How can it be radio when 99% of the contact isn't over radio? computer is 
not radio, looking at the so-called internet radio stations_ and what not I 
realize no one knows the difference these days but the fact is, that's ham 
computer, not ham radio. Like I tell 1 of the local clubs people who are too 
lazy to setup an HF station or upgrade their licenses doesn't make echolink 
radio, it makes it ham radio's version of welfare. There's always a way to 
setup a station, it may have to be hidden with indoor antennas or what ever, 
but there is always a way and if there isn't, and the person wants to get on 
ham radio, it's time to find another alternative weather it be setup your HF 
station somewhere else and remotely control it with the computer, where the 
radio still does most of the work and you have full control of it, move, 
setup a mobile station,what ever. I know people who've done all of those 
things to get around it with success.
I dunno, I guess a lot of people look at it different than I do, but a lot 
see it my way too and that's what I like to see. In fact looking at a survey 
on the arrl site a couple months ago, the majority look at it like I do.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Dresser" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 11:30 AM
Subject: Re: Introduction


> John,
>
> I think it's a bit of an over-reaction to say that Echo Link is "anti
> radio."  On most Sunday mornings, a group of us in the Boston area have a
> schedule with a friend of ours in New York city.  We use a local repeater,
> but our friend connects to the repeater through Echo Link.  Since he 
> doesn't
> have room for an HF station in his apartment, and several others in the
> group are in similar situations, I think it's perfectly reasonable for us 
> to
> use Echo Link to maintain our schedule.  The only alternative is using the
> telephone, which would mean that none of us used our radios.  To me, 
> that's
> a lot more anti radio than using Echo Link.
>
> Steve
>