 |
| Some Irish Sea region repeaters, including GB3AR. |
Despite this, the repeater has seen almost no activity, which has taken a further dive over the past two years, as some of the ex-CB brigade drop dead.
 |
| GB3AR-R. Image: Arfon Repeater Group |
So it was a pleasant surprise, a few weeks ago, to find Echolink had been connected to GB3AR. Whilst this has not seen a dramatic increase in traffic, one does come across the occasional curious Echolink operator connecting up and calling 'CQ'. This seems to have prompted a few more local operators to work the repeater, too.
UPDATE: The Echolink facility has recently vanished!
I don't think the precise way in which we make a QSO is very important. It's having the QSO that's important. A significant benefit of Echolink is that it permits a QSB and RFI-free ragchew to take place between, for example, as last evening, North Wales and the eastern seaboard US.
So I am rather glad that traffic has been improved, if only slightly, by the adoption of relatively new techniques. The Echolink app or PC software is free, and there is no need to 'choose this system or that system', as afflict those of us wondering about digital 2m modes.
 |
| Oh well! DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Dominique A. Pineiro |
At the end of the QSO with the US last evening, I had a good chuckle as the operator signed off with a dry 'apologies for our President, and 73!'
Quite.
No comments:
Post a Comment