I have noticed an increase in bad - and variable audio levels in the past few weeks on the ZS-Link- and ZS-Hub Network.
In this day and age this is really not a good amateur radio practice if you take into account that there are several "tools" available to users of networks, repeaters, links etc. to "check" your audio quality and audio level.
I have heard on several occasions that radio amateurs ask for audio reports via the network links. I do not have a problem in asking for an audio report but is this really the correct en best way to test your audio output from your radio, node, hub etc.? The answer is quite easy: No this is not the correct and good practice way to determine your stations audio quality and levels. You are not just asking the person for an audio report but also for 30 other stations that are linked to the network. I would really be embarrassed that so many radio amateurs must listen to my bad audio. Yes, audio blunders can happen from time to time but this is understandable. Moral of the story is do not test your audio directly on the Network by asking for an audio report unless you are using a VHF/UHF radio via a repeater / link or in a situation where there is no other way to do it.
I have said it many times we are not here to "police" or criticize a station but there are far better alternatives to test your station's audio.
In short the reason:
One must remember that there are many variables that plays a roll in audio quality when using a large network as the ZS-Link Network. Taking into consideration that VHF/UHF Repeaters, DMR Networks, Echolink-, AllStar- and other Nodes and Links etc. all has their own audio levels and that this vary with the different type of repeaters, radios and nodes that is utilized within the network. Enough explanation! I would like to ask stations to set their audio- and quality levels by using the network and other facilities that are available to each user of the ZS-Link and ZS-Hub Network. More on "How to .... " later in this topic.
We must use the facilities/utilities available to Network users to test our audio levels and quality. It is really not pleasant to listen to variable audio levels as well as bad / terrible / over-driven / over-modulated / faint / soft / scratchy audio on a large network such as the ZS-Link Network. Secondly I believe it is not in good amateur radio spirit to use the Network with bad audio- and quality levels. Would you like to listen to my bad audio week in and week out?
Back to "How to manage my audio levels using Echolink".
Image: Route to Echolink Test Server (Click on image for larger view)
I found this short and well explained article by "Handiham" that will definitely be of use to any Echolink user.
This article can by downloaded by clicking HERE (PDF Format)
Further reading:
Good quality audio for your Echolink / AllStar Node?
Invitation:
If you struggle to rectify bad audio quality, I am sure that there are many radio amateurs out there including myself that will assist you to fix audio issues. This is an open invitation to ask for assistance in this regard.
Finally:
This posting should not be seen as moaning or groaning about bad audio quality. We must abide to good amateur radio operating practices as well as the amateur radio code of conduct. Furthermore the majority of radio amateurs prefer to listen to good audio quality on VHF/UHF/VOIP. There is absolutely no justification for bad audio on linked radio systems or networks in this day and age.
