Introduction to Introduction to EchoLinkEchoLink

Brian RoodeBrian Roode

NJ6NNJ6N

nj6n@soara.orgnj6n@soara.org

Voice over Internet Voice over Internet ProtocolProtocol

The Internet is a vast network of The Internet is a vast network of computer networks.computer networks.

The Internet Protocol (IP) is responsible The Internet Protocol (IP) is responsible for moving data between computers for moving data between computers on the world wide Internet.on the world wide Internet.

Voice over IP (VoIP) is used to provide Voice over IP (VoIP) is used to provide voice communication between voice communication between computers over the Internet using IP.computers over the Internet using IP.

Amateur Radio use of VoIPAmateur Radio use of VoIP

There are several VoIP applications There are several VoIP applications used in Ham Radio:used in Ham Radio:iLink, eQSO, EchoLink, IRLP, Wires-II iLink, eQSO, EchoLink, IRLP, Wires-II

(Yaesu) are some of the VoIP (Yaesu) are some of the VoIP Applications in use today.Applications in use today.

EchoLink is one of the most well-known EchoLink is one of the most well-known and most-used VoIP applications with and most-used VoIP applications with over 100,000 registered users in over over 100,000 registered users in over 137 countries!137 countries!

EchoLinkEchoLink

Jonathan Taylor, K1RFD, Jonathan Taylor, K1RFD, won the Dayton won the Dayton Hamvention's Special Hamvention's Special Achievement award, 2003, Achievement award, 2003, for writing and developing for writing and developing EchoLink and EchoStation.EchoLink and EchoStation.

EchoLink software is EchoLink software is available for Windows, available for Windows, Macintosh OS/X and Linux, Macintosh OS/X and Linux, free of charge.free of charge.

Getting started with Getting started with EchoLinkEchoLink

Hardware & Software RequirementsHardware & Software Requirements Personal ComputerPersonal Computer Sound Card InterfaceSound Card Interface Headset or Microphone & SpeakerHeadset or Microphone & Speaker EchoLink SoftwareEchoLink Software Valid Amateur Radio LicenseValid Amateur Radio License

Download & Install the softwareDownload & Install the software Standard Windows software installationStandard Windows software installation Follow the on-screen setup “Wizard” to configure Follow the on-screen setup “Wizard” to configure

EchoLink.EchoLink. A unique node number will be automatically assigned A unique node number will be automatically assigned

to you after your callsign has been verified.to you after your callsign has been verified.

EchoLink OperationEchoLink Operation

Nodes, Links, Repeaters!Nodes, Links, Repeaters! Each connected station has a unique station ID Each connected station has a unique station ID

called a “node number” that is assigned called a “node number” that is assigned automatically.automatically.

There are several different node types:There are several different node types: Users: Stations that are using a personal computer.Users: Stations that are using a personal computer. Links: Stations with computers running EchoLink Links: Stations with computers running EchoLink

interfaced to a radio transceiver. These stations are interfaced to a radio transceiver. These stations are designated by their callsign followed by “-L”.designated by their callsign followed by “-L”.

Repeaters: Stations with computers running Repeaters: Stations with computers running EchoLink interfaced to an FM repeater through a EchoLink interfaced to an FM repeater through a repeater controller or via remote transceiver. These repeater controller or via remote transceiver. These stations are designated with their station callsign stations are designated with their station callsign followed by “-R”followed by “-R”

Conferences: Special interest “chat rooms” Conferences: Special interest “chat rooms”

Demonstration of EchoLinkDemonstration of EchoLink

We will now connect to the Internet using We will now connect to the Internet using Howard’s laptop and make an EchoLink Howard’s laptop and make an EchoLink contact or two!contact or two! First we’ll try to contact First we’ll try to contact Don Schleuse in South Don Schleuse in South

Dakota @ node Dakota @ node 116244116244 Next we’ll hook up with the KG6FOS-L Link in Next we’ll hook up with the KG6FOS-L Link in

Bakersfield @ node Bakersfield @ node 41577 41577 and see if we can and see if we can contact Steve, N5YRJ who is there on a business trip.contact Steve, N5YRJ who is there on a business trip.

We can also connect to EchoLink through an We can also connect to EchoLink through an EchoLink “link” station over the air.EchoLink “link” station over the air. Brian will contact Howard’s laptop (node # Brian will contact Howard’s laptop (node # 109683109683) )

through a remote link (node through a remote link (node 125251125251))

Firewall IssuesFirewall Issues

A Firewall or “Cable/DSL router” is a A Firewall or “Cable/DSL router” is a device that shields your computer from device that shields your computer from unwanted inbound connections. unwanted inbound connections.

You will need to configure the router to You will need to configure the router to "forward" UDP ports 5198 and 5199 to the "forward" UDP ports 5198 and 5199 to the PC on which EchoLink is running. It must PC on which EchoLink is running. It must also allow incoming connections on TCP also allow incoming connections on TCP port 5200.port 5200.

Software Firewalls, including the built-in Software Firewalls, including the built-in firewall on Windows XP must be firewall on Windows XP must be configured to enable EchoLink.configured to enable EchoLink.

Link OperationLink Operation

Link Interfaces Link Interfaces interconnect your radio interconnect your radio transceiver to your transceiver to your computer.computer.

This enables you to use This enables you to use EchoLink from an HT or EchoLink from an HT or mobile radio, remotely.mobile radio, remotely.

Interfacing enables many Interfacing enables many other digital modes other digital modes including PSK31, SSTV, including PSK31, SSTV, RTTY, etc.RTTY, etc.

InterfacesInterfaces

There are quite a lot of commercially There are quite a lot of commercially available interfaces available as kits available interfaces available as kits or pre-assembled and tested or pre-assembled and tested versions.versions.

Basic interfaces provide minimum Basic interfaces provide minimum interfacing necessary to get on the interfacing necessary to get on the air.air.

Advanced interfaces provide Advanced interfaces provide additional features such as remote additional features such as remote rig control, local microphone and PTT rig control, local microphone and PTT control, computer reset via RF, etc. control, computer reset via RF, etc.

Traveling with EchoLink!Traveling with EchoLink! Take EchoLink along with you on your travels! Take EchoLink along with you on your travels!

All you need is your HT or a laptop and an Internet All you need is your HT or a laptop and an Internet connection.connection.

SOARA members Howard Brown, KG6GI, Richard Saunders, SOARA members Howard Brown, KG6GI, Richard Saunders, K6RBS, and Steve Leander, KG6OYK, took their laptops and K6RBS, and Steve Leander, KG6OYK, took their laptops and HT’s with them on their travels recently. HT’s with them on their travels recently.

Using EchoLink and through the cooperation of Dave, Using EchoLink and through the cooperation of Dave, KG6QCI, Richard was able to check into the Tuesday night 2 KG6QCI, Richard was able to check into the Tuesday night 2 meter net from Hawaii! Moments later, Steve checked in meter net from Hawaii! Moments later, Steve checked in through Brian’s Echolink node from San Francisco.through Brian’s Echolink node from San Francisco.

Howard used EchoLink “conferencing” features while on his Howard used EchoLink “conferencing” features while on his recent trip across the United States to keep in touch with recent trip across the United States to keep in touch with Bob Grand, W6CIC and Don Schleuse, KF6NSU. This is a very Bob Grand, W6CIC and Don Schleuse, KF6NSU. This is a very good thing considering that Howard and Bob are responsible good thing considering that Howard and Bob are responsible for maintaining our 7 repeater systems!for maintaining our 7 repeater systems!

More on Travelling with More on Travelling with EchoLinkEchoLink

If you’re planning on using EchoLink from If you’re planning on using EchoLink from a remote location, here are a few things a remote location, here are a few things to keep in mind:to keep in mind: Research your destination before you go. You Research your destination before you go. You

will want to find out which local repeaters will want to find out which local repeaters support EchoLink if you’re planning on using support EchoLink if you’re planning on using an HT. You may also need to obtain the an HT. You may also need to obtain the permission of the repeater owner and access permission of the repeater owner and access codes.codes.

Make a list of the node numbers of the Make a list of the node numbers of the stations you wish to contact – dialing zero stations you wish to contact – dialing zero doesn’t get you the EchoLink Operator doesn’t get you the EchoLink Operator

Final ThoughtsFinal Thoughts

EchoLink was used to tie repeaters together EchoLink was used to tie repeaters together during the Space Shuttle disaster recovery during the Space Shuttle disaster recovery operation. EchoLink will no doubt be used in operation. EchoLink will no doubt be used in many new and interesting ways in the future.many new and interesting ways in the future.

Using the Internet for voice communication Using the Internet for voice communication through applications like EchoLink has generated through applications like EchoLink has generated a considerable amount of discussion in the ham a considerable amount of discussion in the ham radio community.radio community.

EchoLink provides yet another way we can get EchoLink provides yet another way we can get new people interested in our wonderful hobby, new people interested in our wonderful hobby, especially those already well-versed in how to especially those already well-versed in how to use the Internet. EchoLink use the Internet. EchoLink

For more information:For more information: QST Magazine, February 2003, pg. 44.QST Magazine, February 2003, pg. 44. SoftwareSoftware

http://www.http://www.echolinkecholink.org.org (Windows) (Windows) http://www.dogparksoftware.com/EchoMac.htmlhttp://www.dogparksoftware.com/EchoMac.html (Mac (Mac

OS/X)OS/X) Computer/Radio Interface:Computer/Radio Interface:

http://www.ilinkboards.com/http://www.ilinkboards.com/ http://www.westmountainradio.com/http://www.westmountainradio.com/ http://www.packetradio.com/rascalmkv.htmhttp://www.packetradio.com/rascalmkv.htm http://ilinkca.com/http://ilinkca.com/

Building your own InterfaceBuilding your own Interface http://www.qsl.net/wm2u/interface.htmlhttp://www.qsl.net/wm2u/interface.html

Dayton Hamvention Award:Dayton Hamvention Award: http://www.http://www.hamventionhamvention.org/winners.html.org/winners.html

That’s All Folks!That’s All Folks!

Many thanks to Howard, Steve, and Richard Many thanks to Howard, Steve, and Richard for their help in creating this for their help in creating this presentation!presentation!