VARA Chat on HF!

VARA is a High Performance HF modem based on OFDM modulation. VARA Modem, brings state of the art Military grade technology to new and existing HF data. VaraAC (Vara Chat) uses VARA for keyboard-to-keyboard chatting, with full forward error correction. VarAC leverages the weak signal capabilities of the VARA software modem so chatting is possible even in poor conditions. In this video, your Ham Radio Sensei, Julian Frost (N3JF) teaches you how to setup and use VARA and VarAC.
You'll need two pieces of software:
VARA, which can be downloaded here: rosmodem.wordpress.com
VarAC, which can be downloaded here: www.varac-hamradio.com/download
Note: Both programs are free, but the free version of VARA HF limits the speed of transfer and requests you upgrade. The paid version unleashes the full speed of VARA on HF frequencies and doesn't nag you! Support the software author!

[@MARRANCA2]

This is why HRO is the only place that I buy gear. They're THE best.

[@johntack1049]

Something like this is exactly what I’ve been looking for. A play by play style of instruction is perfect. Thanks. Subbed.

[@HamRadioOutlet]

Thanks! The program has changed a lot since this was shot, so there are a lot of new features, but this should get you going!

[@rpgiuliani]

I have been using this now for several weeks. I see VaraC is now updated which is great. I like it.

[@HamRadioOutlet]

There have been several updates just since I released the video an version 3.7 is due out any time now.

[@corneliusm.booker6642]

Just found this mode of Ham radio and have set it up , hope to get transmitting in the next day or so . Just want to say that HRO needs to pay you more , you have very good videos' that are well produces and informative. Thanks for producing this overview, and your right, it is like PK31, but so much better and a diversion from FT8. Thanks again

[@HamRadioOutlet]

Thanks so much for the kind words. The check is in the mail! 🙂

[@AI4QT]

Enjoy your thoroughness. Great job!

[@HamRadioOutlet]

Thank you. Of course, the program has evolved quickly and massively since I made the video. LOL.

[@karlfrederick5731]

Excellent overview. I went looking for what else I could do with the VaraHF software I licensed for WinLink, months back, and here it is. I see interesting potential.

[@HamRadioOutlet]

Thanks Karl. Hope we work each other soon!

[@kennethausten]

Been on varac for months and had two chats only. Virtually given up , so few chat, it's all beacons. Clever software I love it. Wish i could find more enthusiasts .

[@HamRadioOutlet]

Interesting. I haven't used it in a while due to new antenna restrictions (Grrr), but I was having QSOa every day. Keep at it!

[@larryak0z672]

This looks like fun. I haven't tried any digital modes yet so I can't compare. I might give this a try though. Thanks for sharing.

[@HamRadioOutlet]

If you have a rig with a sound card (or you have an external sound interface like a Signalink USB or DigiRig) it's ridiculously easy to get working! Give me a call when you get it running!

[@FightUni09]

Well done, Sensei. TNX

[@HamRadioOutlet]

Thank you... the program has been heavily developed and has many new features!

[@robertallbright]

Many thanks Julian Well done, much appreciated 73 Rob G3RCE

[@joeblow8593]

Fine tutorial

[@HamRadioOutlet]

Thank you!

[@osmanygonzalezescobar3457]

so great video for instrutions, i use this new mode for me CO2OQ Havana Cuba

[@davidmazzella9671]

Thank you Julian. I remember when JS8 Call started. It was great with many keyboard to keyboard QSO’S. Little by little it became a robot mode. I would spend hours trying to make a connection. I would love to see a “live only” mode. No messages, just live kb to kb. I hope VARA CHAT does not evolve in the same way. Dave KO9DGM

[@HamRadioOutlet]

VarAC now includes "away messages" and "VMail", so indeed you can do both keyboard-to-keyboard live and a not-quite-robot-but-a-BBS-type modes.

[@rpgiuliani]

Set it up tonight. Will try 20m in the day.

[@rpgiuliani]

I'll give it a try

[@pistachiobandanos904]

Great walkthrough. All the digital modes and SDR are Very interesting. I'm curious about one thing that isn't covered in depth. Since this works like a p2p, How do the 2 Radios identify each other as the correct "person" to handshake over RF?

[@HamRadioOutlet]

One is the transmitting station, and the other is the receiving station. The transmitting station calls the receiving station by callsign. The receiving station only answers when its specific callsign is in the data packet. You can only have one conversation in progress on the same frequency, which is why the latest versions of VarAC specify the frequency that both stations will QSY to once a connection is made.

[@pistachiobandanos904]

​@@HamRadioOutlet ah. That makes sense. thank you for the prompt reply.

[@butch3715]

Obviously the Call Frequencies are going to get busy. Can the waterfall in VARA-HF be widened to monitor a wider section of the band for CQ's?

[@HamRadioOutlet]

The VARAC program has evolved a LOT since I made this video. Now, you specify the calling frequency and a "slot" (a multiple of 750Hz away from the calling frequency), so the CQ is initiated on the calling frequency, but you immediately, and automatically, move to the preassigned slot to listen for replies. Anyone answering the CQ is automatically moved to the correct slot, thus keeping the calling frequency clear. VARA-HF's waterfall only looks about 2300Hz, because that's the maximum bandwidth of the VARA-HF signal and it's centered at the frequency on which you're transmitting/receiving. It's not designed to be a panadapter because VARAC CQs are always made on the formalized calling frequency, one for each band.

[@frankhovis]

Anyone understand the reason for the message of "INCOMING CONNECTION REQUEST. Still don't know who that is. " - surely it knows who it is otherwise it wouldn't know who to reply to???

[@MrD308]

Would this work with a KX2 or X6100?

[@PaulSobon1]

I use VarAC easily with a KX-2, running VarAC on a Microsoft Surfsce Go windows tablet, connected via a DigiRig.

[@robertengel8342]

Can you run this with digirig?

[@HamRadioOutlet]

Yes, as long as you can use your radio in digital modes, this program will use whatever combination of equipment you have (radios with built-in sound-cards, radios with external sound-cards etc).

[@jjgr661]

Similar to JS8 call but with more fun features

[@HamRadioOutlet]

Similar... but then again, not really. There's a calling frequency, but after that, you can QSY anywhere on the band. There are no predefined transmit and receive time slots... call CQ any time, no need for an accurate clock to be set to a specific time. It's error correcting and the transmission speed is automatically varied depending on the conditions at that instant. You can send files. Ok, on second thoughts, not really like JS8 Call at all! LOL 🙂

[@HamTechRadioScannerDrones]

Is it all USB-D ?

[@HamRadioOutlet]

If your radio has a USB-D setting, you should use it. Otherwise use USB and set the software accordingly.

[@JonathanCreaser]

Great instructional video. Just exactly what I was looking for! 73, Jonathan, M0XXJ

[@HamRadioOutlet]

Thanks, jonathan. Lots of changes/updates since the video was made, but it'll still get you up and running!

[@rpgiuliani]

When you mentions that the free version asks you to Upgrade but I never imagined that if would ask you to Upgrade after each time it transmit with a huge popup box. IMHO, this is in bad taste enough so that it may discourage some. That popup is a nuisance and takes away from trying to learn it and deciding if it's for you and spend the upgrade fee.

[@HamRadioOutlet]

Note that it's VARA HF that is asking for the upgrade, not VarAC. But, honestly, if you're into digital modes like Winlink (and now VarAC), it shouldn't take very long to decide make the switch. I don't remember much about the pop-up (maybe it wasn't even a pop-up back then?) because after using it a few times, I bought the full-speed version.

[@rpgiuliani]

@@HamRadioOutlet I appreciate and realize where the popup originates from. Your reply is well taken however each person is different and I understand why the popup is there. The author wants to drive revenue which is fine. No problem however perhaps a lightening it up a bit to once every 30 minutes would be a gentler method. Knowing the sales game, the buyer of any product or service cannot be hit over and over continually without being given some breathing space to actually Evaluate. Thank you.

[@HamRadioOutlet]

@@rpgiuliani Definitely agreed. I think when I registered it, several versions ago, there might not have been an actual pop-up, or if there was, it was as you said, only after a few runs and then only once in a while - I honestly don't remember.

[@MrBobhill756]

Aikido?

[@HamRadioOutlet]

Mostly Aikido, Iaido, Judo, and Jodo with a few years of Jujutsu, BJJ, and Karate.

[@robertwalsh2352]

None of the download links work

[@HamRadioOutlet]

The links given in the video and the links in the description both work fine.

[@SteelWolf13]

Hears "military grade". Pause the video to scratch head. "What is he talking about military grade.....?"

[@SteelWolf13]

1 button frequency hopping?

[@mike94560]

Why do people just assume all hams run Windoze? This is a Windoze only program. It is written in C#. There are no plans to port it.

[@HamRadioOutlet]

I don't think there is an assumption being made. The author wrote it for Windows, that's all.

[@58Alpha]

So basically, this is just text message over radio?

[@HamRadioOutlet]

I don't know what you mean. It's anything you want it to be... just the same as any CW, SSB, RTTY QSO. The content of the message is what you make it. If all you send are test messages on your radio, then VaraC will be no different - for you.

[@58Alpha]

@@HamRadioOutlet so can you speak into the PTT mic and then VarAC translates it to a text to the person you're talking to? I'm trying to understand it a bit more and why I would use something like this. It seems that you just send a message and it goes through the radio to the person you're talking to and it receives the message on their end, all in text form, not voice.

[@HamRadioOutlet]

@@58Alpha It's keyboard to keyboard chat. No microphone used. VaraC and the underlying technology VARA HF can send and receive signals, with full error correction, at levels far below that which can be heard or understood using voice. In other words, you wouldn't be able to hear or understand what the other person is saying if you were talking to someone, but you could hold a keyboard to keyboard conversation without any problem, and both sides would have a perfect copy of what was sent. The content of those messages is completely up to you. Take a look at 6:00 for an example of a QSO. The connection made at 10:24, with a signal that is -21 db, would not be possible on voice. At the end of the conversation over VaraC both parties have a full, error-free copy of what was said. In a disaster situation that alone makes VaraC extremely useful.

[@AurorasPop]

Thank you for the clear presentation! I'm off to set it up. 73 de ON4NA

[@HamRadioOutlet]

The latest updates have added lots of neat new features!

[@dougbas3980]

Thank you. Very useful 73 Doug N8VY

[@86casimir]

Super! Merci pour le partage. 73/F8MGW

[@va7dgp]

A lot of changes since this video. CQ has been modified to move off call frequency so there is a clear call freq. I really like this program.. de va7dgp

[@HamRadioOutlet]

Yes, it's continually evolving. Many of the new features are mentioned in replies to other comments. After this video was released, there was quite a "growth spurt" in features.