Outdoor Adventure USA

So, I'm being a bit of geek tonight and just setup Echolink on one of my Windows 7 virtual machines. My callsign is validated and I'm browsing the list of stations but can't seem to find Keller Peak. Searching for KE6TZG-R gives me nada. Is KPRA always available on Echolink or only at certain times? The KPRA web site doesn't give much info.

I'm working in Toronto next week and thought I might check in next Thursday evening via Echolink.

I just went uber-geek and installed Echolink on my iPhone...

smslavin wrote:I just went uber-geek and installed Echolink on my iPhone...

Yeah, I put it on my Droid Incredible...but unfortunately Echolink is tempermental, and was down for this week's net.

Sean:

Larry is being much too kind. Temperamental might be an understatement.

You had the right call sign for the Keller Peak repeater, but as mentioned, it was down for the net. When Echolink is up, it is an acceptable way to listen and check-in to the nets. We have had a number of people do that from their phones recently.

We have had a solution in the works for some time to eliminate the reliability problems of Echolink and we may soon be close to seeing it become a reality. For the moment, especially for the San Diego area crowd, Echolink will be the best way to participate in the nets.

What makes it temperamental? Is it on the Keller side or in the Echolink servers? As I was browsing the lists last night, there are thousands of stations available. What's the solution? As I was playing with it last night, it seems to be the best way for me to get in and participate until I can afford to set up a station here at home. It would sure beat sitting in the truck...

DaveK wrote:For the moment, especially for the San Diego area crowd, Echolink will be the best way to participate in the nets.

Now I'm confused. If it's up and down, how can it be the best way to get on the nets?

smslavin wrote:What makes it temperamental? Is it on the Keller side or in the Echolink servers? As I was browsing the lists last night, there are thousands of stations available. What's the solution? As I was playing with it last night, it seems to be the best way for me to get in and participate until I can afford to set up a station here at home. It would sure beat sitting in the truck...

DaveK wrote:For the moment, especially for the San Diego area crowd, Echolink will be the best way to participate in the nets.

Now I'm confused. If it's up and down, how can it be the best way to get on the nets?

For you, until you get an antenna or a home station, it will be the best means as it is the only means. Currently there is no IRLP.

The problem seems to be the computer that Keller is using to work Echolink. For whatever reason, its Windows based operating system is not working well. Once we get IRLP, with a Linux OS, we should be in much better shape.

I've come to accept that Keller Peak is a true radio repeater, and us geeks will will just have to just deal with that fact!

Okay I am now up on EchoMac in an attempt to join the weekly net. Any tips before next week?

CactusJK wrote:Okay I am now up on EchoMac in an attempt to join the weekly net. Any tips before next week?

Jeff:

Well...........for me, you are the first to use a Mac with the Echolink program. I have to assume that the operation will be the same, but I will let any other Mac users weigh in with comments.

If it is the same, you can check out your set-up by using the "connect to test server" option under the "Station" drop down menu. If successful, you should have no problem listening to the net.

One other option would be to use Echolink to connect to the Western Reflector at node 9251.

Also, if there is a repeater in your area that is IRLP equipped, we may be able to hook it up directly to the Western Reflector.

Dave,

After spending too much time this weekend on it I have it working perfectly on both my Mac and iPhone! After messing with my router TCP/UDP port forwarding the only thing I was missing was to reboot the router! I can connect to the Keller Peak repeater. I'll give it a try this Thursday.

DaveK wrote:

CactusJK wrote:Okay I am now up on EchoMac in an attempt to join the weekly net. Any tips before next week?

Jeff:

Well...........for me, you are the first to use a Mac with the Echolink program. I have to assume that the operation will be the same, but I will let any other Mac users weigh in with comments.

If it is the same, you can check out your set-up by using the "connect to test server" option under the "Station" drop down menu. If successful, you should have no problem listening to the net.

One other option would be to use Echolink to connect to the Western Reflector at node 9251.

Also, if there is a repeater in your area that is IRLP equipped, we may be able to hook it up directly to the Western Reflector.