WoAD v1.4.45 now available...

[Andrew Walker]

WoAD v1.4.45 is now available for download at https://woad.sumusltd.com/download

Changes in this version include:

• Support selection of 'other templates folder' through Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT_TREE for Android 5.0 (API 21) and above.
  Support selection of 'other templates folder' through custom dialog for Android 4.4 (API 20) and below.
  NOTE: if you have already set the 'other template folder' it will need to be reselected
• Add support for VARA HF and VARA FM using connection to Windows executables: https://rosmodem.wordpress.com/
• Add support for template files that omit the '.html' suffix on their form names
• Fix "Problem encountered while processing audio data (null)" when running Packet Audio AFSK session
• Fix user termination of Telnet P2P (Listener) and Packet (Listener) sessions
• Fix Telnet P2P (Outgoing) session with blank password
• Improve efficiency of AFSK packet creation
• Update Winlink standard templates (1.0.170.0)
  

Please let me know if you encounter any problems. 

Andrew

VA7YAA

[Thomas KF7RSF]

Andrew,

Could you clarify just what you mean by:

" Add support for VARA HF and VARA FM using connection to Windows executables: https://rosmodem.wordpress.com/"

Thomas /KF7RSF

[Andrew Walker]

Hi Thomas,

VARA HF and VARA FM are Windows programs that act as sound modems for HF and FM radios (respectively). They can be downloaded from https://rosmodem.wordpress.com/. WoAD is able to connect to these programs via a TCP/IP connection. Some Winlink gateways support connections using VARA HF and/or FM.

The usefulness of this functionality within WoAD is dubious at best, as if you're running a Windows machine for the VARA sound modem, you could just run Winlink Express on the same box. I'm working on the assumption that at some point the VARA programs will be ported to run on Linux, Android, etc, where their usefulness, to WoAD at least, will improve greatly. And no changes should be required on WoAD's side as everything is done through a TCP/IP connection.

Hope that helps.

 

All the best,

Andrew

VA7YAA

[Thomas KF7RSF]

Hi again Andrew,

I am very familiar with VARA HF and FM. I am a Technical Support member of the Winlink Development Team, and I have been running a Winlink RMS Gateway for years.

I am familiar with how the 3rd party apps VARA FM and VARA HF are called using inte-rapplication tcp/ip ports. Is the same now supported across a LAN to a Windows machine running the apps if you know the tcp address and port numbers involved? Ie., is the configuration possible in WOaD?

Thomas  /WDT

KF7RSF

[Andrew Walker]

Hi Thomas,

Okay, so that last explanation was pitched a bit low. Apologies for that. 

Yes, WoAD now supports calling VARA HF/FM using inter-application TCP/IP ports.

All the best,

Andrew

VA7YAA

[Stefan Meurer]

Andrew,

thanks for your efforts on the latest release! I made a quick test connecting a VARA instance on my Windows Box, which was succesful at first try. What I did not understand yet (also could not find it in the documentation): how is the CAT control and PTT keying done? RMS Express does this using the VARA session window/TRX configuration menu. I have not found a corresponding setting in WoAD and if I see it correctly, the modem itself (i.e. VARA HF) is also dependent on PTT control by RMS Express.

Have I overlooked something?

73 de Stefan, DK5SM.

[Andrew Walker]

Hi Stefan,

WoAD doesn't currently take control of the PTT, so it would have to be done either through VOX or some external circuitry between the PC running VARA and the radio.

Not an ideal situation, and its not immediately obvious to me if this would ideally best be handled by WoAD or VARA. 

All the best,

Andrew

VA7YAA

[Stefan Meurer]

Hi Andrew,

ARDOP has a "Optional Radio Setup" menu where the CAT and PTT configuration can be done - regardless to the application being conneted to. I did not try this yet, but I think this might work for WoAD.

In VARA, even the usage of the "tune" button within settings -> soundcard shows a message stating "to use the tune button you have to link with BPQ/trimode/RMS express", so there seems to be no way to get even PTT to work. 

Currently it seems you´re fine with any vox-based soundcard interface.

Have a great day.

73, Stefan, DK5SM.