Hi, All, Although the 70cm link was working fine, it didn't quite have the footprint to reach a few folks -- so I've moved it to 2M -- 146.460 Mhz (Simplex, no tone).

If you want to try it out, first determine if you are in range by entering the DTMF tone "*". The link should respond with "EchoLink KE5APC."

To test how your audio will sound to another station, enter DTMF tone "9999" to connect to the test server. Once the "welcome message" plays, say a few words -- which will then be played back over the link in a couple of seconds, indicating how you will sound to another station. Once completed, key in the DTMF "#" tone to disconnect from the EchoLink test server.

Entering "00" (zero zero) will connect you at random with someone on the system -- either a link like mine, a repeater, a conference, or a simplex station operating only from a PC. Once connected, say something like "This is K4XXX listening via EchoLink in Leesburg, VA. Could I get an audio report?" Hopefully someone will come back to you but you may have to connect to several stations before you'll find a QSO. Once connected, in order to compensate for internet delays, it is advisable to wait a second or two after keying your mike before speaking -- and waiting a second or two before keying up after the other party finishes speaking.

Or -- if you know the link number of the station you wish to connect with, simply enter it using the DTMF keys and it will connect you directly. To find stations available on the system, go to: http://www.echolink.org/links.jsp and EchoLink will show you stations worldwide currently available for direct connect.

Again -- when finished with a QSO, enter the DTMF tone "#" to disconnect.

For those of you within a few miles of my QTH in the Town of Leesburg equipped with APRS, I am beaconing in APRS every 10 minutes (locally only -- no repeats) as "EL-ke5apc." The link's operating frequency is displayed in the beacon, so if you're mobile and you hear the beacon, you can probably connect with the link.

73, Jeff - KE5APC