Amateur Radio Communications Via the Internet.  
 
 

 

 
  I Hold 6 Nov's (Notice of Variation) on Echolink and eQSO, 144.825, 50.540, 430.1625, 29.530, 70.4125 and 1299.850 (GB3BK-R), except for 29.530 and 70.4125 there is no
  CTCSS, all other links use CTCSS 103.5 for access., to email me a signal report click RF Reports
   
  All link radios, software, interfaces have a maximum key down time of 4 minutes, inactivity timeout is set to 1 minute.
   
  Tip: RF users using any of the links please set your Radio to narrow deviation (NFM), if your Radio does not have NFM then taking the microphone away from your mouth slightly will certainly reduce the chances of over deviating any of the Rf gateways.
   
  How to use Internet Gateways you will need Acrobat Reader (PDF) you can get it Here or Click Here to read the article.
   
 
 
 About Echolink.
   
 

EchoLink® 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 more than 170,000 registered users in 158 nations worldwide!, Echolink is offered free of charge to licensed Amateur Radio operators worldwide. Please note that you must hold a valid Amateur Radio license in order to use EchoLink.

   
 

   
  Basic Operation
  This section describes how to use the basic functions of EchoLink from your Computer.
   
  Callsign Validation
  If you have never used EchoLink before, the callsign you entered will need to be validated by the system before you will be able to access it. This process may take several minutes or several hours, since each call is individually validated by hand. During this time, the Station List area of the screen will be blank, or may display a message indicating that your callsign is being validated. Once validation is complete, you will see the list of stations appear in the Station List area, and you can proceed to use EchoLink.
   
  For more information about guidelines for callsign validation, see the Support section of the EchoLink Web site.
   
  Connecting to a Station
  To connect to another station, find the station's callsign in the Station List. Use the tabs at the bottom to select either Index View or Explorer View, depending on your preference. Once you've located the station you're looking for, double-click on the station's callsign to connect to it. After a few seconds, you should see the station's callsign and name appear near the bottom of the screen, and you should hear the "connected" signal. You are now in direct contact with the other station and you can begin conversing. If, after about 30 seconds, you see the message "Cannot connect" instead of "Connected", it means that the attempt to connect to the other station failed. This can happen for several reasons. The other station may have already established a contact with someone else, or may have just logged off the system. Another possibility is that a network "firewall" problem is preventing your PC from receiving data from the remote station. If you suspect this might be the case, see Firewall Issues for more information. You may also be able to find solutions in the Support section of the EchoLink Web site.
   
  Speaking Back and Forth
  Once you're connected, you can converse with the remote station as in an ordinary QSO. The space bar works as a locking "push-to-talk" switch. Tap the spacebar once to begin "transmitting", tap it again to stop (don't hold it down). A red TX indicator appears on the screen whenever EchoLink is "transmitting", that is, sending audio over the Internet to the connected station. If you prefer, you can click the "lightning bolt" icon near the upper left corner of the screen, instead of using the spacebar. You can also change the software so that the spacebar is held down to transmit and released to receive, more like a push-to-talk switch. See Preferences for details. You can switch to Transmit only when the other station is not already transmitting. When the other station is transmitting, the letters RX appear in the status bar at the bottom right, and the sound-level meter moves from left to right to show incoming sound. If you see that the other station is speaking, but you do not hear audio from your PC speakers, you may need to increase the volume on your sound device. Click the loudspeaker icon near the bottom right-hand corner of your Windows screen to adjust. Also, be sure the volume knob on your speakers is turned up. While transmitting, speak into the microphone and watch the sound-level meter at the bottom-center of the EchoLink screen. The meter moves farther to the right as the sound gets louder. For best results, adjust your Windows Recording Volume settings so that the meter moves vigorously, but does not reach full-scale except on peaks.
   
  Chat
  If the other station is also sitting in front of his PC (rather than communicating over a radio link), you can "chat" while connected by typing messages back and forth. Type a brief message in the box near the bottom-right corner of the screen and click Send. The message you sent, and any response you might receive, appear in the Chat window just above it. Note that you can send a Chat message even while the other station is transmitting.
   
  Disconnecting
  Once your conversation is finished, click on the red "broken link" icon near the top of the screen to disconnect. You should hear the "Disconnected" signal, and see the message "Not connected" near the bottom of the screen.
   
 

   
 

MB7IBR-L, G0WYG-L, Qth is Bromley Kent. Echolink is on 430.1625 use CTCSS 103.5 for access. Echolink is also on 29.530 no CTCSS required. eQSO on 144.825 & 50.540 use CTCSS 103.5 for access, 70.4125 no CTCSS required. All links have a Key-down timeout of 4 Minutes, dead-carrier and Inactivity timeouts set to 1 Minute. 73 Dave www.wiggyweb.co.uk

   
 

How to use the DTMF functions, from RF to Internet.

   
 
Command Description Default
Connect Connects to a station on the Internet, based on its node number. num
Connect by Call Connects to a station on the Internet, based on its callsign. C+call+#
Random Node Selects an available node (of any type) at random, and tries to connect to it. 00
Random Link Selects an available link or repeater (-L or -R) at random, and tries to connect to it. 01
Random Conf Selects a conference server at random, and tries to connect to it. 02
Random User Selects an available single-user station at random, and tries to connect to it. 03
RandomFavNode Selects an available node (of any type) at random from the Favorites List, and tries to connect to it. 001
RandomFavLink Selects an available link or repeater (-L or -R) at random from the Favorites List, and tries to connect to it. 011
RandomFavConf Selects a conference server at random from the Favorites List, and tries to connect to it. 021
RandomFavUser Selects an available single-user station at random, and tries to connect to it. 031
Disconnect Disconnects the station that is currently connected.  If more than one station is connected, disconnects only the most-recently-connected station. #
Disconnect All Disconnects all stations. ##
Reconnect Re-connects to the station that most recently disconnected. 09
Status Announces the callsign of each station currently connected. 08
Link Down Disables EchoLink (no connections can be established). (none)
Link Up Enables EchoLink. (none)
Play Info Plays a brief ID message. *
Query by Call Looks up a station by its callsign, and reads back its node number and status. 07+call+#
Query by Node Looks up a station by its node number, and reads back its callsign and status. 06+num
Profile Select Switches to a different stored set of configuration settings (0 through 9). B#+num
Listen-Only On Inhibits transmission from RF to the Internet. 0511
Listen-Only Off Restores normal transmission from RF to the Internet. 0510
   
 

EchoLink® software is offered free of charge to licensed Amateur Radio operators worldwide, for Amateur Radio use only. Please note that you must hold a valid Amateur Radio license in order to use EchoLink.

   
 
See who's logged on to the system, Go to All Current Logins, Conference Servers, Links, Users.
   
  Windows Vista EchoLink has been tested for compatibility with all versions of Microsoft Windows Vista, the newest edition of the Windows operating system. If you are running EchoLink on Vista, please be sure you have installed the latest version of EchoLink (2.0 or above).
   
  Take a Tour or see who is on the Echolink system right now click Here
   
  Download the Echolink user Guide you will need Acrobat Reader (PDF) you can get it Here if already installed click Here
   
  EchoLink Trouble-shooter If you're having trouble getting EchoLink to work correctly, the EchoLink Trouble-shooter utility may help. The Trouble-shooter helps solve the two most common problems that new EchoLink users might encounter, Cannot connect to other stations (firewall/router issues), and Problems with audio (sound card settings).
   
  EchoLink and Windows XP SP2 For computers running Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft will soon provide an update known as Service Pack 2, or SP2. SP2 has some important new security features.  However, to use EchoLink with SP2, you will probably need to make adjustments to the Windows security settings, click the link for further information.
   
  Echolink Vanity Node Numbers are now available! This is a great way to get a short, easy-to-remember ID for your node, and to help support EchoLink. Most of the daily costs of running the EchoLink system are offset by the Vanity Node Numbers program.
   
  Echolink Proxy Is a peer-to-peer system, by design. This means that when your node is connected to another node over the Internet, the voice and text signals are sent directly from one node to the other, rather than going through some central server. This helps ensure that the system is scalable and reliable.
   
 

   
  EchoLink Proxy List The following "public" EchoLink Proxy servers have reported their status within the last 10 minutes. The owners of each of the following servers have indicated (in their proxy configuration file) that they welcome any registered EchoLink user to use their EchoLink Proxy. These are shared resources; please be considerate and use them sparingly.
   
  Echolink proxy lookup Operators of EchoLink Proxy servers have the option of registering their server with this Web site, as a way to track the server's public IP address, which may change from time to time. If you have configured your Proxy server for automatic registration, use this page to discover your proxy server's current IP address. You will need to know the RegistrationName that appears in your ELProxy.conf configuration file.
   
  Google Earth is a desktop application that provides detailed views of the Earth's surface by combining a variety of data sources, such as maps and satellite images. If you have installed this program on your computer, you can also use it to view the location of many active EchoLink nodes.The Link Status page now offers an option to view the location of all active EchoLink nodes using the Google Earth software. If your -L/-R node doesn't yet appear on the Link Status page, be sure to enter the lat/lon information in the EchoLink software on the RF Info tab of under Tools->Sysop Settings, for Help and FAQ go Here
   
  Echolink News Catch up with all the latest news.
   
  This group is for users of Echolink, to subscribe to this group click on the logo.
   
 
The book contains plenty of detailed information about EchoLink and other VoIP systems, and answers many of the most frequently-asked questions about Internet linking. It's also a great way to help support EchoLink, since a portion of the author's proceeds from the book go directly to the costs of operating the EchoLink system.
 
For details, Click Here
 
Click Here to read the reviews.
 
   
 
 Echolink Add-ons.
   
  Echostation Is a repeater-control program for Windows which makes it easy to set up a complete, fully-functional repeater or "announcement machine" using a personal computer. The software even lets you set up an "announcement machine" which plays scheduled voice announcements over your club's existing repeater, using a radio at another location, such as a home station. Echostation is perfect for portable and emergency use, or for clubs wishing to use a PC instead of specialized hardware to control a repeater. It also makes an excellent "store and forward" simplex repeater when connected to a single transceiver.
   
  EchoAnswer Automatically answers EchoLink calls when you can’t. It lets the person calling, leave a message for you. It has both Answer-Record and Announce Only modes. You can customize it with your own personal outgoing voice messages. EchoAnswer, Freeware Version, will store up to five incoming messages.
   
  EchoTime TTS (Text to Speech) is a free program that works with EchoLink by to provide extra functions for an EchoLink node.
   
  EchoCell Is a program that provides you with THE FINAL solution for your EchoLink communications needs. Tired of dragging that clunky HT around when that little flip phone fits so nicely in your shirt pocket? Toss that HT, you won't be needing that thing any more!
   
  EchoButtons Is a program that provides you with forty "Buddy Buttons" for quick and easy connections thru EchoLink. No more scrolling thru the list looking for the station you normally connect to.
   
  Echo Tone This is a Free courtesy tone system for Echolink, the system will send the required tone as the Transmit or receive event completes. The Morse code character used is only transmitted to the RF side of a line even if you have vox enabled.
   
  Echolink DTMF This is a small dialler program which allows you to generate DTMF tones with your PC for use with the RF side of EchoLink
   
  EchoAddons.com Collection of EchoLink Add-Ons That can be use with the K1RFD EchoLink® Program.
 
 
 Echolink hardware used on 430.1625 MHz with CTCSS 103.5.
 

 

 
Icom IC-449E, vertical Tri-Bander base station aerial for 6m/2m/70cm.
   
 
ULI interface by WB2REM & G4CDY.
 
 
 Echolink hardware used on 29.530 MHz no CTCSS.
   
 
Radio Shack HTX-10, vertical Solarcon A99.
   
 
ULI interface by WB2REM & G4CDY.
 
 
 About eQSO.
   
 

   
  The eQSO system uses the Internet and a number of servers to provide a voice communication link between RF gateways and PC users. The system was developed by Paul M0ZPD and is intended specifically for use by Radio Amateurs, eQSO is a client / server software program designed by Amateur Radio enthusiasts for linking Amateur Radio RF gateways and repeaters via the Internet, the software may be used by licensed Amateur Radio operators and Short Wave Listeners provided the rules are followed.
   
  eQSO has now moved to a full registered system, you will need to download the new version of the software. To apply for registration go Here or to download the software click Here
 
 
 My links runs on its own server.
   
   All my eQSO RF gateways are now operated from within its own server this is Crossed linked to 101 English, as with echolink you can only connect once from the same IP number but you can connect twice if you have multiple IP’s numbers or like me use a echolink proxy but most public proxy links have a time limit to get round this a mate has allowed me to install a dedicated computer at his shop this is so I connect to echolink twice with G0WYG-L and MB7IBR-L these now run 24/7, getting back to eQSO this is similar problem running 2 gateways or more from a single IP number, eQSO will allow you to connect more than once but you have to use different callsigns for example G0WYG-L and MB7IBR-L if you use the same callsign G0WYG-L and G0WYG-L in the same room 101 English this will cause everyone's screen to flicker, if seen by Admin your link stands a good chance of getting muted or kicked of the system. I had to find a way round this because I had 4 links in 101 English 3 RF links and a RF dummy link (the dummy link was so I could join in the QSO), what I found was when the server fell over I had to basically restart my links which run 24/7 and I am not always about when this happens, so I started looking for ways to stay connect to 101 English a way round this was to run my own server which is gb3bk.no-ip.org, my server would then have all my RF links connected and from there connect back to 101 English. I first tried linking both 101 English and gb3bk.no-ip.org via RF this was some what successful but it was tying up extra hardware 2 radios, 2 interfaces and 2 dummy loads this was not as good as I would have liked as there was quite a delay between the 2 servers, my second attempt was a little more successful I tried linking 2 computers each running a copy of eQSO gateway via the sound cards microphone < to > speaker on computer 1 then speaker < to > microphone on computer 2, this work slightly better than RF but again I still wasn’t happy, my third attempt is how I have it running now and does work without hiccups (well so far) no RF links or interfaces needed its the same idea with linking sound cards but this time running 2 copies of eQSO gateway on the same computer with 2 sound cards installed this connects the same way sound card to sound card, 1 copy of eQSO sits in 101 English and the second copy sits in my server gb3bk.no-ip.org so anything heard in 101 English get transferred via sound card in to my server then over the RF links and anything heard on my RF links gets transmitted back via the sound card to 101 English, for rig keying I use VOX and every other box is unchecked no need for any other boxes to be ticked as both copies of eQSO are dummy connections, I am now happy knowing that if 101 English does fall over my links will stay running then automatically re-connects when it comes back on line, for the time being gb3bk.no-ip.org is password protected, the image below shows gb3bk server and 101 English crossed linked.
   
 

   
  eQSO Gateway list, to add your gateway or find out Who's Online\Offline go Here
   
  This group is for users of eQSO, to subscribe to this group click on the logo.
   
 
eQSO is a voluntary organization. It relies on generous donations of time, money and equipment to operate. Without the donation eQSO as we know it could simply not exist.
 
 
 eQSO hardware used on 144.825 MHz with CTCSS 103.5.
   
 
Alinco DR-130E, vertical Tri-Bander aerial for 6m/2m/70cm.
   
 
ULI interface by WB2REM & G4CDY.
 
 
 eQSO hardware used on 70.4125 MHz with CTCSS 103.5.
   
 
Tait 2010,vertical Sirio CX 4-68.
   
 
ULI interface by WB2REM & G4CDY.
 
 
 eQSO hardware used on 50.540 MHz with CTCSS 103.5.
   
 
Alinco DR-M06TH, vertical Tri-Bander aerial for 6m/2m/70cm.
   
 
ULI interface by WB2REM & G4CDY.
 
 
 eQSO hardware used on GB3BK 1299.850 MHz with CTCSS 103.5.
   
 
Icom ICRP-1210, 1.2 GHz Amateur Repeater 10 Watts in to a Diamond X-5000 Tri-Bander aerial for 2/70/23, with LDF-450.
   
 
ULI interface by WB2REM & G4CDY.
 
 
 About GB3BK.
   
  The history of GB3BK started in September 2006 when 2 enthusiasts G0TOD (Todd) and M1DMN (Bob) were looking to get a new 23cm voice repeater to go on air in or around London/Kent boarders, they finally ended up banging on my front door asking if I was interested in housing the repeater at my home QTH, they didn't have to ask me twice I jumped at the chance to help and to give my support in any way I can. When the first application was applied for there were some mixed feelings the biggest being would it get approved or rejected by the CAA (Civil aviation authority), well it did get rejected by the CAA so we started to look at other possibilities maybe a 3 meg split repeater but this didn't seem feasible the question was would the cavities tune with the odd split there was some doubt, we then looked at maybe a parrot box as the last resort, not wanting to be defeated or give up it was then someone suggested we apply again this time for another frequency but further up the band, it took just over a year to get the application though once it was approved, our thanks go to Dave G7UZN who tuned the repeater with the new crystal, retuning the cavities to the new frequency and installing the logic, TX is 10 Watts in to a Diamond X-5000 Tri-Bander aerial for 2/70/23.
   
  It has taken all involved some time to get GB3BK on air but its been worth the wait, maybe its opened doors for any others or groups who have been rejected in the past and want to re-apply for a 23cm Voice repeater further up the band.
   
  GB3BK finally come on air on Sunday the 6th January 2008, All reports and feedback are welcomed click Here
   
 
Callsign Channel Band Input Output Qthr Location CTCSS
GB3BK RM0A 23cm 1293.850 1299.850 JO01AK Bromley Kent (G) 103.5
   
  With only a few 23cm repeaters doted around the UK, GB3BK is the first 23cm Voice repeater to be found in London and within the M25 Motorway.
   
 

Channel

Repeater Out

Repeater In

RM0

1297.000 MHz

1291.000 MHz

RM1

1297.025 MHz

1291.025 MHz

RM2

1297.050 MHz

1291.050 MHz

RM3

1297.075 MHz

1291.075 MHz

RM4

1297.100 MHz

1291.100 MHz

RM5

1297.125 MHz

1291.125 MHz

RM6

1297.150 MHz

1291.150 MHz

RM7

1297.175 MHz

1291.175 MHz

RM8

1297.200 MHz

1291.200 MHz

RM9

1297.225 MHz

1291.225 MHz

 RM10

1297.250 MHz

1291.250 MHz

 RM11

1297.275 MHz

1291.275 MHz

 RM12

1297.300 MHz

1291.300 MHz

 RM13

1297.325 MHz

1291.325 MHz

 RM14

1297.350 MHz

1291.350 MHz

   RM14A

1297.350 MHz

1277.350 MHz

 RM15

1297.375 MHz

1291.375 MHz

 RM0A

1299.850 MHz

1293.850 MHz

23cm coverage map or 23cm locations map

   
 
Join the 23cms_fm_group, To subscribe click on the logo.
   
 
The contours represent 20dBµV/m (green), and 30dBµV/m (blue) for a receiving antenna of 12dB gain at 1.5 metres above ground level. As is the case with all radio amateur situations, reception may be obtained by the use of improved gain and favourable locations, Click on map to expand.
   
 
Icom ICRP-1210, 1.2 GHz Amateur Repeater 10 Watts in to a Diamond X-5000 Tri-Bander aerial for 2/70/23, with LDF-450.
   
 
Zetron Model 38 is an advanced repeater panel that is capable of handling 50 CTCSS tones and 110 DCS codes simultaneously. Its ability to accommodate up to 160 user groups makes it ideal for scan-based trunking applications, Spec-sheet.
   
 
Vari-Notch cavities manufactured by TX RX Systems Inc
 
 
 RF Reports.
   
 
Rf reports are always welcomed, please select a Link.
   
 
All Gateways, an NOV that's been issued does not mean it's active.

   
 
 What keeps it all running.
   
 
All radio links and interfaces are powered by a 60 amp PSU.
   
 
BT-2700HGV, This wireless ADSL modem/router is so trustworthy that BT send it out with their expensive business package. It is a wireless base station for the home or small office network that comes with a built-in ADSL modem, and also with 4 10/100 Ethernet networking ports, providing flexibility and compatibility!
   
 
Netgear GS608 Gigabit 10\100\1000 Power for the Home, for a high-speed network on a small scale, these fast, easy, and affordable Gigabit switches gives your home network the maximum capacity to handle huge bandwidth.
   
 
The Belkin Gigabit 10\100\1000 Desktop Network PCI Card lets you easily upgrade your desktop computer to full gigabit speeds. It's backward-compatible with your existing 10/100 network.
   
 
 Two-Way Radio in Motor Vehicles.
   
  The use of 2-way radio equipment (unless the device can also be used as a phone) when driving is not included in the new offence. It must be remembered that there is still a risk of distraction and prosecution under other laws should an accident occur.
   
  If stopped by the police for operating mobile amateur radio, the reference to quote is:
   
  The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No.4) Regulations 2003 Statutory Instrument 2003 No 2695. This lays out clearly the exemptions under the new law. Statutory Instrument No. 2695 can be viewed Here
 

 

 
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