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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. Microsoft Windows is the name of several families of proprietary software operating systems by Microsoft. ...
Amateur radio, commonly called ham radio, is a hobby enjoyed by many people throughout the world (as of 2004 about 3 million worldwide, 70,000 in Germany, 5,000 in Norway, 57,000 in Canada, and 700,000 in the USA). ...
An overview of how VoIP works A typical analog telephone adapter for connecting an ordinary phone to a VoIP network 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...
In broadcasting and radio communication, a callsign or call sign (also call letters) is a unique designation for a transmitting station. ...
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. Skype (IPA pronunciation: , rhymes with type) is a proprietary peer-to-peer Internet telephony network founded by the entrepreneurs Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, also founders of the file sharing application Kazaa. ...
An amateur radio station is a facility equipped with the apparatus necessary for carrying on radiocommunications in the Amateur Radio Service. ...
A transceiver is a device that has both a transmitter and a receiver which are combined in to one. ...
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. Very high frequency (VHF) is the radio frequency range from 30 MHz to 300 MHz. ...
Ultra high frequency (UHF) designates a range (band) of electromagnetic waves whose frequency is between 300 MHz and 3. ...
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. ...
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. Open source software refers to computer software available with its source code and under an open source license. ...
February 2007 is the second month of that year and has yet to occur. ...
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 make it quite easy to extend with new functionality.
References - The Echolink help file, from v 1.9.892 of the software
External links
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