ORANGE COUNTY
AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

Echolink is a great system for communications between Amateurs. It combines VoIP technology combined with RF Gateways to link repeaters, simplex links and users. Those are the three types of EchoLink setups. You don't need a computer for the repeater and simplex type links. In these two types the computer is provided for you at the link site. For these two types all you need is a trasceiver (mobile, base, or handheld) with a DTMF keypad.

Node Numbers work just about like dialing your home phone number to get someone on the other end. The KB9OHY-R node number is 16002 so if your buddy in Hong Kong wants to have a QSO with you all he has to do is enter the numbers 16002 into the link that he is using and it will connect to the KB9OHY-R link. The same thing applies to you making a connection to him, all you need to know is the node number that he is listening to. Just key up the repeater, press the correct numbers on your keypad and wait for the connection to be confirmed. Remember that you can connect to any of the three types of setups, repeaters, simplex links, and PC users. Also remember that there is a small delay in the system even on the fastest of connections, but not that noticable once you get used to using EchoLink.

If you want to know who is connected to EchoLink right now you can view the Current Logins web page on the EchoLink Website.

When you hit the 08 command if there is no active connection to any nodes the computer will say 'not connected', this doesn't mean the EchoLink is not on, just that it's not connected to any links. When the EchoLink is not on you will hear NOTHING from the DTMF codes.

At present we are still in the test stages and the link will not be on 24/7 just yet. If it's not on and you want to play, OR if you need any help just call for Larry WB9FHP on the repeater and he can get you going.