EchoLink software allows licensed Amateur Radio stations to communicate with one another over the Internet, using streaming-audio 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 200,000 validated users worldwide — in 162 of the world's 193 nations — with about 5,000 online at any given time.
The system allows reliable worldwide connections to be made between radio amateurs, greatly enhancing Amateur Radio's communications capabilities. In essence it is the same as other VoIP applications (such as Skype), but with the unique addition of the ability to link to an amateur radio station's transceiver.
A new application is now available that allows radio amateurs to use the EchoLink system from their iPhone or iPod.
I recently downloaded an EchoLink app onto my Iphone an am having alot of fun with it, connecting to repeaters an stations at home in Ireland an also stations around the world. The application is free to download and all you have to do is download the software for your PC. Before using the system it is necessary for a prospective user's callsign to be validated. The EchoLink system requires that each new user provide positive proof of license and identity before his or her callsign is added to the list of validated users.
You can use this app to connect to the EchoLink system from almost anywhere, using either an iPhone or an iPod touch. (For an iPod touch, you will need to plug in earphones with a microphone, even if you only plan to listen; this limitation will be addressed in a future release.)
iPhone users can use either a WiFi or 3G (cellular) Internet connection.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/echolink/
id350688562?mt=8#
Other Highly recomended are the following websites;
http://www.echolink.org/
http://www.echoireland.com/
http://www.echoaddons.com/
http://www.echoproducer.com/
Hope to come across you online I am signed in most of the time!
73's
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
1 Mar 2010
8 Jan 2010
Happy New Year
Hey I would like to wish every one who views my site a happy and prosperious 2010, it's been too long since I updated this site. I made a new years resoultion to update more often from now on, actually I have no excuse really because now I have it at my finger tips with this wonderful little app from BlogPress on the iPhone.
Okay what have I been up to over the last while, well I have moved to London in the UK and started my new role over here with a company called Arqiva (http://www.arqiva.com/) who operates at the heart of the broadcast and mobile communications industry and at the forefront of network solutions. The company provides much of the infrastructure behind television, radio and wireless communications throughout the UK, Ireland, mainland Europe and the USA. I work in the satellite and media department for our clients ESPN.
Here are some photos of our uplink and downlink dishes;
Some Uplink Dishes
Some Up & Downlink dishes
As I'm sure everyone is aware by now through various news reports it is freezing here in the UK actually lastnight was supposed to be the lowest recorded temperature in years close to -21 in parts of Scotland and down in London it was -9 where I live so the words birrrrrrr come to mind!
Back to things more to do with Radio, unfortunatly I don't have a setup as of yet over here but I'm working on that as I'm thinking HF is out of the equation especially with noise levels over here so i'm looking down the road of remote, or VHF / UHF. I actually came across a very interesting article by Ulf Larsson SM0LCB / SM7LBC in a free online Amateur radio magazine which is in the links below under HAM MAG.
I found this article very interesting because of the simplicity of the system, which i didn't realise how easy it actually is to be able to set up a remote system, I could avail of the antennas and radio at the Home QTH and never miss that rare DX.
I will research into this more and update my findings here.
I really miss being active on the airwaves so piority is get set up over here on VHF/UHF and go from there. Hope to hear you on the air soon.
Till next time and hopefully it won't be as long all the best and mind yourself!
73's
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Okay what have I been up to over the last while, well I have moved to London in the UK and started my new role over here with a company called Arqiva (http://www.arqiva.com/) who operates at the heart of the broadcast and mobile communications industry and at the forefront of network solutions. The company provides much of the infrastructure behind television, radio and wireless communications throughout the UK, Ireland, mainland Europe and the USA. I work in the satellite and media department for our clients ESPN.
Here are some photos of our uplink and downlink dishes;
Some Uplink Dishes
Some Up & Downlink dishes
As I'm sure everyone is aware by now through various news reports it is freezing here in the UK actually lastnight was supposed to be the lowest recorded temperature in years close to -21 in parts of Scotland and down in London it was -9 where I live so the words birrrrrrr come to mind!
Back to things more to do with Radio, unfortunatly I don't have a setup as of yet over here but I'm working on that as I'm thinking HF is out of the equation especially with noise levels over here so i'm looking down the road of remote, or VHF / UHF. I actually came across a very interesting article by Ulf Larsson SM0LCB / SM7LBC in a free online Amateur radio magazine which is in the links below under HAM MAG.
I found this article very interesting because of the simplicity of the system, which i didn't realise how easy it actually is to be able to set up a remote system, I could avail of the antennas and radio at the Home QTH and never miss that rare DX.
I will research into this more and update my findings here.
I really miss being active on the airwaves so piority is get set up over here on VHF/UHF and go from there. Hope to hear you on the air soon.
Till next time and hopefully it won't be as long all the best and mind yourself!
73's
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
18 Nov 2009
Ireland world cup chances
I know this is slightly off topic but as an Irish man that loves Irish soccer, tonight is the biggest of all! We have lost our first leg of qualifying at home in Dublin (Croke Park) 1 - 0 to France and tonight we play France at home in Paris!
I would love to see Ireland get through tonight with a win but we are the under dogs as the Irish manager has said today in an interview "Never say never" so with that I'm off to the pub over here in London to watch Ireland vs France in Paris kick off 20.00 GMT.
Come on Ireland bring back the glory days!!!
you all remember them? Here is a reminder......
Check out this video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5PT65I2ny8&feature=youtube_gdata
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I would love to see Ireland get through tonight with a win but we are the under dogs as the Irish manager has said today in an interview "Never say never" so with that I'm off to the pub over here in London to watch Ireland vs France in Paris kick off 20.00 GMT.
Come on Ireland bring back the glory days!!!
you all remember them? Here is a reminder......
Check out this video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5PT65I2ny8&feature=youtube_gdata
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
11 Oct 2009
AND WERE BACK!!!!
Hey to one and all,
I eventually came back from my travels to "EA" land (AKA Spain). What a fantastic country!
So just an update, I have now moved to the UK, London to be precise.
I will be living here for the moment so if you hear me On-Air I will be M/EI5IX.
Looking forward to hearing you down the wire!
73's
I eventually came back from my travels to "EA" land (AKA Spain). What a fantastic country!
So just an update, I have now moved to the UK, London to be precise.
I will be living here for the moment so if you hear me On-Air I will be M/EI5IX.
Looking forward to hearing you down the wire!
73's
9 Sep 2009
25 Aug 2009
UPDATE 25/08/09
IRTS 2m Counties Contest
Next Sunday the 30th of August is the date for the
Autumn 2m counties contest. It takes place between
14.00 and 16.00 local. The full rules are available on
the IRTS website under the contest tab.
70cms Activity Hour
To try to promote activity and see if it is worthwhile
to run a 70cms Counties contest. We will be having a
70cms activity hour following the 2m contest on Sunday
the 30th August. Both FM and SSB stations will be
welcome and both Calling channels will be
monitored.432.2 for SSB and 433.5 for FM users.
We look forward to hearing many portable and fixed
stations on the day.
3DA0SS Swaziland
David, GI4FUM, has returned from Swaziland and reports
that the 3DA0SS expedition was a big success. Around
20,000 QSOs were made, many of them on the data modes.
The International Scout Camp was also a great success
with the scouts learning many new development skills.
The IRTS committee, with the agreement of the CQIR
Contest sponsor, Dargle Builders Limited, agreed that
the excess in the contest fund which amounted to more
than 1,000 Euro, should be donated to the Swazi
scouts towards the cost of providing clean water at
their campsite.
While David was there, the new pump was installed and
commissioned and clean water is now available for all
the camp needs. Following the AFRI75 expedition to
Swaziland and the resultant publicity for the Scout
Project there, many individual Society members donated
monies for projects at the campsite. We are happy to
act as a conduit for any such funding and if you are
interested in helping you should contact Paul EI2CA or
David GI4FUM.
ARRL Celebration
This year, the ARRL is honouring the 140th anniversary
of the birth of the League's first president and
cofounder. Hiram Percy Maxim, W1AW, was born on 2nd
September 1869.
The operating event is open to all amateurs, and the
goal is straightforward: Find the stations adding /140
to their call signs, and contact as many as possible
during the event period from 2-9th September. The /140
will be signed by any ARRL member who holds and ARRL
appointment.
There will be a Certificate available for anyone who
works at least 25 of the /140 Celebration stations
Time Period: 0000 UTC September 2 until 2400 UTC
September 9.
Exchange: All stations signing /140 send RS(T), their
appointment and their name; others send RS(T) and their
name. More details and deadline application on
www.arrl.org
Dave Court EI3IO
Dave will be moving to Bahrain (A9) on 28 August,
initially for a period of 2 years. No call-sign
information is available as yet. However you may find
Dave on 20m in A9 from September onwards, depending on
the time it takes to obtain residency etc.
A QTH has been chosen which appears to be good for all
bands 160m to VHF. Subject to licensing restrictions,
Dave plans to be QRV on most MF, HF and low VHF bands.
Equipment being taken includes an Elecraft K3
transceiver, Acom 1000 amplifier, yagis for 14 MHz to
70 MHz and an 18 metre Spider Beam fibre glass support
for MF and low HF verticals.
It should be noted that 600m, 60m, 6m and 4m are
currently not available in A9. EI3IO will still be QRV
from Ireland during the next few years, during vacation
trips to the family home in Shankill, where family
members will still be resident. The Dublin DX Cluster
EI7SDX will also remain QRV with internet access only -
click http://shandx.ath.cx/cgi-bin/ei7sdx.cgi or
telnet://EI7SDX.ath.cx:7300 for access."
30 Meter Multi-Mode Weekend
This weekend, the Amateur radio 10 MHz (30 metre) band
will be alive with digital signals during the
multi-mode weekend.
The objective is to promote experimenting and using
different digital modes on unique 30 Meter Band. A
number of digital mode groups will be participating
this weekend so if you wanted to try out a mode you
have thought about trying here is your chance to get
on the 30 Meter Band to try those digital modes and/or
try a digital mode software that includes multiple
digital modes.
This is NOT a contest.. no set times.. no rules.. no
exchanges.. no winners other than those that
participate with casual use of the 30 Meter Band to
experiment, rag chew, DX and have some fun!
This week in History
1919 George Fisk of AWA does first radio
'broadcast' in OZ.
1932 The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) began
its first experimental TV broadcast in England.
Next Theory Examination
The 21st of September is the closing date for
applications to sit the next Theory Examination for an
Amateur Station Licence which will be held on Tuesday
the 6th of October at 2p.m in the ComReg Offices in
Dublin. To reserve a place at the exam intending
candidates should forward the appropriate fee to Sean
Nolan EI7CD, 12 Little Meadow, Pottery Road,
Dunlaoghaire, Co. Dublin.
The fee is 50 Euro or 25 Euro for full-time
registered students, repeat candidates and those who
are retired, unemployed or have a disability.
Cheques and Money Orders should be made payable to
the IRTS. When forwarding the exam fee intending
candidates should enclose their postal address as
well as phone and e-mail contact details. Sean's
e-mail address for any further enquiries is “ei7cd
at gofree dot indigo dot ie”
Intending candidates should note in particular, that in
Section B of the paper – National and International
Rules and Operating Procedures’- questions on the
National Rules will be based on the new Wireless
Telegraphy (Amateur Station Licence) Regulations 2009
which came into force on I June 2009. These Regulations
and other matters in relation to the operation of
amateur stations can be found in the ‘Amateur Station
Licence Guidelines’ published by ComReg in Document
09/45 which is available on the ‘Publications’ section
of the ComReg website at www.comreg.ie
There is also some very useful information available
under ‘Radio Theory’ in the ‘Links’ section of the IRTS
website at www.irts.ie
Thanks to the IRTS for the information.
Next Sunday the 30th of August is the date for the
Autumn 2m counties contest. It takes place between
14.00 and 16.00 local. The full rules are available on
the IRTS website under the contest tab.
70cms Activity Hour
To try to promote activity and see if it is worthwhile
to run a 70cms Counties contest. We will be having a
70cms activity hour following the 2m contest on Sunday
the 30th August. Both FM and SSB stations will be
welcome and both Calling channels will be
monitored.432.2 for SSB and 433.5 for FM users.
We look forward to hearing many portable and fixed
stations on the day.
3DA0SS Swaziland
David, GI4FUM, has returned from Swaziland and reports
that the 3DA0SS expedition was a big success. Around
20,000 QSOs were made, many of them on the data modes.
The International Scout Camp was also a great success
with the scouts learning many new development skills.
The IRTS committee, with the agreement of the CQIR
Contest sponsor, Dargle Builders Limited, agreed that
the excess in the contest fund which amounted to more
than 1,000 Euro, should be donated to the Swazi
scouts towards the cost of providing clean water at
their campsite.
While David was there, the new pump was installed and
commissioned and clean water is now available for all
the camp needs. Following the AFRI75 expedition to
Swaziland and the resultant publicity for the Scout
Project there, many individual Society members donated
monies for projects at the campsite. We are happy to
act as a conduit for any such funding and if you are
interested in helping you should contact Paul EI2CA or
David GI4FUM.
ARRL Celebration
This year, the ARRL is honouring the 140th anniversary
of the birth of the League's first president and
cofounder. Hiram Percy Maxim, W1AW, was born on 2nd
September 1869.
The operating event is open to all amateurs, and the
goal is straightforward: Find the stations adding /140
to their call signs, and contact as many as possible
during the event period from 2-9th September. The /140
will be signed by any ARRL member who holds and ARRL
appointment.
There will be a Certificate available for anyone who
works at least 25 of the /140 Celebration stations
Time Period: 0000 UTC September 2 until 2400 UTC
September 9.
Exchange: All stations signing /140 send RS(T), their
appointment and their name; others send RS(T) and their
name. More details and deadline application on
www.arrl.org
Dave Court EI3IO
Dave will be moving to Bahrain (A9) on 28 August,
initially for a period of 2 years. No call-sign
information is available as yet. However you may find
Dave on 20m in A9 from September onwards, depending on
the time it takes to obtain residency etc.
A QTH has been chosen which appears to be good for all
bands 160m to VHF. Subject to licensing restrictions,
Dave plans to be QRV on most MF, HF and low VHF bands.
Equipment being taken includes an Elecraft K3
transceiver, Acom 1000 amplifier, yagis for 14 MHz to
70 MHz and an 18 metre Spider Beam fibre glass support
for MF and low HF verticals.
It should be noted that 600m, 60m, 6m and 4m are
currently not available in A9. EI3IO will still be QRV
from Ireland during the next few years, during vacation
trips to the family home in Shankill, where family
members will still be resident. The Dublin DX Cluster
EI7SDX will also remain QRV with internet access only -
click http://shandx.ath.cx/cgi-bin/
telnet://EI7SDX.ath.cx:7300 for access."
30 Meter Multi-Mode Weekend
This weekend, the Amateur radio 10 MHz (30 metre) band
will be alive with digital signals during the
multi-mode weekend.
The objective is to promote experimenting and using
different digital modes on unique 30 Meter Band. A
number of digital mode groups will be participating
this weekend so if you wanted to try out a mode you
have thought about trying here is your chance to get
on the 30 Meter Band to try those digital modes and/or
try a digital mode software that includes multiple
digital modes.
This is NOT a contest.. no set times.. no rules.. no
exchanges.. no winners other than those that
participate with casual use of the 30 Meter Band to
experiment, rag chew, DX and have some fun!
This week in History
1919 George Fisk of AWA does first radio
'broadcast' in OZ.
1932 The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) began
its first experimental TV broadcast in England.
Next Theory Examination
The 21st of September is the closing date for
applications to sit the next Theory Examination for an
Amateur Station Licence which will be held on Tuesday
the 6th of October at 2p.m in the ComReg Offices in
Dublin. To reserve a place at the exam intending
candidates should forward the appropriate fee to Sean
Nolan EI7CD, 12 Little Meadow, Pottery Road,
Dunlaoghaire, Co. Dublin.
The fee is 50 Euro or 25 Euro for full-time
registered students, repeat candidates and those who
are retired, unemployed or have a disability.
Cheques and Money Orders should be made payable to
the IRTS. When forwarding the exam fee intending
candidates should enclose their postal address as
well as phone and e-mail contact details. Sean's
e-mail address for any further enquiries is “ei7cd
at gofree dot indigo dot ie”
Intending candidates should note in particular, that in
Section B of the paper – National and International
Rules and Operating Procedures’- questions on the
National Rules will be based on the new Wireless
Telegraphy (Amateur Station Licence) Regulations 2009
which came into force on I June 2009. These Regulations
and other matters in relation to the operation of
amateur stations can be found in the ‘Amateur Station
Licence Guidelines’ published by ComReg in Document
09/45 which is available on the ‘Publications’ section
of the ComReg website at www.comreg.ie
There is also some very useful information available
under ‘Radio Theory’ in the ‘Links’ section of the IRTS
website at www.irts.ie
Thanks to the IRTS for the information.
New 3cm 10368 MHz SSB record verified and listed
Recently Stephen ZL1TPH and Ted ZL2IP re-submitted their record claim that was declined earlier this year.
The claim errors have been corrected. The claim now complies with the published New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART) claim rules.
I am pleased to announce the following SHF record:
3cm 10368MHz Int. ZL1TPH/p-ZL2IP/p 04/01/2009 SSB 551 TD
Confirmed as a new New Zealand record and a milestone record. It is to-date, the longest terrestrial distance contact, at 551kms, made on the 3cm microwave band.
ZL1TPH operating from Cape Reinga at 175 M ASL.
ZL2IP operating from North Egmont at 960 M ASL.
The actual frequency used was 10368.1 MHz and the signal path used a Troposphere Duct.
Congratulates to Stephen ZL1TPH and Ted ZL2IP.
73 and good DX,John ZL2TWS
Note:
The New Zealand VHF/UHF/SHF records now cover 2009
http://www.nzart.org.nz/vhf/index.html
New Icom radio covers HF to 1300 MHz
Icom's new rig the IC-9100 covers VHF and UHF bands as well as HF and is sure to appeal to amateur satellite users.
According to reports the SSB/CW/FM rig delivers 100 watts at 50 MHz and 50 watts at 144 and 430 MHz. With an optional module it gives 10 watts at 1240 MHz.
There is a D-STAR option available but at the time of writing it was not clear if this would operate on all bands above 29 MHz. It is to be hoped that D-STAR will work on 10 metres and 6 metres as currently there are no D-STAR radios for those bands.
IC-9100
IC-9100 (Rear View)
The IC-9100 at Tokyo Ham Fair on August 22
The IC-9100 pre-release brochure is available at
http://www.ab4oj.com/icom/ic9100/IC-9100_prerelease.pdf
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