EchoLink Information

Link Time & Schedule

The KB9TMP-L link is enabled (on-line) from 6 am to 11 pm Eastern time 7 days a week. On weekdays from 6 am to 3 pm the link does not accept conference links. On Sunday nights at 7:30 pm local time, I have the link connected to the KB9OHY repeater link located in Paoli IN for the Orange County Amateur Radio Club's Sunday Night Net.

Getting Started

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

Node Numbers work like dialing a phone number to get someone on the other end. The KB9TMP-L node number is 7492 so if your buddy in Carjackistan wants to have a QSO with you all he has to do is enter the numbers 7492 into the link that he is using and it will connect to the KB9TMP-L 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 your radio, 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.

Is It Working? Is Anybody There?

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

To access the link you will need your radio set at 145.720 MHz with a PL of 136.5 Hz. I have the timeout timer (TOT) set to 5 minutes (2 minutes weekdays 6am - 3pm) and 1 minute for a 'dead key'. If your connection gets dropped because the other ham is long winded or fogets to stop transmitting, just reconnect (by pressing 09) and keep on going. If you forget what the buttons do, pressing star, eight, eight, (*88) plays the ON AIR help from the computer.    ( see list below )

Where Is It Located?

The KB9TMP-L link is located on the east side of Bedford IN, near Lincoln Elementary School. The links operating area is approximately 10 to 12 miles as can be seen on the map below.

KB9TMP-L Control Codes

DTMF Code
ACTION
USED FOR:
"*"(star)
Info Play
To Hear KB9TMP's Link & Contact Information
"#"(pound sign)
Disconnect
To End Present Connection
"##"(pound sign)x2
Disconnect All
To End All Present Connections
0511
Listen Only ON
For Listen Only
0510
Listen Only Off
Shut Down "Listen Only" Mode
06+Node Number
Query By Node#
To Find Out Status Of Selected Node
07+call+#
Query By Callsign
Looks up a node by callsign, and reads back its node number and status.
(See directions below)
00
Random Node
Selects an available node (of any type) at random
01
Random Link
Selects an available link or repeater at random
02
Random Conference
Selects a conference server at random
03
Random User
Selects an available single-user (PC) at random
09
Reconnect
To Connect To "Last" Connection
08
Link Status
To Check If KB9TMP-L is Connected to another Node
77*
Link Status
To Announce All Presently Connected To KB9TMP-L List
number
Connect By Node #
Connects to the node number entered.
C+call+#
Connect By Call
Connects by using a callsign.
(See directions below)
"*88" (star 8 8)
Help Play
To Hear On Air Help
(Will Also Work As 88*)
9999
"ECHOTEST"
Records And Plays Back Your Audio So You Can Hear Yourself....Use It Anytime+
+
(Will Not Connect M-F 6am - 3pm Due To No Conference Connections)
"**"(star star)
Info Play
To Hear Time
 
Favorite Node Shortcuts
DTMF Code
ACTION
Destination
A1
Connects to
W9QYQ-R node number 28268
A2
Connects to
N9UMJ-R node number 338340
A3
Connects to
K9IU-L node number 500717
A4
Connects to
*DODROPIN* node number 355800
A5
Connects to
*ECHOTEST* node number 9999
A6
Connects to
KB9OHY-R node number 16002

Entering Node Numbers

To enter a node number (for the Connect or Query by Node commands), enter the 4-, 5-, or 6-digit node number.  If the specified node is not among the stations currently logged on, EchoLink will say "NOT FOUND".

Examples

  • To connect to node number 9999:

Enter:  9 9 9 9

EchoLink responds with:

"CONNECTING TO CONFERENCE E-C-H-O-T-E-S-T"

followed by

"CONNECTED"

because 9999 is the node number of conference server "*ECHOTEST*".

  • To get the status of K1RFD:

Enter:  0 6 1 3 6 4 4 #

EchoLink responds with:

"K-1-R-F-D BUSY"

because 13644 is the node number of station K1RFD, and K1RFD is currently busy.

  • To connect to a random link or repeater:

Enter: 0 1

EchoLink responds with:

"CONNECTING TO K-B-9-O-H-Y REPEATER"

followed by

"CONNECTED"

because KB9OHY-R was selected at random.

 

Entering Callsigns

To enter a callsign (for the Connect by Call or Query by Call commands), press two digits for each letter and number in the callsign.  The first digit is the key on which the letter appears (using 1 for Q and Z), and the second digit is 1, 2, or 3, to indicate which letter is being entered.  To enter a digit, press the digit followed by 0.  When finished, end with the pound key (#).

For example, the letter "K" is entered as "52", the letter "Q" is entered as "11", and the digit "7" is entered as "70".

Callsigns need not be entered in full.  If a partial callsign is entered, EchoLink will find the first match among the stations currently logged on.  If no match is found among the stations currently logged on, EchoLink will say "NOT FOUND".

Example "Echolink" QSO

Tune your 2 meter rig to 145.72 MHz with a PL of 136.5 hz.

Listen to see if no other activity is going on.

Give your Call, Then Press "*" or "08" to check status of Link.

Press Number of connection (i.e."16002")Listen for Link to Tell You If Connection is Completed. Sometimes the link does not inform you when it's connected. If you don't hear anything after a minute or so press "08" again to check status of Link. If it connected it will tell you so this time for sure.

Listen For "Traffic" at the other end, then call CQ or party you know might be there. Then Listen For Response.

If Contact is Made Have Fun and ID as Normal.

After QSO is Over Simply ID and Press the "#" key to Disconnect

Use the KB9TMP-L As Much As You Like...That's Why It's Here!

And PLEASE..Don't Be Afraid To Join In Other QSO's This Is A "FRIENDLY LINK"!

If you monitor this link and hear someone connect PLEASE respond to their CQ !


Interesting & Unusual Nodes

Node Number

Location of Node

Call

Usual Contacts

86525
Walt Disney World Area
AC0Y-R
Various-Repeater Link
6522
RCA ARC
Indianapolis IN 146.88
W9RCA-R
HT Usable from inside the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
338340
Covers South & Central Indiana
N9UMJ-R
262777
Melbourne, Australia
VK3HGX
Chris
173166
Fairlane, Indiana
KB9RBB
Tom
280157
Ft. McCoy, Florida
N9TUL
Gerald
28640
St. John, Indiana
K9MQ
Mark
156523
Escondido, California
KA6OCA
Gary
244506
Huntingtown, Maryland
N3IDX-R
Various-Repeater
227756
Sydney, Australia
VK2HGK-L
VK2TZA-IVA
196685
Undefined
SV1IXS
Stavros
281815
Elgin, Illinois
WD9CVP
Bill
19255
Floyds Knobs, Indiana
WD9ANK-L
Various 444.200 Repeater
232617
Aniston, Alabama
WD4LTF
Various
206941
Rotorua, New Zealand
ZL1ROT-R
Various repeater
218058
Ft. Myers, Florida
KC9CXE-L
Jon, Also Bryan KI4FMJ
3133
Davidson, Australia
VK2JPT-L
Various Link Node
183501
Toronto, Canada
VA3KKY
Kevin
288300
Tulsa, Oklahoma
KD5GUU-L
John (has daughter here)
61417
Fancy Farm, Kentucky
WA6LDV
Stephen
259003
Rome, Italy
I0HWE
Luigi
232619
Rhonda, Wales
MW0TJD
Tommy
172639
Staunton, Illinois
AB9LM
James
3364
Botany Bay, Australia
VK2IR-L
Various-Open Link
271148
Chaves
CT1EMC
Batista
133507
Hyderabad, India
VU2NRO-R
Various-Repeater Link
2056
Scone, Australia
VK2DOR-L
Various-Open Link
240841
St. Petersburg, Russia
UA1ATI-L
Various-Open Link
69096
Prague
OK1OGA-L
Various-Open Link
138267
Glasgow, Kentucky
KY4X-R
Nightly Repeater Net-All Welcome
8946
Cambridge, England
MB7IGC-L
Various-Open Link
261922
Honley West Yorks, Eng
MB7IHD-L
Various-Open Link
109826
Raleigh, NC
KG4ZWU
Joel
280040
London, England
GB3OK-R
Various Open Repeater
287014
Chenoa, IL
KB9OYG
Douglas
101377
Amateur Satellites
AMSAT
Interesting AMSAT Discussions
274691
Open Chat
WB9TPD
Great General Discussions
321472
NASA ISS Audio Link
NASA
Live Shuttle Transmissions
7075
Florida Network
ORLANDO
Live Shuttle Transmissions
258260
Belleville, IL
K9GXU-R
Various
26304
New Hampshire
KC1LW-L
Various
58676
HF VIA 2 Meter
N8AD-L
Listen to HF
15061
Augusta, ME
W1PIG-R
Various Great Guys!
294988
Hermanus, RSA
ZR1LGM-R
Various South Africa
146175
Florida Treasure Coast
AF4CN-R
Various-Repeater Link
324441
Kissimmee, Florida
AG4AN-R
Various-Repeater Link
237900
Nashville, TN hshrc.org
W4RFR-R
Various-Repeater Link
47525
Niag. Falls, ON 147.525
VE3JWH-L
Various-Simplex Link
45661
Hawaii Comm. College
AH6JA-L
Various
8421
Washington DC Area 146.610
K3GMR-R
Various-Repeater Link
67764
Apache Junction, AZ
K9JQE-L
Various-Link
7052
NEW ORLEANS {{4 Rptrs}}
KB5AVY-R
Various-Repeater Link
112818
Las Vegas, NV 146.790
KB6XN-L
Various-Link
3702
N. Myrtle Beach S.C.
KF4VGX-R
Various-Repeater Link

These are only a few of the thousands of connection possibilities. Use the node number list below for some local regional links.

Local Regional Nodes

INDIANA
Note this is not a complete list.
CALLSIGN
LOCATION / NOTES
NODE #
KB9OHY-R
Paoli IN 147.045
16002
W9RCA-R
Indianapolis IN 146.88
6522
N9UMJ-R
W9WIN Linked Repeater System
338340
K9GPS-R
Lawrenceburg IN 443.875
110888
K9LZJ-R
Greenfield, IN
22784
K9WZ-R
Plymouth, IN
147885
KA9OHV-R
Warsaw, IN
242971
KB9KRI-R
Valparaiso,INChicago,IL
5762
KC9HUS-R
Rensselaer, Indiana
310621
KM9E-R
Indianapolis, IN
2725
N9GPY-R
Culver, IN, USA
240682
N9GVU-R
Mishawaka, IN
238835
N9TZN-R
Mishawaka, IN
241475
W9LY-R
Mich City, IN UHF
193001
W9MYM-R
Terre Haute, IN/Mani
50690
W9RYN-R
Decatur, IN 145.47-Rptr
16145
W9VD-R
Ft Wayne, IN 444.300
37585
WB9TLH-R
Kirksville, In. USA.
247501
KB9IBW-L
Ft. Wayne, In/ARMAD
106819
KB9KHM-L
Pine Village, IN
144480
KB9KWP-L
connersville in.
201064
KB9OVB-L
New Carlisle In
315989
KB9RLW-L
Fort Wayne, IN.
16686
KC9ACU-L
Cedar Lake, Indiana
287805
KC9ERZ-L
Santa Claus, Indiana
317478
KC9EVU-L
Bloomington IN
182624
KC9HZJ-L
SW Indiana 146.45MHz
267644
N9KVX-L
Columbus, IN-146.490
296563
N9NDW-L
Mishawaka, IN
247287
N9TES-L
Cedar Lake, IN.Simplex1
287009
NR9F-L
Mishawaka, In
72766
W9JBM-L
Warsaw, IN USA
38788
W9VD-L
Ft Wayne, IN 147.585
147585
WD9ANK-L
So. Indiana 444.200rpt
19255
WJ2W-L
Charlestown, IN
85628
ILLINOIS
CALLSIGN
LOCATION / NOTES
NODE #
K9HGX-R
Decatur, Il 146.730Mhz
151741
K9KE-R
Godfrey, IL / St. Louis
55580
KA9FER-R
Marseilles, Il. 146.745
299987
KA9SZW-R
Monticello, IL
271200
KC9DEP-R
Kankakee, IL
160716
N9UWE-R
Danville, IL
40849
W9UFF-R
Peoria, IL. 146.76 Mhz
97114
KENTUCKY
CALLSIGN
LOCATION / NOTES
NODE #
AC4VV-R
LOU, KY 147.180 R
23407
K4MSU-R
Murray KY
207370
K4TDO-R
Hazard, KY
219192
KB8QLC-R
444.125 Lexington, ky.
319220
N4KWT-R
Louisville Ky Link
41623
KY4X-R
MCARC Glasgow, KY
138267
OHIO
CALLSIGN
LOCATION / NOTES
NODE #
K8AQ-R
SW Ohio FARA-145.39
128312
K8SCH-R
Hamilton, OH
226046
KB8WLW-R
Cleveland, OH-WIDE AREA
146520
N8EKG-R
Hamilton, Oh 145.15
44515
N8JFA-R
Xenia, Ohio 147.165
210097
W8GUC-R
Vanadalia, OH 444.6625+
296027
WB8SMC-R
Dayton, OH - 147.135+
43988
KK8STA-L
Cincinnati, OH 147.47
93535
W8RLL-L
Cincinnati, Oh 442.7 R
247523
WB8OOI-L
Cincinnati,Oh
204226
KK8STA-L
Cincinnati, OH 147.47
93535


ECHOLINK System Acknowledgements

The "ECHOLINK" system on the internet was developed by Jonathan Taylor, K1RFD. "ECHOLINK" is a registered trademark of Synergenics, LLC. For more information you can go to the "ECHOLINK" website at www.echolink.org

Copyright © KB9TMP - 2009
Last Updated: August 10, 2009