If you live in a big city like I do, chances are you’re dealing with RF noise and possibly a compromised antenna situation, both of which can degrade signal quality and make operating SSB difficult. Fortunately, a range of digital modes have been developed which can operate at lower signal to noise ratios, enabling you to make contacts all over the world when the conditions are right. FT8 is probably the most common digital mode at this point, and in combination with GridTracker it can be a fun way of visualizing contacts and chasing awards. A common criticism of FT8 however, is that it tends to be fairly automated and leaves little room for conversation. Fortunately, digital modes such as VarAC can deliver the best of both worlds by allowing text-based chatting (and even file transfers!) with other hams.
This guide will demonstrate how you can install and configure VarAC for use with a Yaesu FT-710 radio as well as how to make your first contact!
What is VarAC?
According to the VarAC website,
VarAC is a FREE, modern HF P2P real-time chatting and emergency communication (EmComm) application for amateur radio operators, leveraging the VARA protocol. VarAC is used by more than 60,000 amateur radio operators in over 100 countries.
One thing to note is that although VarAC is free, it is not open-source and relies on the use of the VARA Modem (developed separately) which has both free and paid versions.
Install VARA Modem
The first step in the process is to install the VARA modem which will allow the VarAC application to communicate over HF. VARA Modem comes in three flavors, VARA HF, VARA FM, and VARA Satellite, so make sure you download the VARA Modem HF version from EA5HVK’s website
Install and Configure VarAC
Making Your First Contact
Do’s and Don’ts
According to the VarAC team, there’s a few 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. Pings are not registered as QSOs as only one side sends an SNR report.
✅ The Do: Use PING only as tool to check the link quality with your desired destination.
❌ 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.
Other Notes
Conlusion
Once configured and setup properly, VarAC is a great way to make contact and communicate with other hams