Initial Installation

NOTE:  You can skip this section and go to "Program Options" below if you have already installed EchoLink for Sysop mode

1. Select "Sysop" mode and click Next
2. Select your Internet Connection type and click Next
3. Select "Direct Controlled" and click Next. Note that the com port selection is not used and will be changed later, so the default (COM1) is fine.
4. Enter your Callsign and other information, and click Next
5. Select your geographic location and click Next
6. Fire Wall Test - You can perform this test now, or do it later if you have connection problems.
7. The initial setup of EchoLink is now complete. Please see the steps below to configure EchoLink to work with the SignaLink.

Program Options

1. Click the "Tools" menu and select "Setup".
2. On the "Audio" tab, select "USB Audio Codec" (or "USB Audio Device" for Windows Me/2000) for both the "Input Device" and the "Output Device".  Click OK when done.
3. Click the "Tools" menu and select "Sysop Settings".
   
   • On the "RX Ctrl" tab, select "VOX". Note that you can adjust the VOX threshold with the slider that appears below the Audio Level indicator at the bottom of the EchoLink screen. Audio coming from the EchoLink internet connection will transmitted by the SignaLink when it is above the VOX slider level.
     
   • On the "TX Ctrl" tab, select "External VOX". On the "Signals" tab, under "Tone Burst", select "Send at the beginning of each TX". The default frequency is fine, but the duration should be set to 50-100ms. Note that we are using this "tone burst" feature to switch the SignaLink into transmit before the voice is passed to the unit for transmission. This will prevent the first part of the voice transmission from being cut-off, which can sometimes happen if audio levels are too low, or the radio switches to transmit slowly.  If you set the tone burst duration properly (you may need to experiment with it), then the tone will activate PTT but not actually be transmitted by the radio due to its short duration.
     
4. Click OK when done.

Notes / Tips

• EchoLink is one of the more complicated applications supported by the SignaLink.  Because of this, we strongly suggest that you confirm that the SignaLink is able to Transmit and Receive using DigiPan (or a similar, simple PSK31 program) BEFORE attempting to use EchoLink.  If you can receive PSK31 with DigiPan (or at least see the audio on the waterfall display) and transmit a steady test tone, then any problems you experience with EchoLink will likely be due to incorrect EchoLink setup, a problem with the server connection, or operator error.
  
  
• EchoLink is used with the SignaLink when you cannot be in front of the computer/radio system that the SignaLink is attached to.  This means that you will be using a mobile radio/HT to remotely communicate with your base radio that has the SignaLink and computer attached.  If you are going to be sitting at the computer/radio system that has the SignaLink attached, then you would normally use a headset (plugged into the computer's soundcard) to talk through the EchoLink system without using the SignaLink.