VarAC is one of the best digital communication programs I have ever seen. It uses the VARA HF TNC protocol, but doesn’t require Winlink Express.
Links
Previous video discussing the FT-991A with Winlink Express and VARA HF TNC: • FT-991A Set-up and Dem...
VARA HF TNC Download Site: rosmodem.wordpress.com/
VarAC Download Site: rosmodem.wordpress.com/
Chapters:
00:03 Introductions
01:26 Downloading VarAC
02:47 VarAC SetUp
03:38 Adjusting ALC
04:35 Sending Beacon and CQ
05:23 Sample QSO
07:28 Summary and End Notes
VarAC Do’s and Don’ts
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.
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73 de Tom, ND3N
23 окт 2022
