1. B.R.A.R.S.
Echolink Education
Sunday, January 17, 2010

2. Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Society
In Scope
What is Echolink?
How does it Work?
Do we need it?
Do we want it?
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3. Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Society
Out of Scope
How do I setup Echolink?
What hardware should I use?
How do I get an Echolink license?
These questions and many like them
are answered many times over with
documents easily found on the internet.
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Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Society

4. Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Society
What is Echolink?
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5. Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Society
How Does it Work?
Three ways to communicate
Computers Only
Radios and Computers
Radios, Repeater and Computers
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6. Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Society
Computers Only
In the computers only mode of utilization two Amateur Radio computer users are able to communicate directly without the aid of any radio gear as shown on the following slide.
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7. Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Society
Computers Only
In it’s simplest form, Echolink allows two computer users communication via a technology called Voice over IP through the Internet.
No RF is generated in this mode
Internet VoIP
Bill (W1ABC) in
Australia
Built in Microphone and
Speakers on both Computers
Sally (AB4CD) at
Myrtle Beach SC
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8. Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Society
Radios and Computers
Mode of utilization permitting Amateur Radio operators communication via the internet over great distances without any RF output
Operators are free from the confines of the computer with RF output
This offers a degree of freedom permitting operator mobility with only a hand held or mobile unit as shown on the following slide
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9. Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Society
Radio’s and Computers
Hard Wired
Internet
VoIP 4 3
VoIP 1 RF 2
VoIP 5
RF is generated in this mode
Built in Microphone and
Speakers on Computer
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10. Radios, Repeater and Computers
Mode of utilization permits unlimited numbers of Amateur Radio operators communication via the internet over great distances
All operators achieve freedom from the computer enabling them to move about at their local QTH with only a hand held, mobile or base RF output
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11. Radios, Repeater and ComputersRF 2
Internet 5 RF
RF is generated in this mode
VoIP 1
Hard Wired 3
VoIP 6 4
Built in Microphone and
Speakers on Computer
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12. Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Society
Example Use Case 1
W5WJC to W4DJW via Internet to
Repeater via RF Output to
W5MFC in TR via RF Output
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13. Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Society
Example Use Case 2
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14. Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Society
Abuse of Technology?
What about abuse?
We have cases of abuse today with the pure RF solution.
Operators using amplifier and beams will sometimes over shoot their target and bring up our repeater unknowingly
People Ker-chunking the repeater just to test their equipment
Background music (knowing or unknowing) sometimes makes its way to RF and comes out on the repeater
Malicious interference
Will this type of abuse change or increase?
The operators on Echolink are the same operators using repeaters. These operators had to prove their license status with the FCC before they were granted an Echolink activation code. Non HAMs are not allowed to operate Echolink. We will see the same level of intentional and unintentional abuse because the operators are all Radio Amateurs.
The major difference here is that we don’t have to hunt them down to block them out. Within Echolink there is an option to block out operators that willfully disrespect the rules we all abide by.
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15. The Radio Amateur’s Code
The Radio Amateur is:
CONSIDERATE
Never knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others
LOYAL
Offers loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs, and the American Radio Relay League, through which Amateur Radio in the United States is represented nationally and internationally
PROGRESSIVE
With knowledge abreast of science, a well-built and efficient station and operation above reproach
FRIENDLY
Slow and patient operating when requested; friendly advice and counsel to the beginner; kindly assistance, cooperation and consideration for the interests of others. These are the hallmarks of the amateur spirit
BALANCED
Radio is an avocation, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school or community
PATRIOTIC
Station and skill always ready for service to country and community
--The original Amateur's Code was written by Paul M. Segal, W9EEA, in 1928.
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16. Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Society
Do we Need Echolink?
No, Echolink simply enables 2 meter capabilities over longer distances similar to:
A Repeater on a Mountain Top
Stacked Beam Antennas
HF/VHF/UHF RF Amplifiers
Seeking Higher Ground on Foot (QRP)
Cross band Repeating Radios
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17. Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Society
Do we Want Echolink?
Do we:
Have Repeaters on Mountain Tops?
Have Stacked Beam Antennas?
Have HF/VHF/UHF RF Amplifiers?
Seek Higher Ground on Foot (QRP)?
Cross band Repeat with our Radios?
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18. Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Society
Conclusion
Echolink is simply another technology we choose to use to enhance our capabilities similar to our usage of the pre-existing technologies
Echolink users require the same level of respect as any other technology used by any other user of the RF spectrum
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19. Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Society
Reference Material
Read the Echolink Operating Guidelines
Take the tour Echolink Tour
Feel free to use it. A code is not required
Check out the Node Status Page for nodes and locations
Check out the Link Nodes links status
Nearby nodes Local Nodes
View the BRARS QSO Log
View the BRARS Call Log
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20. BRARS.ORG Web Site Navigation Finding more Echolink Information
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21. BRARS.ORG Web Site Navigation Finding more Echolink Information
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22. BRARS.ORG Web Site Navigation Finding more Echolink Information
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Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Society

23. BRARS.ORG Web Site Navigation Finding more Echolink Information
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24. BRARS.ORG Web Site Navigation Finding more Echolink Information
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25. BRARS.ORG Web Site Navigation Finding more Echolink Information
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