So I’ve long known of the programs Hamsphere, Echolink, and CQ100. I’ve used Hamshpere in the past with some degree of success. CQ 100 was a fairly worthless subscription as there doesn’t seem to be anyone on, ever.
I’ve only recently gotten into Echolink, which lets you talk to other Hams on actual amateur frequencies through 2-meter repeaters. According to the Echolink website, ” The program allows worldwide connections to be made between stations, or from computer to station, greatly enhancing Amateur Radio’s communications capabilities. There are more than 200,000 validated users worldwide — in 151 of the world’s 193 nations — with about 6,000 online at any given time.”
Having discovered Echolink, I decided to look around for other similar programs that might let e communicate using Amateur bands. What I found was a Beta program called Peanut. On the Peanut, you can talk with HAM amateurs around the world via an Android device or network radio. Some of the ROOMS are connected to DSTAR reflectors ( XRF076B, XRF076F, XRF070C, etc.. ) or DMR reflectors/talgroups. You only need an Android device to use DSTAR or DMR.
Another program I found was Trello, a program that is supposed to be a push to talk walkie talkie. I haven’t found a use for this one yet.
Of the programs I’ve tried I can say Echolink is an excellent choice and the Peanut, based on my limited use is quite good. Hamsphere can be a fun program that allows you to talk to people around the world in a Ham-like experience, but you’re not actually communicating over radio frequencies, it’s all Internet. The big losers are CQ 100 and Trello, based on the lack of users on CQ 100 and based on lack of usefulness, Zello.