Echolink

[rapidcharger]

I'd much prefer to use IRLP. With Echolink, people can sit in front of their computer, & speak to others in front of a computer. Just use skype for that. Since our hobby is ham radio, where was the radio in that scenario? Of course radios can be used too, but with IRLP, both ends of the chat must be using a 2-way radio. With new DMR systems, the internet links the world, but people must still talk into a radio. So for me, if I want to talk to the world, it's HF, DMR, IRLP, or nothing.

That's true but then again there are some serious barriers to entry with IRLP and DMR that exclude a lot of people who start out with the desktop client or mobile app and will go on to using RF.Even though I own and maintain a mixed mode (analog and digital) echolink node that has wide area coverage, I occasionally do need to log in via mobile device and that is very useful. Not to mention it would have cost a lot more to set up an IRLP node and I did consider that.
And DMR,. well, that pretty much excludes anyone who doesn't have a DMR repeater they can hit as there are not any widely available gateways for DMR that I am aware of.

I don't have any gripes with using the desktop client or mobile apps occasionally, but when the majority of the regular users are using those, it begs the question, why do I bother to maintain the RF infrastructure when we can all just chat on some app and at least we'd be able to chat with people who aren't even hams. Heck, we can all use snapchat and at least have the option to send each other videos of our private parts like the kids are doing nowadays.

That said, I'll take the mobile app users over no users at all and this is of course a minor gripe. You can very easily set up the software to only accept connections from repeaters and links. I know the people who are logging on just aren't interested in setting up a node and they don't have any repeaters near them with echolink on it. So it's a take it or leave it scenario.

 

[N8OHU]

I haven't seen a Baofeng or TYT radio with COS output. Because of that they would not be good to use as node radios. You don't want to use VOX. Searching for "EchoLink PTT COS audio interface" will return several manufacturer sites and how to build one. There is info on EchoLink's web site too. Interfaces

The Baofeng and TYT radios can be used, but you need to remove the case to do it, as you need to do some soldering on a surface mount IC to get the COS/RUS signal.

 

[N0IU]

There is definitely a place for EchoLink for me. Every week there is a "gathering" of amateur radio operators who are also Masons. Of course we could hold a net over the air, but there are so many variables that make this impractical. By using EchoLink, anyone can participate even if they don't have a radio at all. There are no issues with propagation or weather and no issues with QRM, intentional or otherwise. With EchoLink, we can hold our gathering in peace and everyone has a solid 59 signal!

 

[Jimru]

I check in on occasion to a net with ham friends in NYC. I'm in Richmond, VA and another user checks in from WV. It's a weekly county ARES net.

One issue is that half the time that node is off. They are trying to fix it but there is, apparently, not a lot of urgency to do so by the owner of the repeater.

 

[Kennrth]

I've used it many times on different computers even on a Samsung Table. The software is highly dependent on your sound card and fast wifi. Microphone and speaker gain must be controlled by your computer sound card software. There are many sounds and issues associated with them. On a Gateway could not get the microphone gain high enough for my liking. On Samsung tablet blasts the headphones and can't get in low enough.

Otherwise for me it worked ok. Made contacts from California to Florida and the Netherlands. If you search the web for repeaters on echolink and look at their net schedules for tech nets equipment sales, etc and tune in on their time schedules. Or call CQ / call sign listening etc. But a lot of people may hear you but most will not respond. Oh well . I think a lot of people don't like echolink. Not old time radio for them. To date the most popular digital mode. Then Dstar, DMR,and P25 in that order.
You need to pay attention to what you are connecting to. It could be a Digipeater, individual or conference. I usually connect to repeaters.
You need to register your call sign on echolink first, then you can use from any computer.
Hope that helps.