Connect to Echolink
In this challenge you will discover how to connect with other scout groups by means of an hybrid radio-internet platform: Echolink.
To make radio connections across the world there is not necessarily need for expensive and powerful equipment. Hybrid radio-internet infrastructures, like Echolink, allow local radio operators to make global connections with cheap, handhelp equipment. Echolink can also represent a valid complement to the traditional HF radio connection methods, in case of poor propagation or congested bands.
Although someone may argue that this technique is not "pure ham radio", the priority in JOTA-JOTI is to ensure that young scouts can connect and make friends across the world, in an accessible way. In an Echolink activity, scouts can focus on international friendship and learn how to lead a QSO; the communications can be complemented by manual activities, for example the construction and tuning of the VHF/UHF antenna.
In the echolink platform, the local radio operator (with a valid license) uses a station or handheld transceiver to connect to an Echolink-ready repeater. Please check this page: https://echolink.org/links.jsp ; callsigns followed by "-R" are repeaters. After having located the information about the closest repeater, the radio operator will set the transceiver with the following data:
- The repeater frequency F (the listening frequency of the user, the transmitting frequency of the repeater.
- The frequency shift S (the user transmits at F+S, the repeater collects that transmission and repeats it audio content at frequency F). Typical shifts are -0.6 MHz in the 2 m band, or +5 MHz in the 70 cm band.
- The number of the CTCSS tone (a sub-audio note, to be embedded in the user transmission; the repeater accepts only transmissions with a specific tone, to discriminate them from noise).
- A sufficient power level to reach the repeater.
If everything's correct, when the radio operator will push the PTT for a second, a brief signal will be received immediately after.
If no other communications are ongoing on the repeater, the radio operator will open a transmission with the PTT and dial 480809: it's the node number of the JOTA-365 Echolink conference. The repeater should reply with the "connected" audio message". At that point, the radio operator transmits to the repeater, which will route the audio message to all the other repeaters and users connected to the conference...even if they are on the opposite side of the world. At the end of the activity, the radio operator should activate the transmission with the PTT and dial #, to disconnect the repeater from JOTA-365.
Radio operators can also register to Echolink, and access the JOTA-365 conference directly with a Windows/Android/IOS or web app (https://www.echolink.org/download.htm)
For more information, you can check the Manual for amateur radio activity (https://www.jotajoti.info/jota/manual-for-amateur-radio-activity )
At last, you just have to answer the questions in the final form.
The challenge
In the conversations inside the JOTA-365 conference, a challenge confirmation code will be regularly sent, preferentially at the beginning of each hour. That code is requested in the final form to validate this challenge.