Let me tell you something Richard, we recently moved into a development.
We are governed by a home owners association and we are not permitted  
to put up antennas.
I knew this before we bought our townhouse.
So, our only avenue is Echolink.
That being said, I appreciate the fact I can use Echolink to  
communicate over thee
  air.
And, some day you may find it necessary to be in the same situation.
If your on rtty or any digital means of communication, the air is  
still being used.
73 De Anthony w2ajv


Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 5, 2010, at 2:41 PM, Richard Fiorello <[log in to unmask]>  
wrote:

> Hello;
> I haven't had the opportunity to work with the net on 20 meters but  
> as a =
> bystander, it was rather nice to see hams really talking on the  
> radio. I =
> know, I'm old fashioned.  A second echo link might nice but I think  
> you =
> are loosing something by moving to echo link and no longer worrying =
> about propagation etc.
> Just my two cents
> Richard