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Reviews For: Echolink

Category: Ham Software/Apps - Other than logging

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Review Summary For : Echolink
Reviews: 68MSRP: Free
Description:
Software enabling a link between a radio or repeater to the internet for a licensed radio amateur.

NOTE: These should be reviews for the EchoLink software package - not the mode.

Product is in production
More Info: http://www.echolink.org
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00683.6
KW4CQ Rating: 2004-06-18
Good but needs fixes to stop lockups. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I noticed in several of the reviews that a number of others seem to be having problems similar to my own here with Echolink failing to establish and/or maintain a two-way connnection with Echolink's server when other Windows applications (e.g., Outlook, IE6, etc.) are running in the background or applications that have been shut down while Echolink is still running. First let me describe my own PC setup here so that others may perhaps benefit from my experience with Echolink.

My desktop PC is a high end P4 machine running Windows XP Professional. I operate a Wireless (WiFi) connected LAN using Microsoft's Wireless-G Kit (MN-820) with a second desktop PC in another part of the house (my XYL's PC) and ocassionally I WiFi connect my well traveled Sony VAIO notebook PC into my LAN to browse the Internet or to run Echolink while at home BBQing in the backyare for instance. My broadband access to the Internet is via a LAN connected Comcast (my ISP) cable modem.

At the suggestion of Echolink I have gone into Windows XP and disabled XP's own built-in firewall. Don't need this since I am running Norton Internet Security 2004 on this PC which provides good firewall and antivirus protection and having two firewalls running might be inviting touble. Next, as suggested by Echolink, I went into my WiFi network's base NAT and set the designated outbound port (5200) to pass TCP packets and inbound ports (5198 and 5199) to pass UDP packets.

On a system boot up and no Windows apps running I can launch Echolink and maintain two-way connections. However, if while Echolink is running I decide to check my emai on Outlook for example, I will no longer be able to connect to any listed station in the Echolink directory. Trying this will result in Echolink eventually timing out. I have to reboot the PC to get two-way control again on Echolink.

One more anomoly needs to be reported and that is when I think Echolink is running stably for a while and I do not launch any background apps Echolink will suddenly for no apparant reason again prevent me from connecting with anyone on the directory list of station.

I thought perhaps Norton was somehow giving Echolink instability problems but I have tried Echolink with Norton disabled and the same problem repeats itself. I am beginning to wonder if clicking on Norton's "Disable" function really does disable its firewall.

Readers might be interested to know also that the same problems with my Windows XP desktop appear when I run Echolink from my Windows 2000 notebook. Exactly the same symptoms appear there too.

Thanks for taking the time to read about my problems but perhaps someone out there can offer some advice on where I should look next to cure this problem.

73 to all.


W0ANT Rating: 2004-04-25
It is what it is... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have been using echolink for as long as it has been out...

It has easy instructions to follow...

The gui graphic user interface is easy to configure, and understand...

The program is rock solid and hardly locks up or crashes ever... It has run for several years now with no crashes or reboots needed...


Echolink has got a lot of hams nervous saying it is not radio yadda yadda yadda well all I know is its as much a part of my ham radio shack as my 250 foot windom.......

73

Joe Leto
WØANT
Echolink node #12132
VE3SWF Rating: 2004-04-24
Excellent Software Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've been running EchoLink on and off for a while now, lately in SYSOP mode, and it works great. Very user-friendly interface. While I slightly dislike using echolink for PC - PC use, I find using it in combination with RF provides a powerful solution to linking local VHF/UHF repeaters and Simplex Links to others all over the world.

Also, with regards to ports, this is necessary so that communications can be established between the server and your machine. There does not appear to be any known security vulnerabilities for EchoLink at the moment, which of course can always change, but for now it should be quite safe to use (unless you have a tin-foil hat). Kudos to K1RFD for this great software!
K6VHP Rating: 2004-03-05
Great addition to repeater Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I see a review from a sour-puss here. Echolink (and IRLP for that matter) are really cool additions to ham radio. Personally, I use Echolink on a PC directly on a second repeater controller port tied to my 440 repeater. I use it as a hard-wired "link channel" to tie repeaters together over long distances. For instance, a friend and I have his Georgetown, TX & my Sacramento 440 repeaters tied together quite often. Quality is so good, I can't tell he is on the Echolink port, other than hearing a different courtesy tone from Echolink. Portal for viruses?! I don't think so! You should have good security measures on *any* PC, regardless of what software you run. I have ZERO problems with hackers & viruses due to active virus scan software & a great firewall. Not even an issue, never has been, just have them as precautions, as the PC runs on a fixed IP address. Also, I configured it with a "short list" of allowable callsigns to accept incoming connections from. Echolink is a neat tool, and very flexible. Sure, it only works with the various flavors of windows, but hey, that covers about 98% of the computers out in the public!
DL0USB Rating: 2003-10-05
Really Problems? Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
May be that someone really has problems with this s/w. We don't. All runs excellent, but we don't use it very often. Even no attack through the "open ports" yet ...
Would be great if further reviews could contain some infos about computer, operating system, networking condition etc. tks!
Our conds: Dell notebook, XP prof., 2x100Mbps full-duplex, no firewall (a guess, but there were no ports to open, all went from the beginning).
AB5CC Rating: 2003-09-18
Works Great First Time! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have been running an Echolink Internet/RF node for 16 months with absolutely zero problems in either installation or the running of the program. I have run it on a ME system and currently running it on a 266mhz Win98 system on cable internet. I use the VA3TO interface board and an Alinco DR-112 on the RF side. The antenna is a Comet GP-9 at 30 feet. I have a 12 mile range with a mobile and 40 mile range from a base station with a good antenna. I am an Extra class ham with capability to run all HF bands and 6 meters, but it is nice to have this link to keep in touch with folks back home while I am away on vacation or for the ham in a restricted area or the ham in the nursing home. For example, I can be mobile in Birmingham, AL with my car and 2m mobile. I can hit the Echolink in Birmingham with my mobile rig and key-in the node number here at home in Durant, OK and come out on 2m simplex and visit with the locals here. It is RF on both ends with an internet link. It is really great for what it is.

73,

Kenneth
W7DAH Rating: 2003-09-18
Works GREAT 5/5!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Has worked flawlessly on TWO homebrew PCs. Used it since it was released. My 12 y/o daughter (KD7WIN) also loaded it herself on an old Sony Vaio PC, and zero hiccups. To the Ham who thinks using "MESSENGER" doesn't come with it's own security holes, and to the other one who trusts his ISP's tech-support weenie ... I have some lunar real estate I'd like to tell ya about. ;-)
Local Clubs like Western Oregon Radio Club KJ7IY-R have even incorporated it into one of their repeaters, not to mention multiple Linking stations. EchoLink is rapidly growing in use here!
AC4WP Rating: 2003-08-29
Has Some Problems Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I too had problems getting Echolink to run properly on my PC. What some of these mid-night PC experts seem to forget is, a program my run fine on one PC, but not the next. Why you ask, it heavily depends on what other application one may have running in the background on ones PC, the amount of free resources, etc. So to those who say Echolink runs fine on my PC, so if it doesn’t run fine on yours, it must be you or your PC, you are in the dark on how PC operate in the first place. And please don’t attempt to lecture me on how to operate a PC. I have probably forgotten more about how PC’s operate than most on here. Echolink did in fact cause my PC to lock up at random, and after un-installing the program, the lock ups stopped. Use Echolink at your own risk, your mileage may vary!

Sorry if I came off a little strong, but I’m fed up with the bashing of those who HAVE HAD problems with the Echolink software package.
KC2IGY Rating: 2003-08-29
Works fine Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I've had Echolink running on sevral computers at home and at work, and it works fine. From what I've read in the reviews, it's probably user error causing most of the problems, especially if they need outside help just to get the software running. As for a "security problem", it only takes 2 mouse clicks on my firewall to open and close those ports if i wanted to, but to me it's not a big issue. As for the software itself. What it does, it does well. Whether you like it or not is a matter of opinion.
KX2S Rating: 2003-08-29
A-OK Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Works fine lasts a long time. Some of you who consider yourself hams cannot even figure out how to run software on your computer without screwing things up. You need to upgrade to modern technology. I have not had one single problem running this software under WindowsXP Pro. I guess it's time to get back to tube rigs and hand keys and TRS80's.