The ins and outs of echolink

[dirtyjob]

ok, I have talked to critt when he came on my local repeater using his echolink but i know nothing about what it takes for me to set up.

Could someone please outline how one would go about setting up echolink and everything we would need to get it going ?
thanks in advance, this will help many here get echolink setup if they also do not know how to go about it like myself.

[Savoirfaire]

Hi Critter:

I am excited that MDYoungblood and yourself are Amateurs. Get ready for an ADVENTURE.

1. Scan a copy or take digital pictures of the front and back of your license and send to the instructions on Echolink.org in validation below I believe .

2. Download the program either before or when you get approval.

3. Read validation and do the below.

4. Set up username and password (make password at least 1 capital letter, 1 lowercase letter, and a symbol) to make hard to crack. I believe they send an email that reminds you so save it.

5. Sometimes setting up sound can be tricky on a few computers but you will probably have no problems.

6. As in reading the manual, which most myself included dislike, it does help.

73, Frank Savoirfaire
10 X-Ray 47
N4SLR

[dirtyjob]

ok, with the pc aspect out of the way what do i need for my radio ? or do I ?

[jeepguy099]

Good Evening Frank and other fellow hams,

I have echo link set up on my computer and have tested it on a few repeaters in my area. My question is, where do I go from here? The repeaters in my area are owned by local hams rather than clubs. Is it impolite to log on to someones personal repeater and talk on it? Also, are there repeaters that are frequently used to just "shoot the breeze?"

Thanks, Phil

[dirtyjob]

another words i talk using the program and my pc mic ?

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Saturday, 18 May 2013, 14:35 PM

i hear echolinkers joining our local repeaters on net nights to check in all the time, one operator used it to simply call for anyone in the boston area to shoot the breeze.

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Saturday, 18 May 2013, 14:35 PM

he was in Arizona btw

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Saturday, 18 May 2013, 14:40 PM

i have downloaded the software but stopped when it asks if i want to be a sysop or just a reg user, which choice should be made and why ?

[Savoirfaire]

A couple questions here.

Here is a website where you can scan an area to see if Echolink is available in that area, [Please login or register to view this link]



If using a radio you have to check with the Owner or person over maintaining the repeater to see how to activate echolink.

Personally, if I use Echolink I do it on the computer as typically easier and the repeater will announce that Echolink is active and and give your callsign then you can talk. The other neat thing about the computer is almost the world is at your hands because I have talked to Japan, Australia, Argentina. They are there in the Echolink list.


However, if you are using your radio and activate the repeater you will hear anyone who comes in on Echolink or is on the repeater.

Unfortunately, you will find those who constantly control repeater airtime Echolink or not.

You will want to be a Regular user unless you have a repeater with Echolink to set up (Then you are the Sysop).

Yes, computer and a computer mike is what you want or a radio to activate Echolink per Sysop's method.

If someone has Echolink on the machine and no one is talking then activate and use for a short period of time, but definitely do not hog the repeater.

I hope this helps and I am sure there are more questions but very convenient if you are away from home and have a
computer.


73, Savoirfaire
10 X-Ray 47
N4SLR

[Night Crawler]

ok, with the pc aspect out of the way what do i need for my radio ? or do I ?

It depends if you want to use it as a Single op or in the SYSOP mode.

If you use it as Single op all you need is just the computer or there are apps for smart phones.

When using it in the SYSOP mode the computer is connected to a radio used on a simplex frequency as a remote base that allows you to connect to the computer through a radio like a mobile or HT and enables other users that are on that simplex to connect to echolink through that transceiver link.

If using the SYSOP mode you'll need an interface like this.
[Please login or register to view this link]

[Savoirfaire]

If any of use wish to make a contact then I am usually monitoring on the WB8YZV node list on Echolink.


Thank you Night Crawler. I have not had a need to do this or had my own repeater so what you are correcting I agree.

73, Frank N4SLR


Note: I am more of a DX'er but I monitor 147.255 so I hear many calling on this frequency by Echolink, when I am not DX'ing.

[Night Crawler]

i have downloaded the software but stopped when it asks if i want to be a sysop or just a reg user, which choice should be made and why ?

Register as SYSOP which will allow you to use it in that mode if connected to a radio and you'll still be able to use it as a Single op with the radio disconnected.

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May 19 2013

If any of use wish to make a contact then I am usually monitoring on the WB8YZV node list on Echolink.

I put that repeater in the favorites list I'll give you a call sometime when I get the audio straightened out on my link.
I'm having a problem with the transmitted audio the computer keeps folding it back to 10% there must be some kind of AGC in the computers sound card that has to be defeated.

[Savoirfaire]

Night Crawler.

I attempted the Sysop but it then is forcing me to put a -R or -L onto my callsign.

I am not really sure I want to do that and I know I do not have too.

However, I do want to understand this process in Echolink for future explanations to others.

73, Frank Savoirfaire
10 X-Ray 47
N4SLR

[str8stroke]

If you are using echolink on say your PC, you will have to do port forwarding in order to make it transmit. I think its port 85 in your router. This isn't necessary when using a App on a mobile device. So you will need to go into your routers settings and get that right. See echolinks page for more details. Its been a few years since I set mine up. Also, if you go to a friends house or work and want to us a PC there, this is gonna be a problem for echolink.

This is one reason I like Allstarlink.org. Its like echolink, but it is web based with no forwarding necessary. And he sound quality is unsurpassed.

[Night Crawler]

I attempted the Sysop but it then is forcing me to put a -R or -L onto my callsign.

I am not really sure I want to do that and I know I do not have too.

73, Frank Savoirfaire
10 X-Ray 47
N4SLR

Yes you will have to out a R or L after you call if you want to use the SYSOP mode I went through that process already.

This is one reason I like Allstarlink.org. Its like echolink, but it is web based with no forwarding necessary. And he sound quality is unsurpassed.

That's true the only problem is the interface cost over $200 too much for me.

[dirtyjob]

thanks all for the great info.

[Slim Pickins]

One thing about Echolink is if you travel a lot you can use it to access repeaters anywhere you like. Kinda like being able to play with the radio from a hotel room. Anywhere that has an internet connection that is fast enough will work. Often on "Hotspot" type servers you need to access the settings menu and set the Proxy to use a specific proxy. This will kind of function as a work around for servers where you cannot set the port forwarding.

73,Slim

[dirtyjob]

apparently they claim i sent my license in wrong, they said i sent the left side of the wallet and the top of the main, which is BS, i resent the left and right of the wallet, however.. the admin that messaged me is a typical J/A and said if i send in the wrong formas again my call will be banned from echolink, this is the "typical" ham attitude.

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Tuesday, 21 May 2013, 2:08 AM

actually now that i think about it they can cram it where the sun dont shine.

[Night Crawler]

Send them a copy of the license that you put in a frame and hang on the wall not the wallet size one then there can't be any confusion.

This is what I did I took a picture of the larger license with my iphone uploaded it to the computer through the page for verification options then sent it.

Those emails are computer automated regardless if it looks like it was sent by an actual person so don't take it personally.
If the same thing happens again with the wall size license then send the guy who runs echolink an email I can give you his personal address if you need it and tell him to take a Flying F

[dirtyjob]

well thats nice to hear the emails are computer generated, they should think about refrazeing the tone a bit..lol havent heard any more from there system, been a few days, i think ill forget about the whole thing.

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Tuesday, 21 May 2013, 17:11 PM

trying this one last time, sent in the full wall size, was accepted, hopefully i will here something by the end of the week.

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Tuesday, 21 May 2013, 19:56 PM

well that didnt take long:

The authentication information you provided for ###### has been received and verified.

This callsign is now validated for EchoLink. Enjoy the program!

73,
EchoLink Support

[Slim Pickins]

Send them a copy of the license that you put in a frame and hang on the wall not the wallet size one then there can't be any confusion.

This is what I did I took a picture of the larger license with my iphone uploaded it to the computer through the page for verification options then sent it.

Those emails are computer automated regardless if it looks like it was sent by an actual person so don't take it personally.
If the same thing happens again with the wall size license then send the guy who runs echolink an email I can give you his personal address if you need it and tell him to take a Flying F

[dirtyjob]

If any of use wish to make a contact then I am usually monitoring on the WB8YZV node list on Echolink.


Thank you Night Crawler. I have not had a need to do this or had my own repeater so what you are correcting I agree.

73, Frank N4SLR


Note: I am more of a DX'er but I monitor 147.255 so I hear many calling on this frequency by Echolink, when I am not DX'ing.

I have also added that to favs in echolink, ty, look forward to talking with you sometime.

[str8stroke]

This is one reason I like Allstarlink.org. Its like echolink, but it is web based with no forwarding necessary. And he sound quality is unsurpassed.

That's true the only problem is the interface cost over $200 too much for me.

NO interface other than the computer your using is necessary! All you need is a PC that has speakers & Mic & connection to the internet. What are you thinking cost $200? Unless they have changed something I am not aware of?

[Night Crawler]

NO interface other than the computer your using is necessary! All you need is a PC that has speakers & Mic & connection to the internet. What are you thinking cost $200? Unless they have changed something I am not aware of?

My mistake I confused Allstar with Dstar where you need a DV Dongle.

[str8stroke]

Awesome, glad I we got that clear! lol I haven't logged onto Allstar in about a month. Since I redid my main PC< You had me going to check and see if they changed up things. I haven't messed with DStar. I think you need the GPS or something to work that? It looks like kinda a gimicky thing. I just tout the Allstar for anyone who likes Echolink. If your gonna set up EL, you need to set up Allstar. If anything just to hear the audio.

[Night Crawler]

I think you need the GPS or something to work that?

This is what you need for Dstar
[Please login or register to view this link]