Glendora Emergency Response Communications

Re-Introducing EchoLink. How to use the N7YLA simplex link

June 4, 2010

To: GERC hams and Friends

From: Mark Hayden, N7YLA

Subject: Re-Introducing EchoLink. How to use the N7YLA simplex link

Hello!  I want to invite you to take a few minutes to learn about EchoLink, a hybrid technology for ham radio that extends the functionality of your HTs and mobile radios to new heights.  The best part is that you don’t need any special equipment other than your current HT or mobile transceiver and it is 100% free! I have been experimenting with EchoLink for a few years now under the guidance of Joe Parrino, N6WZK, the guru of EchoLink in Southern California.

The History of 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 call sign 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.

How Radio Amateurs Use EchoLink.

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.

How YOU can use EchoLink today!

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. 

All GERC members and friends within in simplex range of my station are invited to tune to a confidential frequency, offset and tone.  This is your EchoLink Link frequency. I am using a Yaesu Ft-2600M transceiver which is interfaced to a Dell Optiplex computer. The radio and transceiver are dedicated to EchoLink only and are available for your use 24/7.  In order to use the features of my Link and to access other stations via the Internet you will need to enter DTMF tone codes.  DTMF tones sound like the tones on a telephone, and you can transmit them from your transceiver as you press and hold down your push to talk (PTT) button.  To keep unauthorized users from connecting with my Link you will have to program the Link frequency with a PL tone. This tone is available for GERC members only. The following table with frequencies omitted will give you some idea of the features that GERC members can access. The frequency and full list of codes is listed in the GERC Radio Operator's guidebook.

How to access hams worldwide

There are more than 200,000 validated EchoLink users worldwide — in 162 of the world's 193 nations — with about 5,000 online at any given time. You can find a list of the current user node numbers on the EchoLink website at http://www.echolink.org/  .  To access any node simply hold down your PTT and press 881 followed by the node number of the station you want to connect to.   For example, let’s say you want to connect up to the N6WZK repeater and join the February 23 GERC Net at 8:30 pm but your HT can not connect to the repeater directly because you are in a “dead spot.” Hams living near the foothills in Glendora may have difficulty in connecting to the N6WZK repeater since it is in the San Bernardino Mountains some 50 miles east.

While holding down your PTT press the code and 50750, which is the N6WZK node number. You should hear a message that says  “connecting to N6WZK repeater” followed a few seconds later by “connected to N6WZK repeater at  (time)” . Then you can call me as you would normally do on your radio. In other words you have just turned your rig into a much more powerful radio! “N7YLA, this is (your call sign) for a check in.”

When you have completed your QSO and wish to disconnect from the N6WZK repeater simply press the proper code. The best way to learn EchoLink is to practice, practice, practice!  You will be hooked the first time you establish a QSO with someone in some far distant location.  I have found that hams on EchoLink in other countries are very courteous and eager to find out about you. Have fun making new friends worldwide right from your HT!

What  about Amateur Radio Newsline? 

Amateur Radio Newsline™ produces a weekly newscast of interest to radio amateurs worldwide. The bulletins conform to all sections and codes as outlined under the United States FCC Part 97 Amateur Radio Service rules regarding the legal means of amateur radio operators issuing "QST’s" or "Bulletins of Interest to All Amateurs." They differ only in format and follow a more traditional radio "spot news" format. You can listen to the most recent edition of ARN any time by holding your PTT and pressing 777. Please be aware that the Newsline is about ½ hour long. If you wish to disconnect, listen for a break in the newscast (dead air) which happens about every few minutes and then quickly key in 883.

What about the Weather?

You may access the current temperature, weather and a forecast for the Glendora area any time by using the codes as listed above. The data is in real-time and comes from a private weather station operated by Jim Wall, K6MMM a few blocks away from my house.  Jim makes his weather available for Ambient Weather’s free Weather Exchange software users and special EchoLink add-on software in my computer parses the data into voice transmission. If some of the syntax is poor please don’t blame me!  Enjoy the fact that we have our own GERC local weather reporting!  

Please do not hesitate to call on me you if you have any questions, but by all means “raise the bar” of your ham experience and try the GERC Link! 

73,

Mark, N7YLA