Latest Echolink Updates

Last week saw an number of updates to our Echolink setup.  First we received VPN access for our computer at the repeater site.  In addition, we setup remote access to that computer and currently only Rich Vitt and myself have been given authorization to use that ability.  We can use it both from our Argonne computers and also from home machines.  This will allow Rich and myself to more closely monitor and control the Echolink software.  New features will be turned on in the future.  Other changes were made last week to that computer.  First, it has now been configured to power on, bypass the log in page and start Echolink any time the power is lost and regained.  This way we will not have to go up to the repeater any time there is a power loss.  This will eventually become UN-necessary when we move the repeater into the locked communications room hopefully this fall.  I hope to make one last upgrade to the power loss contingent next week.  I will integrate the UPS into the computer so that when power is lost, the UPS will initiate a controlled shutdown so that no data is lost and so that when power is restored the computer can start normally and not get hung up at a ‘start in safe mode’ screen that will just sit and wait for input.   More on what’s going on to follow.