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Installation

1. Which operating systems are supported?

EchoLink was developed on Windows 10, and has been tested extensively on Windows 10/11 and Windows 7. It is designed to run on all 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Microsoft Windows, Vista and above. (The current version of EchoLink does not run on Windows XP, nor Windows editions prior to XP.)

Currently, there are no plans to offer official versions of EchoLink for other desktop operating systems.

Here are some alternatives:

• All platforms: EchoLink Web
• Android: EchoLink for Android
• iOS: EchoLink for iOS
• MacOS: EchoHam
• Linux: Qtel/SvxLink (unsupported)

2. Will EchoLink run on a mobile device?

An edition of EchoLink for the Apple iPhone and iPad is available at the App Store.

An edition of EchoLink for Android phones and tablets is also available, from Google Play.

3. How do I download and install EchoLink?

Follow the steps below:

1. If you have an older version of EchoLink, shut it down, but do not un-install it.
2. Go to the EchoLink Home page, and click Download from the menu on the left.
3. When prompted, enter your callsign and e-mail address and click Submit.
4. Click the link marked "Click here to download".
5. Your browser should open a message asking whether you want to Save the file, or Open it (or Run from current location).  Choose Open (or Run).
6. The download will begin. If you get a message that says "An unidentified program wants access to your computer", choose Allow.
7. After the download completes, you should see another message saying "This will install EchoLink.  Do you wish to continue?"
8. Click Yes, and then follow the instructions on the screen.

4. I have installed EchoLink.  Now, how do I start it up?

You should see an EchoLink icon on your Windows desktop.  Double-click this icon to start the program.

You can also start EchoLink by opening the Start menu (at the bottom left), choosing Programs, and then choosing the appropriate folder.  This is called "EchoLink", unless you chose something different during installation.  Choose this folder, then click "EchoLink", next to the radio-tower icon, to start the program.

5. I am running an older version of EchoLink.  How do I upgrade to the current version?

Simply download and install EchoLink as you did previously.  Do not delete or un-install your older version.  The installer will update the program automatically and retain your existing settings.

6. I just bought a new PC. Is there a way to install EchoLink on the new PC but retain all of my EchoLink settings from the old PC?

For information about migrating EchoLink settings, please see Migrating.

7. How do I un-install EchoLink?

From your Windows Control Panel, double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon, then select EchoLink from the list of programs and follow the instructions on the screen.

If you had already removed some files from the EchoLink folder manually, you can do a "clean" un-install by re-installing the program and then following the procedure above.

8. Can I install EchoLink on more than one computer?

You are free to install EchoLink on as many computers as you wish.  Once your callsign has been validated, there is no need to be re-validated for additional installations.  However, be sure to follow these guidelines:

1. Use the same password (for the same callsign) on each computer.
2. Do not run EchoLink on two computers at the same time with the same callsign.
3. Do not run EchoLink on two computers which share the same public IP address, even if the callsigns are different.
4. Do not share your password with anyone else, or allow anyone else to use your callsign.

9. I have two computers connected through a router to the Internet. Can I run EchoLink on both of them at the same time, one with my call and the other with my call followed by -L or -R?

No, unless you've made special arrangements with your Internet provider to use more than one Internet address. Otherwise, it won't work because EchoLink requires each node to have a different public IP address.

We've had many requests over the years to change the EchoLink software so that more than once copy could be run behind the same IP address. Unfortunately, this change would be prohibitively difficult to make without adversely affecting thousands of existing users.

10. My spouse and I are both hams, and we want to share the computer on which EchoLink is installed.  How do we switch back and forth between our two callsigns?  Should we install the software again?

There is no need to install EchoLink a second time.  There are two different ways to share the program among two or more users:

1. Each time you want to switch callsigns, start the program and choose Setup from the Tools menu.  Choose Change Callsign and enter the new callsign (and the password, if different).
2. Set up two different Profiles, and switch between them using the Profiles function on EchoLink's File menu.  For more information about Profiles, see the online Help.

11. What is a "node number", and how do I find out what mine is?  Where do I type it in?

Every validated user of EchoLink is automatically assigned a unique node number.  These numbers are assigned sequentially, and new users receive six-digit numbers.  The node number can be used by portable and mobile stations to connect to your link through another link, using their DTMF pad, somewhat like a telephone number.

Your node number does not need to be entered into the EchoLink software, nor is it stored on your computer.  If you install EchoLink on a different computer, your node number does not change.  To find your node number, locate your own callsign in the Station List.  If the node number is not shown, move the mouse pointer to your callsign, and it should appear in a yellow box.

12. I installed EchoLink on a new computer, and my node number changed!  What happened?

Check to be sure you are using exactly the same callsign as before.  For example, K1RFD and K1RFD-L are considered two separate callsigns by EchoLink, and each has its own node number.

15. Why do I need to enter my e-mail address, and what do you do with it?

The e-mail address you enter, both on the Download page and in the EchoLink software itself, is recorded in the EchoLink database along with your callsign.  It is used only if we need to contact you about validating your callsign, resetting a forgotten password, or some other issue about EchoLink operation.  Your e-mail address is never posted or listed on the Web, nor shared with a third party.

If your e-mail address has changed, you can notify us of the change on the Change E-Mail Address page on the Web site. If you have forgotten the password and you need to change your e-mail address, please see the  Password Reminder page for more information.