Hello;
Can't resist my two cents here.  Personally I have some concerns about echo 
link or irlp however,  With computers I don't think that talking with China 
or Europe has the thrill it once did.  One can do it online without all that 
antenna hassle.  Now we know that the internet is doing the work rather than 
ones individual station but for a newcomer it would be difficult to make the 
distinction.  Also I think more and more folks are finding that they are in 
situations where a decent hf antenna system is a problem.  To fuel the fire 
what do folks think of remote hf stations that one uses via computer. Is 
that radio?
As for those rude echo link folks,  some of the "rudeness" may be because 
they are unaware of procedures and probably the way we handle their behavior 
will dictate whether they hang around or move on to some other hobby.
Just my two cents.
Richard