No subject

Sat Mar 21 21:18:14 UTC 2009

<br>
===== PASTE QUOTE ======<br>
<br>
"The RF Info tab is used to provide information about your link which
may be helpful to nearby stations trying to locate it.&nbsp; EchoLink
includes an implementation of the Automatic Voice Reporting System
(AVRS), which uses the APRS&reg; network and protocols to disseminate
real-time information about VoIP links such as EchoLink nodes.&nbsp; This
feature was developed in collaboration with Bob Bruninga, WB4APR.&nbsp; The
program also provides a mechanism for collecting and displaying this
information on the Web, as an adjunct to APRS.<br>
<br>
If you wish to disseminate basic information about your simplex link,
or the repeater to which your repeater link is connected, you can enter
it here.&nbsp; By default, the information is transmitted to a central
database on the Internet upon startup, and again each time a station
connects or disconnects from your link.&nbsp; This information will be
displayable and searchable on the EchoLink Web site.<br>
<br>
If a packet TNC is connected to your computer, and the APRS option is
enabled, the same information will be sent periodically to local users
using APRS.&nbsp; Mobile stations equipped with APRS often have alphanumeric
displays which will show the location and status of your node, if they
in range of your APRS transmission or a nearby digipeater.&nbsp; Future APRS
software may include the ability to allow a mobile station to send a
general query for local EchoLink activity."<br>
<br>
===== END QUOTE ====<br>
<br>
This interface shows signs of being a one-time-and-then-forgotten
addition to Echolink.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br>
<br>
1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The help article cites the old.old&nbsp; .MIL&nbsp; domain adddress of
Bob's site for more APRS info - has never been updated.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br>
<br>
2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The configuration screen for the "RF Info" tab of the "Sysop
Settings..." dialog has the hardwired path choice of RELAY or WIDE or
RELAY,WIDE or DIRECT only from a pulldown list box. Nothing else can be
entered.&nbsp;&nbsp; No acknowledgment of the new n-N pathing whatsovever. <br>
<br>
3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The largest deficiency is that this scheme requires the full use
of a second serial port (the first one is used for keying the Echolink
radio and sensing it's squelch/COR) on the PC, and a DEDICATED
traditional command-mode TNC &amp; radio to implement.&nbsp; <br>
<br>
Several years ago, I wrote a lengthy message to the Echolink author
urging him to interface to the AGW Packet Engine rather than the direct
hardware command interface of a classic TNC. &nbsp; This would be a far
better approach since it would allow you to share a single TNC/radio
with multiple applications ( i.e. run UIview, APRSplus, WinAPRS, UI
Traffic Analysis, APRS Emergency, UI Instant Messenger, etc.)
simultanously with the Echolink status reporting&nbsp;&nbsp; <br>
<br>
I have never heard a thing back.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br>
<br>
Further, there has not been a new version or update to Echolink for
about 2 years now.&nbsp; I wonder if the program is even being developed any
more.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br>
<br>
<br>
WA8LMF -- EchoLink Node:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; WA8LMF&nbsp; or node # 14400&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br>
<br>
[Easy to remember -- think bottom of the 2M band]<br>
<br>
<br>
<hr size="2" width="100%"><br>
--<br>
<br>
Stephen H. Smith&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; wa8lmf (at) aol.com <br>
Skype:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; WA8LMF<br>
Home Page:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://wa8lmf.net">http://wa8lmf.net</a><br>
<br>
JavAPRS Filter Port 14580 Guide <br>
&nbsp; <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://wa8lmf.net/aprs/JAVaprsFilters.htm">http://wa8lmf.net/aprs/JAVaprsFilters.htm</a><br>
<br>
"APRS 101"&nbsp; Explanation of APRS Path Selection &amp; Digipeating <br>
&nbsp; <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://wa8lmf.net/DigiPaths">http://wa8lmf.net/DigiPaths</a> <br>
<br>
Updated "Rev H" APRS&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://wa8lmf.net/aprs">http://wa8lmf.net/aprs</a><br>
Symbols Set for UI-View, <br>
UIpoint and APRSplus:<br>
<br>
<br>
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