VARAC CHAT CLIENT FOR VARA HF - BETTER THAN FT8!

Here we take a look at the popular VarAC software that is the next step towards text chatting using RF Transceivers.
www.varac-hamradio.com
00:00 Intro
01:52 Software Setup
03:14 Software Explanation
04:21 Making a CQ Call & QSO
04:55 QSO Demonstration
06:30 Summary and thoughts
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[@denniswofford]

This is similar to, but a little more sophisticated looking than JS8Call, which uses the same mode as FT8, but in a chat form.

[@Nick_G7IZR]

VarAC is great, I use it every day on 10m and no longer use FT8. You get the best of both worlds, a quick connection for the log using the Ping function where it exchanges signal report and location, or you can have a proper chat by calling or answering a CQ call. If you nip out, someone can leave you a message in your mailbox and likewise, if you see someone on and connect to them, you can leave them a message if they don't answer. And one of the best features (particularly on 10m) is the beacon function where stations will leave their beacon running once every 15 mins, so you can see exactly what the propagation is doing as well as who is online. Its still quite new, so give it a go and be an early(ish) adopter!

[@TechMindsOfficial]

This one came through :) KZbin does that sometimes, they just vanish, not even held for me to review. Try again :)

[@Nick_G7IZR]

@@TechMindsOfficial I edited my post and it seems to work now. I think it might be because I mentioned the dreaded FB by its full name and the AI probably thought I must therefore be a spam bot rather than the upstanding member of society I (almost) am! 😁

[@youtubeaccount931]

What frequencies do you use? 10 meters is the only band I can transmit on with my license, I'd love to give this mode a try. I have had no luck with 10 meter JS8 or olivia, I've had great success with FT8 and to a lesser extent SSB.

[@Nick_G7IZR]

@@youtubeaccount931 If you fire up Vara, you'll see the calling channel, its 28.105, so just a little higher up than FT8. But whereas FT8 typically has a 3200Hz bandwidth, you should set Vara to 600Hz. I'm guessing by the comment you are in the US. I regularly talk to US stations on Vara using 30w and the same power at their end.

[@o2bnov0307]

I have no taken the plunge into digital operations. I am primarily a CW operator. But, I've been fascinated by FT8. Then I see this video about VARAC. I'm not a fan of the nag screens. $70/yr, per ? What TNC would I need for VARAC? Would the digirig work? Thank you for your guidance. de David AE4LH

[@garrykraemer8993]

Your videos always contain awesome content. This looks very interesting. I might invest some time studying the software instructions. Keep up the great work! Best Ragards!

[@maxpi11]

This was so very easy to get set up. A Win11 reinstall and upgrade made FT8 difficult so I went qrt for awhile but this looks like a lot more fun

[@TobotronPrime]

This is absolutely awesome! decentralised MSN messenger with emojis!! Thanks, Matt! This weekend is now assigned to VARAC! 😅

[@jackK5FIT]

I've used VARA HF and VARA FM for a couple of years and they work great. Even tried the older VARA Chat but it didn't have a lot of use for my needs (mostly emcomm). Just discovered VarAC and have it installed and configured and will start checking it out right away. Looks very promising. Thanks for the informative video.

[@frankhovis]

If this was Open Source, it has the potential to be the next FT8. As it stands its a nice novelty. Its also NAGWARE that'll frustrate you within a few minutes of using it with its never ending nag screens, and I'd be wary of the way it uses MEGA as file distribution.

[@gbinford9009]

I agree it’s annoying to ask for 70 dollars every time I want to use varac , but it’s not varac asking for money it’s the vara itself I think..the varac front end is free and you can use it in 500hz mode without registering varahf., just in case people are turned off using it because they think you have to pay

[@youtubeaccount931]

Totally agree. Open source would fast track development and adoption for sure. Open source is 100% inline with the spirit of ham radio imo. We need to see more open source hardware too. (I've never found issue with MEGA, what are you wary of?)

[@Nick_G7IZR]

VarAC is free, no nag screens. It's the separate Vara modem that is getting you to pay. But if you let it popup once and don't minimise it or close it, just bring another window forward to hide it, it doesn't bother you again. But I agree, its too in your face. Maybe once at startup...

[@zsoltacs2529]

I totaly agree, I prefer to use Varac and Js8call instead FT8/FT4, because they have more excellent features to play in the air 🙂

[@Raymond_duck]

Wow!! This looks amazing!

[@tiggydorset9041]

Not tried this one yet. Looks great. I'm digging the file transfer feature. It will be interesting to see how this compares to JS8call.

[@BosssyBear]

Pretty cool! Made a QSO in 10 minutes after installation.

[@toddxhadandl8083]

Got it installed and running the other night. Impressive. I gave up on JS8CALL years ago. Nobody QSO's anymore. Been using Olivia on/off.

[@shambahri]

Excellent Tech, thank you again for sharing. Might give it a go especially for Emergency comms QSO !! ta

[@tristanmills4948]

We just need an open source version of a Vara like mode. It's the author's right to keep it closed, but it does feel against the spirit of ham radio experimentation. Of course it also needs someone to do that and it's not me. Maybe there's an ARDC grant in it though.

[@Randrew]

Being a long-time Linux and FOSS user as well as a ham, it frustrates me greatly that the amateur community - long known for sharing designs and information - has so much internal resistance to Open Source. Of course I agree with what you said about the author's right to keep his mode and code closed and to profit from it. BUT - he has refused to let the developer of ARDOP (an earlier, similar mode once well supported by Winlink) port the Vara code to C and Linux while maintaining it as a closed-source secret. And that's a shame. Some folks report quite successfully running Vara on Linux under Wine, but apparently that only works for x86 systems and drags in 32-bit dependencies into a modern 64-bit Linux. So ARM computers like the Raspberry Pi are a no-go. "Of course it also needs someone to do that and it's not me." Me neither. I can code fluently in C and several other languages, but even using canned DSP library functions are on the edge of my understanding of RF signal processing.

[@gypsysoul1719]

Years ago (about 1995) these modems were hardware boxes that cost hundreds of bucks. Totally proprietary and available from a limited source in Germany as I recall. I used one for e-mail from my boat. PC's of that era were not fast enough to process the audio via soundcard. Today we can do all the processing in software. I'll pay the small price for the full performance version of VARA w/o complaining too much (yeah, I do gripe a little). But is that really different from having to pay the much higher price for your ham radio hardware? And let's all be thankful this is available for a single payment, no temporary subscriptions required.

[@gliderrider]

I downloaded it a few days ago. Seems a bit overwhelming but maybe it’s not to bad once you get into it. I have been a ham for 33 years but only used psk31 for the 1st time in an event a couple days ago on winter field day. So far my favorite digital mode has been the oldest one, (with the exception of cw), is Feld Hellscheiber.

[@yv6eda]

Great video! Thanks!

[@malg4kpm]

Just installed. Was easy to setup. Had a nice long qso straight away. Chat away freely. Bit like messenger or Whats app. So much more freedom than FT8.

[@gbinford9009]

Great timing on the video, been using varac since the summer and seen a lot more activity lately. Many great updates already and now supports flrig, even better! Hope to see you on there kb7sdm 73

[@alzeNL]

Looks good - will install and try on PoTA

[@TRIPPLEJAY00]

I absolutely love coms like this, just wish we could have more love on 11m with projects like this. Who knows I may try it. Just concentrating on my multi platform emergency comms.

[@26TM034]

our Vara freq is 27.195 usb js8call 245 look on the Map.. 😉

[@njjensentube]

Hi Tech Minds another great video on VARAC THANK YOU ... when you talk about chaning frequency, you mean chaning timeslot, like in GSM right, so the frequency stays the same ?

[@foxonem7dfh257]

Thanks Matt, great video and very interesting much better than FT8, more like the days or RTTY and TNC stuff.

[@2E0RXL]

Matt any Mac software for this buddy or do i need to fire up one of the kids laptops

[@robertjordan8644]

This would be perfect for RACES/ARES type of emergency communications traffic. For instance, being able to make a long winded report back to a governmental location to another ham station, to pass info.

[@Momfasa]

Looks very cool. Will try it as soon as I get up my antenna

[@DonzLockz]

Brilliant! I'll be setting this up... looks scary for my OM brain! lol

[@xe1zlgg]

Excellent video... thanks

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Glad you liked it!

[@robman501a]

Can this be used for SWL only? I'm using an SDRPlay RSPdx.

[@Thejohnnyoshow]

is this all or nothing like when using it in winlink, js8call will just transmit and if you don't get it all you will get some, but with varahf and winlink if both sides cant hear each other well, you may never be able to send a p2p message, so does varac have the same all or nothing limitation, or will it at least get part of the message through like js8call?

[@Rockn-UV]

It's a great mode. You gave a very good explanation. They've been doing some nice upgrades to VarAC in the past 6 months. As stated in other comments, it's comparable to JS8Call which is another well written QSO type program with lots of features.

[@rpgiuliani]

VarAC is for not just contacts but for QSOs at length. I have used PSK31 and FT8 FT4 . The FT8 and FT4 left unimpressed as they are limited to a quick in and out contact with getting to know the op on the other end. VarAC on the other hand is afford itself to full QSOs. Once contacted, the error correction makes sure what is send is what is received. I enjoy QSO's and not just a hit n run unless it's a contest.

[@Kevin_KC0SHO]

Quick question, you mentioned you're using an HDMI on your FTdx10. Curious what adapter are you using, as N4HNH Doug has spoke with Yaesu and many other who have damaged their video out on the rig, if they were not using a recommended adapter from DVI to HDMI. I'm currently using a DVI, and would like to switch it over to HDMI without risking damage. Thanks

[@26DR715]

Used this a few times on ham and 11m good bit of software, and as you said better then the 5.9 reports in ft8, i also use js8 very similar and you can chat by message on there as well.

[@26TM034]

yup 27.195 usb is the freq... very robust tests went well.. got some great features..

[@K1ZEK]

Yes it does remind me of PSK32 and it looks better FT8 with it's lack of personal contact. Thank you. 73 Leo

[@bobadams7245]

For some reason, I can’t get anyone to connect. One station heard me, but couldn’t get my callsign to latch. Don’t know if there a timing adjustment that has to be made between transmission and receive. I

[@MrBanzoid]

Hmmm... might give this a go.

[@2alphasolutions]

With this application, is VARA able to be used without an internet connection other than downloading the software? And can it be used with an android type devise such as a tablet?

[@howforless]

Does this work for VaraFM?

[@glevideo]

It's much better than FT8 (which is basically worthless except for just checking propagation). It may be almost as good as JS8CALL which also allows weak signal communication and rag chew chat. JS8CALL also allows direct connect and through node repeating and mailbox functions, much like packet radio.

[@dougbas3980]

Trying to decide what I need for emcomm. Both JS8Call and VARAC look very interesting. 73 N8VY

[@oudeheer]

Looks good but I hope it will not be ruined by macro button pushers. I liked PSK in the beginning but got annoyed by the overwhelming majority not willing to do a decent QSO!

[@kennethausten]

Not had much success with it as so few stations on air over the last two years. I gave up. More recently got back to it and updated. This weekend I have had the best time ever with it. Many on 20m and had two long qsos in a day. Pleased to see more using it.. certainly one of the best around. Simple to set up. It's more difficult I found to use it hi.. Quite a learning curve on the user side of it. Brings back the happiness of Amtor, RTTY and PSK years ago, until the arrival of the enemy FT8. It wiped the spectrum clean. Something that had never happened before. It proved many radio hams just wanted simplicity, fast awards with little effort. Perhaps that's too harsh. FT8 is a clever mode. I applaud the author. . Perhaps it was one step too far. Hi.

[@W4TRI]

Will VaraAC work with VaraFM? Are there 2 meter SSB call channels as an alternate?

[@richardcharmbury1832]

It does work with VaraFM on 2m. I did experiment with SSB on both VaraFM and FaraHF with limited results. Best to just stick with VaraFM in FM mode.

[@joeblow8593]

VARA is a LOT less expensive than a $1800 PACTOR modem

[@butch3715]

I'm curious how the signal-to-noise ratio of VarAC/VARA compares to FT8? Does anyone know if these two modes have very been compared?

[@user-ss6zt2mo1l]

FT8 is able to reach farther with lower power but Vara is better at back and forth chat. I use it with 5-10 watts.

[@footplate0]

Can this be used as a swl using rtl sdr dongle ?

[@anatoliytereshchenko1431]

I have same question...

[@Ixquick979]

Can it be used with PGP?

[@dasy2k1]

Wouldn't that be breaking a key amateur radio rule?

[@frankhovis]

Can someone tell me who the Paypal account belongs to that is linked from the pop up window?

[@TechMindsOfficial]

It’s the person that wrote the software.

[@XPFTP]

what happens when there is 200 slots needed ?? iam out

[@dasy2k1]

Looks an interesting mode, but until its Linux freindly and not closed source nagware I'm not likely to use it. Will stick to JS8call if I want something similar

Windows-only, nagware, not open-source (!!!).

[@KB2HSH]

AND?

@@KB2HSH Not extendable by the community, not maintainable, not suitable for experimenting. I mean, look at all the other software we have to use in the ham world. I wish we stopped being stuck in the 90s. This mindset only hampers innovation.

[@n9amiwavelengthradio]

Im down

[@RB9522]

I call it VARA-C

[@coldwater5707]

I don’t think I care if I have to pay $70 as long as it works and people are actually using it. I just set up my Mac for digital, better screen than my windows tablet, but I will try it out on the tablet.

[@ChrisCowley1]

Windows only. How... quaint.

[@4X4-RADIO]

Nothing stopping you creating a similar Linux Application.?

[@Keith_WB2VUO]

Does it have a calling frequency on 6 meters? If so, how is the mode on weak signals? De WB2VUO here near Buffalo, NY

[@LanceVK6LK_AussieHam]

It would be fantastic if they could add an A.L.E function. Then it would be the perfect Emmcon Software.

[@perhansen8170]

Proprietary software

[@rolandmitter7732]

Thx for your great video. But please - why to say allways "BETTER THAN..." in a title. That's like saying SSB is better than CW. No - two different things. Both will allways exist.

[@willian.direction6740]

Not really the spirit of amateur radio with that pay up notice while you are trying to use it.

[@user-em7lp1sb4k]

So that's the digital pollution I've been hearing on the HF bands YUCK!

[@TechMindsOfficial]

FT-Crap is the worst offender! Bring back RTTY and PSK imo! lol

[@ronlewkowicz9656]

Remember that VARA is a closed source protocol so it may be illegal to use on amateur bands in your jurisdiction. Make sure to check the regulations regarding closed source digital protocols in your country before transmitting with this on an amateur band.

[@olig442]

Windows only. only downside

[@frankhovis]

Windows Nagware too.

[@Pandacycle]

I was thinking the same thing

[@4X4-RADIO]

Nothing stopping you creating a similar Linux Application.?

[@frankhovis]

@@4X4-RADIO As far as I can tell, the protocol and transmission format of VARA hasn't been published anywhere. Good luck working it out!

[@4X4-RADIO]

@@frankhovis I'm fine running it as is under Windows. Linux is great, been using it since 2013, but it will never become mainstream All those resources developing fundamentally the same thing, with various Desktops It's it's own worst enemy, many, many distros, 100+ all competing. If they all collaborated, then they may stand a chance.... The Classic "To many Chiefs(Distros), not enough Indians(User) They are all vying for a similar user base... Imagine what Linux could have been.

[@raydavidsonm0ray.777]

This looks good, but I've not tried it yet. I've only just started to try & get my head round WSJTX/Z, which I've also not used yet. Hopefully Ill be able to have a look at this in closer detail soon within the next 3 to 4 weeks. Kind Regards to all. Ray, M0RAY.

[@ruidelgado5294]

C.\user\freak !!! Loved it.

[@antunes7831]

PY9BG