Mike,

I do believe it does serve some purpose...... I have a friend that goes to
Arizona every winter due to him and his wife's health issues and he does not
have much there to use for equipment. He and I chat via Echolink on a
regular basis on the link point connected where he is at. I also have
developed some friendships with the people that frequent that access point
(simplex access point, not a repeater one) as well. He is a 30+ year Extra
class licensee so he CAN operate just about anywhere but only has 2m/70cm
access when he goes there.

In this case it is a very productive use of the system. In this particular
circumstance we would never be able to communicate if it wasn't for the
system. Other than a little experimentation with it at first, I have not
used it for much more than to communicate with him though.


--
Ryan, KC8PMX
FF1-FF2-MFR-(pending NREMT-B!)
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... --. .... - . .-. ...
And even though I have tried to look into Echolink with an open mind,
in the end, I just don't think of it as a ham type sport - except for
those that just want to talk. And I'm more into the hobby to build
things, contest, and try to stretch my radio legs - not just talk.

- Mike KB3EIA -