Short manual for EchoLink

Dear YLs, XYLs, SWLs and OMs,

EchoLink is an exciting extension of our hobby. For licensed radio amateur it enables to communicate ham stations over the internet. At present, worldwide scattered there are more than 1,600 links and relays connected together with EchoLink.
For radio hams with a novice license this gives a voice communication to above 140 countries.

What do I need?

To control EchoLink you need a simple DTMF synthesizer. In modern radio equipment such a module is built-in already. Otherwise as a controller you can hold an external synthesizer – for example one for the remote enquiry of your telephone answering machine – in front of your radio's microphone.

How to establish a connection to another station?

To establish a connection to another station, you need the unique EchoLink node number of the desired station at first. Than you have to send this node number with your DTMF synthesizer.

Tip: Neither send the DTMF tones too fast nor too slow. It seems tow tones per second is a good speed.

After the input of the node number it could take a few seconds until you get an answer. – Instead of the five- to sixdigit node number you alternatively can use one of the numerous short cuts.

Example: From Düsseldorf you want to connect to the Munich EchoLink station DMØZB-L. At first, wait until the frequency is no longer in use. Then, with pressed transmit button, generate the node number "7-3-8-0" or alternatively the short cut "5-5" with your DTMF synthesizer. After a few seconds you can hear a response. This tells you whether the connection could established successfully.

Tip: In order to inform other listeners that you want to connect Munich, please shortly give your call sign and the target of your connection, in this case: "This is DC4AB connecting DMØZB in Munich."

After a successful link connection you can make you QSO as used. Please note that by the voice transmission over the internet a short delay can occur. This means that your QSO partner isn't reply such speedy like he would do while a direct conversation.

Who to disconnect a link?

To hang up a connection please send the symbol "#" with your DTMF synthesizer.

What can I do if my DTMF tones don't do it?

EchoLink saves the entered DTMF tones inside a internal buffer. After five seconds this buffer empty again. If a tone sequence couldn't recognized correctly or the recognized tone sequence don't correspond with a command number EchoLink only accepts new DTMF tones after five seconds elapse.

Are the further commands?

Yes, at present the following DTMF commands are supported:

DTMF	Command	Description
00	Random Node	Selects an available node (of any type) at random, and tries to connect to it.
01	Random Link	Selects an available link or repeater (-L or -R) at random, and tries to connect to it.
03	Random User	Selects an available single-user station at random, and tries to connect to it.
08	Status	Announces the call sign of each station currently connected.
001	Random Favorite Node	Selects an available node (of any type) at random from the Favorites List, and tries to connect to it.
011	Random Favorite Link	Selects an available link or repeater (-L or -R) at random from the Favorites List, and tries to connect to it.
031	Random Favorite User	Selects an available single-user station at random, and tries to connect to it.
#	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.
*	Play Info	Plays a brief ID message. *
*0	Manual	Plays the handbook's index of contents. *
**	Speaking clock	Plays the updating time. *
*#	Node number	Plays the gateway's node number. *

* Some commands are not available during the day.