Ham to Phone or computer for dummies

[Romer]

So a bunch of us are doing the Rubithon in June and an interesting topic to communicate back home came up when someone asked about cell coverage

Your a HAM....autopatch the lady!

Actually, she could Echolink to one of the repeaters in the area.
That way she could talk to you from your PC at home, while you are on the trail.

Regards

Alvaro

So for dummies, how do you do this?

 

[Farmer_Fred]

hi,
take a look at eQSO by M0ZPD Amatuer Radio Internet Linking its software that HAM radio users can use to link to other users via pc/internet. From my understanding it's a:

Radio >> Radio connected to PC >> Internet >> Radio Connected to PC >> Radio

chain if you get me! Hopefully someone here can help more! but its a point in the right direction.

 

[FJ40_owner]

hi,
take a look at eQSO by M0ZPD Amatuer Radio Internet Linking its software that HAM radio users can use to link to other users via pc/internet. From my understanding it's a:

Radio >> Radio connected to PC >> Internet >> Radio Connected to PC >> Radio

chain if you get me! Hopefully someone here can help more! but its a point in the right direction.

Echo Link is a software program that is free to download. You must be a licensed ham to use it. Say I want to talk to Chicago from Placerville. The Chicago repeater must have Echo link set up and the Chicago person must be listening on one specific repeater freq.

So if a licensed ham in your home town wants to contact you on the Rubicon they need to look up 146.805 in the Echo link directory and "connect." It is very easy to do.

The repeater we use on the Rubicon, 146.805, has many neat features. A link to the Lake Tahoe side of the 'con, a UHF repeater in the 'con that is linked to 805 and many voting receivers in El Dorado county. And 805 has a closed auto patch. In other words it is not intended to call home and check whats in the mail.

If you need parts, are lost feel free to come up on the air and ask someone to help you out.

Remember the autopatch is not full duplex. You talk, they listen. They talk you listen.

Also 805 has huge coverage. Most of Lake Tahoe, north to Chico and South to Modesto and all off El Dorado and Sacramento county. Please respect the coverage and don't tie it up talking car to car.

My kid is getting married June 21 or I would be on the 'Con. But if I am awake all my radios are on 805. Don't hesitate to call me. N6KML, Jim.

I will be more than happy to call anyone for Mudders from my home phone anywhere. Additionally I am an autopatch operator so if someone needs to make a call we will do it for you.

I live in the area and know where parts stores, fuel and food are available.

Forgot cell coverage.
From the Tahoe side on Hwy89 it is in and out and spotty. (Many nice restaraunts on North shore and down 89. ) Hwy50 to Meyers and the Ice House road is very spotty. I just saw a cell site going in in Kyburz so there must be coverage there in Kyburz. Also there is cell from HWY50 @ Ice House road up to about Union Valley Res. There is a pay phone at Ice House resort. (Bob the owner is grumpy but a nice guy. He deals with idiots daily!) And the last spot for scarce cell service is in the dirt parking lot at the Loon Lake Chalet right next to the SMUD weather station.

I suggest reading up on the Rubicon on Pirate. I also have links from our FOTR site.

Rubicon Trail Information | "Friends of the Rubicon" FOTR

Anyone is welcome to PM or call me.

Anymore questions ask away.

 

[alvarorb]

Romer,

The Norcal Wagons HAMs will be using 146.460 during Rubithon. I'll be also monitoring 146.805.

I should have my dual band in the truck and my handheld always with me.

Regards

Alvaro

 

[knoll0351]

Back to the "lay person" I've been interested in getting my amature radio license for some time now, however, when I moved for my new job I haven't been able to find any information on licensing in my new town. Can anyone provide any assistance on where I can learn what I need to know and where I can take my test to become a HAM opperator?

 

[alvarorb]

I've been recommending HamTestOnline™ as a study guide.
To find out were tests are being done in your area, visit the ARRLWeb: ARRL Home Page website.

Regards

Alvaro

 

[knoll0351]

Thank you

 

[Hulk]

I am a ham (general) and so is my wife (technician). Thanks for the links. I'm going to start reading...

A couple of stoopid questions:

1. Do I need to bring my laptop to make this work?

2. Will anyone at the Rubithon be doing this, so I can watch how it's done? I'm a visual learner.

TIA!
Matt

 

[alia176]

I'm also interested in using Echolink to speak to the Rubithon folks. From my past experience with this software, it's relatively easy to use. You install it, look up the specific repeater in the area you want to contact and then tell the guy at the other end to tune his radio to the same freq and start speaking/listening through the PC speaker. There's a delay but it works decent. The other guy uses his HAM radio while you're sitting at home speaking (looks kinda stupid to your family but they'll get over it) talking to a computer.