eQSO X

NOTE : eQSOx is no longer supported on the HAM eQSO network due to the new registration system implemented. I believe that Paul's (M0ZPD) new code will compile on Intel *nix but a full port has not yet been made available. I regret I just don't have the time to implement the new registration system into eQSOx.

The eQSO for Linux Project

About eQSO

eQSO is a software suite which links amateur radio stations to the internet using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). If you are not a radio amateur or interested in ham radio, this site and eQSO are probably of no interest to you ;-).

eQSO was written by Paul (M0ZPD) in 2001. In 2003 Tj and I started using eQSO as a means of linking PMR446 gateways in a community network.

Paul gave me the protocol for eQSO at the tail end of 2003 to get a bit more involved in the development side. At the time I just wanted to create a WebCast utility to display a list of who's online on a website.

About eQSO X

In December 2003 I started writing a new server for eQSO on Linux as the bandwidth requirements are quite significant (15kb/sec per connected client) and Tj had a FreeBSD server in Holland on a 100mb/sec backbone which was perfect for VoIP applications.

Paul has since sent me the entire source code for eQSO which enables me to continue to develop for it (many thanks Paul). I have also been maintaining the eQSO Windows applications, but my main aim is to make the whole suite cross-platform.

eQSO X Server

I have now completed the server application which is the first release here and still in beta, although it has been pretty thoroughly tested over the last couple of months. It runs as a daemon application. There is no GUI front-end whatsoever, but it's pretty straightforward to use.

Current Build

Current release is Version 2.01a

• Download eQSOx PMR446 Binary Mirror 1
• Download eQSOx PMR446 Binary Mirror 2

This is the PMR446 server and will connect to the PMR446 System Monitor.

This has been tested on the following platforms (please let me know how you get on with your Linux by email : eqsox<at>446user.co.uk)

• Mandrake 8.1
• Mandrake 8.2
• Debian 3.0
• Slackware 7
• FreeBSD 4.1 (may not be 100% stable)
• Debian linux for the Microsoft X-Box

How to install and run eQSO X Server

Please see : Installing and running eQSO X Server

Planned Revisions/enhancements

• A webserver front-end for easy setup and remote administration
• There are known problems with FreeBSD (with linux compatibility modules installed) which I'd like to resolve. It will run on *BSD though.
• Build a custom cut down debian installation CD with eQSO X installed for the Microsoft X-Box (on which it runs great ;-)) Nathan's guide : installing X-Box Linux is an ideal starting point if you're interested in reading what that's all about.

eQSO X Gateway Client

I have started writing a Linux version (a daemon again) of the gateway client. It'll take a good while to complete it - I'll keep you updated on here.

I will not be building a PC Client version for Linux.

Bug reports etc please email to me eqsox<at>446user.co.uk

If you need me and can't get me by email, you can probably also find me hanging out at the VoIP Forum

Special thanks to Nathan and Rob for the help with beta testing over the last 6 months.

Dean

August 2004