Current Echolink data (11/13/2005): See "ON AIR" info.
Have you heard about how ham radio and the Internet are working together? Using the underlying technology of VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protoco)l, ham repeaters, simplex stations, and PCs can connect and talk to one another around the world, always with armchair Q5 quality. Several software systems are available to let you join in. The most common ones now are EchoLink and IRLP. We are trying EchoLink for the Yale Club. EchoLink allows any ham with a PC, an audio card, and a 33 kbs+ Internet connection to join in a conference that may also include hams working through VHF/UHF repeaters or through simplex links.
Here's an mp3 clip (314 kB) from our first W1YU/4 (to AA6E) EchoLink QSO. Q5 copy!
If you're a repeater user, and your repeater supports EchoLink, you've already got what you need. If it's OK with your repeater operator, you just need to connect to the W1YU conference at our regular time.
If you'd like to join in from your home or office PC, that's fine, too. You will need to obtain the EchoLink software from www.echolink.org and set it up with your soundcard and a convenient microphone, headset or speaker system. (EchoLink is supported on 32 bit Windows only, although there is a MacOS X alternative. Sorry, Linux users...) The directions tell you how to register under your ham callsign.
In addition to the main EchoLink site, I recommend "VOIP: Internet Linking for Radio Amateurs" by Jonathan Taylor, K1RFD, published by ARRL. There was an overview in QST forFeb., 2003. There are many Internet resources also. Try www.echolinker.com or groups.yahoo.com/group/echolink.
We began in August, 2005, running as a combined Internet EchoLink and VHF Conference. The sky is the limit. Your input is requested!
Please join in on EchoLink, or email us at w1yu-members@panlists.yale.edu.