Although Echolink, IRLP, ALLSTARs and ALERTnet are not really Digital modes they do use an internet connection to facilitate the connections.
There are basically 4 ways that most of them function
- Computer to Relay sever over internet only. This is when a computer device (PC, Smartphone, iPOD, Tablet) using just about any OS is connected to the internet with a decent speed. Even dialup will work for some connections. You must use Ham contact protocol for any transmission
- Radio to Repeater or Radio to your QTH and then use DTMF to connect to other distant nodes using the internet connection connected to the radio you are communicating with.
- Repeater to repeater or Node to Node using an internet link between them
- Landline or Cell phone call to a device that will answer and allow DTMF to act as an autopatch and allow the caller to gain access to a radio that it is connected to.
As a user you must be a licensed ham that has been authenticated by the host system. In the Echolink system it is not too tough to get it done. Your registration indicates that you wish to be authenticated and then you follow the manner in which you desire to get access. You are granted access by how you wish to connect. In my case I use my callsign only as I do not yet have my PC connected to my radio.
You can buy devices or build devices that will accommodate the connections. The components are not real elaborate nor expensive. As I said in the other thread I recommend that you do it as it will give you the flexibility to control access to your system and you may wish to reach your system via RF when you are within range.
Since Echolink is what is most common I will address that here in this thread.
Here is a link to the Echolink site:http://echolink.org/The picture on that link has a picture to better explain one types of connections as it is listed above for #2.
Here is a list of DTMF codes you can use for your own setup or if your local repeater has access:http://www.echolink.org/Help/dtmf_functions.htm(You will get a better idea of the features by clicking on the link above)
DTMF Functions
In Sysop mode, EchoLink can be configured to accept commands through the local receiver using DTMF tones (TouchTones). These commands are used to enable or disable the link, or to connect or disconnect a station on the Internet.
Each command consists of a sequence of digits (or the special keys *, #, and A through D). Although a set of default sequences is assigned to each function, any sequence can be customized using the DTMF tab of the Sysop Settings page.
The table below lists each of the DTMF commands.
Note: If you have upgraded from an earlier version of EchoLink, you may need to choose "Reset to Defaults" to make all of the following commands available.
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).
(option)
=
Link Up
Enables EchoLink.
(option)
=
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
=
Connect
The default for the Connect command is to simply enter the 4- 5-, or 6-digit node number to which you wish to connect. To prevent interference with other DTMF functions, however, you may wish to configure a special prefix, such as A or 99.
=
Link Up and Link Down
No defaults are provided for these functions. To enable these functions, enter a DTMF sequence for each one, using the DTMF tab of the Sysop Settings page.
=
Profile Select
Profiles are numbered from 0 to one less than the number of profiles shown under File->Profiles. Profile 0 is always MAIN.
Station Shortcuts
Custom DTMF commands can be created to connect to specific stations. These commands are called Station Shortcuts, and are not shown in the table above. To manage your Station Shortcuts, click the Station Shortcuts button on the DTMF tab of Sysop Settings.
Entering Node Numbers
To enter a node number (for the Connect or Query by Node commands), enter the 4-, 5-, or 6-digit node number. If the specified node is not among the stations currently logged on, EchoLink will say "NOT FOUND".
Entering Callsigns
To enter a callsign (for the Connect by Call or Query by Call commands), press two digits for each letter and number in the callsign. The first digit is the key on which the letter appears (using 1 for Q and Z), and the second digit is 1, 2, or 3, to indicate which letter is being entered. To enter a digit, press the digit followed by 0. When finished, end with the pound key (#).
For example, the letter "K" is entered as "52", the letter "Q" is entered as "11", and the digit "7" is entered as "70".
Callsigns need not be entered in full. If a partial callsign is entered, EchoLink will find the first match among the stations currently logged on. If no match is found among the stations currently logged on, EchoLink will say "NOT FOUND".
Examples
(These examples assume that the default DTMF codes are configured.)
To connect to node number 9999:
Enter: 9 9 9 9
EchoLink responds with:
"CONNECTING TO CONFERENCE E-C-H-O-T-E-S-T"
followed by
"CONNECTED"
because 9999 is the node number of conference server "*ECHOTEST*".
To get the status of K1RFD:
Enter: 0 7 5 2 1 0 7 2 3 3 3 1 #
EchoLink responds with:
"K-1-R-F-D 1-3-6-4-4 BUSY"
because 13644 is the node number of station K1RFD, and K1RFD is currently busy.
To connect to a random link or repeater:
Enter: 0 1
EchoLink responds with:
"CONNECTING TO K-1-O-F REPEATER"
followed by
"CONNECTED"
because K1OF-R was selected at random.
Here are some videos that will help you understand more about it's usage:
Echolink SettingsEchoLink Setup KF5IRGEcholink / HAM Radio Contact(It is getting late but I will add more later)
