Echo Link Kit advice

[Trprc]

Hi Guys,

I have been looking up a few companies that makes Echo Link boards, kits and assembled units. I would like to know what you guys would suggest as far as quality and features are concerned please.

Would like to install it on a repeater which will have a fair bit of traffic. These are a few I found so far. Thanks for your advice.

ECHOLINK *** I-LINK BOARDS, KITS & PARTS ECHOLINK ILINK BOARDS Echolink boards for echolink operation

W5TXR Electronic Labs - W5TXR Labs Echolink Interface

Another addition to the list

https://www.foxdelta.com/shopping/echolink.htm



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[grem467]

While i am not an echolink sysop yet, i am very interested in the answer to this question. That said, i am leaning towards the W5TXR box.

 

[Trprc]

While i am not an echolink sysop yet, i am very interested in the answer to this question. That said, i am leaning towards the W5TXR box.

Echolink.org has a lot of information, but it is always better when you get first hand feedback from people who have actually installed and used the system.

 

[immelmen]

Guys, I can say with out a doubt, go with the W5TXR labs interface! I purchased one about a month or so ago and have it set up with a Motorola Astro Spectra running an echolink node in P256 Digital voice.

For reference, I also own and have set up Rigblasters and Signalinks for PC/radio interfacing including echolink and this one is by far the easiest. I got the USB version and it works flawlessly including vista ans Windows 7.

The interface was extremely easy to set up. Plug-and-play. Construction is top quality and best of all the support from W5TXR is absolutely great. I literally just got off the phone with the owner, Mark, when I saw this post. He spent about half an hour on the line with me spit-balling about how to improve interfacing with my hight power Astro spectra. If you have any questions or issues with your setup he will go the extra mile to help you out.

If you have any more specific questions about the interface, let me know, ill pass along more detail.

ps. i have no affiliation or interest in the company, just a very satisfied customer.

 

[Trprc]

Immelmen,

I was actually calling Mark earlier but was calling his 830 number. I made contact with him on the other number after you did and yes he seems to be a great guy.

I have the original first generation design, acquired it from a friend. I did some research on it and found the original designer and owner of the first company who is from Toronto Canada. I have attached a pic of it.

I went to his website then found a link he has for Mark's business, saying that he has passed it on to Mark. So from the first generation VA3TO interface, I was able to trace it down to Mark's website.

Mark has since done some more development on it and now has an up to date version and it's only getting better. I am happy he carried on with the idea and product, I will definitely purchase my kits from him and build them.

I asked him what he would recommend for a radio and I was pleased to hear that he has the cable made up for the Yaesu FT2900, as plug and play as it gets.

I felt bad calling the guy during supper and family time, but he was still willing to spend time and explain stuff, won't abuse his kindness calling him during the evening again. I honestly thought this was his side business, so I will keep calls during business hours and hope others do the same

So it will be the USB version of the Mark's ELI along with the Yaesu FT2900 and interface cable.

Thanks guys and follow up.

Cheers,

73.


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[gewecke]

Maybe the K.I.S.S. principle might be a better route, no echolink at all!
Why screw up a good thing?


73,
n9zas

 

[Trprc]

Maybe the K.I.S.S. principle might be a better route, no echolink at all!
Why screw up a good thing?


73,
n9zas

Sure, maintain the K.I.S.S principle like using a screwdriver HF antenna attached to a tow hitch so we can wind it up 20 feet to make contact with our fellow HAM operators across the giant blue pond as we drive

You know, when people were riding bicycles in Europe in 1769, Nicolas Cugnot showed them a sketch of the Cugnot Steam Trolley (technically the worlds first powered combustion vehicle)..........the cyclists gasp and said in fear, why not maintain the K.I.S.S principle.

We have to move with the times especially when old school principles cannot cut it for present needs I am an old school fanatic, but there are times when practically has to overrule old school love

 

[gewecke]

Nope, even simpler yet! Just stick to the vhf,or uhf and above bands for your contacts.
What are you going to to chat about with someone who's 2000 miles away that you don't even know anyway? Weather, signal report, 73 old man and that's about it,lol! :lol:
At least with more local contacts,the information you come by would be more useful to you,right?
If you're a "globehopper" then hf might be your bag.

73,
n9zas

 

[Trprc]

Actually I will have friends who will be 2000 miles away when I move. Friends whom I want to communicate with as we did while I still lived there.

I don't know about the other guys here, but I do have a purpose only which something like EchoLink will facilitate.
As a matter of fact, I am building a complete repeating station with EchoLink just to facilitate HAM radio communication with them when I move.

Man some guys just assume and break in without details.

73.

 

[W2IBC]

On our repeater we didnt buy any interfaces for echolink.