[App_rpt-users] Echolink Connectivity Issue

[Pawlowski, Adam]

I sent this a while back but it was bounced for the wrong mail address. I don't see it ever made it to the list.

This was re: someone being advised that their app_rpt node is not permitted on the Echolink network.

> Echolink is a nice service
> that allows hams around the world to keep up pc to pc. And nobody asks 
> for any money, nice. But this is very, very out of the norm for them.
>

I looked this up recently when I started to talk about IRLP and how they don't want other traffic on their network. Then I looked at their Access Policy:

4. Stations operating in Sysop mode may interconnect EchoLink only with equipment operating on Amateur frequencies.  EchoLink does not permit use of the system with other services such as GMRS, FRS, or MARS.  For security reasons, it is also not permitted to interconnect EchoLink with other VoIP systems that support direct access from a computer.

10. The "addressing servers" are designed to be accessed by EchoLink software only.  For the sake of system security and stability, any other access requires the permission of the server administrator.  As a matter of security, in no event should the IP addresses (or Internet hostnames) of logged-in stations be displayed to anyone who is not a validated, logged-in user. 

11. Although every effort will be made to apply these policies universally and fairly, the EchoLink Support staff reserves the right to withdraw a station's access privileges at any time, without notice.  EchoLink is a privately owned and operated system that has no connection with, and is not governed by, any radio licensing authority.  

So, I interpret that as that you are not supposed to connect to with asterisk at all anyways, if you read that verbosely, via app_rpt or otherwise. I don't have the history to know if they've made any statement about what app_rpt is doing, but it seems like it's not permitted via their policy only they are less vocal about it than the IRLP folks.