Re: Echolink...

I use Echolink, and while it is a long, long way from having a real rig
here on my desk, it serves a purpose and allows me to communicate through
numerous repeaters and with many nets and groups and individuals that I
would not otherwise be able to communicate with. Admittedly, I miss the
dials and switches and being able to go from 75 to 40 to 30 to 20, to 17 to
15 to 10 and then, flip around on 2 meters to see who is on which repeaters
in the area. Even still, without Echolink, I would not be able to get on
the Handiham nets, including Jose's Tech Talk net tonight. 

However, I have experienced a very definite bias or negative reaction and
opposition to Echolink users. One net that I tried to get into a few weeks
ago completely ignored me and would not allow enough time for an Echolink
station to be recognized. Finally, the net control said: "If you are trying
to get into the net from Echolink, I'll pick up all Echolink check-ins at
the end of the net." To me that is like telling me that I have to go to the
back of the bus; we don't allow Echolink people to sit in the other seats.
For all the net control knew, I could have had some important traffic to be
handled or an emergency announcement, like a weather alert. At the
beginning of the net, he stood by for emergency traffic, but unless
everyone with emergency traffic checked-in right at the very beginning of
the net, if one were using Echolink, he/she would never get in or maybe not
until it was too late. 

I've even had a little trouble checking into our Handiham nets, but that
was because the net control didn't allow enough time for Echolink check-ins
to get into the repeater. That delay creates a little challenge for getting
into the nets some times.

Ron, K8HSY


Dr. Ronald E. Milliman, retired Professor Western Kentucky University
Ph: 270-782-9325 
Email: [log in to unmask]

Chair, American Council of the Blind Public Relations Committee

Chair, American Council of the Blind's Monthly Monetary Support Program
(MMS) Committee

President: South Central Kentucky Council of the Blind (SCKCB)