Outdoor Adventure USA

I have a Tech license and I am starting to play with Echolink. I have installed the Echolink on my iPhone and I am having a blast making contacts across oceans. But it occurred to me today that some of the repeaters I am using via Echolink may be on frequencies that I am not permitted to use as a Tech. I have googled to no avail, so I thought I would ask the experts. Because Echolink does not always show the frequency(on the iPhone) how can I tell whether I am within my license restrictions? Are all Echolink repeaters on Tech avalible repeaters?

Ham Twitter.....
(biting down on tongue )

Scott:

A little difficult to know for absolute sure but let me say this about that. The greatest preponderance of repeaters, by far, will be on the FM band on VHF/UHF. There are also some repeaters on 6M and 220, but not nearly as many as 2M and 70cm. On all of these repeaters, as a Tech, you are licensed.

Since anything is possible, I can't speak in absolutes, but I am not aware of any repeaters on the HF frequencies, so I think you, "most likely", are safe.

If you have some reason to be concerned, just key down and ask for the frequency. Otherwise, enjoy!

Thanks. I didn't think it was a huge deal. Ham Twitter or not it is a great tool. I don't have to sit out in the driveway to attend the Net now. Now I can just listen on my phone. And when I am out of town I still wont miss it.

Scott:

You are correct, it is advancement in communication that gives us another tool in the arsenal.

We'll see you on the net!

OU812 wrote:I have a Tech license and I am starting to play with Echolink. I have installed the Echolink on my iPhone and I am having a blast making contacts across oceans. But it occurred to me today that some of the repeaters I am using via Echolink may be on frequencies that I am not permitted to use as a Tech. I have googled to no avail, so I thought I would ask the experts. Because Echolink does not always show the frequency(on the iPhone) how can I tell whether I am within my license restrictions? Are all Echolink repeaters on Tech avalible repeaters?

I know exactly what you mean! There are those rare machines out there that will crossband your signal out of your band limits. I had this same conversation with the infamous Gordon West ages ago. last i checked, it was a gray area law, swaying neither one way or the other. but things may have changed since then.

Actually, it would depend. Repeater owners/controllers operating under FCC regs have the ability to repeat your signal on bands/frequencies that fall within their privileges.
In this case, there is very little actual "radio" taking place. You're using a cell phone and the internet, neither requires a license. A "radio" transmission is only taking place in the final few miles as the signal is transmitted (actual RF) for the first time by the Echolinked repeater at the opposite end of the QSO (other country) and to your contact. There may be differing privileges/restrictions in other countries, but most mirror our own when dealing with repeating/forwarding issues.

Hope they come out with an App like this for the Droid!

I wouldn't worry about it. There are very few, if any, HF repeaters, as the long distance nature of HF "eliminates" the need to repeat. Do any HF repeaters exist? I know there are remote control VHF repeaters that control an HF radio, but I doubt they are linked with Echolink. They are usually private, members only, to prevent this situation from occurring. They have an interest in preventing this or risk losing their priveledges.