Wirral & District Amateur Radio Club

Using an EchoLink Node

Our thanks to Tom G4BKF who has taken over the running of our local EchoLink node (No. 691718) from Bob G4NCI at his qth in Upton on Wirral.  This can be found on 70.4125 MHz, and to start you off, here is a brief overview together with some pointers to help you make some "good contacts".

First .. our thanks to Bob G4NCI for originally setting up and running the EchoLink node on the Wirral for several years, which has proved most reliable and provided a variety of qso's from around the world on our local 4m frequency.

EchoLink is all about interlinking your PC and/or Radio with other Radio Hams also using EchoLink software anywhere in the world with the help and connectivity of the internet. (Preferably with a broadband connection, although this is not absolutely necessary).  A Radio link access point to the Internet, is called a node.

Let's start with your PC. 

Firstly you need the software, so connect to www.echolink.org/ and download the latest EchoLink software.  You need to supply your callsign and email address.  Once you have the software you are asked to submit a copy of your licence to validate your software as the system is ONLY available to genuine licensed Radio Hams.  This process is very simply achieved by scanning a copy of your Ofcom callsign validation certificate and emailing it as an attachment .. follow the instructions on the EchoLink website by clicking on "Validation".  An email confirming your validation will follow a few hours later.  Once completed, you will notice a complete list of all the links, repeaters and users worldwide that are currently operational appear when start your already installed EchoLink software.  The programme is very intuitive and providing your microphone and audio speakers are functioning correctly, you are ready to connect and chat worldwide.  There is also a test feature to check your microphone level is correct and in doing so you can check your audio in the shack is also set to your liking.  If you use a firewall or router you will need to open certain ports, so again follow the simple instructions on the EchoLink website otherwise it will not work.

Secondly using EchoLink by RF.

The other feature of EchoLink is to use an RF radio link into Tom's node.  This is very similar to chatting into a local repeater using a handheld while walking down a street or sitting in the garden, or from a rig fitted in your car.  The difference is that the G4BKF node is connected to all the other EchoLink nodes around the world by the internet.

So, firstly you need to be able to hear the G4BKF EchoLink node on 70.4125 MHz from your location.  If you hear someone calling CQ you can simply reply and carry on as if it was a repeater.  Remember, there is no repeater shift nor constant carrier (as you would hear on the output of a repeater) .. you work simplex into G4BKF node. The output carrier from G4BKF only comes up when the other party replies or for standard network announcements.

To call CQ, key-in in the number of the node (1) you want to connect to, using a DTMF keypad (2) and the G4BKF node will tell you when you are connected to the distant EchoLink node.  Then put out a CQ call and chat with someone local to that node in whatever destination the node is in and on whatever frequency (3).

Lastly it's also possible to dial a friend from your RF link handy or the mobile in the car .. providing your friend is in the shack with EchoLink running on his PC. 

Use the following matrix to convert the callsign of letters & numbers into a number to key into your DTMF keypad using the prefix  0512

So you are in your car and want a direct connection through the node with our Gordon G8MMM who you know is in the shack with EchoLink running on his PC. The number to key into your DTMF pad would be:-   0512 41 80 61 61 61 #    (Don't forget the #).

(1) To choose a node, click on "Current Logins" from the EchoLink website menu for a complete list of nodes "On Air".  The other alternative is to just key-in the numbers  01 which you can see from the small list below, will connect you to a random Link or Repeater.  When you are told you are "Connected", put out a CQ call exactly as you would on any repeater.  Remember there will be time-zone differences to many parts of the world.

(2) (DTMF = Dual Tone Multiple Frequency) You can use a dedicated DTMF tone pad or just as easily hold your microphone against most mobile phones and key-in the number on to the phone pad.  The DTMF sounds from the phone will be relayed over your 4m radio into G4BKF and your in business.  A bit fiddly but it works very well but be aware the tones on some phones are not loud enough.

(3) As Tom is licensed by Ofcom UK with a 4m port, so the distant repeater will be licensed but not necessarily for the same band .. probably more likely to be on 2m or 70cms, so you won't know until you ask in a qso on what band your contact is on.  The important thing to remember is that it will also be a licensed frequency for the country in which the remote node is transmitting.

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