"Martin, VK2UMJ" wrote in message
...

So, are you saying that IRLP *is* part of Amateur Radio as it uses radio
*linked* using internet protocol, but EchoLink (etc) isn't as it uses NO
radio at all??? Can we assume that is correct?

I'm not overly enamoured with the way that the internet is being used in
amateur radio as it seems to be converting our hobby into nothing more than
a mobile phone system. However, my opinion is as you have stated. At least
IRLP demands the use of a radio at each end, and simply uses the internet as
a means of propagating a signal. The other systems - Echolink etc. - do not
work like that, and you can have someone using a radio talking to someone
using a computer, and to me, that isn't amateur radio.

The point I was making about Walt is that he was being unfairly labelled a
hypocrite. His objection seemed to be not about using the internet at all,
but about using computers and the internet and calling it amateur radio.

Dave S.