SvxLink

SvxLink is a cool project designed to create a flexible voice services system for ham radio. Basically, it helps connect your radio gear in a super handy way. The SvxLink server has a core that manages how it connects to the transceiver, which is the device that sends and receives radio signals.

How It Works

The audio from the transceiver hooks up to your PC using a sound card, and you control the PTT (push-to-talk) feature through a pin in the serial port. This core can be set up to work as either a repeater controller or on a simplex channel, depending on what you need!

Voice Services Offered

With SvxLink, you get voice services that are loaded into the core as plugins or modules (that's just how they refer to them). Some of these services include:

• Help: A handy help system.


• Parrot: This one repeats everything you say back to you!


• EchoLink: Connect with other EchoLink stations.


• TclVoiceMail: A simple voice mail option.

The whole project also comes with an EchoLink client GUI app called Qtel.

What Is EchoLink?

You might be wondering about EchoLink. It's actually an invention from amateur radio folks (think modified IP telephony), letting you link radios together over the Internet. Just keep in mind; you'll need an amateur radio license to use it! If you're curious about the original software, check it out at Echolink.org.

The Advantage of SvxLink

The catch? The original EchoLink software only runs on Windows and isn't open-source. But guess what? SvxLink is FREE software released under the GPL license! That means anyone can use it without spending a dime!

A Note About Qtel

If you're looking into Qtel, remember it's only an EchoLink client program. It doesn't have sysop mode, so it can't connect directly to a transceiver and act as a link—use the SvxLink server for that functionality.