K1RFD the creator of Echolink on QSO!

This week on QSO
Jonathon Taylor K1RFD the creator and operator of Echolink. Jonathon talks about how the idea of Echolink came about as well as his beginnings in Amateur radio.
Jonathon talks about what the future holds for Echolink and VOIP communications.
EchoLink® software allows licensed Amateur Radio stations to communicate with one another over the Internet, using voice-over-IP (VoIP) technology. The program allows worldwide connections to be made between stations, or from computer to station, greatly enhancing Amateur Radio's communications capabilities. There are more than 200,000 validated users worldwide — in 162 of the world's 193 nations — with about 4,000 online at any given time.

WBCQ Tuesday & Thursday 5-7 PM EDT
2100-2300 UT on 7415
QSO is also heard on WRMI on 9955
Monday nights,10 pm-midnight EDT,
or at 0200-0400 UT TUESDAYS.
Available for download on http://www.tedrandall.com as well as ITunes and Zune.

It is also available on ITunes and Zune.

73

Ted Randall

 

Huh?

"greatly enhancing"

Not exactly the choice of words I would have used. Possibly something like "converting ham operators over to a cell-phone-like system of wires that requires none of the previously required knowledge of antennas and propagation, effectively separating the "radio" from amateur radio".

Perhaps the "old timers" were experiencing precognition when they used to complain about computers being sold at hamfests!

-KR4WM

 

I have had mixed feeling of the use of EchoLink® for sometime, I like RF to RF.

BUT!!! till I ran into a operator on the band that lived in a assisted living complex where having a antenna of "any kind" is a no no. This was his only way to get on the air.

So if EchoLink® helps the "old timers" get on the air that otherwise would have had to give up the hobby it's doing a great job and "greatly enhancing" someone day that's stuck in some crappy retirement home.

Plus it enhances my day when I make contact with someone that has to live in one of these places with the hopes it makes their day brighter.

 

My avatar speaks for itself.

K2WH

 

Good observation, Bennie. I have two friends - both Extras earned the hard way - who live in facilities where RF of any sort is forbidden. They do have computers and utilize Echo Link regularly to talk to their friends and also welcome in "newbies" to the hobby.
Yes, Webster, they do both computer to computer, since this is the only way they can talk to their DX friends of old, as well as computer to repeaters. One actually is the Control Op for a daily net on 2 meters, all via Echo Link.
I feel bad for them as there is no outlet for them to utilize their Echo Link to on HF like they were able to in their earlier years.
Bone up on it Webster, and perhaps you will understand the flexibility of Echo Link and how it interacts with real RF, and provides a gateway into Ham Radio.

 

Response

I know I will get hate e mail.

I can understand those who do not like Echolink,IRLP,Etc or other VOIP.
I know some that by doing that is "cheating" and missing the whole idea of amateur radio,but when I got my license and had no equipment to my name or could not afford at the time(saving up)for a hand held used. I used it and I knew(for me)was a good venue and still is.

And I am sure plenty say...well you could have waited or you are wasting your time being on there or even get your ticket or even get in the hobby if you had no cash or use one...that was my choice...yes I did not feel confortable using someone elses rig...and could not wait...and I was cash strapped...but knew I was going to have one...

I know diehard hams who hate computers in general and think internet has been in general wrong by intergating the two.

I think all hams should experience how to build things,experience actual being on the air. Things do change and for me it was a great way to connect when I had no other venue and met some wonderful people especially those who been in ham radio for 50 years.

This is my thought and I am not here to change someones opinions.

I am an EXTRA and proud to be one. I do enjoy being on HF and VHF and when I could only afford the fee for the test. I did not spend a chunck of change by buying books or so(the resources are out there)if you look on the computer for study material and taking practice tests. It is there...and studying pays off! and having patience!

I did not need a book by someone by ordering it...you become resourceful and I think by having young hams get to use Voip does help. In the past most hams I knew did not want to spend the time to be an elmer. When I got into Ham, I had one tell me "I do not have the time"and I had to learn on my own. If you can find a ham yes going through them would help..but if you did not know someone(that does happen)how else are you going to learn?

I had no choice but to learn on my own but later I did meet the right people..yes go to ham clubs meetings..that is good too..I was surprised that here there were no formal clubs/meetings and you had to go a bit of distance to find one.

That is fine but some people get intimidated or not confortable but HAM can be good therapy and break that ice...that is what happened to me...

I even studied The Code and some feel that HAM without code is 11 Meters, to each his own. It is the intimidation part that discourages future hams.

We are here to help and any technology would be great, times are changing but we can still embrace the past from experience and welcome any help.

Thankfully I did find a great Elmer and I am here to pass it on.

In my ham experiences I learned to be very resourceful, to my my choice of mode is SSB and I feel what is best for you is your choice. That what it comes to choices. I am glad there is Voip out there.

I found out when new stuff comes out or what ever people feel threatened and some I know put it down without giving it a chance.

When the No Code part came along some hams threatened to not re-new or quit or turn in their license. So my thought ok fine...but what are you trying to prove ok so protest...or what kind of a statement are you trying to say?

We get the point...what is sad to me is when someone takes a test and the VE tell all those forget about 2 meter,there is no point just go HF...ok but do not give a negative statement from the start, that one almost turned me off.

Yes I am speaking my mind and I know I will get some hate stuff....When I took my General the new ones were told the above..I spoke out and said basically...there are people out there and when you get your ticket..I will be on 2 Meter and will talk to you...and even get a net on there to help new people.

Yes I rock the boat ok...for example I was going to be involved with the local ARES/RACES here but I was blown away on how they treated women and not fairly on the board....I walked out and told them forget it...and yes still there is a good ol'boy mentallity about it...they asked me what do you want with the application..I told them well...I cannot say...on here...and for treating a good fellow ham very badly and again I spoke up but this time through an editorial on the subject, I thought the city fathers would be upset but it was those hams that were upset very upset(I could understand)but even death threats? for calling it being wrong and being the truth...ok...talk about fallen ears..


You do get some real rude operators and have no concept of being kind.

The only real problem I had..if you want to call that..was before I got a HF rig..I never bought new always used or traded..I wanted to be on The CBS Retirees Net/W2BOB...and it was through ECHOLINK...he had it rigged up that I could be on there through 20 Meters was through him(me being a Tech)spoke to some geat people via 3rd party.

I had fun and though I was not on HF on my end...it was a great experience...I got my daughter via 3rd party on 2 Meter and HF and ECHOLINK and another application that I cannot remember the name for now..I have practiced my Spanish more on the air with other hams(yes giving the ID in English)per rules. I have used it also on ECHOLINK then I had no equipment and still today...it has made the world closer for me...and better friendships in general and I am thankful for that when I could not get on the air, ECHOLINK was there...

I was thrilled when I got my HT made my first contact at 3 AM through a repeater in Corvallis Or and the ham was on the coast and it was a thrill to get my first DX in Japan on 20 Meter and talking to a ham in Hawaii walking on the beach through a ECHOLINK node and it is not a big deal...to some and yes it cheats...that is fine I have made contacts on ECHOLINK about 130 countries..yes not the same for HF or so...but it was good for me...I wish the ARRL would still give out Ragchewing Certs...I do enjoy Ragchewing.



Anything can happen...

I took a chance to make contact out there...and learned a ton...it maybe not the solution for all but like I say all hams should experience it all...

I thank K1RFD for making Echolink Happen...

THX DE KE7GGV...73

 

I personally don't use Echolink but for the shut-in's and condo dwellers this is a very good resource. If God be for us what man can stand against us is a great analogy. If God was not for it he would not have aloud man to even conceive the idea. I don't see it as a replacement for radio but because one finds themselves in a antenna restrictive accommodation, I for one will not suggest the walk away from this hobby.

Dave, W8QF

 

Well for those who don't like Echolink because of the belief that it's not real radio then perhaps you need to sit down and rethink the program and really understand it. Echolink provides a way for a person to use a radio to use a local repeater to contact another repeater in a far off land or a place that you can't normally get to via UHF or VHF radio. It also allows someone with antenna restrictions to connect to these same repeaters via a computer. So since there is RF involved, oh and BTW VoIP is RF, it requires a transmitter and a receiver for the voice to be transmitted from the computer's microphone to the other end. This is just another form of communications, just like PSK31, RTTY, and SSB. It's here and it's popular and it's staying so either just accept it or get a different hobby. After all isn't what Amateur Radio is about is exploring new and exciting technology? Yes it doesn't mean you have to like it, but it doesn't mean you have to bash it. Remember when you had to hook up horses to a cart in order to go to town.....well now look at how you do this....you grab your keys and hop in a car. Technology is always evolving and will continue to do so. Just embrace it and move on....it doesn't mean you have to use it, but don't put someone down just because you don't like it.

Just look at this

http://wedothatradio.wordpress.com/

 

VHF and UHF were never intended to be used for contacts in far off lands. HF is/was. Excepting for the handicapped or unfortunate, there is nothing standing in the way of others to upgrade and get on HF to do that. Echolink while good for some due to operational limitations, has become a crutch for others.

K2WH

 

amused

I get very amused by how people pick and choose what they accept as "OK" as technology changes over the years. Then spew their hatred over what they don't like. Makes me laugh.

 

Wow, a k"E"7 telling the rest of us to get another hobby if we don't like echolink. Who the hell are you buddy?

Utilization of technologies such as echolink in lieu of the traditional RF path (i.e. Ham Radio) especially computer to computer (chat) by amateur operators can and will lead to loss of our allocated spectrum.

I tried echolink once a few years ago. I had a nice "QSO" if that’s what its called on echolink with a "ham" in California. He was nice enough to leave the porno he was watching on his PC with enough volume so I could hear it too.
That was really nice. You don't even get that on 75 meters late Saturday nights!!!

This nube obviously doesn't understand amateur radio or it's culture. He wants to shove his chat room preference down our throats, and threaten us if we don't like it. Is this where amateur radio is going? I sure hope not!!!

Regards,
Matt

 

It's a never ending story with some of the
"I want it my way crowd " .
Enjoy your hobby as you will ,and everyone else will do the same.

I must admit I get a chuckle when I read these forums .


Perhaps the "old timers" were experiencing precognition when they used to complain about computers being sold at hamfests! kr4wm

Perhaps you should have mention that your using one now .

 

"spew their hatred over what they don't like"


I'm not sensing anyone "spewing their hatred" here but I'm glad someone's getting a laugh!!


--... ...--

Richard VE3MFN

 

ok

What about 2 meter SSB???

 

He was nice enough to leave the porno he was watching on his PC with enough volume so I could hear it too.
That was really nice. You don't even get that on 75 meters late Saturday nights!!!

I have heard some swearing on HF myself and it does happen...where ever you go and what mode...nothing is perfect..it comes down to choices and people have no concideration in what they do...and there are lousy operators out there...not all Voip people are bad...as well HF,etc...you will have some bad eggs...

I never heard Voip being called a mode? just another tool...and to another response...crutch?