Well lets look at the FCC Charter for Amateur Radio
§97.1 Basis and purpose.
The rules and regulations in this Part are designed to provide an amateur
radio service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in the following
principles:

(a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the
public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with
respect to providing emergency communications.

Bingo!! Can Echolink be effective in an emergency -- Certainly can -
provided the whole internet doesn't collapse

(b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute
to the advancement of the radio art.

Is Echolink an extension ? Sure looks like it to me -- pretty innovative if
you look at how it is accomplished

(c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through rules which
provide for advancing skills in both the communications and technical phases
of the art.

Can hams communicate on Echolink to advance skills in both the
communications and technical phases of the art.

Don't see why not? Have had lots of tech talk on EchoLink as well as "Radio"

(d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of
trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts.

Some grounded Hams (HOA and no HFgear or privileges) may be encouraged to
get upgraded and on the air. For no-code Technicians - it is a way to reach
out beyond the local repeater and get a taste of DX

(e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance
international goodwill.

Bingo!! Without a doubt -- many out of country contacts, help, hosting, and
friends can be and are made on Echolink

-------------------------------------------

Is it Radio? Is it Hamming ? Does it really make any difference ?

Just another way to communicate with other Hams, at least 137,000 Hams
currently think so!

Why not enjoy the benefits of both "Radio" and EchoLink ?


--
73 From The Signal In The Noise
Caveat Lector Ya All
--------------------------------------
"James Nipper" wrote in message
...
Exactly what does echolink and the internet have to do with ham radio ?

Yes, most of the users of echolink may be hams, but they are using the
internet to communicate, not ham radio. I am sure that is fun to some
folks, but it is far removed from ham radio !!

Not far removed -- Just EchoLinked with Joe in So Korea HL5xx -- we yakked
about antenna modelling, Yagis, and much Tech talk about Ham Radio

As I type this message, I am using the internet. Many hams will see this
message. But I AIN'T Hamming !!!!!!!!

But it will be mostly Hams who read it -- so maybe u are Hamming - hihi


Just my opinion............. no flames please !!
Wouldn't dream of it Jim.
We agree to disagree - right?


73 de Jim K4PYT