EchoLink is a VOIP program that allows licensed Amateur Radio operators to talk to other operators using the Internet as a link. Unfortunately, the current version on their website (version 2.0.908) uses an InstallShield installer that causes some serious harm to Windows installations when it is uninstalled - namely, it will remove the tiles from. Reporting: Problems with Echolink on my Windows 10 computer This post has been flagged and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.
I sent Echolink an email with this message . . .
Hello Echolink . . . I am unable to login, because whenever I try to login
with my current credentials, it comes back saying, 'this is not what you
signed up with'. It's a Catch 22! I don't remember, when I first installed and
gave my info. I've had a couple different call signs and now I have a vanity
call. I tried removing the program and re-installing, but it still remembers.
I want so much to use Echolink! So, hoping you are getting this message. My call is NF9L. My email address is <my user name here> (at)yahoo.com. Please reply directly to my email address, with any info about clearing this up. I hope the right person is reading this and will reply. Thank you very
much! Jerry Dwyer
Email address changed so it won't picked up by spambots.
EchoLink is a computer-based Amateur Radio system distributed free of charge that allows radio amateurs to communicate with other amateur radio operators 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 system 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. Thus any low-power handheld amateur radio transceiver which can contact a local EchoLink node (a node is an active EchoLink station with a transceiver attached) can then use the Internet connection of that station to send its transmission via VoIP to any other active EchoLink node, worldwide. No special hardware or software is required to relay a transmission via an EchoLink node.
Before using the system, it is necessary for a prospective user's callsign to be validated. The EchoLink system requires that each new user provide positive proof of license and identity before his or her callsign is added to the list of validated users. There is no cost for this service, and it ensures that this system is used only by licensed amateur radio operators.
The software is written to run on 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Microsoft Windows. Another edition of the software runs on Apple mobile devices (iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad), and is available from the Apple App Store. An Android version is available on Google Play and several other Android app repositories.
Uses[edit]
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 simple homemade or manufactured radio-PC digital mode 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.
Smartphone editions[edit]
Editions of EchoLink are also available for two of the major smartphone platforms. In February 2010, an edition of EchoLink was released for the Apple iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch on the App Store. In August 2010, an edition of EchoLink was released for the Android platform, and is now available in the Google Play Store. Both the iOS and Android editions were created by Jonathan Taylor (K1RFD), the author of the original Windows edition.
EchoLink-compatible software for other operating systems[edit]
Open source software packages that are largely compatible with EchoLink are available for Macintosh (EchoMac and EchoHam) and Linux (echoLinux or SvxLink/Qtel).
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.
The EchoLink software, which is designed to run on Microsoft Windows, has also been known to work on several Linux builds as well if loaded through Wine.[1]
See also[edit]
- Free Radio Network (NL)
- Free Radio Network (DE)
References[edit]
- The EchoLink help file, from v 1.9.892 of the software
Echolink Software Windows 10 On Android Youtube
- ^'Echolink reference on the Wine Database'. 31 January 2008.