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| links:echolink [2026/10/01 15:19] – [Sound Configuration] va7fi | links:echolink [2026/10/01 15:44] (current) – [Sound Configuration] va7fi |
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| ==== Modem ==== | ==== Modem ==== |
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| * For this setup, I had to tweak the network settings of my router to allow traffic to find the Echolink computer. See more [[:links:starticip | here]]. | * For this setup, I had to tweak the network settings of my router to allow traffic to find the Echolink computer. See more [[:links:starticip | here]]. |
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| ==== Windows 10 ==== | ==== Windows 10 ==== |
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| The first step is to configure the Signalink unit properly in Windows. At first, it'll probably show as a USB sound device, but I changed the name to "Signalink", which is what you'll see in the screenshots here. | The first step is to configure the Signalink unit properly in Windows. At first, it'll probably show as a USB sound device, but I changed the name to "Signalink", which is what you'll see in the screenshots here. |
| * Right click on the speaker icon on the lower right corner and select "Sounds" {{ links:echolink:00sounds.jpg |}} | * Right click on the speaker icon on the lower right corner and select "Sounds" {{ links:echolink:00sounds.jpg |}} |
| * Under the ''Playback'' tab, I changed the name of the USB device to "Signalink", set it as the default, and disabled all the other playback devices since this computer isn't used for anything else than Echolink. {{ links:echolink:01playback.jpg |}} | * Under the ''Playback'' tab, I changed the name of the USB device to "Signalink", set it as the default, and disabled all the other playback devices since this computer isn't used for anything else than Echolink. {{ links:echolink:01playback.jpg |}} |
| * The levels should at 0.0dB {{ links:echolink:02playbacklevels.png }} | * The levels should at ''0.0 dB'' {{ links:echolink:02playbacklevels.png }} |
| * There should be no Enhancements {{ links:echolink:03playbackenhencements.png }} | * There should be no Enhancements {{ links:echolink:03playbackenhencements.png }} |
| * The audio quality can be at "FM Radio Quality". {{ links:echolink:03soundsb.jpg |}} | * The audio quality can be at ''FM Radio Quality''. {{ links:echolink:03soundsb.jpg |}} |
| * There should be no Spatial Sounds {{ links:echolink:echolinkplaybackspacialsounds.png }} | * The ''Spatial Sounds'' should be ''Off'' {{ links:echolink:echolinkplaybackspacialsounds.png }} |
| * Similarly for the ''Recording'' tab {{ links:echolink:02recording.jpg |}} | * Similarly for the ''Recording'' tab {{ links:echolink:02recording.jpg |}} |
| * Levels to 0.0 dB | * Levels to ''0.0 dB'' |
| * Format to ''1 channel, 16 bit, 11025 Hz'' | * Format to ''1 channel, 16 bit, 11025 Hz'' |
| * In the ''Sounds'' tab, I selected "No Sound" otherwise, Windows sound would be transmitted on the air. Here, if you don't disable the other playback devices, you could simply ensure that the windows sound go to the speakers, but I wanted to keep things as simple as possible. {{ links:echolink:03sounds.jpg |}} | * In the ''Sounds'' tab, I selected ''No Sound'' otherwise, Windows sound would be transmitted on the air. Here, if you don't disable the other playback devices, you could simply ensure that the windows sound go to the speakers, but I wanted to keep things as simple as possible. {{ links:echolink:03sounds.jpg |}} |
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| ==== Echolink Program ==== | ==== Echolink Program ==== |
| * Under ''Tools'' -> ''Setup...'', select the Signalink devices for the Input and Output devices and click the ''Calibrate'' button which will change the Fine Tuning number automatically. {{ links:echolink:04systemsetupaudio.png |}} | * Under ''Tools'' -> ''Setup...'' -> ''Audio'' |
| * Under "Tools" > "Sysop Settings...", configure the RX Ctrl settings {{ links:echolink:05sysop.png |}} | * Also check the ''300 Hz TX High-Pass Filter'' (which might help with the Subaudible Tone for VOX below). |
| * A <wrap hi>new setting</wrap> for the TX Ctrl is the sub-audible tone. Without this, the Signalink will transmit only when it hears a voice signal, which is why it needs some delays otherwise it would click in and out at the end of every word. But the sub audible tone keeps the PTT on until the person stops transmitting, even when they pause. This allows the delay on the Signalink to be shortened considerably (more on that later). \\ \\ <fc #ff0000>Update:</fc> I've had to disable this because I //think// it might be causing interference to the tone used by the repeater. I found that the tone transmitted by Echolink is 77Hz but the tone our repeater is expecting is 100Hz so it seems our repeater is not able to decode the two mixed together.{{ links:echolink:06sysop.png |}} | * Select the Signalink devices for the Input and Output devices and click the ''Calibrate'' button which will change the Fine Tuning number automatically. {{ links:echolink:04systemsetupaudio.png |}} |
| * I also disabled the DTMF so as to not conflict with the IRLP node. Users can still connect to Echolink on their phones and computers, but can't control it from their radio. {{ links:echolink:07sysop.jpg |}} | * Under ''Tools'' -> ''Sysop Settings...'' -> ''RX Ctrl'', set all three delays to 0 and add the ''Squelch Crash Anti-Trip'' to ''50''.{{ links:echolink:05sysop.png |}} |
| * Finally, I disabled the disconnect announcement. I find that it's more useful to know when someone connects than when someone disconnects. And during a net when multiple people come and go, the announcements can be quite disrupting. {{ links:echolink:08sysop.png |}} | * Under ''Tools'' -> ''Sysop Settings...'' -> ''TX Ctrl'', check the ''Use Subaudible Tone for VOX'', which will enable Echolink transmit as soon as the user taps the ''TRANSMIT'' button on their phone, and will only stop when the tap the ''STOP TX'' button, regardless of whether they are speaking or not. With this option, the delay on the Signalink device can be lowered to its minimum setting. |
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| | I found that the tone transmitted by Echolink is 77Hz, which could cause issues with the tone of the repeater. However, the 300 Hz TX High-Pass Filter might help. |
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| | {{ links:echolink:06sysop.png |}} |
| | * Under ''Tools'' -> ''Sysop Settings...'' -> ''DTMF'', I also disabled the DTMF so as to not conflict with the IRLP node. {{ links:echolink:07sysop.jpg |}} |
| | * Finally, under ''Tools'' -> ''Sysop Settings...'' -> ''Options'' I disabled both announcements, which can be quite disrupting. The operators themselves are responsible for id'ing. {{ links:echolink:08sysop.png |}} |
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| The first step will be to adjust the receive of the echolink system. | The first step will be to adjust the receive of the echolink system. |
| * On your phone, make sure the volumes are adjusted properly. Go through the [[echolink#audio_levels |steps above]] again to make sure the audio is good (that'll be important for later). | * On your phone, make sure the volumes are adjusted properly. Go through the [[echolink#audio_levels |steps above]] again to make sure the audio is good (that'll be important for later). |
| * Tune the Echolink radio to a quiet simplex frequency and connect your phone to the node. | * Tune the Echolink radio to a busy frequency like one with a net for example. |
| * Once the node identified, tune the Echolink radio to a busy frequency like one with a net for example. Don't worry, we won't be transmitting there (that's why we connected the phone to the node //before// tuning to that frequency). | |
| * You should now be hearing the conversations on your phone via Echolink. | * You should now be hearing the conversations on your phone via Echolink. |
| * Turn off the power of the Signalink (little red button) and roughly adjust the volume of the Echolink radio until you can hear the conversation at a good level. We'll fine tune this again later. | * Turn off the power of the Signalink (little red button) and roughly adjust the volume of the Echolink radio until you can hear the conversation at a good level. We'll fine tune this again later. |
| * Now turn on the power of the Signalink again and adjust the RX dial until the volume is the same as when it was off. You might have to turn it on and off a few times until you find this spot. For me, it was in the 11 o'clock position. | * Now turn on the power of the Signalink again and adjust the RX dial until the volume is the same as when it was off. You might have to turn it on and off a few times until you find this spot. For me, it was in the 12 o'clock position. |
| * You can now leave the Signalink turned on. | * You can now leave the Signalink turned on. |
| * Adjust the volume of the radio until the volume through your phone is similar to that introduction when you tested the ''*ECHOTEST*'' on your phone. Also watch the meter on the Echolink computer to make sure that you're not over driven. Ideally, the level should be around 2/3 or so. \\ {{links:echolink:echolinkaudiogate.png|}} | * Adjust the volume of the radio until the volume through your phone is similar to that introduction when you tested the ''*ECHOTEST*'' on your phone. Also watch the meter on the Echolink computer to make sure that you're not over driven. Ideally, the level should be around 2/3 or so. \\ {{links:echolink:echolinkaudiogate.png|}} |
| * Also, when no-one is talking, the level should stay below the slider (which is like an audio squelch). Anytime the level exceeds this, there will be a beep on the phone and it'll be impossible for the user to use the ''TRANSMIT'' button. I found that using the computer for other tasks creates "noise" that can be heard on the phone. | * Also, when no-one is talking, the level should stay below the slider (which is like an audio squelch). Anytime the level exceeds this, there will be a beep on the phone and it'll be impossible for the user to use the ''TRANSMIT'' button. I found that using the computer for other tasks creates "noise" that can be heard on the phone. |
| * Once the radio volume is set, make a note of it. Mine is in the 1 o'clock position. | * Once the radio volume is set, make a note of it. |
| * We're done with this part but before we move on, tune the second radio to the net and adjust the volume to a comfortable level. This is simply to adjust the volume. We'll be comparing the echolink volume to this later. | * We're done with this part but before we move on, tune the second radio to the net and adjust the volume to a comfortable level. This is simply to adjust the volume. We'll be comparing the echolink volume to this later. |
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| First, adjust the Signalink delay. Ideally, we want as little delay as possible but some is needed. | |
| * Find a quiet simplex frequency and dial the Echolink and a second radio there (don't change the volume though). | |
| * Set the delay all the way down to the 7 o'clock position. | |
| * ID with your second radio saying something like: "VA7FI testing Echolink" | |
| * On your phone, press ''TRANSMIT'' but don't talk yet. | |
| * You should hear the Signalink PTT click on and off rapidly and hear it on the second radio. Slowly turn the delay up until the clicking stops and it stays on (then turn it up a notch further). For me, that was in the 9 o'clock position. You can now ID and stop transmitting. | |
| * Make a note of the Signalink delay. | |
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| The final step is to adjust the Signalink TX knob: | The final step is to adjust the Signalink TX knob: |
