Using Echolink from your computer (in the absence of a 2M radio or when out of the area)

To access Echolink from the internet you must be a licenced amateur and you will have to download and install the Echolink program, it can be found free of charge here.  You must also confirm your license to Echolink which can be done easily over internet.

All you need to get started are speakers and a microphone connected to your PC although a cheap headset from Maplin will work fine. Remember, PC access can be from anywhere in the world, so Rob GW6STK can tell us how hot it is in Thailand whilst we are digging our cars out of our snow covered driveways!

Once your license has been confirmed, you are free to explore the Echolink system where you will be greeted by an exploded list of worldwide users. Simply click on a users listing to connect to them. You will notice that the list is made up of Conferences, Links, Repeaters and Users. These are as their titles suggest. A conference is 2 or more linked users, a Link is a radio connected to the internet just like this one, a repeater is just that but with an Echolink connection and a User is you!

You will notice that some entries in the list have a number in brackets representing the number of users connected. Those with several connections showing are more likely to yeild a QSO.

When you have made a connection, if you dont hear anyone, never presume that there isn’t anyone monitoring, especially if you have connected to a repeater, just make your call in the normal way.

Remeber to leave 4 seconds between overs and announce your callsign every 15 mins.