Echo LinkEchoLink®
software allows licensed Amateur Radio stations to communicate with one
another over the Internet, using voice-over-IP (VoIP) technology. The
program allows worldwide connections to be made between stations, or from
computer to station, greatly enhancing Amateur Radio's communications
capabilities.
There are several different ways amateur operators can use the EchoLink®
software. They can set up a "simplex link" in their shack, with a VHF or
UHF transceiver connected to their PC, to allow anyone in range of their
station (or a nearby repeater) to communicate by voice with any other
similarly-equipped station around the world.
Or, they can use the PC's microphone and speakers and remotely connect
to any of more than 3,000 different repeaters, simplex stations, or other
PC users who have EchoLink capability.
In System Operator (sysop) mode, EchoLink connects to a conventional FM
transceiver using either the custom-designed linking interface boards or
general-purpose digital-mode interfaces. Hams can even build their own
interface from junk-box parts. The board connects the computer's sound
card and serial port.
Local gateways