[Qcwa] EchoLink Security Issues

[J Craswell]

> > While nothing is foolproof it appears that Echolink authors attempt to
> > offer some measure of security.  See
> > http://www.synergenics.com/el/access_policies.htm and
> > http://www.synergenics.com/el/faq_validation.htm for the lowdown on
> > what's been offered.
> >
> > In reality, there's nothing to prevent anyone from buying a radio and
> > getting on the air anyway.  We just need to be vigilant and
> > self-policing.
> >
> > I am wondering what legalities are involved in the echolink activity
> > now sweeping the internet.   In other words what if any FCC rules
> > are being thwarted in the process.  I know of course the action via
> > local VHF voice repeaters is strictly controlled in all facets,
> > but what about say someone with a computer dreaming up a call sine
> > then thru his computer software accessing distant ham repeaters.

I wanted to chime in.  Our local repeater has an Echolink connection.  We
had this weak station on the repeater asking what the "code" was and we
tried talking to him but never got a callsign from him.  *Plus he didn't
sound "rite"  *In fact he sounded drunk.  After some period of silence we
started hearing DTMF tones being pushed (We think an effort to bring up
Echolink)  Our Echolink station has a web link that controls the system.  I
logged on, entered the password given me by the Echolink guru and shut
echolink off.  *It stayed off for maybe 20 minutes.  All without telling
this LID anything beyond asking him his name and callsign earlier.  He got
bored in about half a minute and went away.  Hopefully to flush himself down
the crapper.

ECHOLINK 101
1) Have a way to remote shut down echolink.   *And maybe your repeater!
Remember FCC rules require a "CONTROL" operator.

2) Don't argue / talk with un IDed transmissions or "Jammers."  Lids have
short attention spans and most will assume their (probably) stolen radios
are broken.  It really drives them away when they squawk and you
"apparently" are not hearing them.  Hopefully it causes them to throw their
radio into the trash.  If nothing else it lessens the fun they have booping,
burping etc.

3) Build a Flex Yagi and hunt them down like the dogs they are!  <grin> Flex
Yagi made from Measuring Tape material.

Don't let LIDS and Pirates ruin your day.

Echolink is a lot of fun.  Stations from Europe any morning on the WA0VLL
repeater and Asia, Australia etc most evenings!  And no pile ups, DX "Cops"
or 5x9 goodbye contest contacts!  Lots of "new guys" every day who don't
realize you have to push the space bar to talk and again to listen but
that's another story. <grin>

73 de Jay W0VNE