I get tired of making this argument and those who say systems such as echo link or IRLP are anti-radio are 
stuck in a mode of thinking from an age when hollow state devices ruled the day and CW was the only means 
of radio communication but no system be it an analog to digital system such as IRLP or Echo link or a 
fully digital system such as DSTAR or P25 should be considered anti-radio.  These systems have contributed 
to the expansion and development of the radio art which aside from the public service charter is exactly 
why we have an amateur radio service.  Those who are complaining are locked into an outmoded way of 
thinking.  There are any number of people (several on this reflector) who would not have access to 
anything but local FM were it not for the development and implementation of such VOIP technologies and 
there are a possibly greater number of those who are currently licensed and active who would otherwise not 
be if our approach to radio technology were still stuck in the last half of the last century.  We should 
welcome any technology that continues to grow the hobby and keeps us relevant as a communications service. 
If we don't use the spectrum we have we'll lose it now more so than ever in today's business and 
regulatory climate.  Other services are adopting variations on these technologies and going digital.  Like 
it or not, we in the amateur radio service will have to follow or be regulated out of existents.
Ray T. Mahorney
WA4WGA
UK call sign M0WGA

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Senk, Mark J. (CDC/NIOSH/NPPTL)" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 16:01
Subject: Is echolink Anti-radio?


My opinion is that using echolink is no more anti-radio than using this =
email list to communicate.

I was surprised when people used the PA QSO party list to report where =
the W3OK bonus station was operating and to ask about certain counties.  =
Even before the Internet there were printed newsletters  and DX spotting =
nets.  I suppose these have been replaced by e-mail and DX clusters.

   Notice that I fixed the message Subject and appreciate when people =
include e-mail, phone numbers, or echolink numbers.

Mark


Mark J. Senk  |  412-386-6513  |  [log in to unmask]
<img =
src=3D"http://212.179.113.209/QRCode/img.php?d=3DBEGIN%3AVCARD%0AN%3AMark=
%20J.%20Senk%0ATEL%3A412-386-6513%0AEMAIL%3Azia7%40cdc.gov%0AEND%3AVCARD&=
c=3DContact%20Mark%20Senk&s=3D4"
alt=3D"QR4Senk" />=A0

-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators =
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Steve Dresser
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 11:30 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
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

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Miller" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 10:50
Subject: Re: Introduction


> As I see it, it's not radio, it's anti radio, and is absolutely =
murdering
> ham radio. I'll either be actually on the air, or doing something else =
but=20
> I
> didn't work so hard to get my license to use the computer to make my
> contacts for me because I'm too lazy to setup a station and work for =
the
> contacts. I had a simplex link up for a while but it was a couple=20
> statements
> I heard on it that made me wake up and realize just how bad echolink =
is
> hurting things and it was then that I pulled it down for good. I =
suppose=20
> if
> a sponsoring group wants it on 1 of my repeaters, I may consider it =
but I
> won't be using it and probably won't put it on at all.
> ----- Original Message -----=20
> From: "Buddy Brannan" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 9:59 AM
> Subject: Re: Introduction
>
>
>> On Oct 28, 2008, at 9:04 AM, John Miller wrote:
>>
>>> My CW is very slow, I much prefer phone, and would be absolutely
>>> ashamed to
>>> be on echolink
>>
>> Well....there's one great way to improve that cw speed :) And as for
>> Echolink, why not use it? I mean--you *are* allowed to connect radios
>> to it, y'know, so it really *is* radio, except when it isn't.
>=20