LYA on September 28, 2004
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Tommy what you do and what you say are two different things..
Amateur Radio uses RF (WIRELESS Communications which is what HAMS have been doing for 100 Years)
Amateur Telephone uses the Telehpone lines.
How many watts does your Dell Brand PC Ham Rig put out???
Not a personal attack... As I do not know you..
But to bypass all the fun and enjoyment of knowing that you can be heard in austraila over the telephone .. Does not compare to what its like to do it with RADIO..
I urge you to side step the telephone lines and atleast go to a hams home and use his HF rig and have a REAL QSO and OBTAIN a REAL QSL card.
I have 4 HF rigs several VHF UHF HTs Mobiles and base radios.. I have an outdoor antenna of some kind going to each radio that is in my house... I have two towers, Two Three element beams, 4 Inverted V antennas and several Omni and VHF UHF Beams..
In my entire Station I have probably spent less then $10,000 Over its life time.. That includes License test fees.. Coax and accessories, all equipment, subscriptions to QST, Hamfests, etc... I have only bought two rigs NEW a Yaesu VX5R and a FT840
All others were bought used.. All works fine osme needed some tender loving tech work.. I diagnose and fix my own equipment where ever posible..
It is fun and exciting...
I use Echolink as well as a VOiP thingy... Because it is simply nothing more then that.. Yes there may or may not be a repeater at the other end.. or an HF Station at the other end... But its still Amateur Telephone.. When talking Keyboard to keyboard to someone or voice from my PC to Someone elses PC.. Its just no RF envolved.. When there is its nice to see... But what ever happenbed to linking repeaters over RF..
Say a 10 meter Link.. or 6 Meter link... One of the challenges of HAM RADIO is to work a station in less then optimal conditions.... and say hey... Did you know when I listen to a faraway station on Echolink.. I do think it is cool to be able to even on VOiP... But it is not and never can be called HAM RADIO.... Its just not Ham Radio..
I have no problem with the internet augmenting Ham Radio but when it is used to replace it.. its kind of silly...
Thats like someone with a Drivers license saying hey I got my Drivers license, now I can ride the bus and act like I am driving a CAR... Why have a drivers license when riding a bus.. Why have an Amateur Radio Operators license.. When what you really need is an Amateur Telephone Operators Licnse..
I can understand teh HAM in the Nursing Home needing an easy fix... No money, no space, only a Laptop and Inet connection.. its great for that... I also know those Hams need someoen on the other end to talk to.. Fine.. But the rest of us need to be realisitic and not REPLACE HAM RADIO with telephone devices..
Lets see that equates to...
The ARRL does not = ATTL But some want it to.
Buy a REAL Radio and set it up.. Enjoy Ham Radio.
A used Kenwood TS520 can be had for as little as $100 working condition(Ebay).. A Homemade Antenna, say an inverted V or MultiBand antenna for less then $60.. Mayneed a mounting place... Say a roof.. Used Tower $50, or pushup Pole $30, Mast pipe $5.. Plug it in hook it up with about $20 worth of coax and there you go..
Then use Echolink to have some fun.. but, experience RADIO before you route around the hobby..
73 Jerry N9LYA
>Echolink is truly a blessing and a Godsend. I like my >Echolink radio room - which has a lot less clutter. >My wife is happy too because no antennas on the >house. It has let me enjoy the ham radio hobby much >more than in the past, with little to no additional >expenses beyond the computer and high-quality headset >I purchased. Not as many wires and cables to connect >either.
>After using Echolink for the past year now, I've even >managed to accumulate over 100 QSL cards too! A large >portion of one wall in my Echolink radio room is >completly covered with QSL cards. I call it my "brag->wall". I think Echolink is the greatest for both new >and old fashioned hams alike.
>Regards,
>Tommy
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by K2WH on September 28, 2004
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink Reply
by TRUEHAM on September 27, 2004
"Echolink is truly a blessing and a Godsend. I like my Echolink radio room - which has a lot less clutter. My wife is happy too because no antennas on the house. It has let me enjoy the ham radio hobby much more than in the past, with little to no additional expenses beyond the computer and high-quality headset I purchased. Not as many wires and cables to connect either.
After using Echolink for the past year now, I've even managed to accumulate over 100 QSL cards too! A large portion of one wall in my Echolink radio room is completly covered with QSL cards. I call it my "brag-wall". I think Echolink is the greatest for both new and old fashioned hams alike.
Regards,
Tommy
Quick someone shoot me!!!!!!
K2WH
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by K2WH on September 28, 2004
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I think Tommy should just call 100 countries on his phone and apply to Verizon DXCC.
K2WH
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by AE6IP on September 28, 2004
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It strikes me that the surgeon general needs to demand a 'tongue firmly implanted in cheek' warning be applied to certain posts, for the benefit of readers.
Meanwhile, 'ham radio' is a hobby with a broad range of interests. It is centered on using the ARS to communicate, but that's hardly all there is to it.
Echolink is part of the hobby. It is something that people with an interest in using the ARS to communicate do. If it isn't something that you do, that's fine. But there is plenty of room in the hobby for people with different interests.
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by N7ZM on September 28, 2004
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What a real radio achievment. Set by the computer screen and wait for that QSO to type in! Come on Folk's,have we gotten so seditary in our old age that REAL radio and the thrill of working that needed QSO has gone by the wayside? I'll take my chances with propagation and the knowlege that my QSO is real and actually can count towards something. Echolink may be for some but not the real ham that still has radio in his blood.
See ya all on the bands,
Ron N7ZM
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by KC8VWM on September 28, 2004
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"When what you really need is an Amateur Telephone Operators License.."
..Hey, .. my wife has one of these!!
.... Can you hear me now? ....Good!
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by KC8VWM on September 28, 2004
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"Meanwhile, 'ham radio' is a hobby with a broad range of interests."
For a minute there I thought you said;
"ham radio is a hobby with a range of interesting broads."
KC8VWM
(going back to my corner now)
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Echolink versus Wireless
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by KB7LYM on September 28, 2004
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Echolink versus Wireless
Here is a typical sample of Echolink versus Wireless
I read Echolink is boring but read on folks.
2 Wireless Operators on 2 meter via repeater.
No callsign Hi Pete how ya doing ?
Other ham......... Fine Joe how are you ? ( No callsign
Joe .......... It rained last night Pete
Pete ........ Here too Joe !
Joe... any wind Pete ..... blah blah blah ?????
Pete..... Yes it was windy here Joe , blah,blah
No callsigns yet..... 25 minutes on the repeater
Joe... and fog too Pete
Pete.... here too Joe
Joe.. Antennas still ok Pete
Pete Yep
Pete Got to go Joe.
Joe, me to Pete
Pete... same time tomorrow Joe ?
Joe... Yes Pete
73
73
No callsigns after 45 minutes of blah,blah
Oh... I forgot to tell you folks. They are neighbors.
Echolink boring.... Nah !!!!
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by AE6IP on September 28, 2004
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"... an interesting range of broads ..."
well, that too. ;)
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by N2NFG on September 29, 2004
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Some years ago, a woman named Rosie Ruiz entered the NYC marathon. After running for a while, she cut out of the pack and caught a bus. Got off somewhere near the finish line. At the appropriate time, she rejoined the race and went on to win! Now I hear she's into Echolink and sending out great looking QSL cards with a picture of her winning the race. Seems consistant to me.
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by KB7LYM on September 29, 2004
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Interesting reading about the HT in the Outhouse. Reminded me of an Extra licenced Operator who modified his Outhouse into a Hamshack. He bought the Outhouse from a Realtor for $ 700.00 He put his 2 meter beam up and whalla....he was on the air.Next day the realtor saw the antenna and thought I should have charged him more. A weel later an other antenna was on the roof. The Realtor knocked on the outhouse and asked the Extra Operator... Whats up with all those Antennas ? Extra : I rented the basement to a CW Operator
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by N9LYA on September 29, 2004
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radio
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
radio: 1. Telecommunication by modulation and radiation of electromagnetic waves. (188) 2. A transmitter, receiver, or transceiver used for communication via electromagnetic waves. 3. A general term applied to the use of radio waves. [NTIA] [RR]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This HTML version of FS-1037C was last generated on Fri Aug 23 00:22:38 MDT 1996
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by KA3RFE on September 29, 2004
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REAL hams work REAL DX using REAL RADIOS. With the only interface of RF energy against the atmosphere between the two parties.
Echolink ain't.
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by KC8VWM on September 29, 2004
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"REAL hams work REAL DX using REAL RADIOS."
My outhouse has a DXCC certificate plastered on the wall, right next to my other "wallpaper"
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by KC8VWM on September 29, 2004
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"N2NFG takes an HT to potty ! never even thinking about a flash light."
"Mayday, Mayday, This is N2NFG... I have lost all visual navigation and I am rapidly - stinking...
I need assistance and someone to dispatch me critical supplies right away. I am cuurently operating on end user backup reserves and have just used the last sheet from my last roll. No one left the light on, the seat was left up, and it's getting cold out here, situation critical. ..hurry!
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by VE7DXZ on September 29, 2004
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No doubt about it, ECHOLINK has its own advantages over a typical amateur radio station set-up. For me, however, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING beats the allure of setting up my own HF station and working a distant station with nothing between us except the ether.
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by AE6IP on September 30, 2004
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Real DXers DX on HF. Real hams pick from
UHF/VHF community service
APRS
microwave experimentation and distance record setting
rag chewing
ATV
contesting
DXing
and a bunch of other things
of which echolink can be one.
If it's not to your taste, don't do it, but there's plenty of room in the hobby for all of the above, and a lot more.
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PASSED THE 100 MARK !!
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by KB7LYM on September 30, 2004
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When I started the Echolink article I never would have realized that there can be so many worms in a can.
For all those that had the stamina to type either bad or good I the holder of the ECET or Extra Class Echolink Troll will send you an ECHOLINK QSL card that you can proudly display on the walls in any room.
Just send your E-Mail address and specify TROLL to
------> dragonflies329@juno.com <--------
What a Gift !! Free Postage !!
Where else can you get something for free ?
ECHOLINK FOLKS... THATS IT !!
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RE: PASSED THE 100 MARK !!
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by AD6WL on September 30, 2004
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Hey Frank, have you saved enought to buy that porta-potty recliner yet? I can't wait to get your echolink/eham QSL card. I'm working on my WAT award. Oh, that's "Worked All Trolls." hihi
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RE: WAT
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by AD6WL on September 30, 2004
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"Radio? We ain't got no radios. We don't need no radios. I don't have to show you any stinking radio!"
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by KB0VVK on October 1, 2004
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Echolink is not ment to replace ham radio it is a added way to see who is out there .
It isent the same not by a long shot but when its raining and you want to talk too some body and you dont wont to worry about lighting its just fine.
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by KB0VVK on October 1, 2004
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Echolink is not ment to replace ham radio it is a added way to see who is out there .
It isent the same not by a long shot but when its raining and you want to talk too some body and you dont wont to worry about lighting its just fine.
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by YEPSURE on October 1, 2004
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Like it or not, EchoLink is here to stay.
I frequently use EchoLink and would agree it is not amateur radio by definition. However, it is used by amateur radio operators as an enhancement to the hobby.
If you don't like it that's okay. Nobody is forcing you to use EchoLink. For those who enjoy using it, it's doing it's job of "enhancement".
EchoLink is a lot of fun and it's here to stay. So whether you like it or not makes no difference at this point. It has enough users and has been around long enough to be a useful tool to those of us who use it for what it is.
All the dislikes in the world doesn't change the fact that it's extremely popular and is here to stay.
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by AC7CW on October 2, 2004
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Too cool, first I ever heard of ECHOLINK. I have been away from the hobby for a while. I recall getting QRM'd by a guy running a kw on 20 meters talking to somebody on a Saturday morning when I was working DX. He was telling his buddy about how wonderful his endoscopy had been. Now I can just tell him to take it to ECHOLINK. Maybe we can start up a free headset program or something.
One thing I have not seen on this thread (or maybe I missed it, if a post looks like a rant I keep scrolling). ECHOLINK is not affected by the sunspot cycle. Hey, by itself it is not radio but it does work. That is better than I can say about a lot of my homebrew projects.
Max
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by K8JS on October 2, 2004
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Well, so far after countless attempts, and I not being a networking guru, I could not get Echolink to function through my Linksys router.
Yes, I turned off the (WinXP Pro)PC's firewall, anti-virus, and the router's NAT, but still a no-go.
A couple of (non-guru) guys suggested that my DSL connection is the culprit. Something about DSL parameters or protocals or whatever is not compatible with the likes of Echolink.
Oh well. Every so often I'll try to get Echolink to function to see what it's all about, but so far no luck.
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by KF4VGX on October 2, 2004
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When Your Radio Has Saved You ,Reply
by N2NFG on March 26, 2004 .
Once while on a fishing/camping trip, I got lost while going to the outhouse to take a dump. I had to go so very much I forgot to take a flashlight, it was still slightly light outside..... did have enought insight to take my HT, as there was n othing to read in the outhouse, so thought I'd be N2NFG/portable.
Anyway, to make a shitty story shorter, it go dark and guess what.... I couldn't find my way back to the cabin, there was another ham with us and he had a HT, too. So was able to contact him and was directed to a safer, sweeter smelly place.
Moral to the story, HT, LIKE American Express, don't take a Dump without one!
Quote and Quote,
N2NFG on September 29, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
Some years ago, a woman named Rosie Ruiz entered the NYC marathon. After running for a while, she cut out of the pack and caught a bus. Got off somewhere near the finish line. At the appropriate time, she rejoined the race and went on to win! Now I hear she's into Echolink and sending out great looking QSL cards with a picture of her winning the race. Seems consistant to me.
Lets see if I understand this post correct?
It's OK to use your HT the way you want to ( In the Potty ) ;-)
But not OK for others to enjoy a conversation ,via Echolink. For the sake of communications.
KF4VGX.
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by KC8VWM on October 3, 2004
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"I could not get Echolink to function through my Linksys router."
I know this is not the "elmers" section but here's the answer to the problem.
I own a linksys router and use XP with the built in firewall activated. In addition, I also use Norton Internet Security firewall. The linksys router also has it's own built in firewall.
Firstly, the trouble is not software, it is hardware related.
You have to program the router, there is no other way around this.
Try this link:
http://www.echolink.org/firewall_solutions.htm
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RE: Echolink
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by KI6JD on October 3, 2004
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I have read the many postings regarding Echolink. After reading these replies, I am thinking:
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?
Echolink is just another mode of communication. You cannot use Echolink without a valid AMATEUR license. If you don't like Echolink, DON'T do it. No one is going to hold a gun to you head and force you to Echolink..
The first time I tried Echolink, I had a nice time chatting with Victor in the former USSR. We talked about radio's, antennas, and various subjects on Amateur radio. Victor is a pretty nice guy. He has about 4000 + lookups on QRZ, so he is very active on the HF bands. On Echolink, we chatted for almost an hour. No QRM, No band fading, No Carriers and tuning up on top of our QSO. We just had the band/frequency all to ourselves. We talked about trying to make a schedule on 20 meters. I would have never had the opportunity to meet Victor and get to know him without Echolink. I do most of my operating on HF. Some local VHF and some CW now and then. I do Ham radio as a HOBBIE. It's fun, I enjoy it. When it's not fun, I turn the radio off and do something else. I see so many negative comments concerning Echolink. Why are you doing Amateur Radio if you don't enjoy it? I don't do slow scan TV. I don't work satalites, I don't do moon bounce, I don't donate my money and time to put up repeaters. Someday, I may do all of those things. I am not going to rant and rave if others enjoy doing these things. Just do what makes you happy. Best 73's James
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by M0NET on October 3, 2004
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I have read all the comments for and against Echolink and the reply from James KI6JD sums everything up perfectly. No further comment ! 73 all
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INSANITY IN HAMRADIO
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by KB7LYM on October 3, 2004
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Boy I saw a lot of replies from Echolink.
Some shouted fire and bremstone etc
Others told me I had to do it like our
forefathers before computers, satellites,
cell phone and Starbuck Coffee.
But here is something to chew on.
An idiotic statement from a fanatic
who lost it.
You all know that some repeaters
have Autopatch and for a few measly
dollars a year you can make a phonecall.
You will be given a code and warned by
the Old Wisemens that under the penalty
of death you could not give the code to anyone else.
Thats the LAW they say !!
I told that under certain circumstances it would
be ok. Like Moses coming from the mountain they shouted at
me..... ITS NOT ALLOWED !!!!
Well I said, supose that I went through the guardrail on a
Mountain pass. My car landed up 300 feet down the hill.
I had a broken back,one leg buckled over my shoulder,
4 cracked ribs and 2 broken wrists. My wife was ok.
I asked them if it was ok to give the Autopatch code to
my wife so she could make a call.
REPLY from the Wisemen ABSOLUTELY NOT !!!
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Echolink and VoIP - Just another dimension.
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by VK3JED on October 4, 2004
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Just thought I'd throw my 2 cents worth in. I've been involved in ham radio for over 15 years and have tinkered with various ham radio uses of VoIP as a user since the mid to late 1990's (IPhone and RptrLink), and as a sysop since 1991 (IPhone, IRLP, Echolink, eQSO and WIRES II).
Is it ham radio? As others have correctly surmised, the real answer is "it depends". Certainly, Echolink PC - PC is not ham radio, in the sense that there is no RF involved. However, ham radio is about self training. Because of VoIP, I've learned a lot about setting up repeaters and linking repeaters together (many of the principles applicable to VoIP work for any medium from RF links to leased lines). My involvement with VoIP has most definitely been all about radio, and learning how to make radio work as a linked system.
VoIP allows me to help you guys out over there. Imagine it's 4AM on the East coast of the US, and you have a hurricane bearing down. Someone is needed for net control for an emergency net to handle traffic. Not 4AM isn't the hour when most people are at their best. However, VoIP does offer a solution - move net control to a time zone where the time is at a more respectable hour - like 6PM here in Melbourne. This actually happened during the recent hurricane activations in the south eastern US.
At times, reports were relayed out of affected areas via HF by a ham monitoring both HF and the VoIP net, and then passed onto the active NCO, as it became known we were available 24 hours/day.
Will VoIP ever replace HF? The answer is a resounding NO! HF is something special. While I'm about as connected in the VoIP world as one can connect (I'm reachable on 3 of the 4 major systems as I type this), there is still something special about calling CQ on HF, not knowing who will pop up on the other end. HF also serves us over here as the ONLY semi-reliable form of ham radio that some hams have, especially mobiles in remote areas.
In emergency use, HF still has the advantage that it requires no infrastructure, other than the actual transmitters and receivers involved in making up the link. This means HF is the best way to service disaster areas, and probably will remain so for a long time. That said, I see room for VoIP to increase the versatility of HF when used correctly in these situations.
Echolink is just another tool to add to our bag of tricks, and another aspect of ham radio is applying the available tools creatively to solve communication problems.
Anyway, the bottom line is there's room for all. If you like Echolink, enjoy it. If not, don't use it and do what you enjoy.
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by N7XM on October 4, 2004
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Echo link has its PLACE !!!
You are unmotivated, city dweller, disabled ,
Old, poor, etc
Or if you wish to gather information in a
semi private manner - ECHO LINK works !
But if you confuse ECHO LINK with HF RADIO -
then I suspect you confuse a " blow up doll"
with a "live woman" ! So be it !
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by KB7LYM on October 4, 2004
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When I sailed the Wild waters for over 26 years I was not confused. In matter of fact we on board knew what the real thing was. However the Blownup Plastic Dolls came in handy in case we could not strike the Lifeboats when the Ship went down. You just grabbed one and floated till resque came. A 45 POUND HF just dragged you way down deep.
But in Nevada there are no seas so I think its justified.
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The Blessing of Echolink
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by VE1SMC on October 4, 2004
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Echolink is a great tool. You do not half to sit in front of the puter all the time to use it. If it is hooked up to your local repeater or simplex station, you can use your hand held or mobile station to link up with other Echolink stations around the world.
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by K8JS on October 4, 2004
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Thank you for being a kind "Elmer" by directing me to that Web link. The info published there solved this problem within 10 minutes.
My Zone Alarm Pro firewall was already properly set up; perhaps I did that previously but do not recall doing so.
The actual problem was that I had to insert several extra parameters into the Linksys router's Advanced Setup area to allow the 5198-5199 ports to get through it, and insert the PC's IP configuration to get through those ports to the router. Thanks again, OM!
73. ---John
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RE: The Blessing of Echolink
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by PMR446SW on December 31, 2004
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ECHOLINK IS JUST A utility
VHF/PC
SUCH AS VHF/M [OBILE]
ETC
DONT CONFUSe one part of radioaamateurism [digital modes psk/fsk/echolink/ewso/irlp/etc] with the complete radioamateurism
my english is not good , i hope that u understood me .
73 s
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RE: Echolink
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by IV3SBE on January 6, 2005
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Echolink is not RADIO period.
Use Yahoo instant messanger instead or VOIP or Skype,
If you do not need a radio to communicate then is not RADIO right?
So you need a valid callsign to get into? Also a valid email address to get into million chatroom around the world.
Sorry to be so caustic, but I get mad when i see the eyes of people getting bright talking about echolink, when every real OM knows that is just BS.
Regards
Enrico
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RE: INSANITY IN HAMRADIO
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by IV3SBE on January 6, 2005
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YES go for echolink but do not tell the FCC otherwise they will take away the band from you, but what the eck you can still use echolink for contacts.
Do us all a favor, turn on your radio.
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