At long last, the new Vara FM 3.0.0 version has been released. I have included the author’s note on the release below my note. I would suggest all users upgrade to this new version as soon as possible – I plan to remove the older version (which is incompatible) from my nodes this weekend. (The new version is not compatible with the previously released version…)
Features of the new release:
- Significantly faster
- Improved weak signal operation
- Improved operation over entire range of signal to noise scenarios
- Automated mode selection between wide and narrow modes – used to have to select between confusingly names 1200 and 9600 modes
- Automated drive level calibration process
- Automated / optimized PTT TX delay - no more setting this for the slowest users
The local Williamson County ARES group did a significant amount of the testing for this release along with a ham in Switzerland and a group in Hawaii. Special thanks to Greg WB5GM, Tom W2MN, John KF5RX and Jim K5HTK for the many hours they put in.
There is a new version of Winlink Express that will autoupdate probably today for this release if you have beta software updates enabled. The current version of Express will work with Vara FM 3.0.0 but the “1200/9600” selections don’t do anything anymore.
Be glad to help anyone using a soundcard with Winlink Express to get Vara FM going.
Tom N5TW
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Hi Tom,
Here in Kerrville, I use the Signalink for both w3xo-10 and w7hbh-10. What mods will be needed?
Thanks in advance
Fred/w0lpd
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Thanks Tom for the update.
After more than a decade in operation W5SI-10 is being rebuilt from the ground up. Alan and I have been discussing a Vara implementation on 70 cm at the same site.
73
Richard
KD5URB
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Vara FM will run on an unmodified SignaLink. The frequency response can be apparently improved by replacing the transformers but I can’t recommend that. I’d suggest putting the radio into 9600 mode and making the required wiring change needed for most radios to get the 9600 audio out and trying it in wide mode. If you get performance exceeding 20kbps declare victory. Vara FM in narrow mode is still pretty darned fast if you want to just run in that mode.
I use the inexpensive RA-25 interface soundcards:
http://www.masterscommunications.com/products/radio-adapter/ra25.html
This eliminates the SignaLInk VOX PTT delay and has a great audio response. You can use the same soundcard for packet (using the UZ7HO soundmodem) and for Vara FM.
You can get the kit for $25. I like their inexpensive cases but a plastic soap dish could be modified for a very cost effective alternative to hacking on a SignaLink…
Tom N5TW
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Cool! Incidentally, the fine people that did the RA-25 sound card http://www.masterscommunications.com/products/radio-adapter/ra25.html are working on a version that changes the DB-9 radio interface connector to be compatible with a Kantronics TNC. This product will be called a DRA-30 and cost $30 in kit form. I built and tested a couple of their prototype boards for this and it works great with simply using a Kantronics interface cable with this soundcard. These should be in production within a month and should make for an easy path for folks to upgrade their RMS Packet stations from Kantronics TNCs to sound card supporting both packet and Vara FM.
If folks setup their RMS Packet Vara FM channels with the same call and SSID as their packet channel, this new Vara FM entry will automatically show up on our Texas RMS Packet status page.
Another bit of news: I am testing a beta version of UZ7HO that supports MX.25. MX.25 is completely compatible with AX.25 packet but includes some extra add-on data that allows for forward error correction. In some testing here with really weak signals, I was able to repeatably pass traffic that would not go through with AX.25. It slows things down a bit but I am considering adding an additional RMS Packet station using the same radio and frequency and soundcard but with MX.25 enabled. Doing that would possibly help some of my distant customers to get in more reliably… Users on both sides of the connection have to be running MX.25 to for this error correction to work.
Tom N5TW
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Tom, have you tested VARA FM node running 3.0.0 configured for WIDE mode and its ability to accept Narrow and Wide connections? Considering moving to WIDE for my Houston node; using a RA-25 so no issue with the modem and the radio was previously optimized and used for 9600b AX.25. Any other considerations/thoughts?
Thanks and 73,
David Underwood WB5HJV
ARRL STX District 14 DEC
Hi David. Yes! My stations are configured for WIDE and switch to NARROW automatically when a NARROW connect comes in. Very cool new feature! Since your radio is setup for 9600b AX.25, you should be good for running WIDE mode.
Tom N5TW
Tom
Does your radio only use the 9600 setting in UHF mode in VaraFM?
Mario
WO5O
All my stations are on 2M. But yes, I have the radios set for 9600 mode to give me the bandwidth to run Vara FM Wide mode. AX.25 packet using the UZ7HO sound card works just fine for my 1200 baud packet with the radio setup to enable 9600 mode. Some radios can’t do 9600 mode and if that is the case for anyone just run Vara FM in Narrow mode. Narrow mode is still quite fast.
Tom N5TW