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Information about Echolink

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.

Uses

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.

Echolink for other operating systems

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 makes it quite easy to extend with new functionality.

EchoIRLP is a software add on for IRLP which enables an IRLP node to operate as a sysop mode Echolink station.

References

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

External links

See also

Microsoft Windows

Screenshot of Windows Vista Ultimate, the latest version of Microsoft Windows.
Company/developer: Microsoft Corporation
OS family: MS-DOS/9x-based, Windows CE, Windows NT
Source model: Closed source

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An amateur radio operator is an individual who, typically, uses equipment at an amateur radio station to engage in two-way personal communications with other similar individuals on radio frequencies assigned to the Amateur Radio Service.
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Voice over Internet Protocol, also called VoIP, IP Telephony, Internet telephony, Broadband telephony, Broadband Phone and Voice over Broadband is the routing of voice conversations over the Internet or through any other IP-based network.
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Internet is a worldwide, publicly accessible series of interconnected computer networks that transmit data by packet switching using the standard Internet Protocol (IP). It is a "network of networks" that consists of millions of smaller domestic, academic, business, and government
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In broadcasting and radio communications, a call sign (also known as a callsign or call letters, or abbreviated as a call) is a unique designation for a transmitting station.
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Maintainer: Skype Limited

OS: Cross-platform

Use: P2P/VoIP/instant messaging/
video call/videophone
License: Freeware (with some non-free features)
Website: www.skype.
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amateur radio station is a facility equipped with the apparatus necessary for carrying on radiocommunications in the Amateur Radio Service. There are several types of amateur radio stations: an amateur radio station may be located in a building, installed in a vehicle, located in
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A transceiver is a device that has both a transmitter and a receiver which are combined and share common circuitry or a single housing. If no circuitry is common between transmit and receive functions, the device is a transmitter-receiver. The term originated in the early 1920s.
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Very high frequency (VHF) is the radio frequency range from 30 MHz to 300 MHz. It is also known as the meter band or meter wave as the wavelengths range from ten to one meters.
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Cycles per second: 300 MHz to 3 GHz
Wavelength: 1 m to 100 mm Ultra high frequency (UHF) designates a range (band) of electromagnetic waves whose frequency is between 300 MHz and 3 GHz, which is 300 MHz to 3,000 MHz.
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An amateur radio repeater is an electronic device that receives a weak or low-level amateur radio signal and retransmits it at a higher level or higher power, so that the signal can cover longer distances without degradation.
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Open source software is computer software which source code is available under a license (or arrangement such as the public domain) that meets the Open source definition. This permits users to use, change, and improve the software, and to redistribute it in modified or unmodified
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February 2007 is the second month of the year. It began on a Thursday and 28 days later, ended on a Wednesday.

International holidays

  • February 6 - Waitangi Day (New Zealand)
  • February 14 - Valentines Day
  • February 23 - Mashramani-Republic Day Guyana


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The Internet Radio Linking Project, also called IRLP, is a project that links amateur radio stations around the world by using Voice over IP (VoIP). Each gateway consists of a dedicated computer running custom software that is connected to both a radio and the Internet.
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