Chasers and Echolink ...

[TimothyCarroll]

Is there a certain Echolink node that chasers use in the field? With the ever-growing use of android, iPhone, and internet based applications in chasing, I am curious to see if any chasers are going to Echolink for communications in the field.

Just a thought ...

Tim

 

[Greg Higgins]

You do realize that you must have an amateur radio license to use EchoLink and it must be registered with the software developer?

 

[Chip Redmond]

I'm not sure why they would want to. Most chasers reside on 2m frequencies an usually use local repeaters because they are all within the same storm as other chasers an local skywarn. Rarely would they want to communicate reports to another part of the country. Perhaps if there isn't a repeater within reach you may want to, but usually at those points there is no data either and you also wouldn't want to transfer a report to a skywarn net thats not even up in another region. Just a few thoughts...

Chip

 

[Jake Orosi]

Honest question: if you've got a cell phone, especially one with Internet access, what is the point in trying to interface with radio? Why not simply call the NWS direct or use eSpotter and avoid the hassle?

 

[TimothyCarroll]

My question was directed toward those with ham licenses, often times there are chasers / hams, who are unable to afford, or choose not to purchase ham radios, in regards to communicating to other parts of the country, I personally use echolink a lot of times to communicate locally and keep the RF channels clear, and lastly, over the last decade, chaser convergence and " yahoo's " have become a major problem, locals with scanners finding, and following the more seasoned chasers, this, in the past, has even led to fatalities... The more chasers ( ham licensed ) are able to use the back channels, the less likely these issues are to happen, even if that is on a small scale, but every little bit helps... That is the basis on which the question was asked...

 

[TimothyCarroll]

Simply enough, I personally do not always chase in a vehicle equipped with a ham radio, it's proven that HT's just don't cut it, especially in severe weather, and I personally don't like giving out my cell phone number to those I don't know in the field, but if a line of communication can be established to use, via internet, it's just another "option" I thought of.

 

[Matt Tottle]

I don't see any reason to use echolink while mobile. It's just another thing sucking down data in a situation where you might not have it to spare - whether it be that you have a limited plan, are in bad coverage area, or fallback to 2G speed. As far as affording a ham radio, that's not really an excuse. You can get something simple yet adequate for less than the cost of a tank of gas. Not your vehicle? An HT with an external antenna will do ya. I don't think locals with scanners are are the cause of convergence and tailing. That's due to the beacons we put out on SN saying "HERE I AM!".

Assuming one has a top of the line scanner with a 'service scan' feature (otherwise you're either programming in known frequencies or doing a blind scan up/down) or CloseCall, with the time it takes to scan the ham bands in their entirety, you are very unlikely to catch the beginning of a conversation. And unless you lock that frequency in and stay there, that conversation will be over by the next time it gets around. Scanning is not a very efficient way of finding hams. Yes, there is the 'unofficial chaser simplex' on 550, but that's supposed to be a calling channel like 520. You connect there then channel up to somewhere else. You don't BS there.

 

[TimothyCarroll]

... All Valid points, however the question was not established to argue semantics, nor did it merit any type of opinionated response, it was a simple question of fact... Does anyone use echolink in the field or not... Nothing more, Nothing Less...

Please do not take my response as negative in any way, I humbly accept everyone's opinions, but I do wholeheartedly believe that I am more intelligent than other's responses have made me look lol....

 

[Lou Ruh]

Well ... I actually think the idea has merit. Yes, as with everything, there are potential issues (such as problems in areas where cellular speeds are low or you're already streaming video so there are bandwidth concerns). But, since a cell phone is rarely more than one-to-one communication and radio/Echolink is many-to-any (i.e., anybody listening can hear what someone says and any licensed individual can respond) the capabilities are much different. The question seems to be the similar to "what simplex frequency should chasers use when chasing?" which was preciously discussed here. If a chaser/ham is willing to collaborate with other chasers during a chase and RF is not working for some reason, having an Echolink node (or nodes) for that collaboration would not be a bad thing. Maybe setting up one or more conference nodes (not that I know how to do that at this moment).

I am not aware of anyone doing this, but, I personally think that it could be a worthwhile idea.

 

[Matt Tottle]

... All Valid points, however the question was not established to argue semantics, nor did it merit any type of opinionated response, it was a simple question of fact... Does anyone use echolink in the field or not... Nothing more, Nothing Less...

Please do not take my response as negative in any way, I humbly accept everyone's opinions, but I do wholeheartedly believe that I am more intelligent than other's responses have made me look lol....

Fair enough, but you did imply that 'local yahoos with scanners' monitoring front channel radio traffic is the main cause of convergences and tailing, and you also said that using back channels would cut down on this. I'm saying this is just not the case on any meaningful level. It's not that they're listening to our conversations and tracking us down that way, it's that they're looking at all the dots on the map and saying 'OOH there's Lucio, he's close! Lets go follow him!'. Changing communication paths will not change that.

The beacon is a double edged sword. On one side it opens you up to being followed against your will, but on the other side it's useful for AVOIDING convergence on a popular storm as well, because you can see that everyone is packing down one road and you can find a different route.

 

[Mike Miller]

Here in NC, aside from the local Skywarn freqs we use a 440 linked repeater statewide net for backup in case the main repeaters go down during an event. That's why I have Echolink on my iPhone but I primarily rely on my 2m mobile rig. First post...yay!!!

Mike Miller
KK4COM

 

[TimothyCarroll]

Fair enough, but you did imply that 'local yahoos with scanners' monitoring front channel radio traffic is the main cause of convergences and tailing, and you also said that using back channels would cut down on this. I'm saying this is just not the case on any meaningful level. It's not that they're listening to our conversations and tracking us down that way, it's that they're looking at all the dots on the map and saying 'OOH there's Lucio, he's close! Lets go follow him!'. Changing communication paths will not change that.

The beacon is a double edged sword. On one side it opens you up to being followed against your will, but on the other side it's useful for AVOIDING convergence on a popular storm as well, because you can see that everyone is packing down one road and you can find a different route.

I only replied in reference to yahoo chaser convergence after opinionated semantic replies to my original, simple question lol ... I completely agree with you on the " connect the dots " issue as well, however in my response, I did mention scaling down on "yahoo convergence", " even if its only on a small scale " therefore leaving that "issue" open to other causes and blame... Spotter Network is an amazing asset, and I hope it stays as it is, and only further develops as time passes, maybe in time there can be stricter log-in procedures to eliminate some of the issues discussed.