VarAC Code of Behavior

John Fuller — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 14:50:42 +0000

VarAC is not just a software. VarAC is a vibrant community with a code of behavior.

Here are the VarAC dos and don'ts.

If we all respect them, we will all have a joyful experience.

❌ The Don't: Don't jam the Calling Frequency (CF). Don't hold it for more then a few minutes or more then necessary.

✅ The Do: Started a QSO on the CF? It's OK, but QSY as soon as possible. You have QSY UP/Down buttons or a free-form QSY button where you can select your desired QSY frequency.

❌ The Don't: Don't use the PING feature for DXCC/Grid hunting. This will jam the CF, and besides, upcoming versions will limit the SNR exchange during PINGS so it will be useless for DXCC.

✅ The Do: Use PING only as tool to check propagation.

❌ The Don't: Don't use 2300Hz BW on the VarAC CF or on any of the slots.

✅ The Do: Use Only 500Hz on VarAC CF and slots to avoid QRM-ing nearby VarAC QSOs. Use 2300Hz only outside of the slot frequencies.

❌ The Don't: Don't QSY to a frequency without checking if it is free.

✅The Do: VarAC provides you with Sniffers. Right-click on the QSY Up/Down buttons will temporarily QSY to the destination frequency (without keying your PTT) so you can listen before QSY-ing. Same goes for calling CQs: Use the CQ slot sniffer.

❌ The Don't: Don't try to send large files over HF. And if the link is slow - don't send files at all. It will never end. And PLEASE don't send files over the CF.

✅The Do: Send files up to 5-10K in high speed and no more than 1-2K in low speed and always on non CF frequencies.

Thank you for cooperating!
Now turn on your RIG, launch VarAC, and let's chat!!

73, Irad 4Z1AC and the VarAC team.

Using different Radios with Vara Chat

John Fuller — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 17:25:52 +0000

I was able to setup Vara Chat (VarAC) on my radio laptop with my FT-891 to make Vara HF contacts. I has been working really well and I am enjoying the mode.

I know Bill (K0DZ), Steve (KE0BPD) and others have been working on and using Vara FM for local digital chat communications. As well as working on digipeaters for longer distance (local) communications.

I was going to setup my laptop to also do Vara FM but I was concerned about deleting my radio settings on VarAC for the FT-891, since it is working, to setup a different radio. Bill (K0DZ) pointed out that all of the files needed for VARA are stored in the C:\VARA folder on your computer. So you can duplicate that folder for each setup you have.

I wanted to use the same laptop for my FT-891/Digirig setup and the IC-7300.

To do this, you need to make another copy of the VARA folder and give it another name. So I created a new folder, C:\VARA-7300. Then I copied everything in the C:\VARA folder to the C:\VARA-7300 folder.

On my desktop I added Shortcut icons.
One labeled "VarAC FT-891" that points to C:\VARA\VarAC\VarAC.exe
A second one labeled "VarAC IC-7300" that points to C:\VARA-IC7300\VarAC\VarAC.exe

Now when I start the program from one of those icons, I can change the sound card settings and CAT control settings to match the radio being used.

A great way to support multiple multiple radio setups for VarAC, VARA Chat.

73, John, WJ0NF

VARA Chat Discussions - Mesa County ARES Forums

VarAC Code of Behavior

Using different Radios with Vara Chat