Echolink
Author: John Noden – G8IOK
January 2008
What is it?
• Network of computer terminals (via the
Internet), repeaters and stations
• Over the air it uses standard voice plus
DTMF (phone) tones to control the
repeaters.
• On the Internet it uses ‘voice over IP’
(VOIP)
Terminal to Terminal
• This uses VOIP just like Skype
• Unlike Skype it can only be used licensed
Radio Amateurs
• Although long range communication is
possible I do not consider it DX as there is
no skill in it
Terminal to repeater/station
• This is Amateur Radio because one leg is
being transmitted
• Repeaters are simplex
– When the transceiver is in receive mode then
the audio is repeated over the Internet to the
attached terminals
– In transmit the audio from a terminal is
transmitted via the repeater
Station to Repeater to Repeater to
Station
• In this mode one repeater is in receive
whilst the other(s) are in transmit
• The receiving repeater is being controlled
by the remote station
• The remote stations are listening either to
the repeater input, via the remote
repeater(s) or as terminals on the Internet
Station to Station to Repeater
• The repeater being simplex can ‘listen’ and
relay a conversation that is occurring on
the input side.
• The two station must appreciate that the
repeater does not hear two stations but
just a single input so care must be taken
about time-outs.
Conference – Single Repeater
• One or more stations to a single repeater
with one or more Echolink terminal
• This is what I am experimenting with for
potential Club Net
• Allows normal ‘on air’ net for those local to
Echolink repeater
• Remote users communicate via Echolink
terminal
Conference – Multiple Repeaters
• Echolink repeaters are joined together
• 2 or more repeaters
• Allows larger coverage of ‘on air’ net
• Those remote from all repeaters may still
use Echolink terminals
The Echolink Server
• The Echolink server monitors the status of
the repeaters and the terminals.
• Logging into Echolink really means that
you are logging into the server.
• From here you connect to repeaters or
join a net.
• Networks can involve multiple repeaters
Topology
How do I control a repeater
• From a computer
– You can open up a remote repeater and call
CQ.
• Via a transceiver using DTMF
– This will allow you to open up a remote
repeater and call CQ
– You can randomly select a remote repeater
and call CQ from that
How do I join in?
• You need to register with the European Echolink
repeater.
– You will need to provide proof of license e.g. a PDF
copy emailed to them
– Once registered you will be able to converse with
other users.
– Don’t register as a repeater unless you intend to run
one (you can always change it later if need be).
• It’s free.
