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Reviews For: Advanced Repeater Systems USB EchoLink Adapter

Category: Interfaces, Radio to computer, amp, rotor, coax switch, internet

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Review Summary For : Advanced Repeater Systems USB EchoLink Adapter
Reviews: 5MSRP: 59
Description:
The USB Radio Interface Adapters utilizes a high-performance 7.1 channel
soundcard for excellent audio quality and are compliant with USB 2.0 Full
Speed (12 Mbps) Specification, USB Audio Device Class Specification 1.0 and
USB HID Class Specification 1.1.

Compatible with all major operating systems- no drivers required for
Windows 8, 7, 98E, ME, 2000, XP, SERVER 2003, Vista, Linux and MacOS.

The USB Radio Interface Adapter is USB bus-powered (mode Type A), no
external power required.

The USB Radio Interface Adapters are typically supplied with
speaker/microphone connectors specifically designed for most Icom,
Kenwood, Yaesu, Alinco, and other portable radios.

USB Radio Interface Adapters have 3 status LEDs for indication of Power and
Computer Communication, Tx Modulation and Tx Key. Potentiometers set the
transmit and receive audio levels and are preset for plug and play operation.

EchoLink versions have a fixed 1.5 second transmitter delay. Optional Digital
versions for data modes such as Winlink have an adjustable 50 to 1000 mS
transmitter delay.

Load, run and set-up EchoLink software on your computer and you're done!*

The Universal Version (shown above) can be interfaced to just about any other
portable, mobile, base station and repeater; with- Tx Audio Output, Tx Key,
Rx Audio Input and Ground on a 4 conductor 3.5mm jack. Includes an
interface cable with plug for direct solder connection to virtually any radio.
Product is in production
More Info: http://arsrepeaters.com/USB_EchoLink_Adapter.php
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
1554
KA9WDX Rating: 2022-10-29
Works great, purchased in 2013, still works. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased one back in 2013...

I sent ARS an E-Mail message telling them that I wanted to have it connected to a FT-1900R and they wired it for me and sent the interface to me.

It was almost plug and play...just had to open the proper ports in the router in order for the UDP part to work...setting the Port Forwarding up...just found out what IP address was assigned to the PC that would run the Echolink software and set the internal and external ports to the same ports and put the PC's IP address in there, "telling" the router where to route the incoming UDP, "traffic" and it started working.

I just connected to the Echotest server and adjusted the receive POT while the connect message was playing, to set a normal listening level, and watched the on-screen signal strength indicator to see where the level was, and when I transmitted, I adjusted the transmit level POT while talking, and set it to approximately the same level as the receive level showed.

Sometimes the device would key up and send noise or dead carrier into the Echolink network, but I just adjusted the "squelch," or whatever it's called, that's on-screen, by clicking on the indicator and holding the button down, to drag the adjustment up a bit.

However, I set up a transmit and receive PL tone in the transceiver, so as to avoid any background noise, or ambient noise, from sending noise or a dead carrier through the Echolink network or system.

Of course I did go through the different settings in the Echolink program to, "fine tune" things, like the Squelch Crash I think it's called, and the different timing parameters, but the settings weren't a big deal, and to add whatever I wanted to show as a Latitude, Longitude, my name, etc, and choosing whether I wanted to run as a repeater, a link, or just a keyboard user, and entering my user name and password, etc.

I usually set the squelch, or whatever it's called, to between a 5 and a 9 shown by hovering the cursor over the "slider," depending upon what transceiver I have it connected to, between the FT-1900R, the FTM-100, and the FTM-7250...and depending upon where the on-screen indicator showed when "idle."

As far as not transmitting goes, if someone keys up at the same time you do it won't go into transmit, or if someone is talking, if you're receiving audio in other words, then of course it won't go into transmit either, which is normal.

Right now I'm only using the receive part of it connected to the back of a public service scanner to send the scanner audio to the laptop, and then using another program to send the audio to Broadcastify, so I'd like to get another one.

However, for a long time ARS showed that the interface was no longer available, and they were going to put out an updated version of it, but they showed a different model that didn't use VOX for PTT keying.

Now I don't even see ARS showing for interfaces at all.

Anyway, I'm either going to get another Echolink interface, or an interface that can be used for Echolink, or get a cable to connect to the Record jack of the scanner and then to an USB port of my laptop to stream audio to Broadcastify, and then reuse the interface that I have for Echolink again.

I did have a couple of cables, but they didn't work right, so I guess they were wired correctly as they were, plus I had purchased a cable that I thought would work, but it must be wired wrong also, as it also didn't work, and the USB end got warm when plugged into the USB port.

Anyway, for me this interface worked great, and still works great, and was fairly easy to set up, but the, "Echolink guys" prefer that you don't use a VOX-Operated interface, and recommend a COR-Operated one instead, so that's why I might get a different interface that I can use for Echolink.

This interface still works for me, even though the case cover is getting cracked by a couple of the screw holes, but it still stays on and you can see the power, transmit, and receive lights through the cover.
KK6IHP Rating: 2015-11-09
crappy toy. Unreliable at best. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Mine never worked reliably. Sometimes it would stay keyed up and others it would refuse to key up at all. The other review might be about a different unit because I would not describe mine as well built. It's more like something built at home on weekends. The instructions are darn near incomprehensible (and I already knew what they were trying to say). I think it's great that people build these to make a little cash on the side, it's a little pricey at $80 when you can get a real adapter for a little over $100.
If you like collecting gadgets and don't care if they work, go for it. If you actually expect to complete a QSO, then get a rigblaster or some other properly manufactured device.
KD8DVR Rating: 2014-08-05
Great device :) Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I got one to use with my Handhelds. I got mine up and running with minimal issues... all related to Windows 7 and its handling of sound devices.

The adapter works great and, as it is in and of itself a sound card, it sounds wonderful. In addition to Echolink, you can use it for HT-Based SSTV :) Too bad AGWPE isn't able to use it, otherwise I'm sure it would be great for Packet too. Not a fault of the adapter though. money well spent, I love mine!
WD0FIA Rating: 2013-08-24
Great Echolink interface! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I ordered the Advanced Repeater Systems USB EchoLink Adapter on Tuesday and had it on Friday! That was fast shipping!

The unit is well made, the supplied setup instructions made it a snap to setup. I was making connections with it in less than 10 minutes.

I specified Baofeng UV-5R on the order. I have tested it on my Baofeng, TYT, and Wouxun radios and have not had any problems. The connector fits all three perfectly.

I have (and still use) the original WB2REM unit, the AMI-2 and the ULI, but I needed a USB unit, and the ARS USB EchoLink Adapter filled that need.
W4QXL Rating: 2013-07-05
Works GREAT for our club repeater EchoLink Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I purchased this in order to link our club repeater to EchoLink via a BaoFeng UV-5R radio. It works FLAWLESSLY even with the cheap (disposable) radio! We plan on upgrading the BaoFeng's in the future to a better radio (probably Kenwood HT's, since they use the same external mic/handset plug).

Setting the levels will take a little time and patience (mainly from the BaoFeng), but it isn't difficult to accomplish at all! The product works as described, using the VOX circuitry provided in the hardware and via the EchoLink software.

I have since purchased another product from ARS (the radio interface adapter) in order to put weather alerts on the air for our local county. It too, works as described.

The folks at ARS are great and offer a solid product and any help or assistance you might need in setting things up. Their instructions are very step-by-step and easy to understand as well. I HIGHLY recommend their products for personal use or repeater (public...commercial grade) use!