|  The
Voice-Over-IP technology has come a long ways in a short period of time.
In February 2001 we wrote about radio amateurs around the world being
able to communicate through FM repeaters using Vocaltec Internet Phone
software. The system worked well, in our opinion, but required control
operators and care and feeding of the software.
 Back
then, a Web page of repeater owners and participants quickly went out
of date. Since then, WB2REM,
in the  Trenton,
NJ, area has been active for over three years now, on 442.65
MHz and 29.6 MHz FM. VK2JTP
also changed from iLink to Echolink,
and has become a leading VOIP spokesman in Australia.
 In
2001 we also mentioned the IRLP
- The Internet Radio Linking Project - but it was pretty much limited
to Canada and parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Time has changed things
again, and in December 2002 we were pleasently surprised to find a strong
440 signal from Philadelphia linked to the IRLP Network. Tune to 443.1
and have a listen. The Philadelphia IRLP demonstration link has been in
play since 2000.
In
August 2003 Echolink came to the Bears/WA3BXW
system using the 2m repeater located in Bucks
County, just north of Philadelphia. From personal experience, the
audio quality is superb on both the computer and radio ends of the circuit.
Tune to 147.30 (131.8 PL), or launch the software and look for node #88314.
The VOIP operation also follows the system's quiet hours; watch the Bears
Web site for developments.
And
joy, oh joy, for Mac users running OS X, bravo to N9YTY for producing
and releasing a free version of EchoMac, a terminal program that lets
us Mac users in on the fun of participating in the Echolink network. I
had to drop Echolink participation in the fall of 2002 with the switch
to the iMac, but in April 2003 I returned. Do you have a ham license?
Just download the software and get back on the air:
http://www.dogparksoftware.com/EchoMac.html
Look
for W2XQ, probably during weekday NA evenings, or it could be anytime
on weekends. Our node number is 2161. Or contact me for a schedule.
You
may also find us on W2ZQ on 442.65
MHz, operating from the car, as I drive to and from work on weekday mornings.
Thanks to WB2REM, control codes enable us to access specific or random
Echolink nodes.
And
keyboard chat with me in Internet Relay Chat channel #Baudwalking using
a Java-enabled browser. It could be almost anytime; I am not always
at the computer. Sometimes I have a log file running as I wander in and out
of the room. Look early evenings onward, and weekends, NA east coast time.
I use the "nick" (nickname) of Baudwalk.
 In August 2004 I found a Internet message board devoted to EchoLink. The chief operator is KB3GUN, and the site is nicely done. There are lots of topics to pick from, with options of private and instant messaging. Download file areas and more are within the pages. Take a look for yourself. You'll find WB2REM in there, and yours truly as well. You'll have to register at the EchoLink Radio Community Message Board, but no worries. The required details are minimal.
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