Saratoga County R.A.C.E.S Association, Inc.

     Echolink is software that allows amateur operators around the world to talk to each other via the Internet.   The technology used is called VOIP or Voice over IP.   It will work on Internet access speeds as low as that provided by a dial-up analog line. All you need is a windows computer, sound card, microphone and speakers. 
     Hams can talk computer to computer, computer to repeater, or repeater to repeater.  If you haven't tried it what are you waiting for? 
     Jonathan Taylor, K2RFD developed Echolink from another program he has, Echostation. That program is used to utilize a computer to run a repeater as a controller as a controller system He continues to develop program upgrades for the Echolink system.
     This system was developed for many reasons, the least of which was to allow a backbone link for repeater systems that was reliable and could allow connections out of an area via VHF radio in an emergency.  This is another system to help provide communications.  It also can allow amateurs without the ability to put up an outside antenna system to work the world once again.
     You have 2 options for use of echolink.  One is your personal computer; the other is your VHF radio.  
     For your computer, you will need Internet access, a computer running under Windows 95 or newer, a sounder blaster 16 (or equivalent sound card), a microphone for your computer, finally, the echolink software which is a free download at http://www.echolink.org. 
      For your VHF FM 2 meter radio (in our area) you will need only the operation codes for echolink on the system you intend to use.  
     The following are the access codes for the 147.00 and the 147.36 repeaters.  If changes occur in these codes you will have to check with WZ2D for the 147.00 or N2FEP for the 147.36 repeaters for these changes.








             

○	CONNECT TO A NODE  - ENTER- 5, 5, NODE NUMBER EXAMPLE - 5,5,1,2,3,4
○	FORCE A SYSTEM ID - ENTER -  *, *  SYSTEM WILL ID
○	CHECK SYSTEM STATUS - ENTER – 0,8
○	SYSTEM WILL TELL YOU CONNECTED OR DISCONNECTED
○	DISCONNECTED WHEN DONE - ENTER - # , #
○	SYSTEM WILL DISCONNECT
○	RECONNECT TO LAST STATION  - ENTER - 0 , 9
○	SYSTEM WILL RECONNECT TO LAST STATION
○	CONNECT TO RANDOM NODE - ENTER – 0,0
○	CONNECT TO RANDOM LINK - ENTER - 0,1
○	CONNECT TO RANDOM USER  - ENTER – 0,3
○	NO OTHER CODES WILL FUNCTION ON THESE REPEATERS.