EchoLink is free software which allows Amateur Radio stations to get on any EchoLink enabled repeater from a smartphone, tablet, computer or other device with an internet connection. Versions are available for multiple different devices, include Android phones and tablets, Apple iPhones and iPads, plus Windows and Mac computers.
To learn more about EchoLink, download the computer program and to validate your call sign, click this link.
As long as your computer has speakers and microphone built-in, you don’t need any other hardware to use EchoLink. However, if you want to use your radio to access another node, you will need a radio equipped with a microphone capable of generating DTMF tones – such will have a microphone with a numeric keypad. More info about linking to other repeaters from your radio appears below.
When you first start using EchoLink, you must create an account and get your call sign validated. Be sure to record your password so you can use the password with your callsign on other devices at a later time.
When you are using EchoLink on a computer, one typically uses the space bar as a push-to-talk (PTT) button. The default PTT action is push once to start talking, and push again when you stop talking. You can change that action to be like most radio’s PTT buttons, holding the space bar down as long as you are talking, by going through the following Menus: Tools, Preferences, Connections, PTT Control…, and select the “Momentary” checkbox. Then select OK, and OK again to get out of this series of Menus.
Another Preference checkbox to consider selecting is “Add New QSO’s to Favorites”, which can be found under Tools, Preferences, on the List tab. Then your Favorites will be automatically populated with stations that you connect to.
Our repeater is W9UVI-R, Peoria, IL. Every Repeater, User, Conference, Link has a Node number. Our repeater’s Node number is 706480. These Node numbers are needed to easily connect to other repeaters, etc, via your radio’s microphone keypad, if so equipped. You can find the Node number on the EchoLink computer program by simply moving your mouse pointer over the repeater of interest – an info box will appear with the node number shown at the bottom. You can also see the Node number on the phone/tablet app by selecting the repeater of interest, it will be displayed on the next screen.
To bring up a connection to another repeater, a linked radio, or just a user, simply key and hold your microphone PTT then enter the node number of the station you are trying to connect to. If it’s on the EchoLink network, you will hear the repeater say “connected to…”.
To disconnect an EchoLink connection, key and hold your mic PTT then press the “#” key on your number pad.
To check which stations are currently connected to the repeater’s EchoLink, key and hold your mic PTT then enter “08” and it will tell you which stations are currently connected to EchoLink.
To connect to a random REPEATER, key and hold your mic PTT then enter “00”. The repeater will connect you to a random repeater on the network.
Always remember to disconnect your EchoLink connection after your conversation. This is done by keying and holding your mic PTT then entering the “#” key on your microphone keypad.
You can also send text messages (chat) with everyone currently logged into (connected) to the repeater or conference that you are connected to. A useful feature.
You can test your speakers, microphone and associated settings by using the ECHOTEST Audio Test Server, on any type of device listed above. Highly recommended, particularly if someone comments about poor audio quality.
Remember that there is a short delay, maybe about 1 to 2 seconds for an EchoLink user’s audio coming into the repeater, so be sure to leave a break between transmissions, so they and others can get in.
Other repeaters in the Midwest can be found on the computer version of the app by selecting Locations, North America, United States, and Area 9 – simply scroll down the list looking for repeaters you might know, or those in locations you are interested in. For example, K9WRA-R in Roanoke, IL, whose Node number is 710520.
You can find EchoLink for Mac at http://echomac.sourceforge.net.
Please remember to identify yourself with your call sign as you have always done.
You should avoid having more than one device running EchoLink on your call sign simultaneously, so close the app or program as soon as you are finished.