Echolink

K1RFD.

The program allows reliable worldwide connections to be made between radio amateurs, greatly enhancing Amateur Radio's communications capabilities. In essence it is the same as other VoIP applications (such as Skype), but with the unique addition of the ability to link to an amateur radio station's transceiver.

Before using the system it is necessary for a prospective user's callsign to be validated. The EchoLink system requires that each new user provide positive proof of license and identity before his or her callsign is added to the list of validated users.

Uses

Radio amateurs using the EchoLink software can operate it in one of two modes:
*Single User Mode. If they have an Internet-connected computer, they can use the computer's microphone and speakers to connect to (or through - see below) other EchoLink-enabled computers over the Internet and talk to the amateur at the other end.
*Sysop Mode. This entails connecting their own VHF or UHF transceiver to their Internet-connected PC with a specially-designed hardware interface. Doing this enables another radio amateur with their own transceiver, who is within radio range of this station, to communicate with (or through) any other EchoLink-equipped station anywhere in the world. This is the unique feature of EchoLink.

Radio amateurs without the EchoLink software or a computer connected to the Internet can take advantage of the EchoLink network if they are within radio range of a sysop mode EchoLink station. It is also possible to link a sysop mode EchoLink station to a local repeater, further enhancing the communication possibilities.

EchoLink-compatible software for other operating systems

Open source software packages that are largely compatible with EchoLink are available for Macintosh ( [http://dogparksoftware.com/EchoMac.html EchoMac] ) and Linux ( [http://cqinet.sourceforge.net/ echoLinux] or [http://svxlink.sourceforge.net/ SvxLink/Qtel] ), but at the present time (February 2007) they have limited features compared to the Windows version, at least when comparing the desktop applications.

If only the sysop mode is required, the [http://svxlink.sourceforge.net/ SvxLink] Server for Linux is a good alternative. It has features that go beyond the original software and its openness makes it quite easy to extend with new functionality.

[http://www.echoirlp.org/ EchoIRLP] is a software add on for IRLP which enables an IRLP node to operate as a sysop mode EchoLink station.

Note: the "EchoLink" software intended for windows has also been known to work on several Linux builds as well if loaded through Wine [Cite web|url=http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=application&iId=994|date 31 January, 2008|title=Echolink reference on the Wine Database] . This route may be the best route to go for the beginner Linux user as many of the Linux applications require some expertise to install.

See also

* eQSO
* Internet Radio Linking Project
* Wide-Coverage Internet Repeater Enhancement System

References

* The EchoLink help file, from v 1.9.892 of the software

External links

* [http://www.echolink.org EchoLink Home]
* [http://cqinet.sourceforge.net/ CQiNet (EchoLinux) Home]
* [http://svxlink.sourceforge.net/ SvxLink Home]
* [http://www.echoirlp.org EchoIRLP]
* [http://sparqi.blogspot.com/2007/08/echolink-follies.html W6DTW commentary and critique on EchoLink]