DTMF Functions

In Sysop mode, EchoLink can be configured to accept commands through the local receiver using DTMF tones (TouchTones).  These commands are used to enable or disable the link, or to connect or disconnect a station on the Internet.

Each command consists of a sequence of digits (or the special keys *, #, and A through D).  Although a set of default sequences is assigned to each function, any sequence can be customized using the DTMF tab of the Sysop Settings page.

The table below lists each of the DTMF commands.

Note: If you have upgraded from an earlier version of EchoLink, you may need to choose "Reset to Defaults" to make all of the following commands available.

Command

Description

Default

Connect

Connects to a station on the Internet, based on its node number.

num

Connect by Call

Connects to a station on the Internet, based on its callsign.

C+call+#

Random Node

Selects an available node (of any type) at random, and tries to connect to it.

00

Random Link

Selects an available link or repeater (-L or -R) at random, and tries to connect to it.

01

Random Conf

Selects a conference server at random, and tries to connect to it.

02

Random User

Selects an available single-user station at random, and tries to connect to it.

03

Call CQ

Puts EchoLink in Call CQ mode, to try to connect to another station also calling CQ.

27

RandomFavNode

Selects an available node (of any type) at random from the Favorites List, and tries to connect to it.

001

RandomFavLink

Selects an available link or repeater (-L or -R) at random from the Favorites List, and tries to connect to it.

011

RandomFavConf

Selects a conference server at random from the Favorites List, and tries to connect to it.

021

RandomFavUser

Selects an available single-user station at random, and tries to connect to it.

031

Disconnect

Disconnects the station that is currently connected.  If more than one station is connected, disconnects only the most-recently-connected station.

#

Disconnect All

Disconnects all stations.

##

Reconnect

Re-connects to the station that most recently disconnected.

09

Status

Announces the callsign of each station currently connected.

08

Link Down

Disables EchoLink (no connections can be established).

(none)

Link Up

Enables EchoLink.

(none)

Play Info

Plays a brief ID message.

*

Query by Call

Looks up a station by its callsign, and reads back its node number and status.

07+call+#

Query by Node

Looks up a station by its node number, and reads back its callsign and status.

06+num

Profile Select

Switches to a different stored set of configuration settings (0 through 9).

B#+num

Listen-Only On

Inhibits transmission from RF to the Internet.

0511

Listen-Only Off

Restores normal transmission from RF to the Internet.

0510

Connect

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, however, you may wish to configure a special prefix, such as A or 99.

Link Up and Link Down

No defaults are provided for these functions.  To enable these functions, enter a DTMF sequence for each one, using the DTMF tab of the Sysop Settings page.

Profile Select

Profiles are numbered from 0 to one less than the number of profiles shown under File->Profiles.  Profile 0 is always MAIN.

Station Shortcuts 

Custom DTMF commands can be created to connect to specific stations. These commands are called Station Shortcuts, and are not shown in the table above. To manage your Station Shortcuts, click the Station Shortcuts button on the DTMF tab of Sysop Settings.

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".

Entering Callsigns

To enter a callsign (for the Connect by Call or Query by Call commands), press two digits for each letter and number in the callsign.  The first digit is the key on which the letter appears (using 1 for Q and Z), and the second digit is 1, 2, or 3, to indicate which letter is being entered.  To enter a digit, press the digit followed by 0.  When finished, end with the pound key (#).

For example, the letter "K" is entered as "52", the letter "Q" is entered as "11", and the digit "7" is entered as "70".

Callsigns need not be entered in full.  If a partial callsign is entered, EchoLink will find the first match among the stations currently logged on.  If no match is found among the stations currently logged on, EchoLink will say "NOT FOUND".

Examples

(These examples assume that the default DTMF codes are configured.)

Enter:  9 9 9 9

EchoLink responds with:

"CONNECTING TO CONFERENCE E-C-H-O-T-E-S-T"

followed by

"CONNECTED"

because 9999 is the node number of conference server "*ECHOTEST*".

Enter:  0 7 5 2 1 0 7 2 3 3 3 1 #

EchoLink responds with:

"K-1-R-F-D 1-3-6-4-4 BUSY"

because 13644 is the node number of station K1RFD, and K1RFD is currently busy.

Enter: 0 1

EchoLink responds with:

"CONNECTING TO K-1-O-F REPEATER"

followed by

"CONNECTED"

because K1OF-R was selected at random.