VARA HF Winlink Express E-mail Over HF
See my previous article on Winlink Express ARDOP E-Mail Over HF.
VARA is a High Performance HF modem based on OFDM modulation. VARA Modem, brings state of the art Military grade technology to new and existing HF data.
Introduces a new standard of technology available for Amateur and Commercial use. Designed for operation within a SSB Bandwidth of 2400 Hz. - VARA Website
Installation
Even though it is integrated into Winlink, you will still have to install it. It is easy to do.
The download link is here: VARA Modem.
Settings
After installation, you will see it in the drop down list under “Open Session.”
The first time you open it you’ll have to do some setup. See my screen captures below:
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- Winlink Open Session VARA
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- Vara Winlink Session
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- Vara HF v3.0.5
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- VARA Setup
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- Vara Radio Setup
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- Vara TNC Setup
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- VARA Soundcard
VARA HF Tips
TIP #1 Use “Slow AGC”
TIP #2 Receive bandwidth should be wide enough to extend outside of the red guide lines.
TIP #3 When sending an e-mail you can put "//WL2K" without the quotations as the first word in the subject line and it will bypass SPAM filtering in the Winlink system.
VARA Video.
Thank You
If you have any questions, comments or solutions, please comment below. I prefer the comment section here or in YouTube over e-mail because your comments and questions will help others as well.
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73,
Rich,K0PIR
Sources:
How To Manage Your Whitelist (SPAM Control)
Aside from the 2 monthly costs there seems to be no others. I remember WINLINK modems being way overpriced and beyond practical justification. Other than the 2 subscription costs are there any additional other than the an existing “normal” ham station assembly? N3HKN
Hi Richard,
Nice to hear from you and thank you for commenting here. Correct me if I am wrong, but registration fee for a key to Winlink Express and VARA are one time, not monthly.
Just purchased VARA so I’ll let everyone know what the difference is.
I hope all is well with you and yours, please take care and best 73!
How can I purchase VARA on an air gapped computer? ie: no connection to the Internet. I already have it installed.
Hi Don,
Thanks for commenting here.
You’ll need access to e-mail because he sends the registration code via e-mail. If you go to the “About” in VARA you’ll see his e-mail.
GL and HNY!
73,
Rich, K0PIR
Is Vara supposed to instantly install into winlink on download? All I still see in drop down is VARA winlink. v4.3.0 IS WHAT I DOWNLOADED TO REPLACE THE OLD VERSION. Cant drag it into the box either. ??? suggestions for filling in all settings?
Hi Cleave,
Nice to hear from you and thank you for commenting here.
The download link to VARA Modem is on the page. Click on it and then look for VARA HF.
GL, and best 73,
Rich, K0PIR
Rich,
I followed your settings above I am able to connect to a node but nothing in my outbox is being sent.
I have the ALC at about a third on the meter.
Any changes needed in the IC-7610 settings that I might be missing or other ideas to get me going?
Thanks for your help.
Paul
WQ4A
Sorry for the delay. I am on my way to QuartzFest. Have a look at the screen captures for the ICOM 7610. They’re at the top of my page, but sounds like you have that set up correctly. If you can connect and can’t send, it could be just bad conditions.
GL and best 73,
Rich, KØPIR
I have been using Winlink with Ardop with the 7300 and decided to go over to Vara. Software is downloaded and settings set to what was on the video only I don’t have rig control. When I select a channel the rig does ‘t change like it does in Ardop nor does it key the rig. My TNC and radio settings are the same as I have with Ardop. Any suggestions on which setting I missed or messed p on? 73 N7RI
Hi Bill,
It’s nice to hear from you and thank you for commenting here.
Setup Rig control for VARA. Here is a screen capture.
I hope this helps. Also make sure nothing else is running and taking the COM port.
GL and Good DX!
Rich, KØPIR
I have never used VARA or the newer VarAC, but I have two questions:
Hi Robert,
It’s nice to hear from you and thank you for posting your question here. VARA HF is what I have used and it works well for me on the 40 Meter band. Distances I get are approx. between 400 and 800 miles for me.
The info I read on VARA is here.
From that link scroll down to “VARA documentation” and download his zip file.
Thanks again, GL and Good DX! de KØPIR