Initial Setup
The first time you run EchoLink after installing it, the Setup Wizard
will appear to step you through the basic setup. The Setup Wizard
gathers enough information about your system to get you started using
EchoLink. Each screen of the Setup Wizard is described in detail
below.
Mode
The first choice you will need to make is whether you want to run
EchoLink in User mode or Sysop mode.
User Mode
Choose User mode if you expect to use your PC to connect to other
EchoLink stations over the Internet, using your PC's microphone and
speaker to communicate. This option is appropriate if you do not
expect to connect radio equipment to your PC to operate a repeater or
link node.
Sysop Mode
Choose Sysop mode if you have connected (or intend to connect) a
transceiver to your PC, in order to make your rig accessible to other
EchoLink users connecting over the Internet. This mode generally
requires a special hardware interface between your PC and your
transceiver. For more information, see Interfacing
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Customize
You will be asked what type of Internet connection you plan to use.
Certain EchoLink settings will be adjusted depending on whether you are
using a "slow" Internet connection (a dial-up Internet
service, for example), or a "fast" one. Choose the
option which best describes the type of connection you have.
Interface
If you selected Sysop mode, you'll be asked to indicate which type of
interface board you are using, and which COM port it is connected to.
The list of COM ports shows COM1 through COM8, although not all 8 ports
may be installed on your machine. Be sure to select the correct
port, and verify that the port is not already in use by another
application.
For more information about the types of interfaces EchoLink supports,
see Interfacing.
Import
If you have previously used iLINK on the same computer, the Setup
Wizard offers you the option of setting up EchoLink the same way by
"importing" your iLINK settings. Unless you have a
specific reason to begin with different settings, choose the
"Import these settings" option. You can always make
changes later.
Settings
If you have not previously used iLINK, or chose not to import the
original settings, you'll be asked to enter some information about your
station.
Callsign: Set the callsign exactly as you
wish to be registered with EchoLink. If you have already
registered, use the same callsign you used previously. The
callsign must be at least 3 characters long and may not contain spaces
or punctuation, except as part of an -L or -R suffix.
If you are planning to run in Sysop mode, put an -L or -R at the
end of your call to indicate a "repeater" or
"link", respectively (for example, K1RFD-L). Generally
speaking, -L denotes a simplex link, whereas -R indicates that the
link is tuned to the frequency pair of a local repeater.
If you are expecting to run in User mode, do not use a suffix after
your callsign.
Password: If you had used EchoLink previously,
type your original password here. Otherwise, select a password
you can easily remember, and it will be assigned to you as you
register.
Name: Enter your name here. This name
will appear on the other station's screen when you establish a
contact.
Location: Enter the location of your
station, or a description of its function. This will appear in
the list of available users. Examples: "Ridgefield,
CT", or "Link to W2ABC/R, NYC".
Email Addr: Enter your e-mail address
(optional). This information will be sent when a station you
contact requests it, or when EchoLink Support needs to contact you.
Region
You will be asked to indicate in which general region of the world
you are located. This information is used to select the nearest
set of "addressing servers" for EchoLink to use. All
servers carry the same set of information, so this choice is not
particularly critical, but may yield slightly faster refreshes of the
Station List.