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G4YUU > INFO 06.03.04 11:53l 88 Lines 3773 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : E70453G4YUU
Read: DB0FHN GUEST
Subj: M3's and Echolink
Path: DB0FHN<DB0RGB<OK0PPL<DB0RES<ON0AR<ZL2TZE<W4JAX<GB7FCR
Sent: 040306/0948Z @:GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU #:46733 [Blackpool] FBB-7.03a $:E70453G4
From: G4YUU@GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU
To : INFO@WW
[ 06/03/2004 09:48z #:0453 @:G4YUU QRA:IO92CN ] .
Wishing you all A Happy New Year 2004
Hi All
For many months I have continually read derogatory remarks relative to M3
Radio Amateurs.
Wellllllllllllll last week after now having Broadband and only using Telnet
for Packet my 2m FT230R rig in front of me has been standing here doing
S/F/Adams
Then I realised that perhaps I should exercise my vocal chords once more and
try 2M Radio. Out came my TNC plug from the headphone socket and in went my
microphone.
Found out again as to how to scan the bands and had a few earwigings at people
who were actually talking on Amateur Radio. Surprise, Surprise.
Eventually I landed on 145.7125 and realised it was a Repeater local to me. Lo
& Behold I recognised a few call signs one being Ian G3ZHI. After a few
minutes I was told it was " Echolink ". It was nice to have a QSO ( yes I can
remember some of the codes ) with Ian for the first time.
On the repeater GB3DX were Many M callsigns and I found them to be very
courteous and extremely helpful and gave me quite a lot of info about
Echolink.
Whilst connected to GB3DX ( yes I did remember to change my rig to go 600 down
to talk ) and had a short chat with a RA in Canada, Sydney, and B'ham West
Midlands. The one M3 was in fact turned out to be a White Stick Operator and
could/did tell me what I would see on my screen if and when I installed
Echolink.
I did not find one M3 who many people have voiced are not capable of being on
2M. This I would definitely challenge.
I eventually downloaded Echolink but no way would it work on my computer and I
spent many hours trying. My call sign would show up on the Echolink screen on
my computer and also I could hear the announcement on GB3DX but I could not
speak.
An M3 came to my rescue by introducing me to Mark G4LCH who turned out to be a
IT programmer and co-writer of the GB3DX Web Site. Mark very kindly came to
home and after 20 mins had found what was wrong with my computer, put it right
and Echolink works 100% perfectly and I would add the one or two niggles that
I have had with this computer for some time have all disappeared.
I have met some very nice people on Echolink who when I mention it is my first
time all tender very excellent advice. I even found out how to set my Computer
Mic to " Enhanced Mode ".
I must admit I did come across one M3 who although in this country was from
over the deep blue Atlantic, in fact just a few miles from where I live was
not that nice and was told off for his attitude by a G4***.
Thursday evening I was trying to connect to a station in Alaska and someone
came on the station who was from Oban in Scotland and was I surprised to find
the GM used to live in SC here where I live, many years ago.
Sutton-Alaska-Oban
I have been enjoying myself using Echolink but I have had to fine tune my
hearing to Radio "Twang" and also how to talk "RA way" all over again but very
enjoyable.
The only minus point I would make is that most of the M3's repeat their call
sign on every over when if my memory serves me right should be at the start of
a connection and thereafter every 15 minutes. It does " Irk " one a bit to
continually hear "This is M3*** passing it back to G4*** in the Group" and
vice versa on every connection/pass. One can only say that the RA Courtesy is
there even if a " Little bit overdone " but nevertheless they are courteous.
I am just speaking as I find and therefore cannot agree with past remarks made
on Packet regarding the M3 new licensee's being heard in their respective
area's.
73, John, G4YUU @ GB7FCR
09:38 on 06 Mar 2004
WinPack-Telnet V6.80 (R)
"Sent using a Computer"
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