Is EchoLink for you?

[billkodak at verizon.net]

From time to time I get a request from hams who are either snowbirds or who travel extensively, for some way to keep in contact with club members here in Lakeland. Sure, with the proper equipment and the good propagation, HF is a possibility. But more often than not, these same people are looking for a way to communicate that does not require much in the way of antennas and radios. For them, EchoLink is an option. I think it is a good tool for every ham to have in their pocket. 
 
 EchoLink should be of special interest to those who are new to the hobby, or do not have HF equipment and a license to travel those bands. With EchoLink, even a Tech can contact someone continents away. 
 
 If you think you might be interested, visit this site: http://www.echolink.org/faq.htm http://www.echolink.org/faq.htm 
 
 If you have any questions after visiting the above site, I will do my best to answer them. You can reach me at billkodak at verizon.net mailto:billkodak at verizon.net 
 
 If there is enough interest, we can even set up a special interest group to help each other learn together. 
 
 If you are still not sure, continue reading. 
 
 
 Background 
 EchoLink is a computer-based Amateur Radio system distributed free of charge that allows radio amateurs to communicate with other amateur radio operators using Voice over IP (VoIP) technology on the Internet for at least part of the path between them. I should add, that it is possible to communicate using EchoLink without any radio at all. All you need is a microphone and speakers on your computer, and you are ready to go. The software is free, but you do have to have to be a licensed ham to participate, and you do have to resister and receive your own node number. Both are free and painless. 
 
 In the past some of our club members used EchoLink to communicate with another member while he was traveling on business in Europe. From a computer in his hotel room he was able to connect through the Internet to a local repeater here in Lakeland which re-broadcasted his voice to a group of us having breakfast at a local restaurant. Of course, any ham within the range of the chosen repeater could have joined us as well. 
 
 One to many is only one way to communicate over EchoLink. One to one is also possible. I once spent over an hour chatting with a new ham living in Washington State, over EchoLink. He hadn’t purchased a radio yet, and I was his first contact. 
 
 Many to many is another option. If you can connect to a repeater with EchoLink capability by radio, you can open a repeater almost anywhere in the world. There, anyone one at either location can chat with each other. The Internet forms the link between the two repeaters, allowing anyone within range of one to talk to anyone within the range of the other. 
 
 One thing about Ham radio -- there is no shortage of different ways to communicate. Each has its merits. Give some thought to getting up to speed on EchoLink. 
 
 Bill KI4ZMV 
 
 PS if you are an EchoLink expert, please let me know. 
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