New VARA HF v3.0.2 #VARA
Posted to the VARA group this morning , announcement , new VARA V3-0-2 has been released ,
in addition , two other applications are released :- VARA Terminal : , allowing connection to BPQ servers , deploying VARA modem CHAT application , which allows the modem to be uses as 'QSO mode , with full arq, [ similar to AMTOR ] for live keyboard text and file transfer [NB unlicensed modem runs to 175 Baud] Download links , as of today 21/7
Copy follows ________________________________________________________________________________ Good morning, As some of you know, i have been working in a new VARA HF since months ago. The objective was improve all the lines of the code and, specially, increase the sensitivity with low S/N, getting good performance with bad and good conditions.
The result is the new VARA HF v3.0.2 and can be downloaded in the official VARA site without extra cost for VARA licenses: https://rosmodem.wordpress.
Sysops have been notified by the WDT and will try replace VARA v2.2.1 by the v3.0.2 on July 27th (or even before) .
The default retries in this new VARA is 10 (instead of 5) as now the connection protocol is faster. Set the number of retries that best fits with your usual Gateways. The time between retries is 3.2 seconds, so 10 retries are 32 seconds cycle. And DWELL time (for Gateway sysops) is 4 seconds.
special thanks to Martin HB9AUR for the countless hour spent testing VARA prototypes
73
Jose
EA5HVK
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Andrew O'Brien
Interesting , thanks
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Andy
On Jul 21, 2019, at 9:32 AM, Graham <g0nbd@...> wrote:
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Graham
Andy,
I think you may find , the new 'Chat' application , quite novel, in that it gives access to the modem at all speeds , but , I for one cannot type that fast ! , running the 'chat app , calls the vara modem , Chat provides the Rig control , via CAT or Com-ptt and the modem , the audio interface and tune button , now a single 1500 Hz test tone .The new modem has improved low signal performance , this with the arq function , makes for low power error free qso's , at power levels much reduced from the days of amtor Though not intended , the unlicensed [free for all] modem runs to 175 baud level 3 , min being 40 baud , ample for qso , but notably , for the qrp users , the modem remains MFSK as is the ACK frame , being phase continuous , allows it to be passed via non linear systems , ie , class E/D power stages , which will be of interest to the low power / battery emergency situations , Entering a valid key , enables the faster levels, which are ofdm and require linear handling. Might be of wider interest to list possible watering holes for 'vara chat' ? first over the pond might be a start ! 73-Graham g0nbd
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Andrew O'Brien
Thanks Graham, I have downloaded and it installed without issues. Seems my registration from previous versions has been accepted. I'm not actually sure how to use since almost all my previous use was with RMS Express. I am not sure if there is again a stand alone use, will poke around some more. Andy K3UK
On Mon, Jul 22, 2019 at 4:12 PM Graham <g0nbd@...> wrote: Andy, -- Andy
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Graham
Andy
Yes its bit clunky , but , the intent was/is to provide , fast one-2-one comms , with file transfer , good reports are being received from the E-Com users , a new version overcomes a unexpected limitation to file transfer max size , that might of been with the high speed VHF modems , Due to the rather poor conditions, testing over the 1000 mile HF UK<>EA path was a little sprodic, only reached level 3 or 4 , however its up and running , the monitor function in VAR should enable some sort of round table aspect , 73-G
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pat obrien <2WR796@...>
I use VARA CHAT...just a great program, any chances to have it work on 500, 2300 seems that is a long width...
POB/K8LEN
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Graham
A lot of people have asked that ,
Ros is a one man band , Email a request .. The modem Commands are listed if anyone Can code a simple windows terminal , That could be a useful project , add some Qso centered features , 73 Graham
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Andrew O'Brien
I finally got around to installing VARA Chat today. I recall Jose's previous message stating VARA CHAT is good for emcomm use and not for CQ Hello Bye QSOs. However I had a QSO with someone via Olivia the other day saying he uses VARA Chat on HF quite a bit. What frequencies are people using it on ?
Andy K3UK
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Graham
Good question Andy,
Googling vara qso , did bring back a few hits , one is a winlk p2p net , not really a qso as such , there is a IO vara group with ~ 500 members , posting there might help , look to be mostly usa based .. personally , I would suggest, vara-hf with chat module provides a near replication of the days of amtor , but, with considerable gain in s/n ,the other being the link remains in duplex , rather like packet , there is no master/slave .. also the link only sends data , when data is presented ..ie no data , it stop's when keying pauses ..little unnerving at first .. Used to take 250 watts to work usa east coast on 7 with amtor , probably now 25w would suffice , though on link round test using the east coast Main kiwi web sdr , 5 watts has supported similar s/n mfsk link CQ/QSO - sometimes the translation is a little askue , the comparison is pre coded messages , triggered by multiple pass , minimal 'on air' content , to actually transporting the full message content ..in live text , the system is most suited and robust , having spent hours in qso on 10 MHz during testing , a most unstable band 73 -Graham g0nbd
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