Grex Radio Conference

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Grex Radio Item 65: EchoLink
Entered by rcurl on Fri Jan 12 20:37:48 UTC 2007:

I have just had my first QSO via EchoLink - via a repeater in Kent OH
(chosen because I heard some activity on it). 

It has been one of those steep but short learning curves, having to get
EchoLink software (I'm using the Mac version, EchoMac), to be validated in
the EchoLink system, buying a USB headset (my Mac G4 has no mike/phone ports),
and figuring out how to make the whole thing work. 

EchoLink gives one access to thousands of repeaters around the world that 
have installed the equipment and software, via one's computer. Repeaters 
are not just local anymore. Apparently one can also do VoIP person to 
person, among licensed radio amateurs, and call into the EchoLink system 
by radio to an equipped repeater. I haven't tried either of those yet (and 
there is no EchoLink local repeater, yet).

Has anyone else here implemented EchoLink?

12 responses total.

#1 of 12 by ball on Fri Jan 12 23:30:49 2007:

I have it installed and jumped through some hoops to get it
registered, but people complained about the audio quality
and it doesn't work at all since I switched to DSL (probably
because of some firewall settings).  I would like a decent
70cm FM radio so that I could try IRLP and perhaps EchoLink
from the radio side.

#2 of 12 by rcurl on Sat Jan 13 07:02:05 2007:

Is there an EchoLink equipped repeater reachable from AA? 

Yes, I'm using broadband. Did have to set port addresses in my WiFi router.
Is that the problem with DSL?

#3 of 12 by krokus on Sat Jan 13 16:14:47 2007:

The router is your own network, so that doesn't make any difference to
the outside connection.  The difference might be if your DSL provider
filters or blocks certain ports.

#4 of 12 by ball on Sun Jan 14 02:31:51 2007:

Re #2: what ports should I open to test this?  I'll give
  EchoLink a try even though it's inconvenient that I need a
  separate box because my usual OS is not supported.

#5 of 12 by rcurl on Sun Jan 14 03:58:20 2007:

It depends on the router. There is an URL where you pick your router and it
gives the step-by-step directions for setting the port variables. It is at
www.portforward.com.

I was online on EchoLink this morning when I was called by a ham in Birmingham
England. However I had sound on the speaker and when I tried to shift it to
my headset there was a problem in that USB port and it didn't work. This was
the first time I had ever been called (I just started using EchoLink
yesterday...) that I was clumsy in trying to make the connection. Things will
get better. I forgot to note the callers callsign, or I could have called 
him back.

#6 of 12 by ball on Mon Jan 15 01:23:48 2007:

Surely the required ports depend on the software, not the router?

#7 of 12 by rcurl on Mon Jan 15 06:39:39 2007:

The *procedure* for setting the ports in the router depend upon BOTH the
software and the router. Both are chosen in www.portforward.com

#8 of 12 by ball on Mon Jan 15 06:50:37 2007:

I asked which, not how ;-)  I'll have a look at that site, thanks.

#9 of 12 by ball on Mon Jan 15 18:50:25 2007:

I couldn't get it to work again.  Someone suggested that I
should uninstall and then reinstall it.  I just uninstalled
it and I'm not going to bother reinstalling it. I'll save up
for a 70cm radio so that I can use IRLP.

#10 of 12 by krokus on Tue Jan 16 03:00:25 2007:

Talking about buying gear makes me think of something, I'll start
an item for that topic.  (After checking to make sure there isn't
one already.)

#11 of 12 by kb9ylw on Tue Sep 23 03:21:11 2008:

    I'm still saving towards a 70cm radio.  A Yaesu FT-1807
would be nice, but I'm told they're not sold in North
America.  I may have to resort to an HT or a more expensive
2m/70cm dual-band mobile.

#12 of 12 by krokus on Tue Nov 4 09:02:34 2008:

re #11

Looks like a decent rig, but not FCC approved. You could purchase
one online, and import it at your own risk. :)

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