Echolink Challenged....

[KD8PGB]

Just got my general ticket callsign listed on the FCC ULS database last friday...have been trying to validate my echolink callsign for the last few days but it always says "FCC Data Not Found" I have even tried the ULS api and it does return my information, not sure why echolink won't validate my callsign.


On another note, I have read a lot about echolink but not sure if I have it completely understood but I want to know if this will work.

I install echolink and run it on my computer (with no radio attached) my brother is operating a mobile rig 200 miles away but is within range of an echolink repeater. Can I use the echolink on my pc to call my brother's callsign and contact him in his mobile? Can my brother call my pc by going through the local echolink repeater?

Many thanks
Dan
kd8pgb

[W4RLR]

Validation does require some human intervention. Perhaps the fact the holiday season is upon us may have something to do with the delay?

IOW, patience, grasshopper. Patience.:D

[KD8PGB]

Thanks, I assumed that they used the FCC API to search the database...see what what happens when one assumes...

[K0RGR]

You've mostly got it right - but you don't connect by callsign - you connect to the node number for the EchoLink repeater or simplex node where your brother is. If your PC is up and running EchoLink, your brother can connect with you using the node number assigned to your PC from his mobile (assuming he has touchtone capability).

It would be a good idea for your brother to ask someone on his end before he tries to connect to you, because the commands to do it may be different on that node. Some nodes are also 'private' and don't allow the public to use them.
You, on the other hand, should be free to initiate the connection. If you aren't supposed to use that remote node, it will probably reject you, and say it did so.

[KD8PGB]

Thanks for the info, I will contact the local repeater where my brother will be and ask them about using their echolink before we try it.

When my brother key's up from his mobile is there a dtmf code for starting the link? I mean if my node is 5551234 does he key in #5551234 to initiate contact? Is there a standard code for ending the contact?

[KD8PGB]

I forgot to ask, when calling my brother from my echolink computer, do I simply connect to the echolink repeater near him and then transmit his callsign? Will the RF repeater automatically pass my signal out through the RF repeater?

[K0RGR]

Actually, I goofed slightly in my answer.

You can connect to the remote node by the callsign for that node. Send C + callsign +# to open the connection.

[KD8PGB]

okay so on my brothers mobile, he just keys up his mic on the repeater frequency and then dtmf c + myecholinkcallsign + # and the echolink repeater will connect him to my user node on my computer version of echolink?

Sorry for the redundancy, I just want to be sure we get it right because there are no cellular comms in the area where he will be, so we have to get it right the first time :)

[N7QVU]

I forgot to ask, when calling my brother from my echolink computer, do I simply connect to the echolink repeater near him and then transmit his callsign? Will the RF repeater automatically pass my signal out through the RF repeater?

Yep, I think you have it down.

Just us PC and connect to node you want. When you connect, most nodes will announce that you're connected. Then you would announce that you are monitoring or whatever you would say if using a radio on that repeater.

Connect to me on N7QVU-R if you want to chat about this.

Jerry-N7QVU
Arizona