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Survey Question

Question

Do you think Voice-over-IP (VOIP) technology such as Echolink, IRLP etc, etc, is REAL Ham radio?

Results (2768 answers)

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Survey Comments

Radio,Computer,VOIP,Echolink,IRLP

I look at it as a way of wanting to upgrage.It gives the Tech a hint of whats on the HF bands.
Ive used Echolink and IRLP. The enjoyment was the same as I have found on repeaters the only difference was the price not all of us can go out and spend many hundreds of dollars or more on a radio. Many are on a fixed income. If someone has worked to get there license and if they want to use Echolink or IRLP who am I to say "Thats Not Real Ham Radio" get on how ever you can.
Posted by KC8YXA on 2006-04-02

echolink

while echolink is awsome. i believe it is ham radio and i don't believe other hams are talking bad about the hams who brought it to us. and it is a another way of talking to arizona and other places without hf . so just have fun with it.
Posted by KI4FMJ on 2005-11-16

VOIP is Ham Radio

Just how broad do you suppose ham radio really is? Is "real" ham radio using a straight key for CW? Is real ham radio HF operation only? Is real ham radio having a separate receiver and transmitter, or using only vacuum tube rigs? What would the pioneer hams have said? Ham radio is operating any way that is authorized and results in a transmitted signal. Now that is real ham radio, and it can be real fun, too!
Posted by AI2IA on 2005-10-22

What have we become

Ham radio used to be a group of people ginning up their own rigs and trying new thins to make electronic communications better. A lot of technologies were either developed or perfected by hams.

Now what are we? A bunch of old folks sitting around our factory-built rigs (when the break we send them away cause we really don't know electronics).

We need to be leading the way to new technologies, NOT being a bunch of old farts.
Posted by N4PEQ on 2005-09-22

"What "real" is"
IRLP & Echolink may not be "real ham radio" but imagine a world-wide network of linked repeaters based on digital voice or high-speed IP. Now THAT is advancing the radio art.

Posted by N0XMZ on August 12, 2005

Sounds more like telephone than radio....
Posted by KB4QLZ on 2005-08-30

If it helps...

No, I don't consider it ham radio in the strict sense of the word. However, if it helps us to communicate better, especially in emergency situations, then I endorse it whole-heartedly. I see nothing wrong with a hybrid system if it indeed helps us and does some good.
Posted by Daniel R. Dorsey Jr on 2005-08-24

VOIP

In emergency situations, whatever is the most reliable way to communicate is the goal... Ham Radio is a hobby, and has the added benifit of public service in the cases of weather spotting, and emergency communications when cellphones, landlines, or other methods of communications fail. Most likely, if the phone networks fail, or the power grid, the internet won't function either. The question is whether it's Ham Radio or not?... Well, the technology is there, and those who choose to should enjoy it, but it should never be concidered as a valid contact such as in a contest. Meet somebody on Echolink, then try to contact the same operator on an HF band with the minimum amount of "off grid" power required to establish contact. THAT would be Ham Radio.
Posted by N0LIC on 2005-08-20

What "real" is

IRLP & Echolink may not be "real ham radio" but imagine a world-wide network of linked repeaters based on digital voice or high-speed IP. Now THAT is advancing the radio art.
Posted by N0XMZ on 2005-08-12

VOIP/BPL

I use VOIP ever Day,Nothing wrong with it and its just as much part of amateur radio as is CB Radio!

Couse when you have so much noise on HF go to voip and enjoy a good QSO without the QRM of other station and noise and band conditions.....My Dime!
Posted by N2BR on 2005-08-10

QUOTE: "Just nevermind what KB4QLZ says. He is against everything in ham radio.
Posted by KI4EYO on May 7, 2005"

No little boy, KB4QLZ is very Pro-Radio.

My offer still stands for me to give you a FREE HAM RADIO, if you learn the code, take, and pass the General exam. I'll extend this offer to you until Aug. 7th, 2005. If you have not completed this task by then, I'll offer it to someone else.

***You must pass both elements, and be listed as a General Class Operator, BEFORE I'll ship the radio to the address listed on QRZ.***

Posted by KB4QLZ on May 7, 2005


I still have the radio!
Posted by KB4QLZ on 2005-08-07

Hams use Radios

My new job is working for a company involved with VoIP, 10 years ago, when VoIP was a free way to make phone calls it wasn't Ham radio. VoIP is the same technology that people use to hear each other while playing online games. So if you think that your kids X-Box is ham radio then it is. Otherwise I have yet to go to work and had to use morse code while sitting at my desk. I don't care what kind of software you use to do it, it still comes through my server and looks just the same as the kid playing Halo.
Posted by CPLRADAR on 2005-07-31

W5HTW sums it up best..

RADIO

There is a lot of confusion over radio, ham radio, computers, washing machines, iPods, toasters, bumper jacks, and dogs with curly tails. Let's see if we can help.

Kenwood TS-520, with dipole: Ham radio
Icom 756 Pro with beam on 70 foot tower: Ham radio
Computer: Not ham radio.
Laser printer: Not ham radio
Garage door opener: Radio. Not ham radio
Cordless phone: Radio. Not ham radio.
Collins S-Line: Ham radio.
Microwave oven: Radio. Not ham radio.
Wireless internet: Radio. Not ham radio.
Internet: Not radio, not ham radio.
Audiovox CDM4500: Cell phone. Radio. Not ham radio.
Police communications unit: Radio. Not ham radio.
Fireman with HT on belt: Radio. Not ham radio.
VCR remote: Not radio. Not ham radio. It is optical. However, under the rules by some here, since it communicates it is ham radio. No. Not ham radio. Again. Not ham radio.
Toaster: Not ham radio. Not radio.
Wireless toaster: Radio? Not ham radio.
Wireless internet toaster: Radio? Not ham radio.
Laptop: Not radio, not ham radio.
Laptop cat: Not radio, not ham radio.
CB set: Radio. Not ham radio.

HAM goes with EGGS, GRITS, or maybe MUSTARD and BREAD.
"Ham" goes with eggs, grits, or maybe mustard and bread.

"Ham radio" goes with nothing but radios and antennas meant for amateur radio operating.

HAM does not stand for anything. (Except meat to use with EGGS)

Our hobby is "ham radio." Or "amateur radio."

Wireless internet devices are devices used to allow computers to talk to other computers. They are not ham radio. BPL is not ham radio. DSL is not ham radio. Satellite TV is not ham radio.

IMPORTANT POINT:
Computers may be used to assist in ham radio. Ham radio should NOT be used to assist in computers.

Ham radio is not a means to some other hobby. It is a hobby in itself. Other things, such as computers, or the internet, may be used in assisting ham radio, in helping find information about ham radio equipment, operators, rules, procedures.

The internet is not ham radio. Ham radio is not the internet. Those interested in the internet are fine, far as I am concerned. Those who like fishing are also fine. The goal of ham radio, though, is to be interested in ham radio.

Ham radio is not a utility communications service. It is not Ma Bell, Junior Bell, Taco Bell or Liberty Bell.

Things you can operate without a ham radio license:

CB, cordless phone, TV, Nextel, marine radio, aircraft radio, garage door opener, computer, cat, kitchen sink, VCR, motor vehicle, farm tractor, electric toothbrush. MURS, FRS, GMRS, Public Safety radio, AM broadcast station, Television station, taxi radio, laser printer, wireless internet link, Part 15 radio, laptop computer, inkjet printer, microwave oven, wired telephone.

Things you need a ham radio license to operate:

Ham radio.

Things you need a CB license to operate:

(I'm thinking. Hang in there.)

Things you can do with a ham radio license:

Operate ham radio

Things you can do without a ham radio license:

Virtually anything else. Be a fireman, be a cop, get married, drive a tractor, bale alfalfa, bail a boat, drive a truck - I'm sure you can think of more.

Again, there is no HAM. Computers are not ham radio. The internet is not ham radio. Ham radio is not a utility; it is not a cell phone, a police radio, or a garage door opener.

If you are a ham radio operator, welcome! If you are an internet operator, that's fine, do it on the internet. If you are a HAM, change and be a "ham."
Posted by KB4QLZ on 2005-07-12

VOIP

I feel that anytime a person does home brew anything involved with his/her radio, that is Ham Radio. If you buy it, then it's CB radio all over again. I built my interface along with tons of other things in my 40 pluss years in Ham radio. If I build it, it's Ham radio. Thats how the rest of the world got radio equipment designs etc, was from people like myself. People that dream. VOIP is part of Communications just like using a Microphone is to a code key.
Posted by WX9DX on 2005-06-29

VOIP

OK I have been reading more of your postings. If VOIP saves one family from being confused along a highway, that makes it worth it. Or saves one life, or saves some one's property from damage. In other words, during an emergency It does not matter what mode is used. If we as Ham radio operators can maintain these type of sites they will be used by people on vacation etc. That is what we are about! Building up Communications for the world. If you think else wise go back to CB. In all my years I have seen our tallents used for weather, MARS, fire, missing children etc. Oh my, and so so much more. Why would you down grade VOIP, I believe it is because you don't really understand your place as a Communicator and builder " Ham"! We should be about change, not trying to kill the dreams of others. We are our childrens future now. What we design will enhance their future.
Lets never stop building or dreaming of new ways to communicate. If you are one of those CB fanatics that wants to hog even your " Channel " AND buy all your equipment, then go back there. We won't miss you a bit. But one thing our Dreams and designs as Ham radio Ops will continue way into the future while your talking on your Cobra Good Buddy.
Posted by WX9DX on 2005-06-29

Indecisive? I kept an open mind about echoclink until I made a decision on what my stance would be about this internet service. That's not indecisive. Indecisive is when you cannot make a decision. I have made my decision. Echolink is not good for amateur radio, nor is it radio. I would have to say that is pretty decisive.

You don't need to answer the question as to why people record your conversations to me, you need to answer that question to yourself, and then make the necessary adjustments in your behavior, or at least seek some professional care.
Posted by KA5FAP on 2005-06-02

KA5FAP

Get a life !! Enjoy the Hobby as you will we will do the same.
Quote KA5FAP,

Last night I thought about this a little more.

Orv, and some others on this board have always talked about how we need to bring more technically oriented people into Amateur radio. I happen to agree with that, although I really don't want to see it 100% technically oriented. Now what industry has taken all of our technically oriented people that could have gone into amateur radio? The computer industry.

Given that information, the melding of amateur radio with people who are technically inclined in the computer industry will expose Amateur radio to technically oriented computer people. Therefore, these internet type systems (echolink,irlp) can potentially be our savior for techical talent in the future.
I kept an open mind about echolink until I made a decision on what my stance would be

*Indecisive*

Sure you Did ;->
____________________________________________

Posted by KF4VGX on 2005-06-02

Yep, you posted what I said before I made my final decision on echolink. I still agree that we need to attract technically oriented people. What's the big deal. That was not a sweeping statement that said "echoclink is good for amateur radio". It is a statement that says we need to have more technically oriented people, and that I will keep an open mind about echoclink. As more and more facts became known my opinion changed. Indecisive means you cannot make a decision. I have made a decision. Echoclink is not good for amateur radio in my opinion. Anything that tries to confuse the internet with radio is not good for radio. People that cannot distinguish the two are ignorant.

Posted by KA5FAP on 2005-06-02

KA5FAP

Therefore, these internet type systems
(echolink,irlp) CAN potentially be our savior for techical talent in the future.

No big Deal :-> I happen to read some of your post in forums where I agree with you.

Somethings I disagree with you on.

You could say we agree to disagree.

No big Deal :->

Posted by KF4VGX on 2005-06-02

Speaking of needing help

Yes I do need help. I need help because I actually KNOW there is a difference between the internet and radio. You apparently cannot distinguish the two.

Enjoy your PRETEND radio, and I will enjoy my real radio. Later you can even pretend that people don't record your conversations. You never answered the question. Why are your conversations recorded? There must be a good reason.

Maybe you can see if the telephone company will issue you a new callsign. If you pay more per month for internet service does your class of license move up as well? Have you ever considered that echoclink people are the only people in the world that are required to have a license to talk on the internet. Gee aren't you special. LMAO
Posted by KA5FAP on 2005-06-01

KA5FAP

Its none of your concern, what I think .
Your indecisive ! I don't * ANSWER * to you or your likes.


Posted by KF4VGX on 2005-06-01

KA5FAP

Its none of your concern, what I think .
Your indecisive ! I don't * ANSWER * to you or your likes.


Posted by KF4VGX on 2005-06-01

KA5FAP Problems

Don't get upset. It's not my fault you say embarrassing things, and it's not my fault people tape your comments on the air. An inner-reflection may help solve some of these problems in the future.

I must admit I don't think I could of hand-picked a better spokesperson for echoclink. You just make things so easy for everyone.
Posted by KA5FAP on May 26, 2005

.............................



You need to seek HELP !
Get a life !! Enjoy the Hobby as you will we will do the same.

Posted by KF4VGX on 2005-05-30

KA5FAP Problems

Don't get upset. It's not my fault you say embarrassing things, and it's not my fault people tape your comments on the air. An inner-reflection may help solve some of these problems in the future.

I must admit I don't think I could of hand-picked a better spokesperson for echoclink. You just make things so easy for everyone.
Posted by KA5FAP on May 26, 2005

.............................



You need to seek HELP !
Get a life !! Enjoy the Hobby as you will we will do the same.

Posted by KF4VGX on 2005-05-30

Don't get upset. It's not my fault you say embarrassing things, and it's not my fault people tape your comments on the air. An inner-reflection may help solve some of these problems in the future.

I must admit I don't think I could of hand-picked a better spokesperson for echoclink. You just make things so easy for everyone.
Posted by KA5FAP on 2005-05-26

Better point

Quote KF4VGX . I think APRS is MORE illegal than echolink.
--------------------------------------------
Verbal quote off of a repeater. Available upon request.

Hmmm, should the advocate of echolink believe that he is using is illegal, or do you feel echoclink is justified because you feel APRS is MORE illegal?
Posted by KA5FAP on 2005-05-23

KA5FAP, QUOTE!



Hmmm, should the advocate of echolink believe that he is using is illegal, or do you feel echoclink is justified because you feel APRS is MORE illegal?
Posted by KA5FAP on May 23, 2005


......................................


Its none of your concern, what I think .
Your indecisive ! I don't answer to you or your likes.

Posted by KF4VGX on 2005-05-23

Good Point !

Quote KA5FAP,

Last night I thought about this a little more.

Orv, and some others on this board have always talked about how we need to bring more technically oriented people into Amateur radio. I happen to agree with that, although I really don't want to see it 100% technically oriented. Now what industry has taken all of our technically oriented people that could have gone into amateur radio? The computer industry.

Given that information, the melding of amateur radio with people who are technically inclined in the computer industry will expose Amateur radio to technically oriented computer people. Therefore, these internet type systems (echolink,irlp) can potentially be our savior for techical talent in the future.
____________________________________________
////////////////////////////////////////////

SO True ! So TRUE !
Posted by KF4VGX on 2005-05-20

Repeaters in *USE*

KB3MFG Steve I yakked with a buddy of mine in 4 land for a few minutes but felt uncomfortable linking a local repeater to him down in Florida. To me it felt almost as if I was tying up a valuable resource for basically no good reason
......................................
Steve , Please don't feel as if your tying up a valuable resource. You are that valuable resource !
The Repeater owner knows your there to communicate,just as any other Amateur using the Repeater.
Posted by KF4VGX on 2005-05-18

Tried it once...

I am new, licensed less than a month as as NCT.

I tried EchoLink once, it was something different, something new to experience as an ham. I yakked with a buddy of mine in 4 land for a few minutes but felt uncomfortable linking a local repeater to him down in Florida. To me it felt almost as if I was tying up a valuable resource for basically no good reason.

I think Echolink is a great idea and the possibilities of VoIP are endless, especially being able to link radios during a disaster.

Is it ham radio? Personally I have to say no, at least not for me anyway. But to each their own. Enjoy the hobby as you see fit.

Respectfully,
Steve
KB3MFB
New Providence, PA
Posted by KB3MFB on 2005-05-16

Just a thought

Ham Radio's purpose is to spread goodwill around the world through wireless communication, provide volunteer emergency communications in disasters, and maintain a pool of experienced and knowledgable radio operators and electronics enthusiasts.
EchoLink users are amateur radio operators using a tool (the internet) to help carry out the main purposes of Ham Radio. In an emergency situation when cell phones won't work and the internet is not avaliable we as ham operators will still be able to carry out our main function, emergency communications. In the mean time let's all enjoy the hobby using the modes and methods we like to spread goodwill and quit quibbling.

73's
W8RVD

Posted by W8RVD on 2005-05-15

Just a thought

Ham Radio's purpose is to spread goodwill around the world through wireless communication, provide volunteer emergency communications in disasters, and maintain a pool of experienced and knowledgable radio operators and electronics enthusiasts.
EchoLink users are amateur radio operators using a tool (the internet) to help carry out the main purposes of Ham Radio. In an emergency situation when cell phones won't work and the internet is not avaliable we as ham operators will still be able to carry out our main function, emergency communications. In the mean time let's all enjoy the hobby using the modes and methods we like to spread goodwill and quit quibbling.

73's
W8RVD

Posted by W8RVD on 2005-05-15

Just a thought

Ham Radio's purpose is to spread goodwill around the world through wireless communication, provide volunteer emergency communications in disasters, and maintain a pool of experienced and knowledgable radio operators and electronics enthusiasts.
EchoLink users are amateur radio operators using a tool (the internet) to help carry out the main purposes of Ham Radio. In an emergency situation when cell phones won't work and the internet is not avaliable we as ham operators will still be able to carry out our main function, emergency communications. In the mean time let's all enjoy the hobby using the modes and methods we like to spread goodwill and quit quibbling.

73's
W8RVD

Posted by W8RVD on 2005-05-15

it's not ham radio

The ham radio hobby is based on communicating WITHOUT wires.

Keep the internet off the airwaves.
Posted by W8JJI on 2005-05-15

Too late mate :)

W8JJI ! Too late Mate ! The horse has long ago bolted through the gate :)

In these specific modes the internet has replaced the airwaves ( Except to the repeaters at either end of the Internet Link ) ;)

Only the FCC can ' keep the Internet off the airwaves '. Obviously they see nothing wrong in these modes :)
Posted by G3SEA on 2005-05-15

What's Our Purpose?

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I thought our primary purpose was to find ways of communicating through experimentation and development, in order to facilitate free (non profit) communications whenever needed. VOIP is just another way of doing that.

It is certainly not pure RADIO, but it is another viable form of communication.

Just my opinion.

N8NNE/6
Posted by N8NNE on 2005-05-14

Expensive way to ham radio

1- Need a Computer (yeah! I already have one)
2- Need ISP service (yeah! I also got that too)
3- Need a linked radio (well I don't need to buy one because this rich dude has his on X band and it's in my cousin's city)
4- Need a mic (guess this makes it a radio? and it's cheap)
5- Thank you to Jonathan Taylor, K1RFD who gives it FREE to all Hams (Would you use it if you had to buy the software and service?).

Well here I go. YAHOO messenger, MSN messenger are also FREE. No need of a license or a radio link.(anyone connected to the internet can use). You not only have a mic but you can also use a camera. You can also send attachments (fotos and files). You also can make phone calls. Your other party doesn't need to be at the keyboard at the moment because he will get the message anyway. Also there is no topic restrictions.(you can talk about anything)

Wow, guess these computer geeks got a step ahead of us HAMs. FCC should license them (don't you think so?). They don't know MORSE CODE but they know Machine Code. There are many wireless computer links (satellite, WiFi, etc..)(they are radios to some point just with another name). Sounds like a leagal thing(if it's not called radio you don'r need a license). Can this qualify them as Amateure Radio?

Don't confuse. VoIP is not HAM RADIO but if you use a radio link on a Ham Band, you must have a licence.

If you like it, use it. If you don't, don't complaint about it and use your RIG.

"MAKE COMMUNICATIONS FREE TO ALL"
Thank you for reading


Posted by KP4HE on 2005-05-14

IF BPL realizes it's worst potential we may all be riding those very same BPL internet lines on VOIP modes ie IRLP/EchoLink since HF operation would be essentially impossible.
------------------------------------------------
Not for me. I'm interested in RADIO. If bpl takes out radio, the internet will not be something I would turn to as a replacement. It's just not the same.
Posted by KA5FAP on 2005-05-13

VOIP/BPL

Gee i think ill buy stock in BPL.I think BPL will be a great thing....
Posted by N2BR on 2005-05-13

VOIP WORKS !

Good Spot for Amateur Radio!

http://www.mesne.org/kl7ea/
Posted by KF4VGX on 2005-05-12

Excellent post by NC9K. It describes the situation accurately, and succinctly.
Posted by KA5FAP on 2005-05-12

Can You Hear Me Now?

I wanted to add some more thoughts to this discussion, but my 900 Mhz VOiP HT is emitting an audible alert indicating that another user is attempting to establish a QSO with me.

Pardon me while I answer my cell phone . . .
Posted by N7XB on 2005-05-12


Re NC9K post

The converse is possible too :)

IF BPL realizes it's worst potential we may all be riding those very same BPL internet lines on VOIP modes ie IRLP/EchoLink since HF operation would be essentially impossible.


Posted by G3SEA on 2005-05-12

Echolink/IRLP/HF

Well once again if you dont like VOIP who cares,Go to your big hf radio and get on the phone bands and call CQ CQ DX CQ CQ DX...Your 59 59 59 59 59 59 PLEASE QSL BangBang....Sorry old man i did not copy please again...But your still 59 59 59 59 bangbang...O-What Great FUN....No one on CW anymore couse they can not copy or send over 5 wpm code....To slow for me...Sorry i work 13-25 wpm....Ham radio has turnout some sorry folks one like Web-W he know who i am talking about,He a EC but from what i seen and heard he dont need to be on amateur radio let long commercial radio....And those on here that like to pop off over voip and you i gess have never or really dont know what it is,Couse you never tryed it out....Yes i think BPL will be a great thing to come for all ham's and non-ham's....The ARRL just dont have the money to fight big business....As far as ham radio goes....Well its gone to the DOG'S in last several years.the FCC might as wells open it up to FREE NO TEST NO CODE Get your Ham Ticket ITS FREE......I been a ham sence 1985 and use to love this hobby...Its been a pain in my ass for last several years now.....Watch the internet for list of my stuff forsale...O-thats right you dont like voip or internet.And my cellphone want work in the hambands.....O-Well maby see-ya at a hamswap then......

Posted by N2BR on 2005-05-12

Where none existed..

Setting aside the argument on question of VoIP systems like Echolink and IRLP being amateur radio, the one thing it HAS done is to
create linked sites where none existed. People
argue: "why not use RF links, then it would BE
amateur radio." Well the problem with RF links
are threefold: expense, politics, and technical
limitations. Those are reasons why little of
this activity has come pass over the years, at
least outside of a few systems most of which
were closed, private-by-invitation-only systems that were controlled by a well-heeled single party or a small group of elitist snobs who usually turned their noses up at
outsiders and protected their systems by
using non-EIA standard subaudible tones that
normal radios couldn't encode. RF links are
technically daunting as well as to do it right requires a full-duplex backbone system
and doing it over a wide area is expensive
and generally a maintenance headache. VoIP
solves all three problems. Politics, because
VoIP uses an infrastructure not controlled
by hams, so the snobbery, big truck - little
truck, I want to control it all problem is
effectively eliminated. Very democratic as
well, any one wishing to join in only needs
a computer and a broadband connection. No need to go to the "gods" to get their bleesing. Expense, a computer and broadband
connection are all that is needed, far cheaper than setting up a UHF duplex link
circuit, no need to chase after tower or rooftop space, broken RF decks or antennas.
Technical, VoIP essentially provides the
duplex backbone, no annoying delay problems,
and no distance limitations. Could we build
a reliable full-duplex RF link between here and Europe, probably not short of having
access to a geostationary satellite or LEO
constellation.
We live in a changing and increasingly
"wired" world where the broadband communications infrastructure is becoming ever more ubiquitous. As hams, we can either
embrace it and seek to use it to further our
hobby or scoff at it and say: it's not anateur radio." I'm afraid if we adopt the
latter position, amateur radio will probably
end up in the dustbin of history as being
technically irrelevant. The hurricane "quartet" that hit Florida last year was
a good example of that. The IP network proved
to be exceedingly durable in those times and
many VoIP nodes remained connected despite
the damage. So much so, that most emergency
traffic ended up being handled over VoIP rather than HF. If our hobby is to survive
over the long term, we have to quit being
"it's not ham radio" luddites and take a fresh look at things around us and see how
we can best use this new environment to further our hobby.
Posted by K5ET on 2005-05-11

Its still not ham radio

When you have to resort to linking radios together via copper, fiber, the Internet, etc. it is nothing more than amateur telecommunications. You can just as easily eliminate the radio completely and resort to using the telephone, computers, the Internet, etc. We're not talking a few feet or tens of feet or even hundreds of feet of fiber, copper, etc. We're talking hundreds and thousands of miles of the stuff. You may call it ham radio! I don't!
Posted by WA4DOU on 2005-05-11

They are now promoting FRS as being able to use the internet. That's right, little $10 walkie talkies are now using the internet. No license necessary. Has a great name too. Dingotel. So if you voip promotors love it so much, may I suggest DINGOTEL. Since our voip requires a license, we can call it Amateur-dingotel. Yep, what a great thing voip is for amateur radio. It really does promote the radio art.

http://www.dingotel.com/2way/index.asp
Posted by KA5FAP on 2005-05-11

They are now promoting FRS as being able to use the internet. That's right, little $10 walkie talkies are now using the internet. No license necessary. Has a great name too. Dingotel. So if you voip promotors love it so much, may I suggest DINGOTEL. Since our voip requires a license, we can call it Amateur-dingotel. Yep, what a great thing voip is for amateur radio. It really does promote the radio art.

http://www.dingotel.com/2way/index.asp
Posted by KA5FAP on 2005-05-11

Re DingoTel


DingoTel looks like a great product for the general public. No it's certainly not Ham Radio but it's not aimed at Hams is it ? ie NO licence required to operate those little FRS radio's into a computer.

I see a parallel here to the days when computers were monster main frames maintained by 'important' looking folk in white coats.

The technology eventually became more readily available to all to expand their horizons exponentially.

Now just about EVERYONE has a computer:)

Maybe now EVERYONE will have access to a fun system like Dingotel :)

Bottom line ? Ham radio is Ham radio

DingoTel is Dingotel !

Even the latest Yaesu FT9000 ad takes a dig at the internet. What are they worried about ? ;)


Posted by G3SEA on 2005-05-11

net trolls



keep the WARC bands free of these frequency parking lots-
Posted by N0AH on 2005-05-11

Earlier I posted:

'I see this as a debate between amateur vs. commercial radio communication linking. Since "amateur radio" is distinctly classified by the FCC as "amateur" i.e. non-commercial in its over-the-air path and activities, I think any sort of communication path that relies on a pay-to-use type of path (Internet, teleco company, cell phone, etc., etc.) are commercial and therefore disqualified from the designation of "amateur radio".'

I further add that I enjoy Internet communications and I have used VOIP and other forms of digital commercial path links myself, but again return to the basics of "amateur radio", i.e., the ability to communicate via an RF path from point to point without any form of commercial path-linking a necessity. This means radio contact is possible from point A to point B without the assistance of a commercial telco line or commercial path such as copper wire telco lines or fiber optic cable commercial lines.

You may ask why I am such a purist? I think that it is important that people be able to communicate from point to point with RF and without commercial linking aids. This is the foremost power of amateur radio. And it is an absolute necessity in a state of extreme national emergency, when all other forms of commercial communication fail or are inadequate. This situations are realistic. Just look at what happened with last year's Tsunami.

I am not anti-cyberspace. To the contrary, I worked on government programs in the 1980's where we were building GaAs microprocessors and RF processing systems running at 2 Ghz plus clock speeds. These digitally - RF based systems are still protecting and defending the U.S. two decades later. I will always be thankful for them for reasons many of you are not aware of.

If Hams fall under the seduction of commercially controlled cyberspace, it is only a matter of time before cyberspace intrusions into point to point RF communications becomes a permanent fact by political default. Then the lobbyist theory becomes "The majority of Amateur Radio operators get along fine with Cyberspace communications so lets run full tilt with BPL; it the best for the "common good".

My two cents worth.

Posted by NC9K on 2005-05-11

Screw this VOIP stuff, I discovered a mode that allows me to chat not only with other Hams around the world, but non-Hams also.

This new mode interfaces a 900 MHz handi-talkie transceiver to a world wide system of satellites all connected to a global communications network.

It even allows text messaging and full access to the World Wide Web.

Go to your local Verizon Wireless store and ask them about this thing called cell phones.
It's the wave of the future and sure to draw in the kids to the hobby.

73
Dan, N8IE
Posted by N8IE on 2005-05-10

Gimmick?

I think voip is great for linking repeaters when you travel, ie, the USER is not really using it for hamming.
An RF link would be preferable though.

Other than that, I see it as just a telephone/internet gimmick.
And I say gimmick, because it is not "hard wired", ie delays, dropouts, digital garbage.

Maybe they could REQUIRE you to hook it to an actual RF Ham radio, hee hee


Posted by WE6R on 2005-05-10

I can't believe how many people miss the point on voip. The subject matter of which someone is speaking does not magically turn it into ham radio. If I talk about fishing over voip does that make me a fisherman? If I took about theatre, does that make me a professional critic?

VOIP is nothing but instant messaging which can be done just as well on yahoo and aol without a license, if not better.

Just as we had a huge increase in repeater usage before cellphones for the "honey, I'm on the way home" crowd, we now have an increase in usage from voip. Neither will last. Neither was good for amateur radio because it did not bring in people who had AN INTEREST IN RADIO. Radio was secondary.

The only thing we are going to create with voip is the largest class of technicians that will not upgrade in our history. In my eyes, that does not bode well for our future.
Posted by KA5FAP on 2005-05-09

Who really gives a flying F***

Its another mode of communication, radio or not. Personally I have used echolink to ragchew with friends when conditions would not allow an rf contact
Posted by N4CAX on 2005-05-08

IRLP, Echolink, etc

There are many valid points for using this mode as an alternate means to actually going to the effort of using an RF link to speak to someone somewhere else.

However, when the chips are down, how does one propose to communicate into or out of a disaster area when there is no internet, no cell phone, no linked repeaters and we no longer have a talent pool that knows how to do basic communications?

There's room for both schools of thought but pretty soon, the technical computer people will say to heck with radio. They don't want to learn a little bit of theory or take the time to take a test when they can go in, turn on the computer and speak into the mike to one of their friends. It's the easy way....and unfortunately, most people today are into instant gratification and doing things the easy way. So much for trained operators that can and will find a way to communicate in the worst of conditions.
Posted by K4SHF on 2005-05-08

VOIP O-Well

Well guys this horse has been road to death,Let talk about some thing more to better the hobby and to get more intrested.If you dont like VOIP so what there many of use that do and we also enjoy HF.And there other mods of amateur radio one can use beside voip.

********************************************
I think that the FCC should do away with this fast way of testing and go back to the way it was in the 60's and early 70's...Also should take away the SSB FM bands and make it all Mores Code ONLY ---> That CW in case you forgot....That the Real way of Ham Radio if you ask me.....CW FOR EVER....
********************************************
If that person dont jump on KB4QLZ offer he a BIG FOOL or a Wanta bee for life NOCoder
Thats all i have to say about that.....

Posted by N2BR on 2005-05-08

VOIP Interties

For those who believe that IRLP is not ham radio, do you consider linking repeaters together via terrestrial RF links as "ham radio"? We have been doing RF linking for many years and it enables hams from different areas to talk to each other only because a repeater owner has invested in all of the linking radios and antennas to create the link. Other repeater systems have used telephone line links. IRLP is simply another way to link repeaters together as a result of linking equipment invested in by repeater owners on both ends of the link. In all three methods of linking, the goal of the linking is to allow hams to talk to each other, which is probably why the repeater owner built the repeater in the first place.

So what are the end results of IRLP and Echolink? 1. Hams are communicating (usually about their ham radio activities) 2. Repeaters that were sitting idle are now being used. 3. Hams who used to think that UHF bands were "private" are now using the "open" 440 IRLP systems. 4. Repeater owners are gaining worldwide linking capability and saving money by installing a very cheap IRLP interface instead of expensive and maintenance heavy RF links. 5. Emergency capabilities have been increased.

Downside? More bellyaching created mostly by those who have never used IRLP.
Posted by W6KAP on 2005-05-07

FCC concerns


To KA5AFP

I would think the FCC would be concerned about the radio's / repeaters at each end of that ' internet link ' :)
Posted by G3SEA on 2005-05-07

Nevermind him.

Just nevermind what KB4QLZ says. He is against everything in ham radio.
Posted by KI4EYO on 2005-05-07

Pro-Radio

QUOTE: "Just nevermind what KB4QLZ says. He is against everything in ham radio.
Posted by KI4EYO on May 7, 2005"

No little boy, KB4QLZ is very Pro-Radio.

My offer still stands for me to give you a FREE HAM RADIO, if you learn the code, take, and pass the General exam. I'll extend this offer to you until Aug. 7th, 2005. If you have not completed this task by then, I'll offer it to someone else.





Posted by KB4QLZ on 2005-05-07

VOIP Interties

For those who believe that IRLP is not ham radio, do you consider linking repeaters together via terrestrial RF links as "ham radio"? We have been doing RF linking for many years and it enables hams from different areas to talk to each other only because a repeater owner has invested in all of the linking radios and antennas to create the link. Other repeater systems have used telephone line links. IRLP is simply another way to link repeaters together as a result of linking equipment invested in by repeater owners on both ends of the link. In all three methods of linking, the goal of the linking is to allow hams to talk to each other, which is probably why the repeater owner built the repeater in the first place.

So what are the end results of IRLP and Echolink? 1. Hams are communicating (usually about their ham radio activities) 2. Repeaters that were sitting idle are now being used. 3. Hams who used to think that UHF bands were "private" are now using the "open" 440 IRLP systems. 4. Repeater owners are gaining worldwide linking capability and saving money by installing a very cheap IRLP interface instead of expensive and maintenance heavy RF links. 5. Emergency capabilities have been increased.

Downside? More bellyaching created mostly by those who have never used IRLP.
Posted by W6KAP on 2005-05-07

QUOTE: "Just nevermind what KB4QLZ says. He is against everything in ham radio.
Posted by KI4EYO on May 7, 2005"

No little boy, KB4QLZ is very Pro-Radio.

My offer still stands for me to give you a FREE HAM RADIO, if you learn the code, take, and pass the General exam. I'll extend this offer to you until Aug. 7th, 2005. If you have not completed this task by then, I'll offer it to someone else.

***You must pass both elements, and be listed as a General Class Operator, BEFORE I'll ship the radio to the address listed on QRZ.***






Posted by KB4QLZ on May 7, 2005
Posted by KB4QLZ on 2005-05-07

VOIP Interties

For those who believe that IRLP is not ham radio, do you consider linking repeaters together via terrestrial RF links as "ham radio"? We have been doing RF linking for many years and it enables hams from different areas to talk to each other only because a repeater owner has invested in all of the linking radios and antennas to create the link. Other repeater systems have used telephone line links. IRLP is simply another way to link repeaters together as a result of linking equipment invested in by repeater owners on both ends of the link. In all three methods of linking, the goal of the linking is to allow hams to talk to each other, which is probably why the repeater owner built the repeater in the first place.

So what are the end results of IRLP and Echolink? 1. Hams are communicating (usually about their ham radio activities) 2. Repeaters that were sitting idle are now being used. 3. Hams who used to think that UHF bands were "private" are now using the "open" 440 IRLP systems. 4. Repeater owners are gaining worldwide linking capability and saving money by installing a very cheap IRLP interface instead of expensive and maintenance heavy RF links. 5. Emergency capabilities have been increased.

Downside? More bellyaching created mostly by those who have never used IRLP.
Posted by W6KAP on 2005-05-07

I feel sorry for those that do not care about this issue. This is indeed a very important issue. This is not about having fun. This is about the future of amateur radio. If we let the internet become an important aspect of amateur radio, we will end up extinct as a hobby. We have too many people devoting energy in this hobby to make it more like the internet.

If we continue on this path we will ALL be playing "pretend radio". We won't need a license, or a license will come in the box of your ht. The internet is not another mode of operation. The internet is NOW a commercial resource.

Right now we have another internet service in winlink using our hf bands so that yacht and rv owners can get their email. Does anyone honestly believe this was the purpose of amateur radio? To compete with internet isp's so we can save a buck?

I put winlink, echolink, and irlp all in the same category. NOT GOOD FOR RADIO, BUT GOOD FOR THE INTERNET. IT IS DOING NOTHING TO ADVANCE THE RADIO ART. IT IS DESTROYING RADIO!
Posted by KA5FAP on 2005-05-06

I feel sorry for those that do not care about this issue. This is indeed a very important issue. This is not about having fun. This is about the future of amateur radio. If we let the internet become an important aspect of amateur radio, we will end up extinct as a hobby. We have too many people devoting energy in this hobby to make it more like the internet.

If we continue on this path we will ALL be playing "pretend radio". We won't need a license, or a license will come in the box of your ht. The internet is not another mode of operation. The internet is NOW a commercial resource.

Right now we have another internet service in winlink using our hf bands so that yacht and rv owners can get their email. Does anyone honestly believe this was the purpose of amateur radio? To compete with internet isp's so we can save a buck?

I put winlink, echolink, and irlp all in the same category. NOT GOOD FOR RADIO, BUT GOOD FOR THE INTERNET. IT IS DOING NOTHING TO ADVANCE THE RADIO ART. IT IS DESTROYING RADIO!
Posted by KA5FAP on 2005-05-06

KA5FAP, I agree with you completely and that is why I will use every opportunity to speak in an uncomplimentary fashion about IRLP, Echolink, etc.
Posted by WA4DOU on 2005-05-06

Echolink


The concerns below appear valid but :

1. Why has the FCC not banned the modes ?

2. Why has the ARRL not banned the modes ?

The ARRL Repeater Directory actually lists IRLP nodes ( but not EchoLink nodes,yet ).

As for eliminating a licence it seems in the U.K. at least that Ofcom is heading down that road by proposing to 'deregulate ' the hobby :(
Posted by G3SEA on 2005-05-06

quote
_______________________________________
The concerns below appear valid but :

1. Why has the FCC not banned the modes ?

2. Why has the ARRL not banned the modes ?

The ARRL Repeater Directory actually lists IRLP nodes ( but not EchoLink nodes,yet ).
__________________________________________________

The arrl has no banning capability. They can only make suggestions.

The fcc won't ban it because there is no reason to ban it. The fcc doesn't care what happens on the internet. That should tell you something about whether it is radio or not.
Posted by KA5FAP on 2005-05-06

http://www.handiham.org/mod.php?mod=userpage&menu=31&page_id=54

http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2004/01/16/1/?nc=1

http://www.blindleader.com/echolink.htm

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=Echolink+is+helpful&btnG=Search

http://www.amsat.org/echolink/

http://www.narri.org/Echolink.html

http://pgh-net.com/oes/coordination-index.html

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=Echolink+is+amateur+radio

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=voip+amateur+radio&btnG=Search

http://www.echolink.org/

http://www.echoirlp.com/

http://www.irlp.net/

http://www.echolink.org/news_releases.htm

http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=9264

http://www.911net.org/

Lets look at it this way, ,information ideas and views are being passed over the internet using Eham website correct ? .

We are Amateurs using the internet Correct? Whats the difference if a older amateur or any amateur who could care less about DX contacts ( after all he's received all the awards he cares to collect ) connect to each other via a computer to have their conversation. ( It may be their only way to ) with HOA regulations etc. I have noticed through the years this is happening ,also I have noticed that when Amateurs hit the beach they will use my Repeater to link back home and say hello to the fellow Amateurs.
Perhaps the HF bands were not in condition for them to have a conversation at this time .
A few Amateurs have tried to setup skids on HF using my Repeater. Sometimes their contact is made,sometimes they relink back to my repeater to have their conversations. Yes ! one is on the computer the other is on my Repeater .Its fun and a part of this great hobby.
Noone has asked you to use Echolink. its up to you to enjoy your hobby as you see fit.

To each their own !
...................................

Quote KA5FAP,

Last night I thought about this a little more.

Orv, and some others on this board have always talked about how we need to bring more technically oriented people into Amateur radio. I happen to agree with that, although I really don't want to see it 100% technically oriented. Now what industry has taken all of our technically oriented people that could have gone into amateur radio? The computer industry.

Given that information, the melding of amateur radio with people who are technically inclined in the computer industry will expose Amateur radio to technically oriented computer people. Therefore, these internet type systems (echolink,irlp) can potentially be our savior for techical talent in the future.











Posted by KF4VGX on 2005-05-06

EchoLink

Is EchoLink Ham Radio?? Well, I don't think that it is a y/n question. There are way to many scenario's out There. Personally, I don't care to chat, "mic to mic", in EchoLink, as I could do this on Yahoo. I have accessed other hams through EchoLink, using repeaters/nodes. I guess the motto would be: IF IT WORKS FOR YOU, THEN USE IT. I don't think that this is the place to squash someone elses fun. One should use their ham radio's as is best for them, and their scenario. Don't let others comments change your way of thinking. Let's just represent our hobby in a positive manner. Anyone who isn't a ham operator, and read some of these threads, would think that we are a bunch of mis-fits. Whatever your place is in ham radio, hold your head up high. " If we don't use it, we could lose it". 73 to all....Pat N8QBY
Posted by N8QBY on 2005-05-05

Expired equine quadraped

The horse is dead...passed on...get over it, please.
Posted by W1XZ on 2005-05-05

Expired equine quadraped

The horse is dead...passed on...get over it, please.
Posted by W1XZ on 2005-05-05

IP is not RF

It can be successfully argued that some implementations of Echolink are, in fact, "real radio". However, no one can convince this long time computer geek that VoIP (which *is* IP packets) is "real radio".

The poll question is too broad for a definitive y/n answer -- simply because VoIP is not radio; Echolink can be radio; and IRLP is a "combination" of IP and RF.

Although I think Echolink is intriguing to the "computer age" hams (not my personal interests), I tend to agree with KB4QLZ and KD5ALU. Echolink is looking more & more like a chatroom -- and less & less like the spirit and scope of the amateur radio service.

If amateur radio continues in this direction, I see a day when licensing is thrown out the window, the bad manners of anonymity prevail and the attitude of CB raunchiness take over.

That will be a sad day indeed.
Posted by KI4GPX on 2005-05-05

Echolink

Real Ham Radio? Real Hams maybe but two Hams talking to each other on cellphones would be better. I never had a problem with Winlink or Echolink or whatever when it started. But working some DX on 30m and 40m a couple of times and a Pactor 3 station wiping out the QSO delivering someone's "radio email" changed my mind. And where is the challenge anyway of working DX through a wired network? Call a guy in Burundi on the telephone. Exchange QSL cards. Wow, I worked a new one on Nextel! No propagation, no Ham Radio.
Posted by W3MZ on 2005-05-05

Echolink

Real Ham Radio? Real Hams maybe but two Hams talking to each other on cellphones would be better. I never had a problem with Winlink or Echolink or whatever when it started. But working some DX on 30m and 40m a couple of times and a Pactor 3 station wiping out the QSO delivering someone's "radio email" changed my mind. And where is the challenge anyway of working DX through a wired network? Call a guy in Burundi on the telephone. Exchange QSL cards. Wow, I worked a new one on Nextel! No propagation, no Ham Radio.
Posted by W3MZ on 2005-05-05

ECHOLINK

ITS NOT HAM RADIO , NUFF SAID !!
Posted by VO1MDS on 2005-05-05

ECHOLINK

ITS NOT HAM RADIO , NUFF SAID !!
Posted by VO1MDS on 2005-05-05

Missing the point

It's just a linked repeater. I don't use it. But at the end of the day it is a wire line repeater link. Is it ham radio? If you are on a linked 2 meter network is that ham radio? In proper context it is just like any other linked machine in your area.
Posted by KF6IHL on 2005-05-05

IRLP

Where do Ham Radio Operators come from?

IRLP is as much real as is PACKET, EME, SATELITE, or linking REPEATERS !!
They don't use a string between two tomatoe soup cans to link computers for internet.
They use RADIO !!! like cell phones use RADIO.!!! So the same satelite is not likely used to link the repeaters that you would use while using one for a repeater. In Austrailia they are planning to work out a system for using IRLP for AMBER ALEERT.
If we get smart and so the same here, then maybe hams would give IRLP the same kind of respect as APRS, and PACKET. Let me see how do you do PACKET without a computer ???
YES WE SHOULD HAVE IRLP as well as every use full option for the hobby even SLOW SCAN TV.
REAL HAMS USE ONLY 5 Watts, and Safety Pin and Razor RECEIVERS....




Posted by KE7AKS on 2005-05-05

Stupid thread!!

Really...WHO CARES?!
If you use it, well you use it. WHO CARES!! If you hate it, well you hate it. WHO CARES!!
It's this kind of ridiculous bickering that will be the end of this increasingly bitter "debate" we call "Ham Radio".
(An absolutely stupid question just meant to stir bitter feelings and increase already intrenched feelings on both sides of this ridiculous debate. Come on Andy, you can come up with a better question!)

Posted by VA6SZ on 2005-05-05

Stupid thread!!

Really...WHO CARES?!
If you use it, well you use it. WHO CARES!! If you hate it, well you hate it. WHO CARES!!
It's this kind of ridiculous bickering that will be the end of this increasingly bitter "debate" we call "Ham Radio".
(An absolutely stupid question just meant to stir bitter feelings and increase already intrenched feelings on both sides of this ridiculous debate. Come on Andy, you can come up with a better question!)

Posted by VA6SZ on 2005-05-05

VoIP SUX

We are Amateur Radio operators, not Amateur Internet operators aka LAND LINE LIDS! If you want to use non radio means by all means use MSN, it has far more to offer than VoIP, just don't tell me it's radio.
Posted by KB2VXA on 2005-05-05

How much longer can we beat this dead horse?


Posted by N7BUI on 2005-05-05

Amateur vs. commercial

I see this as a debate between amateur vs. commercial radio communication linking. Since "amateur radio" is distinctly classified by the FCC as "amateur" i.e. non-commercial in its over-the-air path and activities, I think any sort of communication path that relies on a pay-to-use type of path (Internet, teleco company, cell phone, etc., etc.) are commercial and therefore disqualified from the designation of "amateur radio".
Posted by NC9K on 2005-05-05

Echolink

Quote ,Bob Magraw (K0CBA) on April 5, 2003

I've had my ticket 43 years now and in the last two years or so the shine has gone off the apple but I am eternally curious. I kept hearing about EchoLink and had even heard it being used on a repeater. Hmm… Something new to piddle with.

After downloading the latest version and getting registered, I was connecting and up and running. It's pretty intuitive and I was impressed at how well it works despite my pathetic phone lines and anemic connect speeds. The audio quality is good and your audio stream doesn't fall into the "bit bucket" very much. Over driving the mic will cut you to ribbons but more on that later.

Here are a few observations and comments;

The screen shows the call signs of people currently on EchoLink. The first group is identified by an icon that indicates a repeater or link system. Also listed is location, sysop and whatever else information he/she entered. After the repeater list comes the individuals' list, which has a different icon. Connect requests go directly to the listee and he receives an audible signal. There is a number after the info column. I am not sure what it is. At first I suspected it may be the number of current users although I don't recall ever seeing more than "2" listed even though upon connecting I saw 4 and 5 people already connected.

On repeaters it's a voice announcement it lists you on the side of the screens of those using on line connections. I can understand why it's set up like that but it would be nice to 'read the mail' and see what procedures are being used or just plain old read the mail while maintaining a low to no profile. I think this would be a good thing to have especially dropping in on another countries system. After you connect and are announced, it's a poor time to find out you can't communicate in their language and I don't feel they should have to change for the new guy.

As I mentioned, the transmit audio is very good, albeit different than what one is used to on the radio. Why? Well, mostly because radio mics are normally pretty noise canceling and are optimized to work at an inch or two from the mouth. Computer mics are more likely to be used at desktop distance, like a studio mic. There is an audio level indicator bar near the bottom of the screen so you should keep a close watch on the audio level otherwise you may end up sounding like some of those stations on 20 and 75 that have the mic by their feet with the mic gain and compression controls set against the pin.

(We've all heard them -- constant background noise from their chairs groaning from the load, leather belts straining to the breaking point, last night's super-duper deluxe pizza as it works its way thru the digestive system and of course, the obligatory amplifier fan all working in concert to keep their signal at 30db over S-9 and when they speak the signal may go up to 32db over S-9! You can turn your AGC as fast as it will go but the needle never drops!) OK -- grumbling close to over.

I have used it once or twice from St. Louis to a repeater in Las Vegas to talk with K0FF when he was mobiling around on 2 meters in the warmth and sun while I was "enjoying" copious amounts of snow. Another friend, W8CBA in Cleveland, has used it a few times to connect to one of my local repeaters and I was able to chat with him using 2 meters from my car. In all instances, it worked well and my kudos to K1RFD Jonathon, the software designer.

I have had more experience using the direct connects. Now there is where the system really shines. Radio procedure, signing with calls, etc., seems to be the SOP. I can't really understand why, but I guess it is as good of a way to handle exchanges as anything. Repeater or direct connection, there is a little audio delay. I assume it varies with your connect speed but I've never had a decent connect speed for comparison.

My closing thoughts…

It is a slick system that allows hams of any class to communicate with other hams world wide giving the impression and perhaps the thrill of DX.

It allows communication to distant repeaters where you may have a friend that is not within V/UHF range.

It is perhaps the only chance hams suffering under damned antenna restrictions may have to play radio. (I do not buy into the "cost of a radio" argument because if you can afford a computer and an Internet connection, you can jolly well afford some bare bones rig).

I would recommend strongly that you set the parameters to "momentary" transmit from the default "tap on/tap off". Invariably, someone will overlook the second "tap" and the others get to sit there listening to squawking about why no one is coming back. Is there a phone op in hamdom that has never forgotten to roll the rock off the PTT ??


And now, entering a cage filled with starving lions to announce that the `fridge is empty -- Yeah but -- Is it ham radio???"

After much meditation and seeking wisdom from the inner weasel we all have, I feel safe with saying, if it is to you; 'coitenly' it is. If you feel it isn't, then it is not. Before you start pacing in your play pen and shaking to type hate and discontent filled replies, REMEMBER, either way I agree with you 100%; always have and always will.

Opinions are like, like, -- well you know; every one has one and here's mine. When connecting to a repeater and chatting with someone who is using a radio, I think it is; or at least pretty darned close.

When using direct connects I have tried to apply as liberal of a definition of "ham radio"


....................

Questions asked.

We don't want our technicians to have general class operations privileges.

Ok , ask the Echolink cordinator to set up Echolink to the Clubs best interest.
Allow connections with etc: Stations you are willing to connect with. If a station that has been excluded tries to connect, EchoLink will immediately deny access, and make a special notation in the Log file.

Note: Un-checking "Conferences" will block connections only with "conference servers", and conferences running EchoLink version 1.1 or above.

If Conferences is un-checked, EchoLink will not allow connections with conference servers or EchoLink conferences. It is possible, however, to be connected with a station which later becomes a conference (when it connects with a third station). In this case, EchoLink will immediately disconnect, but only if Dynamic conf detect is checked.

Deny these calls: Select this option to set up a "banned list" of stations with which you do not want to connect. Any number of callsigns may be entered. To add a new callsign, choose Add New, then type the callsign (including any -L or -R suffix) into the blank space provided. To remove a callsign, select the callsign and choose Remove. Choose Remove All to clear all callsigns from the list. If the list is empty, no connections will be denied based on callsign.

Accept only these calls: Select this option to set up an "approved list" of stations with which you wish to allow connections exclusively. If this option is selected, no connection will be established with a station whose callsign is not listed. As with the Deny function, all callsigns must be fully spelled out, including any -L or -R suffix.

Note: Instead of (or in addition to) callsigns, you can also enter IP address ranges in this list, in CIDR notation. This is sometimes useful as a short-cut for accepting or denying several different stations who use the same Internet provider.

International Prefixes: Use this feature to control access to your station according to the international prefix of the other station's callsign. For convenience, EchoLink manages these prefixes internally, and displays only the names of each country in these lists. This feature has been provided to help you comply with your country's rules regarding reciprocal control-operator privileges or third-party traffic restrictions.

The countries in the Accept list are countries with which connections will be allowed; those in the Deny list will be denied. To move a country from one list to the other, select the country name (by clicking on it), then choose one of the two arrow buttons in the center.

For example, if the only country in the Deny list is "United States", any station with a U.S. callsign prefix (AAA-ALZ, KAA-KZZ, NAA-NZZ, or WAA-WZZ) will be denied access; all others will be allowed.

Note that the countries listed are those in the ITU Prefix list. There is no recognition of DXCC entities for this feature, and thus no distinction between offshore territories and their host nations. Also, EchoLink has no way to detect when a callsign is being used outside of its country of origin.
To your Clubs best interest.

Here are a few observations and comments;
QUOTE ,

PC to PC is Not Amateur Radio!

No different than Amateurs going to a club meeting discussing club policies etc ,still Amateurs communicating. As a matter of fact you can be anywhere in the world and still call the net, if it's your turn.


Our old auto patch allowed communications from Amateurs to non Amateurs.

Using VOIP links where and if there is a need.


Echolink works in a disaster ,it may save a nail from going in a human beings coffin .Amateur and civilian lives *ARE* being saved. . A life is a Life ,no matter how we as Amateurs help in Emergencies. Our first and foremost *DUTY* is to save lives.

Amateurs here in hurricane Alley have found that HF at times was not favorable to pass traffic.
Echolink promotes Amateur Radio as well as going to a club meeting.

Please see,

http://k5car.tripod.com/carc/id1.html

http://www.repeater.org/clubs/442.15/ilink.htm
And also !

http://www.ka5cvh.com/the_eyes_of_texas.htm

"PC to PC is a Chat room"


How many amateur's use the internet along side of their radio's every day ?

What County EC or Skywarn Coordinator will not look at a computer screen to monitor weather conditions ?

Or visit paid weather sites where he or she will receive live updates from weather events.

Over the years, I have heard the internet is not a part of Amateur Radio.

Well my friends it most certainly is.

The next time we have an event where we need to call on our Skywarn Coordinators .

Should we Shut down our computers,toss the cell phone.

Or use any means of communications available to provide the best and fastest ways to report information the NWS, NHC.

Amateur's fear change ,as for the reasons that our public service is outdated.

We as Amateur's should be at the leading edge of technology as to provide the public with our service's.


Some of us have found new ways to help VOIP .

Now if it's so true that reading this over the internet , is not Amateur related.

Should we perhaps just turn off our computer ?

No, We may as well give up electricity, Hot water ,automobiles etc.


"But what if the internet is down "?


Every system fails,but still each system should have some type of backup plan.
Sometimes having somthing to fall back on will get your traffic out.

Information is passed through ( RF ) to the station that had functional high speed Internet service.
As it was not available in the affected area. You see the two ( VOIP and RF ) work together hand in hand , it even works even when HF bands will not permit you to pass traffic. There was an experiment done here in the Hurricane Alley, using HF as a means to pass traffic. Not one piece of traffic was passed using HF. That my friends was not the news our section manager wanted to hear ,therefore it was advised as a means to help with communications to experiment with VOIP. As it has been proved to help where HF Failed. I sure would hate to have a cat four on our coastlines with noway to pass traffic .







Posted by KF4VGX on 2005-05-05

Echolink is ancillary to Amateur Radio

Echolink is really not amateur radio in its true form. There are aspects of amateur radio in Echolink especially those who use echolink over a radio link. I operate a lot of hf,vhf and uhf both from my home and from my mobile station. I am also on Echolink. While Echolink will never give me the same enjoyment I get operating over the radio directly it does provide a service enabling me to speak to other radio amateurs when conditions on the hf bands are not good. i like to use the analogy of fishing for comparing Echolink to amateur radio. Most people who like to eat fish buy their fish already prepared in fish markets or supermarkets. Everything is laid out before them and they can see what they want to buy. Yet there are millions of people who love to go fishing. For those people it is the sport and thrill of the catch that counts. Similarly on Echolink like in the fishmarket everything is laid out before you. Unlike being on the radio there is no thrill of the catch. One does not have to contend with QRM,QRN or QSB on Echolink or for the most part calling CQ and getting surprised with an answer out of nowhere or perhaps no answer at all. But there are many radio amateurs out there who for whatever reason cannot operate from a radio especially using hf. For these people who want to use there call signs and be a part of the radio amateur community Echolink is a wonderful thing. It enables them to communicate with their fellow radio amateurs. I know fundamentalist radio amateurs who will not use Echolink because in their way of thinking it is not really amateur radio. However communication is a major aspect of amateur radio and echolink allows amateur radio operators to communicate with other amateur radio operators. It is ancillary to amateur radio even though it is not in its true form amateur radio.73-Alan-K2ACB
Posted by K2ACB on 2005-05-04

Some guys are missing the point

The question to ask is "Is Echolink DX?" The answer: absolutely not. However, is it RADIO...

According to the FCC Rules (47 CFR 97.1) the purpose of amateur radio is
"(c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through
rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication and
technical phases of the art."

Using VoIP to link repeaters or to link an amateur at a computer with a link station or repeater at the other end does meet that end. IP links have been used for years between distant packet nodes and little if anything was said about that. With Echolink the only difference is in the information that's transmitted.

I am a fan of HF and enjoy CW, having done it "the hard way" as a novice 20 years ago. However, I've recently learned the beauty of Echolink, being able to communicate reliably with an old friend for the first time in years despite being 2,000 miles apart. Both of us lead busy schedules and we don't necessarily have the time to set up an HF sked, though we both would like to. On 2M repeaters and connected via Echolink the enjoyment was not only in the communication but the technology that made it possible. Sure, we could get on the phone and do the same thing, but still, the equipment and the links are done on our terms.

Some enjoy radio for the sport - chasing DX and the challenges presented by radio as a medium. Some enjoy it for the technical aspect. Everyone enjoys communicating however and that's what the hobby boils down to - the variety of technologies available with which to which we can communicate.

Posted by N4RLL on 2005-05-04

Not

W8JI said it best in another forum, on another site.

"Pretending Echolink and Internet are ham radio is the same as pretending a centerfold is your wife."
Posted by KB4QLZ on 2005-05-04

It seems like Ham Radio

My first Echolink contact was when a British ham called via an Orlando 2-meter repeater. I used my 5-watt HT and found it fascinating. I signed up for Echolink so I can initiate calls from my PC as well.

We had a good talk while he was on his lunch hour and I was just starting my morning.

I'm an Extra with HF gear so such contacts aren't unusual for me. Yet I found it enjoyable. Hopefully such QSOs will encourage Techs to upgrade for HF privileges.
Posted by K8KQD on 2005-05-04

2M FM DX!!!

Sad, but true, I have heard some local techs who barely know how to use their 2 meter rigs become excited because they heard a guy in Austrailia on EchoLink! One participant even wanted the VK's qsl info for a card.

I didn't have the heart to break in to say the VK "DX" was little more than a telephone call, only less private.

There is a reason why ARRL and most contests prohibit contacts made through repeaters as counting as a radio-to-radio qso.
Posted by N7XB on 2005-05-03

The group that sees IRLP and Echolink as ham radio fails to see the real distinction, that its little more than telephone chat or internet chat. Those mediums require no amateur license. But by "mixing" a little of ham radio with the telephone line or the internet, they can convince themselves that its ham radio. I personally view such thinking as self deception. YMMV
Posted by WA4DOU on 2005-05-03

Real Ham Radio

This question pits 2 factions against each other. For one faction there can never be a satisfactory substitute for "real ham radio". The other seems to be so interested in communications that it is willing to subordinate the radio part of the equation to fiber optics and wire, anything that furthers "communications". The one faction wonders why the other doesn't just call 'em up on the telephone or use instant messaging on the computer. They see IRLP and Echolink as not much up the food chain from 2 tin cans and string. I've lived in places where antennas weren't permitted. However, I always had antennas anyway. All it takes is imagination. Nevertheless, IRLP and Echolink are here. And for those of you whose boat floats that way, have at it.
Posted by WA4DOU on 2005-05-02

THINK BIG

Hello every one. yes i say THINK BIG, I love HF most people do olso ,that is why they study hard ,and the hope of all the novice is to get to the next level to be able to talk to other places across the earth via HF. in the future people will live in stations orbiting the earth, or live on the moon, on mars, traveling across our system or the Galaxy<milky way>.............
what we have now is just the beginning of beginning of beginning of beginning......no one can stop it.one day they will be talking about HF same as we talk about the Indians using the smoke,or the Africans using the drums, or TARZAN screaming, or the jungle people wisling.
THAT IS LIFE, satellites, softwares to decode all kind of mode,........computers ...


Posted by KC0CPO on 2005-05-02

Its not radio

Radio communication is two or more stations emitting RF energy into the ether to communicate, nothing more, nothing less. If phone lines, Internet or any other infrastructure is added to assist in communications, it is not radio. This is why cell phone communication is not radio. Even though cell signals go out over the air, it still involves the use of landlines and infrastructure. Like a cell phone, VOIP is mere utility communication. For that matter, so is the traditional landline telephone.
Posted by AG4RQ on 2005-05-01

Radio...explained

You see, wire telegraph is a kind of a very, very long cat. You pull his tail in New York and his head is meowing in Los Angeles. Do you understand this? And radio operates exactly the same way: you send signals here, they receive them there. The only difference is that there is no cat.

Albert Einstein, explaining radio


Posted by N9CYS on 2005-05-01

QSL's

Buck stops here-
Posted by N0AH on 2005-05-01

echolink

Echolink is neat but where is the challenge? It also promotes people to stay Technicians. If your a tech on echolink your talking around the world it's easy and it works, but that's a cheap way of doing it. If your working DX on HF it's going through the air and not phone lines. I'm an HF person what can I say!!
Posted by KM3X on 2005-05-01

Challenge?

I see a lot of folks wonder where the challenge is. Is it challenging to tune your radio to a repeater and key the mic? Not all legitimate comminications through Amateur radio have to be challenging. Remember, repeaters were frowned upon many years ago, so were crystal controlled radios (versus vacuum tubes). If you'd like to revert back to tube type radios and CW only communications Amateur radio will be dead in only a few years. No matter what the innovation, there's always nay-sayers that hold onto the past and place new technology in contempt. Yes, I've been a Tech since '99 and proud of it. I have no desire to use HF. Neither have I used EchoLink or IRLP though it's available to me and know many people that have or do use it. I equate it to this: you can ride in a horse drawn buggy and be happy or drive a new fuel injected vehicle and be happy. Either way, it's transportation. I key up my radio into a local repeater. It's linked either through RF or internet to another repeater. To me, it's a hybrid system when using the internet to link repeaters, still radio but not 100% in the traditional sense (though lightwaves over fiber optics are still using frequencies). The real challenge in ham radio for me is finding ways to hide my antennas either in apartments or code restricted neighborhoods. There, I have challenge in ham radio so that makes it legitimate for me.

Also, define REAL ham radio. Innovation. I think a lot people believe REAL ham radio is living in the past, making point to point contacts without the use of extenders or helpers like repeaters and such. No digital modes through computers, just plain ol' CW. SSB is acceptable but you're not a REAL ham unless you use CW. BS.
Posted by K5DRH on 2005-05-01

Echo Link

Lets face it fellas, there are those that embrace SSB and hate CW, as well as the reverse. Most of the people that I know using Echolink do not have amateur radio involved at all except for the license that is required to use it. We have a local node but I don't know if it gets much use. It can be useful in a lot if instances. Suppose you are vacationing in a country where you have not gotten operating priviledges but have Internet access and want to talk to a fellow ham somewhere - is Echolink usuable in that context? It's another mode, so those of us who like it, use it! Others, like me, who find it boring, don't use it. However, let's not deride those who do or claim that it sounds the death knell of amateur radio.
73, Al Turner N4OKG
Posted by N4OKG on 2005-05-01

Loaded question...?

Nice choice of question. (If all you're looking to do is pick a fight.) Come on people!!
Posted by VA6SZ on 2005-05-01

Fantasy Radio

To me, if the Internet is required to make the contact, it's not radio.

Posted by KB4QLZ on 2005-04-30

Echolink

If it don't make RF, it ain't radio!!

73,
John WB9AUJ / N6VOA making LOTS of power at VOA,
1.5 megawatts for a fact.
Posted by WB9AUJ on 2005-04-30

A step further

Next you will have to say that contact by telephone technology is ham radio. Instead of saying CQ...just select a number at random. make a hello contact...tell them they are coming in loud and clear...and you have a contact for your log. Makes as much sense.
Posted by KN4AG on 2005-04-30

I think its not ham radio, however I think the existance of telnetabble nodes (where you telnet and its like you are on packet basically) isn't a bad thing-it is what got me reinterested in getting a TNC and getting back on packet again, once I knew there was a good amount of people in my area using it. I have yet to play with the internet links from node to node, but like many other people have said, if its not RF, then its not "radio" per se. I could see its purpose if you needed to interconnect a city thats totally surrounded by hills that cannot be reached, but other than that, RF should fit the bill.

73 KD6NIG
Posted by KD6NIG on 2005-04-30

Repeater Linking

Echolink allows repeaters to be linked. Much like many of todays packet networks it uses the internet has a gateway. Voice Over IP is a tool, regardless of what some might call it, it is a tool. HF is more fun, but I do enjoy the Young Amatuers Echolink Net on the Wash_DC Conference Server.. With connections to repeaters around the world. Many of the YAEN folks are regulars on HF.

Internet, Cellphones, Chatrooms, Echolink.. Tools that provide communications, and fun. They are not replacement for ham radio, but in some ways can be integrated with radio. The internet allows hams around the world to share ideas, same with Echolink, cellphones, and chatrooms.

73'
+Steve/KD5OWO
Posted by KD5OWO on 2005-04-30

No

I don't need call sign to talk on the web,only on this program.
Posted by PY2ZW on 2005-04-29

Depends on how you use it.

I have a simplex Ecolink node on 147.54. The Echolink setup is at my home with a good antenna about 30 feet up. Today, I was at work monitoring the Echolink frequency on my 2m mobile in the office. A ham from Sweden connected up and we had a nice QSO. Now, I was using a 2m radio on my end, about 5 miles from the computer setup. The ham in Sweden was using the same setup. He was using 2m 145.425 to get into his local Echolink setup. It was 2m on each side of the QSO and the nodes were linked by the internet. Is this ham radio? I think so.

I get the impression from reading the posts that most folks think that all Echolink is computer to computer with no radio involved. I personally never access Echolink via the computer. I always get into the link via a 2m radio. Many do the same. Yes, I have talked with people who were talking on their computer and it doesn't bother me, but I would say that most are using RF to get into a link.

This, to me, is not much different than some computer linking schemes that use a phone line to link repeaters. To me, if there is a radio on each end, it is radio.

As for those who access Echolink via their computer, well...maybe that is all they have due to antenna restrictions,etc. I don't have a problem with this. When you download the software, they verify your call before you get access to the system. Is this prefect? No, it isn't. But, what keeps a pirate from getting on SSB with a call that was picked up out of a magazine? Nothing, it happens all the time.

Just my humble opinion. 73, de Kenneth AB5CC
20 WPM extra since 1991 and Echolink user.
Posted by AB5CC on 2005-04-29

It's not the real thing

I've tried it, it was fun but, too easy to make a contact with. Where's the challenge???
Anyone who thinks that running a rig at both ends but, linked by wire is ham radio Dxing is only fooling themselves. Of course newbies would consider this a normal way of doing things. Where is the challenge in allowing the computer link? As far as I'm concerned have fun with it but, please don't think you're making a DX contact. Try it HF to HF rig. Now there's the challenge. I dare you to do it!!! That's the excitment of ham radio. Not bleep, bleep, screeeech on a computer going through wire. Might as well use your cell phone during no long distance charges. Like I say, it has it place but, not as a comfirmed DX contact.
Posted by N0FQN on 2005-04-29

echolink is just a long wire? Just like the wire in your microphone, only longer?

I guess that makes a telephone a radio. I guess that makes bpl ham radio too. My toaster has a wire, if I hook up a microphone is it a radio too?

Radio does not REQUIRE the internet, but echolink and irlp do.

If a 2-minute newscast is placed on the internet, does that make the internet television?

IRLP and echolink may be fun, but it has nothing to do with amateur radio, nor should it.

Posted by KA5FAP on 2005-04-28

I received my novice license as a just turned 14 year old. It was a real license, with real amateur privileges and allowed access to the world via HF. That license fell into disfavor, so they say, compliments of the gang for whom cw became too bothersome. The very fact that hams with no legal access to the HF range want to communicate over very long distances and resort to IRLP and Echolink, instead of upgrading to General class and higher, indicates that they will not apply themselves to even a nominal amount of study, easy in anyone's book. Personally I'd have felt as a 14 year old that I had been handed an imitation form of ham radio had these forms existed. Funny how, over the past 15 years, we hear so much talk about "I'm going to get around to studying this or that". The requirements for a General class license have never been easier. Are we attracting lower and lower IQ levels into amateur radio, for whom even a nominal amount of study is a major undertaking?
Posted by WA4DOU on 2005-04-28


WA4DOU concerns are very real but remember many General / Extra Class Hams have migrated to modes like Echolink due CCR restrictions.

It keeps them in the hobby but NO it is not pure radio,it is simply a hybrid mode.

73 G3SEA
Posted by G3SEA on 2005-04-28

cable is cable and radio is radio !!! it's simple :-)
Posted by SQ2HFJ on 2005-04-27

Diet Radio

As shown by the comments below, VOIP is a good substitute for radio.
Posted by N3EG on 2005-04-27

Echolink

I like the concept for those who don't have HF rights as I think it will motivate them to work towards that goal. It seems to be a tech head sport. How they figured out ham radio into a internet pacman game is cool-
Posted by N0AH on 2005-04-27

REAL HAM Radio

HAM's are the systems engineers of the world. There is no way to avoid integration, test and evaluation, if you are the least bit involved with HAM!!!

Every technology in comercial use today can be traced to some sort of origin of experiementation in the HAM bands: AM, FM, GSM, CDMA, TDMA, Spread Specttrum, GPS, packet, RTTY, PSK 31, and SSB HiFi (...related to voice band telephony).

Some say its for emergency use. It is. Some say its for contesting. It is. Some say its for DX'ing. It is.

I would include a statement encompassing the Amateur bandwidth as a resource for test and development of new technologies.

Take bandwidth away and loose the test lab.

John de N3QT
HAM Engineering Dept.
VA, USA
Posted by N3QT on 2005-04-26

why is this an issue

Why is this an issue? Why is Echolink etc. being put to some kind of "real ham radio" litmus test? Who cares?

For many elderly hams in assisted living facilities etc. who can no longer have stations, or can only have severly compromised stations, Echolink is a godsend--it is their only long distant contact with other hams that offers some kind of simulation of a qso. For that I'm grateful. Why attack it? What's to be afraid of? You know, some day you all are going to be old too, unless you smoke and drink yourselves to death early, and when the time comes to give up your station you will be glad there is something like Echolink too. Then you will have some 35 year old dink ham telling you it's not "real ham radio."
Posted by K5UJ on 2005-04-26

I Like Echolink!!!

It's a nice alternative to talk to someone miles away when the band conditions are down, like they have been. Not a replacement, but an alternative!!..I have yet to work Iraq, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Thailand on HF due to my rinky dink HF station, but thanks to Echolink, I have communicated with Hams in those countries without any pileups or adverse conditions....It really is a nice alternative...but NEVER a replacement....

Vince P
KA3NRX
Pittsburgh, PA

Posted by K3NRX on 2005-04-26

What's My Line?

Remember the old TV game show?

"I am a small, hand-held battery-powered, two-way RF transceiver used to communicate with other persons near or far.

"My RF signal is transmitted to another transceiver, usually located at a high elevation or on a tower, which then patches my signal into a fiber-optic backbone system.

"My signal then travels through the backbone system until it reaches my intended target recipient, when my signal is re-transmitted by RF to another hand-held, battery-powered, two-way RF transceiver.

"What am I?"


de Bruce N7XB




Posted by N7XB on 2005-04-26

Echolink

Echolink serves as a great alternative to the amateur radio operators that cannot have the outside equipment (antennas, etc. or on very limited funds to buy equipment. I am in the latter category and invested in a good quality HT which I do use in the various areas that I travel to. I have used Echolink to talk to foreign countries and it is proving to me what can be done with the "radios" even if it is thru a computer.
Posted by KC8ZKC on 2005-04-26

Are radios real radio?

Are repeaters repeaters?

I mean can I just talk at a final amp circuit and modulate the signal? No. It has be be picked up by a mic to change it from air wave vibration. Then to audio vibration (electric) then connect by wires (O! no?) to the modulation stage of my transmitter. Same problem with a repeaters. How do I get the signal from the receive part of the system to the transmit side of the repeater? Wires O no again.

Echo link is just a longer wire. I see no difference between the 6 inches of mic wire or 6000 mile fibre option cable. Just a long link.

Suppose only a CW keyed final amp transmitter is a real radio, if you use a wet finger as the keyer. Be sure to try this only with a QRP radio. It has to be QRP or its not real radio.

Maybe it has to be a spark gap radio...to be real?

Carl

Posted by WL7BDO on 2005-04-26

To: N7XB

"What is it?"

Why its IRLP!
2 cordless phones talking over a long distance telephone line. How interesting!
Posted by WA4DOU on 2005-04-26

Impossible to be real radio

You see, wire telegraph (EchoClink on the Internet) is a kind of a very, very long cat. You pull his tail in New York and his head is meowing in Los Angeles. Do you understand this? And radio operates exactly the same way: You send signals here, they receive them there. The only difference is that there is no cat.

Albert Einstein, when asked to describe radio
US (German-born) physicist (1879 - 1955)
Posted by KB4QLZ on 2005-04-25

LOL, with the ham numbers declining, and the ever possible sale of ava. spectrum you'd think any activity to possibly gain hams would be 100% supported! I use RF to connect to echolink....and I'd support most anything decent that would make the numbers grow.

kc2nmx
Posted by SFD301 on 2005-04-25

The decline and fall of the ham empire

I think the next survey question should combine the last two: "Do you use an antenna tuner on your Echolink?" You'll be surprised how many will answer "Yes."
Posted by N3EG on 2005-04-25

Echolink is Useful, Fun, and Amateur Radio

First: Thank You K1RFD for making this wonderful thing called EchoLink and providing it free of charge. You have made a difference in the lives of many people!

It is Ham Radio - a ham license is needed to get online through the system. Period. That also makes it a secure means of linking distant and near stations.

It is clean - I haven't heard any profanity. I would block the callsign of such a person or any such node making the connection and such remarks. The operators I've spoken with have all used good amateur practice.

It is a challenge - it takes as much effort to set up an Echolink node transceiver that works perfectly every time as any RF Link. Valuable technical knowledge is gained regarding audio hookups and quality, computing, and yes, using RF and repeaters at times.

It is practical - For those in certain circumstances where HF antenna installations are not practical, feasible, secure, or economically feasable. I regret that I have recently fallen into that category, not long after earning my General. I will have another opportunity to set up a full HF installation some day; however, Echolink serves me well for the time being.

It is good public relations - The non-hams to whom I've demonstrated Echolink are absolutely amazed that such capability exists. I know of at least 2 that want to go for their ham licenses as a result.

It is a recognized mode by the ARRL and other organizations - The fact that ARRL publishes a book regarding Voice over IP as an Amateur Radio mode, underscores the fact Echolink provides value to the hobby, and additional utility.

With all the above being said, Echolink needs to be considered by all of us amateurs as just another mode of operation and certainly not a replacement for HF. You can have full battery backup capability for the radio and computer, but if that Internet service is down you better still be sharp at running HF if you want to have regular skeds overseas or across the country.
Posted by K0YVC on 2005-04-25

I will take my HT to the mall with me .If I see a few kids hanging around using cell phones,I will take my ht and link up a Repeater somewhere interesting.. While talking with my party ,I mention his location several times.

I noticed the kids looking , I will ask
How far can you talk with your cell phone?

Then I explain that I am an Amateur Radio operator.
Then I will ask , I guess you have a monthly cell phone bill huh ?

Their next question is how much did your radio cost. I explain, about the same as your cell phone.
Ther next question is, How much do you pay a month?
I explain, nothing ! For the price of a Amateur license ,I'm good for Ten years.

Can you imagine what topic will come up at dinner that night .

I explain what I'm doing and then their other friends will come over and start asking questions also.


I'll give a demo again .
You should see the wonder in their eyes. We have to get our youth interested
* FIRST*
Then let them decide what direction to go.

Its Educational and Fun!

Mine is not an attempt to degrade Amateur radio ,I only attempt to increase our ranks with the younger crowd.


Please look around and see what the younger crowd is doing this day and time.

After all ,there sending email and pictures every day with cell phones ,or either home on video games or their computer.

Look around while your at the mall. What do you see hanging from a young persons belt. Its not an Amateur radio I'm sure.


The above statement is not an attempt by me to degrade Amateur radio or HF users. Its the truth. I have an HT with me at work every day . My only interest is to get our youth interested in our Great hobby.

*Its working*


Then when they become a ham, they can decide for themselves what direction they will go afterwords.

* After all its their hobby*

I also help with Nets ,
* Traders Net *in gathering Amateur related gifts to *GIVE* away to all those that join the net on a yearly basis. It's fun ! I enjoy hearing,
I won ! I won ! That my friends is the Spirit of Amateur Radio.

I wont begin to explain what I spend yearly ,out of my own pocket to keep a T-1 line in my home along with my Repeater equipment.
Its enjoyable to share this Hobby with Amateur's.

I still remember the retired Amateur that connected up to my repeater from a retirement village.


We talked about the time he lived in my area ,and use to
* Hang Ten * on his Surfboard.

He thanked me for setting up my Repeater with Echolink. He could At least enjoy, being a part of the Amateur Radio hobby..

Then there was the Amateur from Bahrain * Tom * NN2X who linked here because he wanted to tell his father Merry Christmas. His traffic was relayed via land-line by KC8IOG.

That is the * Spirit *of Amateur Radio.

Please see,

http://www.qrz.com/callsign

Also see ,

Opinion, By Ed Mitchell, KF7VY, publisher, Ham Radio Online.

Read it ,then read it again !


http://www.hamradio-online.com/1999/mar/unique.html


If you close your eyes to the * Future *
You will forever live in the *past*

Amateurs should enjoy their *HOBBY*.
Not what others tell you to enjoy.

Echolink node 3702,
73, KF4VGX





Posted by KF4VGX on 2005-04-25

Echolink

To KR4WM
Sir most of the contacts on echolink are RF,If you will down load and try the software you will see for yourself.Calls with -L are RF Links and -R is Repeaters,Yes there some PC to PC Contacts but hay dont knock those guys.Some of them are new ham's and have not got any gear yet,Or live in a place where they can not putup antennas or live in a retirment home.You might be in there shoes one of these days.And this may be there only way to still use there ham license.Many ham's think that becouse amateur radio was HF/VHF only for many years,They dont understand that today there many means of communication.Notice some made fun of those of us that use echolink and it dont bother me any each his own,If you want to use your cellphone then chap go for it,But i hate to pay your bill on over seas contacts.Unless you contest " Ur 59 59 59 59 Bang Bang ".Guys if you never try echolink out download the software and see what it about befor you run your mouth on some thing you know about or have never tryed.I dont like SSB or HF and i been on the bands for 20 years and left it 2 years ago.But i dont go around kicking others that use that mode.Try it you might like it....

Posted by N2BR on 2005-04-24

Remote Control

I use Skype to communicate with my remote controlled station. I beat the antenna restriction rules here in my neighborhood by installing my TS-480HX at my office. I have a 60' tower on top of the office with wires and beams.

In my case VOIP is an extension of my speaker and mic as I'm using RF to communicate.

I use TRX-Manger for rig control via TCP/IP and it works great. I'm currently working about 80% cw and 20% ssb with this setup.

73,

Rich - N5ZC


Posted by N5ZC on 2005-04-24

Ladies and Gentleman

In my four years using Echolink ,I have never met a rude Amateur . * NOT ONE * Never HAPPEN . I have on Eham and HF .

I'll repeat that ! * NOT ONE * No profanity, degrading of Amateurs, nothing like I have read here on Eham . Get on HF and just listen to all the profanity ,scan 40 / 75 etc . Amateurs fighting for

* What they feel is their frequency*


Echolink has become the place to communicate without insults to Amateurs.

A courteous place for Ladies and Gentleman

Years ago I had an Extra class preacher link to my repeater . He explained to me why he left HF and vowed to never return .

I understand him better with each day that passes.


More and more Amateurs are using Echolink ever day.

I for one don't blame them.

Posted by KF4VGX on 2005-04-24

Echo Link

Hmmmm. Me Big Indian and me agree VOIP not good. Ummmmmmm Me think we all go back to drums and smoke signal. Me against CW also. Makes it to easy for white man (and black) to broadcast location of my teepee. When white men came to our land, Braves hunted and fished all day: Squaws did all the work. White man think he can improve on everything.
Posted by W4CPT on 2005-04-24

Depends Really

When I'm using it from my mobile 2 meter through a repeater linked to the internet to speak to a mobile ham through his repeater 600 miles away, it's pretty much ham radio (need to use callsigns, etc.)

When we're just chatting computer to computer, it's not ham radio (no need to use callsigns, etc.)

Honestly, I think much of the disagreement comes from talking about two different things with the same name!
Posted by AD5GX on 2005-04-24

It is what it is....

No, it's not "real" radio per se, but it is what it is... a link. I use EchoLink to talk with friends back in San Diego while they're driving around town. We don't use it for talking to each other when we're all on the PC. For that, we use MSN or Yahoo! Messenger.
Posted by KD4AC on 2005-04-23

I would change my opinion on this if....

1. Echolink servers begin enforcing distance restrictions based on someone's grade of license. In other words, someone with a technicians class license that connects on 2M will only be allowed to talk as far as his 2M FM radio ordinarily would allow using RF. To get HF distances, one would have to upgrade to a license that included HF privileges.

2. A radio contact should require both participants to use a radio, no computer-to-radio contacts should be allowed. Using a simplex link to your own computer would count, as long as you are using RF. (This would at least occupy a frequency instead of creating dead air space, which using a computer for Echolink would obviously do.)

3. A computer-to-computer contact over the internet has absolutely NOTHING to do with amateur radio, even if it's two hams using the same "chat room". If you aren't legally required to identify using your callsign, it can't possibly be radio, and with a computer-to-computer contact over the internet, obviously you aren't required to identify. Merely discussing ham radio in a chat room doesn't make it radio. RF _MUST_ be a component of the conversation on BOTH ENDS.

Them's my thoughts, and I'm stickin' to 'em.

-KR4WM
Posted by WY3X on 2005-04-23

Techs working DX

it's kinda funny, the number of US hams that don't seem to realize that Techs can, with the right equipment, and no, I don't mean the internet, work DX.

In fact, it's harder to work DX with the tools available to techs than it is to work it on HF.

Once you've got a tech license, you can do anything on ham radio, except for use the HF spectrum. Even DX.

Posted by AE6IP on 2005-04-23

Only a part

It's not Ham Radio, but it is certainly one part of it, just like packet, ssb, rtty, mt63, am, psk, experimenting, mentoring, contesting, and cw. Get used to it.
Posted by K3WVU on 2005-04-22

Hot topic

It is ham radio on my simplex node, get on there talking CB or don't ID and see how long you are connected.

I really think the people trashing Echolink and using their rigblasters for digital modes and store bought dipoles for antennas don't even have the right to comment because they don't EVEN know what ham radio is. IMHO their votes don't count. But that is another whole subject, todays "modern" ham and his credit card.

It is just another mode, it's just the internet instead of a satellite or repeater. So many people are upset because a tech can work DX, he can do the same thing on Yahoo Chat (and with a cheap web cam SEE the guy too!!), so it really isn't DXing in the traditional sense and anyone who has worked HF DX ought to know that. I see it as a possible training ground for new DX'ers, they can get used to understanding strong accents and maybe learn a little about DXing, if nothing else learn what prefixes belong to the countries.

But it can be very handy, I have called mine when I was out of town and lucky enough to be in range of a node and it is nice to be able to talk to hometown friends so reliably from anywhere on the globe.

As far as PC users, there is a place for that too, if you were laid up in a hospital long enough, a laptop and Echolink would start looking pretty good,

I will admit I prefer to talk to other nodes, radios on each end, but there is a place for all of echolink.

2 meter activity was about dead in this area until we put up this node, and now it is very active and getting more active all time. That can't be a bad thing and Echolink is 100% the reason it came back alive here. Not the mention the non-hams I have demonstrated it to and their reaction, it could even attract new blood for the hobby.

Like the 1st post said, get used to it.

Bill W4VD
node# 44449
Posted by W4VD on 2005-04-22

Why not?

Sure it’s “real” ham radio. You can connect on systems like the win system (www.winsystem.org), which connect over 15 repeaters together. When connected to IRLP (www.IRLP.net) you can connect to other repeaters all over the world. These repeaters use RF to communicate. These are repeaters that may otherwise go unused or used very little.

Echolink (www.echolink.org) is another way of linking repeaters and simplex nodes with computer for hams to communicate using a combination of RF and Computer technology.

Posted by AD6WL on 2005-04-22

VOIP/Ham Radio

First you have to define what is ham radio. Ask 100 people and you will get 100 different answers. Remember, the spark guys didn't like the audio guys, the AM'ers didn't like the SSB or DSB'ers, at first no one liked the digital folks, and heck no one likes us CW ops. So is VOIP ham radio, sure why not. As the hobby and technology grow, you have to grow with it. I don't even know why there is a question. 73 de Art w1fji
Posted by W1FJI on 2005-04-22

VoIP


I work with VoIP with my work. If it was'nt for the HAMs experimenting with Packet radio back in the 80s we wouldnt have VoIP. So yes, I believe this is a part of HAM radio
KJ7XJ - Eric
Posted by KJ7XJ on 2005-04-22

VoIP


I work with VoIP with my work. If it was'nt for the HAMs experimenting with Packet radio back in the 80s we wouldnt have VoIP. So yes, I believe this is a part of HAM radio
KJ7XJ - Eric
Posted by KJ7XJ on 2005-04-22

Can be handy.


Posted by VK7HDX on 2005-04-22

ROTFL

Like W4VD said, Techs can now work DX.

Well, if you consider using the phone to work DX, I guess it's valid. ROTFL.....
Posted by KB4QLZ on 2005-04-22

DX vs Phone

Using a phone to work DX would be cheaper and the telephone bill could be used instead of QSLs. Good idea! Why didn't I think of it!


Posted by W5RDS on 2005-04-22

VOIP

Posted by 2WV355 on April 20, 2005:

"The key word here is RADIO (ray-dee-ohh). A computer is NOT a RADIO!!! NO it's not it's a type of transmiter . You see back in the old days (RAY_DEE_OHHS) Where recevers and TRANSMITERS. but when it became to hard for the new canned hams to opperate thy came up with TRANCEVERS . isn't tec. wonderfull. why i even herd of a reader for code. and dige what will thy think of next! (RADIO RULE 1 IF IT TALKS WORK IT IF IT DONT FIXIT IF YOU CANT TAKE IT TO A REAL HAM (73S) AND I'M OFF THE KEY"

10-4 Good Buddy! Look up 2WV355 through Yahoo search and see what comes up.....
Posted by KG9IO on 2005-04-21

real ham radio??

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO.
Posted by K7NNG on 2005-04-21

VOIP

Let's get real. Anything that's not straight RF unit to unit is NOT ham radio. OK, the other pissy little modes do make people feel like their ham's but who do they think their kidding? Take your wanna-be ham, tech-head crap to the internet and forget radio. If you can do it via the internet without radio then don't do it here on HF. RF baby, that's what counts. Unhappy? Tough.

Dan
Posted by N1GXC on 2005-04-21

Cell Phone Echolink

This morning, I was talking to a fellow ham, W5ETS Erik on my cell phone and as always, there was an echo.
I talk to at least 6 people a day on my cell phone and never have an echo problem. But on Erik's line, when we're connected, there's always an echo on my end. We nicknamed this "Echolink".
So now, when I send a text or voice message for him to give me a call, I'll just enter "please meet me on Echolink" and he'll know that I need him to call me on the cellphone.
I thought I'd share this since we both got a big kick out of it.
Have fun with our hobby. 73 all.
Posted by W5LJM on 2005-04-21

Grow up

Some of the comments here are so downright ignorant I wonder if they are posted by fully blown sociopaths. They are so over obsessed with RF they can't seem to understand that change occurs all around us all the time. Yes, people are entitled to their opinions, but do they have to be so churlish expressing it?

73

Charles VE3HBB
Posted by VE3HBB on 2005-04-21

Ham Radio,Is It Real?

Vote 1029..Yeah! This is so fricken cool.
Posted by W9GRN on 2005-04-21

VE3HBB

WELL RF IS RADIO. ANYTHING ELSE IS NOT RADIO. WHATS SO DIFFICULT ABOUT THAT?? IF YOU WANT TO DO RADIO FINE, IF YOU WANT SOMETHING ELSE GO TO THE COMPUTER AND INTERNET. IS THAT DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND...
CW TODAY, TOMORROW AND FOREVER...
Posted by K7NNG on 2005-04-21

Echolink with RF

OK, then how's this setup. You use your laptop computer to run Echolink, connected to the wireless LAN Router on 2.4 GHz (that is RF, correct?), accessing a remote repeater/link (again, that is RF, correct?), via the Internet.

I look at Echolink and the Internet as just a VERY LONG wire connecting my microphone and speaker to a radio (RF).
Just my two cents worth.

I've been licensed over 40 years and have experimented with most, but not all, MODES available. Echolink is just another MODE.

Steve, W4SKB
Posted by W4SKB on 2005-04-21

Echolink with RF

OK, then how's this setup. You use your laptop computer to run Echolink, connected to the wireless LAN Router on 2.4 GHz (that is RF, correct?), accessing a remote repeater/link (again, that is RF, correct?), via the Internet.

I look at Echolink and the Internet as just a VERY LONG wire connecting my microphone and speaker to a radio (RF).
Just my two cents worth.

I've been licensed over 40 years and have experimented with most, but not all, MODES available. Echolink is just another MODE.

Steve, W4SKB
Posted by W4SKB on 2005-04-21

EchoLink


Part of the decline of the hobby has been attributed to :

1. The Internet

2. Cell phones

3. Lack of interest by young users of above

4. CCR's

EchoLink may well be a case of " if you can't beat em' then join em' " ! :)
Posted by G3SEA on 2005-04-21

Not Ham Radio

I see no harm in it, but using the internet to talk to folks around the world is NOT ham radio. It's only usefulness is it gives those that do not have HF access a chance to meet hams from other parts of the world. In my opinion, it's ALOT more fun (and challenging) to meet folks using a REAL HF radio though....
Posted by RADIO123US on 2005-04-21

Uh boy....

Is debating this topic on eham.net ham radio? Let's see, I am using 802.11b (RF) to connect, so there is radio involved. Is a phone patch ham radio? Is a remote base ham radio? Is a radio with a remote head ham radio? Is SSB ham radio? AM? DSP rigs?

WHAT THE HELL!?! Why is this even a question?

IF IT INVOLVES FCC PART 97 TRANSMISSIONS, it's ham radio folks. If I link to a ham transceiver via EchoLink, or IRLP, or any number of remote base applications, and USE IT TO TRANSMIT RF, well that's ham radio. Why is it not ham radio?

Granted, if there is no part 97 RF involved, it’s not ham radio. Asking if EchoLink is ham radio is like asking if a Heil mike is ham radio. Or an SGC tuner. Or a piece of coax. They are just tools. Their application determines if it’s “Ham Radio”, not what it is.

SteveL
KV6O

Posted by KV6O on 2005-04-21

VOIP Links

I've seen an increase in the numbers of hams who have become active again because of the VOIP modes.
and
It gave me the incentive to upgrade my license class so I could use HF to work the stations that I was meeting on Echolink/IRLP.

It is a fun new mode to experiment with, building and configuring the items needed to setup your own link.
Sounds Good to me...

Robert Prybyzerski W2YMM
http://www.w2ymm.net

Posted by W2YMM on 2005-04-21

VOIP Real Ham Radio?

This is a loaded question. Ham radio means different things to different people. Emphasis on electronics and specifically radio communications and emergency communcations is my interest. I don't support the strict interpretation of RF as the ONLY definition of ham radio. There is a computer microprocessor in every modern radio today but I don't see people not using them because there is a computer chip inside. RF entry to VOIP is my preference but many differ or offer both.

In the 21st century and in the truly global world we live in today, using the Internet as a medium to link RF stations brings dead repeaters to life, renews old aquaintences with VHF and UHF equipment, and is useful even in emergencies (12v computers with battery backup, dial-up connections instead of broadband, etc). Law enforcement and first responders world wide are using the Internet in their jobs. I don't want to be in a position to offer ARES/RACES emergency services today to governmental agencies without modern technology. Why would they want to utilize us if our solutions are HF only, 1200/9600 baud packet and the old standard of VHF/UHF links.

If hams continue to not embrace new technolgies, I fear one day the FCC will rule amateur radio is stuck in the ways and methods of decades ago and cannot or will not progress with modern technology (including digital), thus giving the FCC justification to re-allocate our frequencies to commercial interests.

I fully respect those who disagree but I believe the Internet is hear to stay and that as an RF linking medium, it is the best thing in recent times to boost and enhance ham radio.

Chuck
KX7ID
Posted by KX7ID on 2005-04-21

What really is HAM radio today?

Is it building a spark gap transmitter? Is it wiring up a crystal radio receiver? Is it working the world on 160M AM? Damn right VOIP has its place in AMATEUR RADIO COMMUNICATIONS. I remember hearing the battles by the "old timers" about the move to FM from AM & SSB! And there are still the hard core CW fanatics. What about Packet Radio? APRS? RTTY? Slow Scan TV? Guess what guys! It's ALL HAM radio!

It is just that some of us care to learn a new trick. Hats off those who deveolped IRLP and EchoLink. They sure have brought a new light to Amateur Radio Communications.
Posted by KB6ZOP on 2005-04-21

A Pretend Radio

Real ham radio is not dependent upon the Internet for communications. Therefore it is impossible for Echolink and/or IRLP to be considered as such.
Posted by KB4QLZ on 2005-04-20

.

Looks like eHam has an Echo! LOL!!!!!
Posted by KB4QLZ on 2005-04-20

New Zealand Repeaters


I have keyed up a repeater in New Zealand and Australia with my computer. Also talked on a 40 meter link in New Zealand. Just because it isn't all QRN and QRM and weak signal and RF everywhere, doesn't mean it isn't Amateur Radio.

Echolink is a fun, new technology for Amateurs. I have even encouraged others to get licensed with Echolink.

It isn't a telephone either if it isn't hard wired into my wall at home. Sure a lot of cell phones out there though.

de N8KG
Posted by N8KG on 2005-04-20

Internet linking

Internet linking is a very useful tool
for hams to use.

Linking ham radio to the internet is very popular.

We could change our name to ham radio communications which would cover all the different forms of communications we now do today - not just cw like we did in the old days.

73 ian

http://www.qsl.net/g3zhi

Posted by G3ZHI on 2005-04-20

QSLing

Well, I've learned that it is possible to make contacts via my PC. I've learned that wallpaper collecting is also possible. Although I do not consider EL ham radio and just another Ham radio oriented chat room, I still make the best of it by getting info from the party I am in conference with and send him/her a nice powerpoint or .jpg generated QSL card. I even expect one in return. The only difference is that in the Freq/Mode box, I just enter "EchoLink". In the power output box, I put "zero watts". No challenge there but I still enjoyed the "QSO" so to say. HAVE FUN, DADGUMIT!!
Posted by W5LJM on 2005-04-20

Technology is not ham radio

IRLP, echolink - no they are not ham radio.

Neither is a PLL. Neither is a vacuum tube linear amplifier.

Ham radio does not equal technology.

Ham radio is the total combination of being able to use technology to enable human-to-human communications, that involves radio. It has technology elements, and it has elements of knowing how to intelligently construct a sentence, and it has elements of knowing when bands are open versus time to hit the sack.

Echolink, IRLP, and so forth, might be a part of the technology that is USED to make a contact, but they are not ham radio, any more than knowing how to read a digital dial is ham radio.

AM
Posted by N0TONE on 2005-04-20

voip just a new mode

The key word here is RADIO (ray-dee-ohh). A computer is NOT a RADIO!!! NO it's not it's a type of transmiter . You see back in the old days (RAY_DEE_OHHS) Where recevers and TRANSMITERS. but when it became to hard for the new canned hams to opperate thy came up with TRANCEVERS . isn't tec. wonderfull. why i even herd of a reader for code. and dige what will thy think of next! (RADIO RULE 1 IF IT TALKS WORK IT IF IT DONT FIXIT IF YOU CANT TAKE IT TO A REAL HAM (73S) AND I'M OFF THE KEY
Posted by 2WV355 on 2005-04-20

IRLP

I use a radio link to a local node and then a radio link to other hams when

A) HF it not good
B) We need to coordinate a satellite pass QSO
C) We want to ragchew

This argument was probably put by CW operators when AM and SSB were invented.
It also enables those with VHF UHF only to have international QSOs.

All of this helps to sustain our hobby.

Of course it is REAL.
Posted by VK2TRF on 2005-04-20

Alternatives to VOIP

Well I do think VOIP isn't a fully ham thing. But I do also think we need to come up with an alternative that is radio based. Its not like we're short of unused spectrum available to us. But if it continues to go unused in favour of internet voip uses it very well could dissappear to other uses. The 220mhz band grab by ups in the states years ago and hams in canada being relegated to "secondary users" on 70cm are just 2 examples.
Posted by VE3SSQ on 2005-04-20

My Pennies Worth

Hello All Hams :) First I use Echolink cause of the restrictions in my neighborhood. Till somehow we can over ride deed laws, many of us have tied hands, but That will work its self out too as well.

Ham Radio Over VOIP-- Each Operator has his or hers,opinion,as to its use and me I think its a important tool, Especially when I get a message or someone needs help. I Used the Echolink system as a net control going through to the Shuttle Disaster Area search site,in East Texas. Its all forest there and radio doesnt get out especially on search teams. No Repeaters. Then I used my Echolink system, to help people look for their freinds and relatives in Florida and did some EM traffic too,while 4 Hurricanes blew through. Worked a few nights getting supplies to Florida too as well. Then spent days and nights During the TIDAL WAVE DISASTER,in the Indian Ocean.Helping the Effort and getting supplies down there and helping people and victums. HF was down and many stations couldnt get to the affected area But I did on echolink. I have helped people in many places and times,and will do it again and again. I also take my HT with me when I travel,and do meet other hams in parts of the country.

Mark Disabled Veteran
Posted by N5UOA on 2005-04-19

EI2IV

James EI2IV has the first dxcc on echolink im sure :-) well done James
Posted by EI5FK on 2005-04-19

Echolink is a novel and useful tool for ham's. I don't think of it in terms of being a real wireless ham radio tranceiver system. Echolink definitely has a place in the shack. The Shreveport ham club recently sponsored the W5E special event at Barksdale Airforce Base. We used echolink for on site frequency and operating time updates when someone would through echolink to out primary repeater. It proved useful and will continue to do so.
Posted by N5PFZ on 2005-04-19

Conduct and Tool's

It's just my thought,We conduct ourselves as if we were makeing a contact on the radio.We do this buy all the guidelines of ham radio.Then to me it must be ham radio,is psk31 ham,is ritty ham radio and packet these are all usefull tools and echolink is a tool,I know it,s new,and it's not a mode.APRS,it's a tool. Echolink has it's place just like all the other tools in our Ham Radio bag of goodies and I'm glad that we have it.
Posted by KG4UQZ on 2005-04-19

VOIP Phone?

First, a disclaimer. I don't have an issue with the new
digital modes or the interconnect with the Internet.

But, I am curious. My daughter and son-in-law just
moved into a new neighborhood and they opted for
broadband telephone. This comes in over their digital TV
and Internet access cable. It is VOIP technology.

So, my questions:

1. Is this ham radio?

2. If my son-in-law uses VOIP can I convince him he is
close to being a ham and therefore should study and get
his license.

3. Maybe it is not ham radio, maybe it is regular Internet.
After all, he is using the same communications media as
the Internet access.

4. No, I get it now. It is really digital TV? Since my son-
in-law is talking over their digital TV link, he is doing
digital TV.
Posted by K7PEH on 2005-04-19

Echolink

How many repeaters have you keyed up in New Zealand with your 5 watt ht's? How many mobile stations have you worked in Australia on 440? How many stations have you worked in Japan at 3:00am and been able to keep a good contact on SSb for 2 hours? Without beam antennas, good radios and amps, and good propagation, you don't talk from the East Coast to often to the South Pacific.
As long as we think negatively about any new technologies that come along, there is no progress. Come on guys, technology only passes you by when you sit, watch and complain. I appreciate CW and SSb as much as others. But if something new comes along I am going to try it.
As long as I am using my callsign to log onto a repeater, no matter whereever, or even in a direct connect, it is Amateur Radio. I don't use my callsign to make phone calls. So yes it is Amateur Radio.

This question is a loaded one, just like code/no code and creates discontent.

N8KG
Posted by N8KG on 2005-04-19

IRLP

Our club recently added IRLP to our 2M repeater. We have had several members who have travelled to various cities and have come back through our repeater from where ever they were. It has been lots of fun for them and for the rest of us to be able to remain in touch with them. One guy has come back through our repeater from Baltimore, Phoenix and San Francisco. I told him he needs to visit 47 more states so I could earn a Worked All States. Our club members have also enjoyed making contacts through other IRLP repeaters as well. We think IRLP is super.
Posted by KK9H on 2005-04-19

Echolink may be fun, it may be useful, and it may fill a niche for those who can not use RF emitting equipment at their QTH.

But it is not ham radio.

If it were, there would be operating awards (DXCC WAS WAC via Echolink) and contests (the Echolink DX contest or the Echolink Field Day or SS)

Everyone's definition of what ham radio is varies a bit. My definition involves communications via an RF link both ways, a ham radio license and the communication taking place on the designated amateur radio spectrum with no intermediate landline transmission.

I use Echolink to some extent and find it fun. I also do Yahoo and IRC chat and find it fun. At some point my phone connection will be via VOIP. But it is not ham radio.

73
George
K3UD
Posted by K3UD on 2005-04-19

Real Ham Radio

I voted no because the choices were too limited. Echolink and IRLP have their place in ham radio just like contesting and CW, and can be fun and useful. I have used both of them, but I don’t use them on a regular basis because they are not my preference, neither is contesting or CW on the HF bands. What bothers me about the whole discussion is not whether it’s real ham radio or not, but that so many hams don’t know the difference between using PSK31, Pactor, packet, phone patching, etc. and using the Internet. They must be the same people I hear in Denver using the Echolink and IRLP nodes and giving signal reports of 40 db over S9 to the people they are talking to over the Internet. My intent is not to belittle anyone or give a lecture on RF propagation verses the Internet, but if talking on the Internet is your thing then you need to try MSN Messenger, you can even see each other when you’re in QSO and you don’t need a license, just enough money to pay for the computer and broadband connection. However, if you’re a purist like me you’ll at least build your own computer. :-)
73,
Steve, w7jsc

Posted by WA7H on 2005-04-19

IRLP

Our club recently added IRLP to our 2M repeater. We have had several members who have travelled to various cities and have come back through our repeater from where ever they were. It has been lots of fun for them and for the rest of us to be able to remain in touch with them. One guy has come back through our repeater from Baltimore, Phoenix and San Francisco. I told him he needs to visit 47 more states so I could earn a Worked All States. Our club members have also enjoyed making contacts through other IRLP repeaters as well. We think IRLP is super.
Posted by KK9H on 2005-04-19

K6SDW

EXACTLY!!!


Echolink (and the other VoIP programs) are sad excuses for radio to make the codeless/lazy amongst us feel better about "playing radio". You want VoIP? Use Skype. But don't call it radio!!!
Posted by KB2HSH on 2005-04-19

Poorly written question?

This question and answer forum is poorly written. It is the same as the code/no code discussion - all it does is set up two camps, and the fireworks then take place.

For the record, I enjoy the new modes.

Simple... really.

Posted by ZL2UFI on 2005-04-19

Its Great

For the guy who lives and dies for the contest and contacts with no substance then Echolink is not for you. For the guy or gal who has deed restrictions, can't afford the equipment, the guy like myself who can't put up a station in a motel room then Echolink is great. I can get into my hometown repeater and stay in touch. I like to make some contacts in the contests but really like to ragchew a bit more. I can't do that with the guy who is looking for another piece of paper to hang on the wall.
I do wonder how the die hards would feel if say tomorrow (God Forbid) something happened to them and they ended up in a nursing home and Echolink was the only think available. There are many hams out there who fall into this catagory.
Ham radio is much more than just HF. Its Echolink, IRLP, SSTV, Balloon Launches, CW, and all of the other things in one nice package called Ham Radio. You can't do any of it without a license.
Posted by K3CLT on 2005-04-19

The BS surrounding Echolink

"How many repeaters have you keyed up in New Zealand with your 5 watt ht's? How many mobile stations have you worked in Australia on 440? How many stations have you worked in Japan at 3:00am and been able to keep a good contact on SSb for 2 hours? Without beam antennas, good radios and amps, and good propagation, you don't talk from the East Coast to often to the South Pacific."

NO ONE has ever keyed up a New Zealand repeater with 5 watts from the U.S.!

Dennis KG4RUL
Posted by KG4RUL on 2005-04-19

EQSO and Echolink have their place within this hobby

Some can't afford $7,900.00 to set up a 60' tower with multi-element slider bars, rotators, tuners, and of course transceivers, PCs, etc...

To all of you "Purists" out there, when was the last time you built your rig from scratch, then fabricated your feed line, and built your antenna? The last man like that I knew personally was buried three years ago after fifty years of MARS operation, and he never put down anything which facilitated communications between two people.

The decline of the hobby is in three phases:

1. Grumpy old men who don't see that our art and science of radio has evolved well beyond the hobby as originally envisioned by Marconi.

2. VOIP, MURS, GMRS, and other non-licensed required methods are available cheaper, without the grumpy old men.

3. The complexity of modern equipment means it must be manufactured...and those who manufacture rigs are pricing them out of the market of the typical ham, unless they work for Congress.

EQSO and ECHOLINK are simply improved techniques of getting your voice from origin to destination.

But when all goes down (Like the tsunami on the Feast of Stephen 2004), HF operators played a major role, along side IRLP reflectors, satellite, and yes--ECHOLINK where the internet was still there...in relaying traffic of importance.

It is the concept that a person with an ICOM 706MKIIG with an AH-4 Antenna Tuner and a 102" stainless steel whip can talk to people around the world that inspires the new hams...but the CODE requirements, (Another argument altogether) the grumpy old men, and the manufacturers charging $1,200.00 for a basic HF setup that kill the hobby.

I passed my technician class exam in 6 minutes, and two days after I got my callsign, I received my first catalog from HAM RADIO OUTLET...I almost took the license documents and mailed them back to the FCC, to ask that they kill the license, and forget I existed...

I'll take up fishing, which I can still whittle a stick, twine some line, and carve a hook out of pot metal, and use some cheese for bait, and still have a good time.

Echolink means I too can make contact with Laguna College in the Philippines without spending thousands...maybe that is what makes a HAM a grumpy old man after all. HMM!
Posted by KB3HGM on 2005-04-18

Read the question!

The question is simple. Is IRLP or Echolink Real Ham Radio. Nothing more, nothing less. Nothing to do with the cost of equipment, nothing to do with building our rigs from scratch. Don't add stuff that isn't there!
Posted by KE4VPT on 2005-04-18

Not your Grandfather's ...

My definition of real radio is a good old fashioned, fully quenched, 1 KW spark gap. These sissy 'continuous wave' outfits just don't have the real feel. There is no smell of ozone when you tap the key. Heck - some of those stations don't even have a key. And some of them only have a single wire in their dipoles instead of 6 or 8, like any good radio man knows you need. The ionosphere - heck - ground wave was good enough for us, who needs skywave?

In time, we will see more and more hybrids like this. Today we have the three big VoIP systems - Echolink, eQSO, and IRLP. We also have APRS, which has a very impressive Internet component, and WinLink, which also integrates local digital comm with long range Internet or HF radio.

I think these modes point the way to something unique that ham radio could offer. Recently, I drove through parts of Iowa where there are no FM repeaters with a fully-functional APRS station. I was in contact with APRS the whole time, and could have been sending messages through the network. If I'd been doing it on 1200 Mhz. with something like the ICOM D-Star gear, I could have been talking to people around the world, and sending pictures, too!

If we can get the APRS and Echolink folks together to write us some common gateway code for D-Star will hams start putting in gateways?
Posted by K0RGR on 2005-04-18

Here we go again....

I remember when a similar argument took place over SSB as it was gaining in popularity (using slower argument means via snail mail and the QST letters column). Then it happened again when the great code / no-code battles really got rolling a few years ago.

Ham radio has since day one been about innovation in personal communications using RF energy as the medium. Think about it - whether emergency communications, ragchewing, DX hunting, or PIN's (personal interest nets), ham radio has always been a big chat room with many trying to find new ways to carry on that chat.

Ever hear the whining that still goes on over hams using SSTV and filling several khz with chirps? Should we ban SSTV because it inconveniences SSB voice ops?

The fact that one can enjoy ham radio without a big analog RF emitter is just another step forward. The technology involved is too advanced for 99% of all hams to build their own gear, but how many of us could build anything like an FT-1000????? It uses similar physical technologies, too.

If you don't like it, that's OK. I think most will find that they are not personally inconvenienced by VoIP technology on the air. My old SP-600 won't output anything intelligible from an EchoLink signal without some major external additions, but that won't stop me from using it to listen in on CW, AM, and SSB. And if VoIP electronics are outside my budget, what of it? There are quite a few things in ham radio I cannot (in good conscience) afford, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying what little I have left (at least until the local power company deploys BPL).

--Terry, K4IQT
Posted by K4IQT on 2005-04-18

Make-believe radio

VOIP as it pertains to ham radio has its uses, however to me, it's about as much ham radio as the old Compuserve CB simulator. I have an old analog 900 Mhz cordless phone- wonder if my long distance phone calls count towards VUCC on 903? In all fairness, it does have its uses, like providing radio experience for those with no radios or antennas- but I worry about its relaibility during real emergencies- all those extra pieces in the puzzle to keep powered up. Like locals here who sign up for VOIP phone service with cable provider, then act surprised when phone service dies 3 hours into a power failure.
Posted by KA1MDA on 2005-04-18

NOT REAL HAM RADIO

Second vote: NO
I was around when SSB/AM war was on. It was because most hams couldn't afford the NEW SSB rigs, therefore didnt want to change. It was not a deal to change bands nor operating like this internet/voice over crap. Ham radio is: Electronics experimenting, CW, and Phone. Nothing else. Why go away from history and traditions?? RADIO is fine the way it is...The internet chat crap is a lousey way to ruin ham radio.
You guys just want a free ride, no work, no study, memorize the questions, no meeing goals such as CW. As far as I am concerned your guys/gals are still out of your rabbita$$ed minds. Most of you probably didnt graduate from high school, never shower, on the public dole, want everything now and free. If you have a higher education level right now, you should be ashamed of yourself for being a part of ruining ham radio. The stupid guys lie Haynie and his henchmen at the arrl have done this and misled the "members" for years, forgetting there are thousands that don't belong to the arrl.Ignoring us, the ones that count most. We experiment, we operate, we continue to learn, but we don't try to change ham radio to something it really isn't meant to be...
Posted by K7NNG on 2005-04-18

"QUOTE:It's not Ham RADIO is it? The key word here is RADIO (ray-dee-ohh). A computer is NOT a RADIO!!! "
Ok so what IS an Icom 7800?
Posted by W9PXL on 2005-04-18

Echolink

Ham Radio used to BE the cutting edge of technology now all it is a bunch of grumpy old fat guys who are afraid of any sort of advancement. It’s sad when Ham radio is having to barrow technology from other instead of inspiring other forms of technology.
Posted by KC4NPD on 2005-04-18

Proud to be a "purist"

For me, communicating without the infrastructure of the Internet, phone patches, satellites, or repeaters is what makes ham radio fun! Working over a frequency range of four octaves with the ebb and flow of the seasons, the sunspot cycles, and the general vagaries of the ionosphere-- my antenna to his/her antenna halfway around the world-- is magic. Anything in between those antennas detracts from the magic for me.
73,
Chuck NI0C


Posted by NI0C on 2005-04-18

Not in its' use

It's all about control, like most of ham radio has devolved to. If you can't listen without ID'ing with a call, it has no appeal to those we are trying to recruit as our future!

It is nothing but a chat room & the ones I know who used it were kicked off, only to migrate to Yahoo chat. Funny how the 2 have the same utility but only one requires you register a call.

The more the ARRL & their ludites promote VoIP, the less utility we have as a service. Linking the NWS, National Hurricane Center & other "public service" applications is a big mistake that leaves them asking "why do we need you?"

Sorry to say it but it is the undoing of our once great service. Thanks ARRL for promoting all the destructive aspects of current technology to assure that demise!!!

BPL isn't the greatest threat, apathy & cluelessness at the highest visibilities is!
Posted by K4RAF on 2005-04-18

Comming Soon Ham License FREE

Well Ham Radio is Not Ham Radio Anymore!!
When they starting putting the question and answers in the book,Then it no longer ham radio.What happen when you got the book and had to study it to take your test.SH%T might as wells just give anyone wanting a license one.Anyone you ask will tell you "ALL I WANT TO DO IS TALK" I dont want to learn this code.Well dudes there comming and if you think the bands are screw up now just waite,It will be the biggest cluster than ever.It dont suprise me that in the next comming years,All you have to do is pay a fee and fill out a fourm and mail it into the FCC or ARRL.They will sure take your money,And want you to give them another check for a ECCOMM card.WOW that card want get you a cup of coffee,Just lot more problems when you start messing with EMA/EMS people.

I feel that useing a Mic or autopatach is not ham radio...CW is Real Ham Radio...And yes i do ues a radio with my echolink station...RF if you know what the hell that means......Call it what you like...At least we are having Fun not bitching as to what is or whats not amateur radio!

If you dont like VOIP try it...Or Stop Your BITCHING! I was told this is a Hobby some times i wounder!!!





Posted by N2BR on 2005-04-18

USE REAL CALL'S PLEASE

Very Funny that some of these call that show up makeing comments are not in the FCC Data base.I wounder Why ?

WantaBees that it just WantaBees!!!

Posted by N2BR on 2005-04-18

Nah

It's not. But that doesn't mean it isn't utilitarian or can't be fun to do.

Working DX through a repeater isn't real ham radio, either, although at least if all the equipment involved is amateur built and owned, it comes pretty close.

If hams built our own backbone or infrastructure and used that in lieu of the internet to become new-generation repeaters of sorts, I'd think that was pretty cool.
Posted by WB2WIK on 2005-04-18

No Way!

I of course answered no!

But then again, I don't consider 80 or 20 Meters Ham radio either!
Posted by WA6BFH on 2005-04-18

Real radio?

VOIP may not completely conform to the definition of what most of us think is amateur radio but it is still an interesting process. I may play around with it, but my first love will be modes that have nothing but air/space between the communicators.
Posted by KW4J on 2005-04-18

What's the point?

Really, anyone with a PC, soundcard and internet connection can talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime.....WHAT'S THE POINT!!!


Posted by K6SDW on 2005-04-18

Troll

Hey, loser...nice troll message. VOIP sucks, it's not radio...grow up and stop the flamebaits.
Posted by KB2HSH on 2005-04-18

NO telecom systems!

We should be using the European and Australian example. No access to the commercial telecom systems. This would eliminate all problems with the Winlink and e-mail problems with Automated and the so-called semi-automatic Pactor robots.
Posted by N4ZOU on 2005-04-18

Who cares?!

I've never worried about it.

I've never worried if other hams enjoy the same aspects of ham radio that I do.

I drink one cup of coffee in the morning, then switch to loose leaf tea.

I've never worried if other hams do the same. Don't even care if you drink soda to get your caffeine fix.

Have FUN
73
Bob

Posted by X-WB1AUW on 2005-04-18

If it doesn't emit RF it isn't radio. Period.
Posted by W8VKD on 2005-04-18

i'll be damned anyway's

((Do you think Voice-over-IP (VOIP) technology such as Echolink, IRLP etc, etc, is REAL Ham radio? ))

This whole topic sounds like another old school new school fight to me. and no matter how you answer this youll be damned by some. of course i'll be damned for saying this i guess.

so forgive if i really dont give a damn what you use. just as long as we are hams enjoying radio who really cares how we do it.
Posted by N3JBH on 2005-04-18

Hey Paul (G3SEA)

I heard you on echolink a few days ago - you spoke to a bloke in Cameron Park, CA (N6KML). Your callsign is unmistakable, as is your Brit accent. It must have been about April 14 or so. I was listening but didn't break in. Whatever echolink is or isn't, it was nice hearing you over our local repeater (KA6GWY - 146.805). Echolink is fun, radio or not, it's here.

73!
Posted by N6BOA on 2005-04-18

Well...

First to vote.. Yeah!
Posted by N4CQR on 2005-04-17

Real Ham Radio

Well it may or may not actually incorportate radio in the link, but it is still communication betwee two or more hams. Is your local ham club meeting real ham radio? I think so which is why I'd have to include these new 'modes' of communicating. Inescapable.
Posted by KG6TT on 2005-04-17

Echolink

Echolink (ek-O lingk) n. 1. Another form of AOL chatroom. 2. A means to circumvent amateur radio licensing requirements used by hams without HF privileges to work DX by using a computer connected to the internet. 3. A means to gain general-class license privileges without the inconvenience of taking a test. 4. An inappropriate use of the internet to licentiously utilize distant repeaters which one normally would not be able to reach by RF alone. 5. A pretend radio.
Posted by KB4QLZ on 2005-04-17

NO !!!!!!!

And what is funny as *hit is when someone wants a qsl card......
Posted by KI4HBS on 2005-04-17

It's not...

It's not Ham RADIO is it? The key word here is RADIO (ray-dee-ohh). A computer is NOT a RADIO!!!
Posted by W9RPE on 2005-04-17

IF there is a radio on both ends - for sure it is ham radio. IF it is computer to computer, then NO!! if there is a radio only on one end - .... Half ham?

Survey did not have these choices so I did not get to vote.

Ken
Posted by K9FV on 2005-04-17

Real Ham Radio

There is no essential and practical difference between IRLP and 2 cordless phones talking over a long distance telephone line. Echolink is merely instant messaging over the internet, sometimes employing radio at one or possibly both ends of the link. They offer all the challenge and excitement that the internet offers.
Posted by WA4DOU on 2005-04-17

Maybe...

I wish there was a maybe voting option as if it's strictly internet to internet, no its not (a VoIP conference call with hams on it). However tying at least one end and for sure both ends using radios into a repeater it's "kinda / maybe" ham radio. Not to count for any awards or DX obviously, but a way for hams to try a different kind of communication and maybe show some Tech's how they can work "DX" ... encourage them to get a general and do it with HF, etc.
Posted by K0VH on 2005-04-17

I don't think so

I don't think it is real ham radio. But having said that, it probably does attract people to our hobby who then might become interested in real radio.
Posted by VA3SWS on 2005-04-17

It depends

I agree with Ken, K9FV.

Mike KC2FTN
www.hamwave.com
Posted by KC2FTN on 2005-04-17

"radio"

No, it isn't really ham radio--the internet is involved--but the results are the same. And even though it isn't real radio, it still is interesting and attracts people to the ham radio hobby.
Posted by K1CJS on 2005-04-17

yes?

Its just another form of communications, try to contact your brother in Irac with 20 or 80 meters. All new forms of communications are met with the same responce. Use it or dont, it works.
Posted by W7TUX on 2005-04-17

No!!!!

As I thought, over time, amatuer radio is going to the dogs!
Posted by NG1I on 2005-04-17

Not radio but looks like fun.

I don't see how it's truly radio, but it looks like fun (I haven't ever tried it.) It is another area of innovation by Hams to communicate with fellow Hams, so I say, who cares it's fun. If you enjoy it, use it. If not, then don't. Find something you do like to use. For me that's HF and 6-meters, but I'll give VOIP a try in the future.

Posted by AB7RG on 2005-04-17

From Iraq

Ask the guys who use their HT's to talk through the Baghdad link radio to their friends and families back in the USA.

It sure seems like Ham Radio to us!

73 de Korey
YI9VCQ
Camp Cooke, Iraq
Posted by YI9VCQ on 2005-04-17

VOIP + DIGITAL+PSK31

Well some say it is and some say it not Ham Radio.Well look at it like This......

Echolink = Computer = InterNet
Echolink at least allows PC Users to Connect to RF Links and other Repeaters and conf.No Radio needed....But there haveing Fun!

IRLP = Computer = Internet
HT or Mobiles only can connect to other Repeaters or IRLP Conf Hubs....No PC Users Allowed!...But there Haveing FUN!!

Digital = PSK-31 = SLOWSCAN = Packet = CW = RTTY = Computer is needed Wow this must not be Amateur Radio either! Damm But there haveing Fun!!

SSB = Big Amp = Antennas = $$$$$
Just to get a signal 100 - 300 miles to there friends,Kind sound like CB,What am i putting on your meter over there = Well turn on your Amp...But hell there haveing FUN!

Ham's are the damm bunch i ever seen and talk to over my 20 years of amateur radio,And i am a 20 wpm code Extra Class,Have work Packet SlowScan RTTY PSK31 CW SSB Have WAS award 2 DXCC Awards i proud to say on CW thats Morse Code just in case some of you dont understand the meaning.I got off HF 2 years ago couse i got tired of listen to the crap and drunks and dope head ham's on the bands.Call Echolink IRLP what you like,But it hell lot cleaner and there hell bunch of great guys on Echolink to talk to than HF bands today......From OLDFART Bob N2BR

Posted by N2BR on 2005-04-17

VOIP is more akin to phone patching of years ago. Was that ham radio? Or did nobody really care and it was just used as needed or desired and let go at that?

So as long those who use it recognize it for what it *really* is and don't try to claim it to be something that it isn't, then who cares. Let'em have fun.

My definition of "radio" is that I make a RF connection to another station via RF using equipment that is wholly under my control and is contained within the confines of my "station". Same for the station on the other side. If there happens to be 10 computers in my shack peforming station control, DSP, or are the core pieces of an SDR it is still radio. However if I use a common carrier such as phone lines or the Internet to span great distances then it is simply *remote* control radio. But then I WOULD NOT try to claim to be making a DX contact if the RF terminus is half a world away from where I'm sitting. The DX distance in that case is only the RF to RF communications distance and has nothing to do with where I'm actually controlling the station from.

For the mixed RF and PC based communications case it is just a new version of "phone patching", nothing more, nothing less.

Posted by N9DG on 2005-04-17

No

I guess there are those who would say internet chat rooms are ham radio too. Basically that is what Echolink is.
Posted by WB4M on 2005-04-17

"My definition of "radio"

Posted by N9DG "My definition of "radio" is that I make a RF connection to another station via RF using equipment that is wholly under my control and is contained within the confines of my "station"."

This definition would perclude the use of repeaters unless the repeater was located in the users station.
Posted by NA5XX on 2005-04-17

One to One

I just enjoy the physics of sending a small amount of
electricity to another who happens to be on the same
freq. Across the airwaves is radio.
Posted by WM2F on 2005-04-17

VOIPCC Award

I am awarding a new 'Amateur Radio' award the VOIP Century Club (VOIPCC). To qualify for this award you must work 100 'contacts' using different ISPs. The award certificate will be downloadable to your computer for use as wallpaper to impress your friends and admirers.

Dennis KG4RUL

If it ain't, RF end-to-end, it ain't Radio!!!!!!!
Posted by KG4RUL on 2005-04-17

it a freakin chat room

it is a freaking chat room for gods sake!!!
why folks think it is ham radio is beyond me.

only thing i find funny is my neighbor who is a ham swears this is radio at its best. ofcourse he is 60 years old and still has to ask his older brother if he can breath.

so for guy's like him i guess i am happy there on the chat rooms not in the air working on real radio
Posted by N3JBH on 2005-04-17

Real Ham Radio?

ARRL take note the survey results. Quit putting time and energy in WinLink and formulating a bandwidth spectrum for radio amateurs to the FCC without consideration of what this change will do to amateurs in other countries like Canada. Such little foresight. Instead concentrate on what the majority of Real Hams want. You guys sitting in your Taj Mahal do not know what that is do you?
Posted by N3DRK on 2005-04-17

Silly poll. Doesn't even split the question up right. Silly answers. People betraying that they don't understand how either the internet *or* linked repeaters operate.

Comparing IRLP to Echolink is comparing apples to oranges. IRLP isn't that much different that pre-internet repeater linking over phone lines. It's just more widely available.

Silly internet. We should have never opened it up to grumpy old men.


Posted by AE6IP on 2005-04-17

EchoLink


REAL RADIO ? NO :) BUT it incorporates facets of our Radio HOBBY ie repeaters,HT's and Mobile rigs and antenna's.

I use it extensively like many General & Extra Class Hams ( especially when there are CCR restrictions )into worldwide repeaters.

The FCC and ARRL might have banned it if it was PURELY PC to PC.

I guess this argument will go on for ever like code v no code :)

73 & Aloha

KH6/G3SEA
Posted by G3SEA on 2005-04-17

Echolink

Its ham radio when amateur repeaters are linked by it. Its just a fancy chat room if its computer to computer. We run it locally here on our 2 meter repeaters. The other day i was driving along the Wv country side in qso with a nice gent in England. He had link himself into my 2 meter machine. We had a perfect qso, echolink was the linking tool that made this qso possible. Like i said though i would'nt give a hoot for the computer to computer links but i have tried a few into rare parts of the world and even they worked just fine.
73, John WR8D
Posted by WR8D on 2005-04-17

VOIP- REAL?

Those who comment that Echolink is nothing more than another internet "chat room" really have no idea of the many ways Echolink can be configured.
Yes, Echolink CAN be nothing more than another chat room that is restricted to hams only, OR it can be an entirely RF based communications link. (Linking RF repeaters via RF broadband connections)
Like putting a very long extension cord on your microphone........
It does NOT replace HF or other bands.
It is great for lots of uses in its own right.
Posted by K9KJM on 2005-04-17