# Echolink

> amateur radio VoIP technology

**Wikidata**: [Q1202730](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1202730)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EchoLink)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/echolink

## Summary
EchoLink is a software-based amateur radio VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology. It functions as a non-tangible executable component that enables communication connections over the internet. The platform is recognized globally, with documentation and usage spanning multiple languages including English, German, Spanish, and Japanese.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** EchoLink is a type of software categorized as an amateur radio VoIP technology.
- **Official Website:** The platform is hosted at `http://www.echolink.org` (English).
- **Version History:** The software has evolved through multiple releases, including version 2.0.908 (released May 22, 2007) and version 2.3.121 (released July 1, 2021).
- **Global Reach:** The software has established a presence in at least 10 Wikipedia language editions (ca, commons, de, en, eo, es, it, ja, ko, pl).
- **Alternate Titles:** The entity is also known by the alias "Эхолинк".
- **System Support:** The software has a specified entry in the Wine AppDB (ID 994), indicating usage within the Linux environment via compatibility layers.
- **Visual Identity:** The software utilizes a specific logo (`EchoLinkIcon.gif`) and has a confirmed graphical user interface for Windows Vista.

## FAQs
### Q: What exactly is EchoLink?
A: EchoLink is a software application classified as an amateur radio VoIP technology. It is designed to be a non-tangible executable component that facilitates communication.

### Q: Where can I find the official software?
A: The official website for the software is located at `http://www.echolink.org`. The software is widely recognized and referenced across multiple international language databases.

### Q: Is the software still being updated?
A: Yes, according to structured data, a version labeled 2.3.121 was released on July 1, 2021, indicating continued maintenance following earlier versions like the 2007 release.

## Why It Matters
EchoLink represents a significant convergence of traditional amateur radio practices and modern internet protocol technologies. By defining itself as an amateur radio VoIP technology, the software serves as a critical bridge that allows radio operators to communicate via the internet, bypassing the physical limitations of radio wave propagation. This classification highlights its role in the evolution of communication software, transforming how amateur radio networks are structured and accessed.

The software's longevity—spanning from at least 2007 to 2021—demonstrates its sustained relevance in the field. Its availability in a Windows environment and compatibility with Linux systems (via Wine) ensures a broad technical reach. Furthermore, its presence across diverse linguistic communities (including German, Spanish, Japanese, and Italian) underscores its global utility as a standard tool for amateur radio enthusiasts.

## Notable For
- **Bridging Technologies:** Uniquely combines amateur radio operations with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) software.
- **Longevity:** Maintains a software history spanning over a decade, with releases recorded in 2007 and 2021.
- **Global Localization:** Distinguished by having documentation and presence in over 10 different languages.
- **Cross-Platform Identity:** While primarily a Windows application, it maintains a specific profile in the Wine AppDB, noting its relevance for cross-platform users.

## Body

### Technical Definition and Classification
EchoLink is defined strictly as software—specifically a non-tangible executable component of a computer. It falls under the specific classification of amateur radio VoIP technology. This categorization places it at the intersection of licensed radio spectrum usage and digital internet communication.

### Version History and Development
The software has a recorded history of updates and maintenance.
- **Version 2.0.908:** Released on May 22, 2007.
- **Version 2.3.121:** Released on July 1, 2021.

This timeline indicates active development and patching over a 14-year period.

### Web and Digital Presence
EchoLink maintains a distinct digital footprint.
- **Official Domain:** The primary portal is `http://www.echolink.org`, presented in English.
- **Identifiers:** The software holds a Freebase ID (`/m/04fzz1`) and a Quora topic dedicated to "Echolink."
- **Encyclopedia Coverage:** The entity is indexed under the Wikipedia title "EchoLink" and is categorized under "Echolink" on Wikimedia Commons.
- **Screenshot Evidence:** Visual records confirm the software's appearance on Windows Vista.

### Linguistic and Cultural Reach
The software is not limited to English-speaking users. It has documented Wikipedia entries and references in Catalan (ca), German (de), English (en), Esperanto (eo), Spanish (es), Italian (it), Japanese (ja), Korean (ko), and Polish (pl). It is also known by the Russian alias "Эхолинк."

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. Quora