John,

I know what you're saying, and I would agree if someone exclusively used 
Echolink and never set up a station of any kind.  However, in my example, 
that isn't the case.  We would like nothing more than to use radio 
exclusively, but it just isn't possible.  You and I happen to be lucky 
enough to have stations right now, but I've been in situations where it just 
wasn't possible, and can certainly understand and appreciate that others may 
be in similar circumstances.  I've heard similar arguments regarding the use 
of repeaters, but I notice that many of those who spoke against their use 
were doing so on a repeater.  It makes me wonder how many of them were a 
little insecure about their own operating skills, or maybe they just liked 
beating up on other hams.  In my opinion, Echolink is just another aspect of 
the hobby, which I can use (or not) as I see fit.

Steve

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Miller" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 11:59
Subject: Re: Introduction


> 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
>>
>