Hi;
As for operating a separate transmitter and receiver it wasn't a big deal.
In many ways other than tune up it was easier than the radios of today.
Remember there were no menu items, no dsp settings or audio filter settings
for that matter.
I suspect the ease of chatting with someone in another continent may have
taken some of the thrill out of calling cq and getting a reply.
Unfortunately you can do very similar things on line with much less fuss or
fun for that matter.

As for echo link, do they need something now in addition to your call sign?
I signed up some time ago but only needed a call sign.  The echo link jury
is very much out.  Is it just a chat room, a real qso?  I haven't decided.
Rich