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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
K9PEK Rating: 2003-08-29
Didn't Work For Me Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
A lot of ppl have had good luck with echolink, I didn't. Like some others my pc began locking up after installing the program. My pc did not have this problem before installing echolink, and after uninstalling echolink it stopped locking up. Nothing appears to be defective with my pc. I too have a firewall, and contacted the manufacture with questions on how to open the ports needed to make the program run. While on the phone with the tech he did inform me that by opening the ports I would be a greater risk to be hacked. Makes sense too me. For those who say otherwise fine, I'm sticking with what the tech told me on the phone.
K9KJM Rating: 2003-08-29
Better Than Ever! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The Echolink program is just SUPER!
About everyone who reports less than a "5"
appears to have very little knowledge of how
it really works.
Echolink can be about ALL RF based, Linking simplex "link" VHF or UHF stations or Repeaters,
Via broadband fiberoptic lines, to satellite RF
overseas links, etc. It is NOT simply another
computer to computer "chat" system.
So far, I have not seen one documented case of
problems with the open ports. The few who complain
of such also admit to other computer problems.....
Why can't hams simply enjoy a new product instead
of knocking it???
ENJOY Echolink (And life) It is later than you
think.
K8WV Rating: 2003-08-28
Great for many things Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've been using Echolink for a couple of weeks. It's stable. It's ragchewing. It's communication. And it's a great intro to amateur radio. If you're young and can afford a computer or a transceiver, but not both, buy the computer and get a taste of ham radio. If you're a senior and can't have antennas or maybe any form of station - use your computer and stay in touch with your friends.

Want a reliable regional or state wide net or virtual club meeting? Try Echolink.

One of the great things about ham radio is that it's fun with communications. And so is Echolink.

Is it radio? No, well maybe ... who cares?
KF4VGX Rating: 2003-08-28
K1RFD ,VOIP Has out done the REST ! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Running it here Going on 2 years also . No bugs no virus . Setup my own Coordinated Repeater Because I injoyed it so Much ! Also able to use Echolink functions as a controller for Repeater . Listen to live Reports of the shuttle Disaster . Live Hurricane Reports in the affected areas . Emergency use is a definite Plus with this software .
K0RGR Rating: 2003-08-28
Adds excitement to VHF Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've been running an Echolink node on old, antiquated PCs (200 Mhz. Pentium II's) for a couple years now, with no problems at all, save for some Windows glitches that happen with or without Echolink.

With my Linksys firewall setup, my Echolink server has never been hacked. I find that I do have to restart the node on occasion - if my cable modem connection to the net goes down, Echolink doesn't always recover, but that appears to be the PC or my network most of the time.

If I had one wish, Echolink would be more firewall - friendly. Too many people have trouble getting it running because they don't know how to, or can't open the ports needed.

My Echolink node is an RF gateway to one of our club's local repeaters. This repeater was fairly dead before Echolink, and is now fairly active.
The only reason I put the node on the air was to increase 2 meter activity, so I strongly request that users DO NOT talk PC to PC - that defeats the whole purpose. Instead, go through a gateway.

I demo'd the program for our radio class last week - managed to get into a QSO with a station near Tel Aviv who was on a 440 Mhz. repeater there with a handheld. So, we were talking around the world, 'handheld to handheld'. To say the least, a high percentage of the class members were excited by this! I love it when a plan comes together!

Sorry it's not everybody's cup of tea. I find it very interesting to connect into distant repeaters, whether it is by tropo, E skip, or Echolink. None of it counts for DXCC - so just enjoy it.

For more info and help with Echolink, try the yahoo group for echolink (at yahoogroups.com) .
N2BR Rating: 2003-08-27
Great Software Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I been running Echolink on my Dell Computer now for almost 2 years without any problem.Might not replace HF but you dont have the QRM you do on HF.I work all over the world useing my HT or while mobile.
ZS1DX Rating: 2003-08-27
No RF :-( Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
What, no RF needed? My verdict is obvious: 0/5

I downloaded the program anyway, and checked it out. My rating for the interface, ease of use: 3/5

Internet security issues, open ports: 2/5

For me, communicating computer to HT via Internet is totally unfulfilling/boring.
K5USC Rating: 2003-08-27
Hangs Other Software Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
After installing Echolink, I noticed that I had to RESET my PC many more times than before installing it. I usually kept Outlook and Yahoo Messenger running in the background. I was having to reset the PC about 4 to 6 times a day when Echolink was running. Now after removing Echolink, I may have to reset my PC once a week. Not sure if it's a Windows problem, or a Echolink problem. All I know is that when I removed Echolink, my problems disappeared. Never did get a virus, but after doing some research about the open port issue, I now understand how one could get a virus when using Echolink. I'm not going to chance it. Not sure if y'all are aware but the new Nortons Anti-Virus 2003 will protect your PC when using Instant Message programs, except for Echolink. No protection for it. I'm sticking with Yahoo Messenger.
KE4RWS Rating: 2003-08-27
Neat Concept Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've been using Echolink for about a month now, and have found it to be a really neat piece of work. No, it certainly isn't the same as operating via direct RF but it's still a lot of fun nonetheless. The software is free, and using your already existent internet connection I would have to say that if you don't like it then don't use it. I, for one, support Echolink and enjoy using it for what it is. It has allowed me to link to a repeater in my hometown hundreds of miles away, as well as other countries.

I see some of the negative ratings here comment that it isn't real radio, and isn't part of amateur radio, which is why I maintain that if you don't like it then don't use it. It's that simple!
KK7AC Rating: 2003-08-27
Works great Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I agree 100% with KF9VH. I have been running for 14 months and 4 version updates without a hitch. It runs beautifuly almost 24/7. Echolink is mearly another mode to communicate when other paths may fail. The audio is incredible and the features are just as good. We need more RF nodes out there.
KK7AC