VarAC: Install, Configure and Use

VarAC is the latest entry in the digital mode arena for Amateur Radio. This video is an attempt to get folks up and running quick so they can evaluate it for use in the Amateur Radio hobby.
I discuss my testing results and some of the frustrations I've ran into.
Enjoy!

[@ghostmandka5498]

Excellent presentation! Glad I found this. I can now completely redo the way mine is set up.

[@AG6AG]

Completely redo! Wow. Glad this got you going. Stu AG6AG

[@virtualhermit]

Thanks Stu for these digital mode vids. A True Elmer. Subscribed

[@AG6AG]

Thanks! Stu AG6AG

[@pedromorillas6535]

Thanks Stu. Now you’ve really complicated my life. I’m going to try it tomorrow. 73

[@AG6AG]

You can do it! Stu AG6AG

[@concordiauniversityirvine4524]

Hi Stu...thanks for this video. I'm a newcomer to VaraAC and looking for my first contact. Had a little problem downloading tyhe software because my router was blocking it because of suspicious software. I was able to fix the router problem and now trying to set up the software to run my FT1000D rig. Hope we can connect. 73 Joe, WD6R.

[@andymoorwood2946]

Hi Stu, thanks for working on this. Interesting comments regarding lack of support for tactical addresses, agree this would be on the "must have" list for EMCOMM. Looking at the file transfer capabilities , on for example HF, how would this compare with Winlink in P2P mode ? From the display it appeared the ~3kHz SSB bandwidth is divided into 16 sub channels, great for chat type useage, not so good for file transfer when "I want it all daddy" :). Can this channelization be turned off so you can use all the available B/W ? If so, you could use a "calling frequency" to go look for a contact, when found, you both QSY somewhere else out of the way of other callers, to return later when you are done. This would be very useful allowing you to find a recipient without having to tune up the band and announce you request via phone. I'm no expert with Winlink P2P but I think this is essentially what you have to do, no way, digitally, to find out if a recipient is "out there" Why would you like to do this ? Here's example. Imagine I have a file to send to Red Cross HQ in Seattle. If I call their callsign and get no response I could send a broadcast asking for a relay and if I find someone then QSY to a different frequency for the file transfer Thanks again for making the video Andy K3CAQ

[@AG6AG]

Hi Andy, In answer to your question regarding file transfers... You could make a connection to a station on the calling frequency, then after agreeing to QSY away from the standard VarAC frequency that is authorized for data, drop your connection, turn off slots in configuration and then set the width to 2300. At that point you can reconnect to your target station and send / receive files. Speed is limited under HF as I'm sure you are aware, but there are no hard coded file size limits that I am aware of. This is not an idea method, but the only one that I think will work. Stu AG6AG

[@denniscarslake3153]

Hi Stuart Thanks for VARA vids. I am new to it and have a question based on the current version. How do I set up the additional monitor screen as my Rig set up doesn’t let me do it. Thanks G7JDI

[@AG6AG]

Hi Dennis, If I understand your question, you want to have more then one Vara monitor screen on a different frequency? I don't think that is possible, as your tuner for your radio in SSB mode is only 3k wide. Let me know if I understood your question. Stu AG6AG

[@Malibyte56]

Hi, Stu - I have VaraHF set up, and it seems properly configured but still can't make a connection. Despite this, I will probably install VarAC and see if I can get it to work. Thanks for a great video! Bob KJ6GEU

[@AG6AG]

Hi Bob, All the audio and control settings are the same in Vara as in using any other AFSK digital mode. If you are having issues, drop back to basics, chances are you find the issue. Stu AG6AG

[@kennethausten]

Thanks for video. Got confused as I installed Varac HF not VarAC . Assume it's the same. Was told I needed winlink express as well. I do not know. Then there is VarAC chat.... So far installed varHF and winlink express. Gave up on Linux as that's my main OS for other modes. Early days yet

[@AG6AG]

Hi Kenneth, Yeah, there is a bit of confusion when it comes to digital modes and what software does what. Vara HF software provides the transport portion of the information being exchanged. Think of it as a software TNC (like SoundModem) for the Vara mode. Winlink can use the Vara mode as transport to transfer the email it creates. VarAC is just another program that uses Vara as it's transfer method and has a lot of neat tools like chat and broadcasts. So, we can compare Winlink to Outlook (or Thunderbird which I run in Debian) and Vara to the tcpip stack on your computer. I also am a Linux user and work with it every day in my daytime job. I tried for a long time to cobble together a working digital system and logging platform on Linux, but eventually I accepted that there just wasn't enough support in the Linux community to pull it off. I now have a dedicated Windows PC for my shack... Stu AG6AG

[@andrewmullen5770]

Thank You! Looks like an awesome program. I downloaded it and subscribed to your channel. -KN4VCT

[@AG6AG]

Welcome aboard! Stu AG6AG

[@edschroer613]

My radio cat doesn't work (Yaesu 891). It looks like with the automatic frequency changes, it might not work too well, or would it still work with me turning the dial? Paying for the full Vara would help? Thank you.

[@AG6AG]

Hi Ed, Do you have Rig Control working with any software? Also, you can't have multiple programs accessing Rig Control at the same time... Hope that helps, Stu AG6AG

[@edschroer613]

@Stuart Sheldon (AG6AG) Radio doesn't work with any software. I had another person come by with their 891 and everything worked fine with no change in settings. That's what confirmed to me it is the radio. We confirmed equal radio settings too.

[@edschroer613]

I downloaded it. It tells me what frequency to change my dial to, so I should be good to go. Failed to make a contact today. Will try again another day. Thank you for the video and reply.

[@mcgrath16511]

Im also looking for omnirig 1.2 and cant find it, found the newer and 1.1 versions.. any ideas where to get 1.2 , thanks!

[@AG6AG]

Hi Daniel, Here is the development page: dxatlas.com/omnirig/ Hope that helps! Stu AG6AG

[@larryfields2652]

What if there is nothing listed for my radio I am running a IC718 which is not listed, is it better to use the Omni setting

[@AG6AG]

If your radio is not listed then you certainly should use OmniRig. I have a video on setup here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p16yhJyneZxofsU Hope that helps! Stu AG6AG

[@rorygriffin3816]

because it is not direct, but vara FEC. it never says it is like PSK31. just keyboard to keyboard. EmComm loves it. And most EmComm is not mostly on FM. A number of groups are setting up plans to use this in its strengths. By mentioning EmComm on FM, it is now usually FM voice, or FM VARA Winlink for file/documents transfer. VaraAC is not designed for that. However, it is fabulous for HF. Quick and secure communication. A Relay function across hundreds of miles. Quick upscale of who is available. You compared it to PSK31 which is unsecured. And with VARA it operates at even weaker signal. It is a different mode, using a very different modem. To compare it to PSK31 is like DStar to FM. It is different. WIth different strengths. I use all of this. But as a TOOL, is use what works best for the need. And what you failed to note is how quickly they have been making changes in the past year. So write to them what you would like to see in their forum, or FB group. I like you video until your final works which were nothing but a rant. Nothing positive. wow

[@AG6AG]

Hi Rory, I am a big fan of Vara and Vara FM. It's becoming my goto for most of my Winlink connections. I also liked VarAC, but I just don't think it's "Cooked" yet. Some of the issues I mention regarding FM operation is a big issue for EMCOMM (At least in large metropolitan in suburban locations) is the lack of ability to use SSIDs and Tactical Calls is huge. I also was commenting on the delay to be informative not negative. If it came off that way it was unintentional. All that said, this video is not my final word on VarAC. As the program matures then I'm sure I'll revisit it! Stu AG6AG

[@mcgrath16511]

installed VARAC fired it up and couldn't control my radio frequency.. started digging in a little more,, and yup operator error! the parity wasn't set correctly.. set that and bingo!!! off and running think this is going to be a fun digital program!

[@AG6AG]

Hi Daniel, Great News! Hope to hear you out there... Stu AG6AG

[@timbookedtwo2375]

Is VarAC time critical as are WSJXT or PSK31?

[@AG6AG]

Hi Tim, No, it is not dependent on time sync (nor is PSK31). It's not a bad idea to have your clock correctly set so your log entries are off, but VarAC does not require matching clocks. Stu AG6AG

[@timbookedtwo2375]

@@AG6AG ok. got a little confused with all the digital modes. my computerclock is gps synced when not on net.

[@timbookedtwo2375]

Compare and contrast VarAC and JS8Call?

[@AG6AG]

Hi Tim, Well VarAC has higher transfer rates and can transfer files of any size. And it does not rely on exact computer time sync. Disclaimer: Files of any size it true but you probably don't to try to transfer anything huge on HF. Hope that answers you question... Stu AG6AG

[@timbookedtwo2375]

@@AG6AG i am looking forward to taking varac for a test drive

[@ghostedyoutuber263]

Broadcast?

[@AG6AG]

Yes, Broadcast. Check out the manual on the website. I page 44 they talk about broadcasts.