HF Vara aprs

[Bill Vodall]

RF is what makes what we do special.

From FB..

I'm looking to recruit some more VARA HF APRS (40m) users across the PNW and other regions. 

VARA APRS is a relatively new way of operating APRS over HF. It is comparable to FT8 in weak signal decoding. It's really quite impressive.

My goal is to assist in getting a well established network with full time igates. We currently have just under 10 full time stations between the PNW and Midwest regions. More are needed to improve daytime NVIS and nighttime skip on 40 meters.

In the photos you can see the tracking differences between VHF and HF. VHF reliability is generally very poor, where HF is near perfect. 99% mobile reliability during every extended and general use test we have done. This includes 2 way messaging while mobile!

VARA APRS is geared more towards those of us who spend time in extremely remote areas that have no VHF or UHF infrastructure, where HF is really the only means of communication.

VARA APRS is just like VHF APRS. The same capabilities, it even has 2 way igating!! 

If you're interested, let me know!

NA7Q

[James Johnson]

I would like to lean more about this.

VE7HJ

James

[bill]

Bill - I am interested in setting up a VARA HF APRS station.  It's been a couple of years since I last used VARA so I'd be setting up from scratch. If there is any documentation or other info available, point me in that direction. I would also be a user as I spend a lot of time in the backcountry.  

I think google obscures email addresses but my QRZ.com info is good. 

Cheers,

Bill K7WXW