This page features extracts from the official EchoLink website:  https://www.echolink.org/

EchoLink^® software allows licensed Amateur Radio stations to communicate with one another over the Internet, using streaming-audio technology.  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 350,000 validated users worldwide — in 159 of the world’s 193 nations — with about 6,000 online at any given time.

For licensed hams, EchoLink^® software opens up new possibilities for communicating around the world with other amateurs.  Your PC links you or your local repeater to any of thousands of other stations over the Internet.

There are several different ways you can use the EchoLink software. You can set up a “simplex link” in your shack, with a VHF or UHF transceiver connected to your PC, to allow anyone in range of your station to communicate by voice with any other EchoLink station around the world.

Or, you can use the PC’s microphone and speakers and remotely connect to any of more than 2,000 different repeaters that have EchoLink capability..

Calling CQ on EchoLink

There are thousands of EchoLink nodes online around the world, but sometimes it can be hard to find another station seeking a QSO. Introduced in EchoLink for Windows version 2.1, the latest iOS, Android, and Web editions, and EchoHam v2.28, the Call CQ function is a quick way to be matched up with another station also seeking an EchoLink connection.

Each node calling CQ chooses a set of preferences such as language spoken and node type, and then automatically connects with any other node that is also calling CQ at the same time with matching preferences. If no such station is already waiting when you call CQ, EchoLink will keep your callsign in the queue until a match is found.   

Read the full details here: https://www.echolink.org/cq.htm

Perfect for travelling Amateurs.

It can be difficult for Amateurs who travel overseas to take radio equipment with them in their luggage.  Hand held radios tend to attract the attention of risk-averse customs officials.  With EchoLink travellers can operate from their laptop or tablet to access nearby repeaters or link back to repeaters near home, without having to tote around heavy radio accessories and chargers.

EchoLink Status

The EchoLink website also includes a useful status page that shows links around the world that are currently in progress.  https://www.echolink.org/links.jsp

Further reading about EchoLink:

The latest EchoLink news:  https://www.echolink.org/news.htm