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North Donegal Internet Link

EI3CARR User Guide

145.2875 MHz

User Guide for using EI3CARR in PDF Format

Updated 6th September 2006

EI3CARR has established it self on the EchoLink system and is well visited by many hundreds of radio amateurs from every part of the world via the internet and has become a meeting point on the EchoLink system for many amateurs. For more information on EchoLink visit there web site www.echolink.org

We have found there are a lot of new and old amateurs who are not sure how a Link / Repeater is used and with the added internet connection is a little confusing so we have put together some guidelines that are used on the EI3CARR link that might help.

Stations have asked if they have to keep a log of all there contacts. Well if you are using RF than the answer is YES you do as normal rules and regulations are in place for that but if you connect to a node using your computer you do not have to keep a log of the contact. (I do, so I can remember who I have worked).  (UK Rules to change at the end of 2006 regards not having to keep a log.)

You will always find operators who will to give you advice in the true amateur fashion on the do’s and don’ts of your local link / repeater so don’t be afraid to ask as they were the same as you once. Remember that a lot of links / repeaters are 12.5k and that the audio needs to be set to narrow deviation.

Getting access to the Link

To gain access to the EI3CARR link you do not need any CTCSS or tone burst as it is a simplex system and is carrier access on 145.2875MHz so you would use it as if you were talking station to station on 2 meters.

The link will give a ”K” in Morse ( -.- ) the end of your transmission only if there are stations connected to EI3CARR via the internet. To check what stations if any connected to the link using your DTMF mic transmit giving your callsign first and dialing 08 and release the PTT. this should result in a list of stations connected verbally sent to you or if none connected a "Not Connected" will be returned.

The link will send its Node Number (7905), Callsign (EI0CARR) every 15 minuets along with information stating if the link is ON /OFF line and if there are any stations connected. It will not tell you what stations are connected but this can easy be found by using a DTMF pad and sending 08 to the link. Remember always announce what you are trying to do with the DTMF.

If there is transmissions coming from the internet an “I” ( .. ) in Morse will be transmitted once you hear the “I” you can transmit back to that station.

There may be a time that another station in your area who is using the link and may be out of range to you. The tell tail signs that this happening is that you hear the station in the internet and not the station that is local going back to him but a "K" in Morse will be heard when he/she puts it back to the station on the internet.

The trick with internet Links/Repeaters is to leave a good gap of about 4 seconds between over's as this will enable all the links and repeaters in the chain to re set.

Suggested Link / Repeater Operating Procedures

Link / Repeater Operation  

1.     Where links & repeaters are linked, your transmissions will be heard on the output of all the linked Repeaters, Gateway Links and PC Users so the golden rule is to listen listen listen.

2.     Operation of a link is the same as a normal repeater, except that the coverage is much greater and simplex is used.

3.     Please remember that using the DTMF tones to move your link can be heard through the system and it can be annoying to others so keep them to a minimum also give your callsign and a brief explanation of what you are doing. 

4.     If you do move the link with the DTMF tones and connect to other Repeaters / Links don't forget to disconnect the link using the # key.

5.     There is about a 4 second delay when working through the internet links so don't forget to leave a good gap between over's to enable others to break in.

6.     Use simplex wherever possible freeing the link/repeater for necessary uses.

7.     Monitor the link (listen) or determine if the link is in use, and if there are any peculiarities in its operation. After listening for a few seconds, identify, un key and listen to see if it was quiet for a reason, and to allow someone to let you know if there is a reason not to continue (low audio, low signal strength, etc). Then, if all OK, proceed.

8.     Don’t break into a contact unless you have something to add. Interrupting is no more polite on the air than it is in person. Interruption without identification constitutes malicious (and illegal) interference.

9.     Use the minimum power to key up the repeater. To make contact, simply indicate that you are on frequency. For example "EI4JR monitoring". Do not kerchunk. (Keep PTT’ing)

10. Remember amateur radio transmissions are being monitored by many non-hams with scanners. Watch your language and your manners. Please don't bring disrepute on the Amateur Radio Service.

11. Repeaters are intended to facilitate mobile and portable operation. During rush hours, base stations should relinquish the repeater to commuting mobiles. Some repeater owners have strict rules requiring this.

12. Keep transmissions short and thoughtful. Do not monopolize the link. Pause between transmissions to allow other amateurs to identify themselves if they wish to use the link. Pausing also allows the timer on some of the connected repeaters to reset, avoiding a "time-out"

13. Identify legally. In Ireland & the UK that means at the beginning and end of a contact or every 15 minutes of operation.

14. Links are installed and maintained at considerable expense and inconvenience. Regular users of a link should financially support the individual or club owner in their efforts to keep the link working properly.

15. When called by one of the local amateurs directly on the link frequency and there is no QSO through the link move to one of the simplex frequencies to continue your QSO so as not to stop others using the Link.

 DTMF Functions

Please remember that using the DTMF tones can be heard through the connected links & repeaters and can be annoying to others so keep them to a minimum also give your callsign and a brief explanation of what you are doing. 

If you do move the link with DTMF tones and connect to other Repeaters / Links don't forget to disconnect the repeater when you have finished using "#"

There can about a 4 second delay when working through the internet links so don't forget to leave a good gap between overs to enable others to break in and connecting repeaters to reset.

  The table below lists each of the common EchoLink DTMF commands.

There are many stations connected to the EchoLink system at any one time and each station has a unique node number which can be entered by DTMF to connect to them. There are quiet a few thousand stations from all over the world registered to the system and to many to list here so ether visit the EchoLink website at www.echolink.org or simply ask the station that you are in QSO with to let you know what there node number is or the node number of the link they are using.

Don’t forget its your link so be proud of it and help others who need help using it and if there is any thing that you can think of to improve your Link drop me an email  peter@ei4jr.com

EI3CARR  DTMF  SHORT  CUTS

= Short cut list in use by highlighted node 

Simply enter the Short Cut to connect to the selected link

Don’t forget its your link so be proud of it and help others who need help using it and if there is any thing that you can think of to improve your Gateway drop me an email  peter@ei4jr.com

 By Peter EI4JR (EI3CARR Link Keeper & Sysop)   www.ei4jr.com

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Page Updated on  21/12/2006