Vara Chat or VarAC?

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David Tanks

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Aug 25, 2022, 8:45:42 PM8/25/22
to valleyhams
  Ok, you HF digital gurus! I just found out that there are 2 versions of Chat: VARA Chat and VarAC. Which one do you use, if any? Is there a particular reason to use one over the other? VARA Chat looks like a basic program, while VarAC has some bells and whistles. Eagerly awaiting a  mountain of replies!

David AD4TJ

RileyC

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Aug 25, 2022, 9:23:33 PM8/25/22
to David Tanks, Valley Hams
I like js8call, it does keyboard to keyboard chat with a Ft8 type transmission.  40m is about the only place you'll find people.

Riley
Kf4emz

On Thu, Aug 25, 2022, 20:45 'David Tanks' via Valley Hams <valle...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
  Ok, you HF digital gurus! I just found out that there are 2 versions of Chat: VARA Chat and VarAC. Which one do you use, if any? Is there a particular reason to use one over the other? VARA Chat looks like a basic program, while VarAC has some bells and whistles. Eagerly awaiting a  mountain of replies!

David AD4TJ

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Darrell Little

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Aug 26, 2022, 10:29:57 AM8/26/22
to David Tanks, Valley Hams
Wow … I didn’t know VarAC existed.  We tested out VARA Chat once but there are limited users locally.

I think it would be interesting to try VarAC between counties on 40 meters NVIS.  Pick a date/time and frequency and run a small Net for checking in.

Very interesting.

73 de KI4LLA 
Darrell 
Roanoke County

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 25, 2022, at 9:23 PM, RileyC <rufus....@gmail.com> wrote:



David Tanks

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Aug 26, 2022, 10:36:19 AM8/26/22
to valleyhams
Hi Darrell. How is Tuesday night, about 8:30 pm? Are you available? If anyone else is available, please post here so we can see what kind of interest there is. I need to do some reading up on it. I don't know if it needs VARA HF like VARA Chat does, or if it is a stand-alone program. There are some videos on YouTube on setup and useage that I need to review.

7.085, USB?

David AD4TJ

Colin Hester

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Aug 26, 2022, 12:06:40 PM8/26/22
to David Tanks, valleyhams
That’s right in the middle of the 2m ssb net. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 26, 2022, at 10:36 AM, 'David Tanks' via Valley Hams <valle...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



David Tanks

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Aug 26, 2022, 1:38:13 PM8/26/22
to Colin Hester, valleyhams
Hi Colin. What time does the net usually end? I'm not proposing an on-going VarAC Net, just a one-time thing to see how it may work. We/I can make it 9 pm if that will suit.

David

Colin Hester

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Aug 26, 2022, 5:43:54 PM8/26/22
to David Tanks, valleyhams
Sure. 9p would work. Several of the ssb guys would like to participate in that test

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 26, 2022, at 1:38 PM, 'David Tanks' via Valley Hams <valle...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



Norm Dallura

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Aug 26, 2022, 8:07:58 PM8/26/22
to Colin Hester, David Tanks, valleyhams
See you folks then. 

Norm

On Aug 26, 2022, at 5:43 PM, 'Colin Hester' via Valley Hams <valle...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Sure. 9p would work. Several of the ssb guys would like to participate in that test
Message has been deleted

Darrell Little

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Aug 29, 2022, 9:59:42 AM8/29/22
to David Tanks, Colin Hester, valleyhams
Good Monday morning,
I installed and tested VarAC over the weekend.  Yes, it requires the installation of the current version of VARA HF.  It appears to work like an “instant messaging” application with a 1:1 connection with another user. There are pre-defined calling frequencies, like FT8, with “channels” to QSY to for a QSO.  Possibly can manually select a frequency to connect on, but haven’t tried it yet.   A conversation is slow (so not really “instant”), like JS8Call where the software controls the transmission of each message and timing is critical (possibly?)

Unlike PSK31 or Olivia, it’s not conducive to a group chat (or a Net). Unless there’s a mode I haven’t discovered yet.

I’ll plan on listening Tuesday night at 9 pm to see if I can hear any of y’all.

Darrell 
KI4LLA 

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 26, 2022, at 8:08 PM, Norm Dallura <norm.d...@gmail.com> wrote:

See you folks then. 

Butch Washer

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Aug 29, 2022, 10:16:37 AM8/29/22
to Darrell Little, David Tanks, Colin Hester, valleyhams
Hi All,

I too have recently checked out VarAC and JS8Call and I have found them clunky as far a carrying in a decent conversation. If a ham doesn’t like the type of contact that they would get with FT# or JT/Q65, and want to say more with the weak signal that they get with the FT/JT modes, then that’s fine. 

I find the Olivia modes can get pretty darn close to them in signal weakness and allow you to have a fairly good conversation. I also still enjoy PSK31/63 contacts as well. 

Just my feelings as a digital operator of even the more obscure modes since the mid 90’s when PSK31 got popular thru QST article.
And btw, I enjoy both chatting and FT/JT style digital modes. 

73, Butch N5SMQ 

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 29, 2022, at 9:59 AM, Darrell Little <dar...@ki4lla.us> wrote:

Good Monday morning,

Norm Dallura

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Aug 29, 2022, 10:27:02 AM8/29/22
to Butch Washer, Darrell Little, David Tanks, Colin Hester, valleyhams
I also set it up over the weekend. Interesting app, but definitely not something I will use on a regular basis. 

Norm

On Aug 29, 2022, at 10:16 AM, Butch Washer <n5s...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi All,

Corey Baldwin

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Aug 29, 2022, 11:55:35 AM8/29/22
to Norm Dallura, Butch Washer, Darrell Little, David Tanks, Colin Hester, valleyhams

I also downloaded and ran it this weekend. Tested on both HF and VHF. Did do manual entry of a frequency when playing around with it between Marty and myself. Sent files back and forth as well as the VM function. Saw Norm on and did a quick chat session. Checked out the PSK reporter and QRZ lookup functions too. Turned on the beacon and let it run a little while yesterday on 14.105 at 100w with 15min intervals while I was doing projects around the house. Was heard in New Zealand, Australia, Italy, Austria, Ar and coast to coast in the US using my OCF dipole.

 

Interesting mode. I can see the usefulness in an EMCOMM scenario unlike FT# where internet may not exist and band conditions are too poor for voice or a file needs transferred while awaiting a receipt response or instructions. From a field station to ECC type setup, it would provide near real time keyboard chat on a predesignated frequency be it HF or VHF. It would also be handy for public service events like the bike races with a user at Net Control and another at an aid station passing lots of traffic freeing up the normal repeater frequency. I need to test it again without internet access available and see if there are any glitches for use in the field that may not show due to my Wi-Fi being present.

 

It seems a lot like VARA chat with the addition of analytics like the PSK reporter, QRZ lookup, and links to Facebook and forums for support as well as logging capabilities. I put it on my Windows 8.1 laptop that is setup for my go pack holding the IC-706MKII. It is the setup I have been using to test it out with. I don’t have rig control on that, so I just dial the VFO and use a SignaLink for connection to the audio and PC. I have played with VARA chat and it did everything I needed for an EMCOMM scenario like VarAC, just a few less frills that I would only be able to use at the QTH. VARA chat did give me a little trouble conflicting with my VARA software when changing between FM and HF VARA modes when I first installed it. Will have to see if that is still the case.

 

I will setup for tomorrow night and try to catch you folks on there between my Tuesday night nets.

 

 

Corey M. Baldwin

KO4CTF

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