TZUTC: -0500   
   MSGID: 421.fidonet-ls_arrl@1:2320/33 28b32e5a   
   PID: Synchronet 3.20a-Win32 master/a59d7d36d Apr 13 2023 MSC 1929   
   TID: SBBSecho 3.20-Win32 master/a59d7d36d Apr 13 2023 MSC 1929   
   BBSID: TBOLT   
   CHRS: ASCII 1   
                       Echolink And QSONet Overview   
                       ============================   
      
     This bulletin describes 2 VoIP Ham Radio modes...Echolink, and QSONet   
   (formerly CQ100).   
      
     Echolink allows amateur radio operators, with the equivalent of a valid   
   U.S. Technician Class license, or higher...to connect to other stations,   
   links, repeaters, or nets around the world...with no additional antennas   
   or equipment requirements; if they're running Echolink in single user mode.   
   All that's needed is a computer, an Internet connection (dial-up will work,   
   but DSL or cable is the best), and running (for Echolink) either:   
      
   1) Microsoft Windows (98 or better), and the Echolink program; OR   
      
   2) Macintosh with the OS X operating system, and the EchoMac program; OR   
      
   3) Linux, and the EchoLinux program.   
      
     If a user is in the local area of an Echolink node, they can use DTMF   
   commands on their rig keypad to access these nodes directly. The Echolink   
   user can also run their system in Sysop Mode...setting up connections   
   between their rig and a computer for a simplex link, or a link to an   
   area repeater. Callsigns with asterisks (*) are Echolink conference   
   servers. Other callsigns are either repeaters (-R suffix), simplex links   
   (-L suffix), or single user stations (no suffix). It's best to search by   
   Echolink node number to find the correct listing.   
      
     The current edition of The ARRL Repeater Directory...available in    
   either the Pocket Sized Edition or the Desktop Edition, has a listing   
   toward the back of Echolink, IRLP, and WIRES-II repeaters.   
      
     The Desktop Edition has a bit larger print than the pocket sized   
   edition, but it's not what I'd call "overly large print"...such as to   
   help those who are visually impaired in some way, such as myself (I'm   
   extremely nearsighted).   
      
     More details are at the Echolink homepage (www.echolink.org); including   
   details on Validation Requirements before you're allowed access to the   
   network. A list of Echolink Nets is at www.wx1der.com/elk.htm -- along   
   with information on it.   
      
     Two articles from past issues of QST, published by The American Radio   
   Relay League (ARRL), provide good reading on Echolink...both of these are   
   available in the Ham Radio files area in PDF format. The first article,   
   from the February, 2003 issue, has an overview on Echolink, eQSO, IRLP,   
   and other Voice Over Internet Protocol modes. The second article, from   
   the April, 2006 issue, tells of a ham radio operator using Echolink in   
   an Omaha, Nebraska hospital...allowing several patients to use "The   
   Echolink Magic Carpet" to talk to ham radio operators around the world...   
   to take some of the loneliness out of their day. You will need the Adobe   
   Acrobat Reader from the Adobe Acrobat Website to view either of these   
   files.   
      
     NOTE: The following information...used by permission...is from page 2-7   
   of the publication VoIP: Internet Linking for Radio Amateurs, published by   
   the American Radio Relay League...which has more information on Echolink,   
   and the other Voice Over Internet Protocol modes of IRLP, eQSO, and   
   WIRES-II.    
      
     Echolink is the creation of Jonathan Taylor, K1RFD...and Echomac is the   
   creation of Steven Palm, N9YTY. EchoMac is based partly on a project called   
   Echolinux, spearheaded by Jeff Pierce, WD4NMQ, which brings an Echolink   
   compatable client to the Linux platform.   
      
     QSONet, formerly CQ100 is a "Virtual Ionosphere For Ham Radio"...and is   
   the creation of Doug McCormack, VE3EFC.   
      
     QSONet uses the internet to receive audio signals from a ham radio   
   transmitting station, then instantly reflects the audio back to all   
   stations listening on that frequency. There is NO RF involved, so there   
   is no RFI to contend with. Everything is done over the internet. The   
   result is a simulated ionosphere for worldwide amateur radio communication.   
   Stations can use voice, CW (Morse Code), PSK, and FSK modulation.   
      
     QSONet works with dial-up, DSL, and cable internet connections. There   
   is no need to configure router ports. The network consists of an array   
   of network servers, which provide streaming VoIP audio between stations.   
   After installing transceiver software, QSONet stations are connected to   
   a central server, by a single outbound TCP connection.   
      
                          What They Have In Common   
                          ========================   
      
     Echolink and QSONet have a few things in common to each other.   
      
   1) Usage is RESTRICTED to licensed amateur radio stations. Proof of ones   
   amateur radio license is required, before access to the system is granted.   
      
   2) On the air, you are expected to:   
      
   a) Identify your callsign frequently. As per FCC rules, this would be   
   once every 10 minutes, and when you sign off.   
      
   b) Always be courteous. Do not use a frequency that's already in use.   
   If you are on a frequency, conference server, etc. to participate in   
   a net, that's fine...nets are meant for several hams to be there at once.   
      
   c) Do not use voice on the CW portions of the bands...although CW can be   
   used on voice, if for instruction in learning Morse Code.   
      
   d) Do not engage in commercial/business activity (no advertising, or   
   communications that would benefit your employer).   
      
   e) Do not transmit music.   
      
     There are several differences with Echolink and CQ100 as follows:   
      
   1) Echolink is FREE to use. QSONet costs $39 US Dollars per year;   
   although licensed hams can get a 90 day free trial. Prices for QSONet   
   may change without notice. Licensed stations on QSONet may use the   
   system for free every Sunday (0000 to 2359 UTC).   
      
   2) Echolink REQUIRES a router setup, or going through a Proxy Server.   
   QSONet does NOT REQUIRE any router or proxy server configuration..   
   which makes it great for "tempermental aircard setups".   
      
   3) Echolink has various nodes (single user, simplex link, repeater, and   
   conference servers). QSONet has "simulated" operations on portions of   
   the 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meter bands.   
      
   4) While RF occurs on Echolink Nodes (unless the connected stations are   
   single user setups), no RF occurs on QSONet.   
      
   5) Echolink will only allow phone or CW transmissions on the frequencies.   
   QSONet can integrate other programs to do digital modes (PSK31, RTTY, CW,   
   etc.), and with an extra program called QSO_TV (available to registered   
   QSONet users), you can exchange pictures like it was amateur television.   
      
   6) Echolink station information is shown on the transmitting station only   
   on the first time they key up after connecting. With QSONet, you can click   
   on the callsign of the transmitting station, and be taken directly to   
   their listing on the QRZ website (www.qrz.com).   
      
   7) Echolink connections may be affected by noise, interference, etc.,   
   which may make the signal difficult to read. With QSONet, there's no such   
   thing as a "noisy signal".   
      
   8) Echolink nodes may limit the number of stations that can connect with   
   their node or conference server. With QSONet, any number of stations can   
   connect to a particular frequency.   
      
   9) Echolink can run on Windows (98 or higher), Mac, or Linux systems.   
   QSONet only works on Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, or 8. Some note that   
   with Windows 7 and 8, you need to use the Windows volume controls instead   
   of the transceiver knobs. If CQ100 and QSOTV will not run at all, the   
   problem is likely with your anti-virus software. Try to avoid using   
   products from Norton/Symantec, Kaspersky, or McAfee. It's recommended   
   to use ESET Nod32, or Microsoft Security Essentials...and just get the   
   anti-virus alone, without the full security package. The latter tend to   
   cripple Windows from doing what it was meant to do, and cause more   
   problems than they solve.   
      
   10 Echolink doesn't tell you at a glance if someone is on a particular   
   node (unless that node is shown as BUSY). QSONet has a spectrum graph,   
   which shows radio activity within a settable sweep range of 50, 100, 200   
   and 500 kHz.   
      
   11) Echolink requires you to observe Third Party Traffic and Reciprocal   
   Operating Agreements. QSONet does not, since no actual RF occurs.   
   --- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32   
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (1:2320/33)   
   SEEN-BY: 1/123 15/0 90/1 105/81 106/201 116/17 18 123/10 131 153/7715   
   SEEN-BY: 154/10 30 40 50 700 218/700 840 220/70 90 221/6 226/17 18   
   SEEN-BY: 226/30 227/114 229/110 112 113 206 307 317 426 428 470 664   
   SEEN-BY: 229/700 266/512 267/800 282/1038 301/1 317/3 320/219 322/757   
   SEEN-BY: 342/200 396/45 460/58 633/267 280 712/133 620 848 770/1 100   
   SEEN-BY: 770/340 772/210 220 230 2320/0 33 105 304 401 3634/12   
   PATH: 2320/33 105 154/10 221/6 218/840 770/1 712/848 229/426