The 2nd picture is a screen shot of google earth showing a part of Ontario with the Echolink capable stations shown. The normal view is a globe with echolink nodes placed worldwide. Just click on any pushpin and the node number will be displayed. You can move or rotate the globe with your mouse.
Google Earth can also be used with rig control programs like DXlab to show visually the station you are working as well as the path. This can be very interesting when showing the shack to guests.
Below lists the easy commands to send with your radio. Just pick a node number from the echolink page or from the Google Earth globe. Common courtesy says we should ID our station, then send the DTMF sequence (starting with the prefix *) and wait for the other end to acknowledge. You then key up and give your callsign to whomever may be listening on the other end. To end the connection simply key up and send # and of course ID again.
Command Description Default
Connect Connects to a station on the Internet, based on its node number. Each node number must begin with a prefix of * + num
The default for the Connect command is to simply enter the 4- 5-, or 6-digit node number to which you wish to connect. To prevent interference with other DTMF functions, a special prefix * is added before the node number. This is sent all at the same time ie: *12345
Entering Node Numbers
To enter a node number (for the Connect or Query by Node commands), enter the 4-, 5-, or 6-digit node number. If the specified node is not among the stations currently logged on, EchoLink will say "NOT FOUND".
Disconnect Disconnects the station that is currently connected. If more than one station is connected, disconnects only the most-recently-connected station. #