Echolink

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Echolink is a computer program that runs under Microsoft Windows to allow radio amateurs to communicate with one another using Voice over IP (VoIP) technology on the internet for at least part of the path between them. It was designed by Jonathan Taylor, a radio amateur with callsign 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.

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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.

Open source versions of the software are available for Macintosh (EchoMac) and Linux (Echolinux or 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 SvxLink Server for Linux is a good alternative. It has features that go beyond the original software and its openness make it quite easy to extend with new functionality.

  • The Echolink help file, from v 1.9.892 of the software

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