VARA QUICK GUIDE 3.
0
Rev, July 25th 2019
VARA LICENSE
The VARA license is valid for the callsign and his 15 suffixes:
CALLSIGN, CALLSIGN-1, CALLSIGN-2…….CALLSIGN-15 and CALLSIGN-T,
CALLSIGN-R and CALLSIGN-X.
There is not hardware restrictions. You can use your VARA license in several
computers.
In the case of Gateway operation no License is necessary to get full speed.
VARA FOLDER
By default, VARA is installed in C:\VARA folder. If you need to use more than one
VARA in a same PC, you will need to create another VARA folder.
WINDOWS DEFENDER
Some antivirus, like Windows Defender, give a false positive in VARA.exe file,
removing the file even without asking you. I recommend to add an exclusion to
C:\VARA folder.
How Add an exclusion to Windows Security:
Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & thread
protection.
Under Virus & threat protection settings, select Manage settings, and then under
Exclusions, select Add or remove exclusions.
Select Add an exclusion, and then select C:\VARA folder
WIN10 POWER & SLEEP SETTINGS
To avoid a possible VARA locked-up with Win10, go to /Settings/System/Power &
Sleep, and set the Screen and Sleep option to “NEVER”.
RIG SETTINGS
I recommend to use AGC Slow and open filters.
In the waterfall, VARA signal covers the space between the red lines, so ideally, your
rig filter should exceed this threshold, like in this picture:
TUNE BUTTON
The TUNE button plays a test tone, useful for the power/ALC settings. Using the drive
level slider, you can adjust the audio level out. Your ALC meter should be about 1/3 or
1/2 of scale.
SOUNDCARD INTERFACES
An ideal soundcard interface should not limit the wideband available of your rig.
However, some interfaces filter a good part of the signal. By the robust nature of
VARA, the modem continue working with a good performance, but obviously this not
help. As Alfredo Di Stefano told his goalkeeper: “Do not ask you to stop the balls going
inward, but at least not goals balls going out”
Here there are two different noise waterfalls:
In the first case there is not signal filtered between the red lines (300-2700 Hz). This
waterwall was recorded with a built-in IC-7300 interface.
In the second case the low frequencies are filtered, reducing the performance.
Some new radios have a built-in interface, which is ideal. Anyway, if you need buy a
soundcard interface I recommend you something similar to this, which not filter the
signal, easy to set up, simple, and without any button:
PTT SOUNDCARD INTERFACE
https://www.astroradio.com/en/302018
Additionally, if you want to have frequency control, you need the CAT cable:
ICOM CAT CABLE
https://www.astroradio.com/en/502002
YAESU CAT CABLE
https://www.astroradio.com/en/502001
KENWOOD CAT CABLE
https://www.astroradio.com/en/502008
VU METER
The VU meter measures the input audio level in the soundcard. Avoid the Red Zone.
For adjusting the RX Audio level, use the Windows Recording Audio Slider
(RecordingÆProperties).
VARA GATEWAYS CENTER FREQUENCY
Center Frequency = USB dial + 1500Hz
SDR LATENCY
Sdr Latency decreases the throughput of any ARQ mode. VAC Audio adds latency,
which should be reduced as much as possible. I recommend to use a conventional Radio
better than a SDR to get a better throughput.
LINUX
For using VARA under Linux S.O go to this link:
http://spinfax.org/RMS_on_Linux_or_Mac.pdf
For more information, ask to Steve K6ETA.
VARA APPLICATIONS
Currently, VARA have been incorporated to BPQ32, RMS express, RMS Trimode,
RMS packet and VARA Chat. The communication between VARA and these external
applications is done using two TCP ports (8300, 8301 by default).
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
If you have problems or doubts with the installation, write to nietoros@hotmail.com
Jose, EA5HVK
nietoros@hotmail.com
