Alternate information.
# Winlink + VARA on Linux and macOS
The current practical approach is **Pat + VARA running through Wine**, rather than trying to run Winlink Express itself. Pat is the cross-platform Winlink client for Linux and macOS, and it supports VARA, ARDOP, AX.25, PACTOR, Telnet, and Hamlib/`rigctld`. [getpat](https://getpat.io/)
As of September 2026, the relevant current versions are **Pat 0.17.0**, **VARA HF 4.9.0**, and **VARA FM 4.4.0**. [github](https://github.com/la5nta/pat/releases)
## Architecture
```text
Pat
├── Winlink CMS via Telnet
├── VARA HF through TCP 8300
├── VARA FM through TCP 8302
└── rigctld/Hamlib for radio control
VARA HF/FM
└── Wine or CrossOver
└── USB audio/PTT interface and radio
```
Pat does not replace the VARA modem. VARA remains a Windows executable, so Linux and macOS need a compatibility layer. Pat connects to VARA through its normal TCP interface.
## Linux installation
These commands target Debian, Ubuntu, and Linux Mint on an x86-64 computer.
### 1. Install radio and Wine dependencies
```bash
sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt update
sudo apt install \
wine wine32 winetricks \
unzip pavucontrol \
hamlib-utils
```
Add your account to the relevant hardware groups:
```bash
sudo usermod -aG dialout,tty,audio "$USER"
```
Log out and back in afterward, or reboot.
For a current WineHQ installation, use the WineHQ repository appropriate to your exact distribution rather than copying an old Debian repository line into a newer Ubuntu system. The older “Bullseye” recipes found online can cause dependency conflicts on current releases.
### 2. Create a dedicated 32-bit Wine prefix
VARA is a 32-bit Windows application. Use a separate prefix so its libraries do not interfere with other Wine software:
```bash
export WINEPREFIX="$HOME/.wine-vara"
export WINEARCH=win32
wineboot -u
winetricks -q winxp
winetricks -q sound=alsa
winetricks -q vb6run
```
If VARA later reports .NET-related errors, add these only when needed:
```bash
winetricks -q dotnet40
winetricks -q dotnet46
```
Do not install every available Winetricks component automatically. Extra components frequently make a working prefix less reliable.
### 3. Download and install VARA
Download the current packages from the Winlink download directory:
- `VARA HF 4.9.0 setup.zip`
- `VARA FM 4.4.0 setup.zip`
The official Winlink directory currently lists those versions. [downloads.winlink](https://downloads.winlink.org/VARA%20Products/)
Example for VARA HF:
```bash
mkdir -p "$HOME/Downloads/vara"
cd "$HOME/Downloads/vara"
unzip "../VARA HF 4.9.0 setup.zip"
export WINEPREFIX="$HOME/.wine-vara"
export WINEARCH=win32
wine "VARA setup (Run as Administrator).exe"
```
The exact installer filename can vary slightly. Check it with:
```bash
ls -1
```
Install VARA FM in the same Wine prefix if you need VHF/UHF:
```bash
wine "VARA FM setup (Run as Administrator).exe"
```
Launch VARA explicitly with the prefix:
```bash
WINEPREFIX="$HOME/.wine-vara" \
WINEARCH=win32 \
wine "$HOME/.wine-vara/drive_c/VARA/VARA.exe"
```
For VARA FM:
```bash
WINEPREFIX="$HOME/.wine-vara" \
WINEARCH=win32 \
wine "$HOME/.wine-vara/drive_c/VARA FM/VARAFM.exe"
```
The installed directory may differ. Locate the executable with:
```bash
find "$HOME/.wine-vara/drive_c" -iname 'vara*.exe'
```
### 4. Install Pat
For Debian, Ubuntu, or Mint:
```bash
cd "$HOME/Downloads"
wget https://github.com/la5nta/pat/releases/download/v0.17.0/pat_0.17.0_linux...
sudo apt install ./pat_0.17.0_linux_amd64.deb
```
Use the ARM64 or ARMHF package instead on a Raspberry Pi. Pat 0.17.0 provides separate packages for Linux AMD64, ARM64, ARMHF, and i386, along with a macOS package. [github](https://github.com/la5nta/pat/releases)
Confirm the installation:
```bash
pat version
```
Start the web interface:
```bash
pat http
```
Open:
```text
http://localhost:8080
```
Pat provides both a web GUI and command-line interface. [getpat](https://getpat.io/)
## macOS installation
### Intel Mac
On an Intel Mac, use:
1. Pat’s current macOS package.
2. Homebrew Hamlib.
3. Wine or CrossOver for VARA.
4. A USB radio/audio interface.
Install Hamlib:
```bash
brew install hamlib
```
Install Pat from the `pat_0.17.0_darwin_amd64.pkg` release package. The current Pat release page lists the macOS build as an AMD64 package. [github](https://github.com/la5nta/pat/releases)
### Apple Silicon Mac
Apple Silicon requires more care because VARA is an Intel Windows binary. The least frustrating option is generally **CrossOver**, because it combines Wine with Apple’s x86 translation support and provides a manageable Windows application bottle.
Recommended layout:
```text
Pat: native macOS application
VARA: Windows application in CrossOver
Hamlib: native macOS Homebrew package
Radio: USB audio/control interface
```
Install Hamlib:
```bash
brew install hamlib
```
Install the current Intel Pat package if the release does not provide a native ARM package:
```text
pat_0.17.0_darwin_amd64.pkg
```
macOS can run the Intel Pat binary through Rosetta 2. Install Rosetta if prompted:
```bash
softwareupdate --install-rosetta
```
For VARA:
1. Install CrossOver.
2. Create a Windows 10 or Windows 7 bottle.
3. Install the current VARA HF and/or VARA FM installer into that bottle.
4. Start VARA from CrossOver.
5. Leave VARA running while Pat connects to ports 8300 or 8302.
The older “import a prebuilt CrossOver bottle” method is less attractive now because it can contain obsolete VARA versions, old paths, and stale Wine settings. A newly created bottle is easier to audit and reproduce.
## Configure VARA
Use the following defaults unless you have a specific reason to change them:
| Modem | TCP port | Typical use |
|---|---:|---|
| VARA HF | 8300 | HF Winlink |
| VARA FM | 8302 | VHF/UHF Winlink |
In VARA’s settings:
- Select the correct input and output audio devices.
- Set PTT to CAT, RTS/DTR, VOX, or the method supported by your radio interface.
- Set the serial port or Wine COM mapping if using CAT/PTT through a serial device.
- Disable audio processing, AGC, noise suppression, and automatic volume control where possible.
- Start with conservative transmit audio and increase it only while monitoring ALC or transmitter deviation.
On Linux, inspect audio devices with:
```bash
pactl list short sources
pactl list short sinks
```
Use `pavucontrol` to select the USB radio interface and check that the expected playback and recording streams are routed to it.
## Configure radio control
For Hamlib, identify the radio model:
```bash
rigctl -l | less
```
List serial devices:
```bash
ls -l /dev/serial/by-id/
```
Start `rigctld` with the model number and device path. For example:
```bash
rigctld \
-m RADIO_MODEL_NUMBER \
-r /dev/serial/by-id/YOUR_RADIO_DEVICE \
-s 38400 \
--vfo
```
On macOS, the device may look like:
```bash
/dev/cu.usbserial-XXXX
```
or:
```bash
/dev/cu.SLAB_USBtoUART
```
Pat can use Hamlib through `rigctld`, and its documentation also supports direct serial/USB control for many radios. [getpat](https://getpat.io/)
Configure the corresponding rig-control address in Pat’s configuration page. Using the Pat web GUI is preferable to manually copying an old configuration file because configuration names and available options have changed between releases.
## Configure Pat’s VARA connection
Start VARA first, then start Pat:
```bash
pat http
```
In Pat’s web interface:
1. Open the configuration page.
2. Add or enable a VARA HF connection.
3. Set the modem address to:
```text
127.0.0.1:8300
```
4. For VARA FM, use:
```text
127.0.0.1:8302
```
5. Configure the radio-control method separately through Hamlib or `rigctld`.
6. Select the appropriate Winlink transport when connecting to a gateway.
A typical local arrangement is:
```text
VARA HF 127.0.0.1:8300
VARA FM 127.0.0.1:8302
rigctld 127.0.0.1:4532
Pat web UI 127.0.0.1:8080
```
## Operating sequence
For an HF session:
1. Connect the radio and USB interface.
2. Confirm the operating mode—usually USB, USB-D, DIGU, or the radio’s equivalent.
3. Start `rigctld`, if using Hamlib.
4. Start VARA HF in Wine or CrossOver.
5. Verify VARA’s audio input, output, and PTT.
6. Start Pat:
```bash
pat http
```
7. Open `http://localhost:8080`.
8. Select a Winlink HF gateway and connect.
9. Begin with low audio output and verify that PTT and frequency control work before transmitting a message.
For VHF/UHF, substitute VARA FM and port `8302`.
## Troubleshooting checklist
### VARA starts but Pat cannot connect
Check that VARA is actually listening:
```bash
ss -ltn | grep -E '8300|8302'
```
On macOS:
```bash
lsof -nP -iTCP:8300 -sTCP:LISTEN
lsof -nP -iTCP:8302 -sTCP:LISTEN
```
Also verify that Pat is using `127.0.0.1`, not the radio’s IP address.
### PTT works but no audio
- Confirm the correct Wine audio device.
- Check `pavucontrol` routing on Linux.
- Check macOS microphone permission for CrossOver.
- Disable system microphone processing.
- Confirm that VARA’s input meter responds when receiving audio.
### Audio works but no PTT
- Test CAT control independently with `rigctl`.
- Check whether the interface expects RTS/DTR rather than CAT.
- On Linux, verify membership in `dialout` and `tty`.
- On Wine, check the COM-port mapping:
```bash
ls -l ~/.wine-vara/dosdevices/
```
- Avoid running some components as root and others as a normal user.
### VARA crashes or shows .NET/VB errors
Recreate the prefix rather than endlessly layering components onto it:
```bash
rm -rf "$HOME/.wine-vara"
export WINEPREFIX="$HOME/.wine-vara"
export WINEARCH=win32
wineboot -u
winetricks -q winxp
winetricks -q sound=alsa
winetricks -q vb6run
```
Then reinstall VARA.
### Pat does not see VARA
Pat’s current releases include VARA support and have received VARA-specific fixes, so first verify that the modem is running and reachable on the expected TCP port. Do not configure Pat to launch the Windows executable directly; launch VARA separately through Wine/CrossOver and let Pat connect to its TCP server. [github](https://github.com/la5nta/pat/releases)
### Important limitation
VARA is speed-limited when unlicensed. The current VARA distribution is available from Winlink’s download server, while the VARA author’s site provides licensing information and downloads. [downloads.winlink](https://downloads.winlink.org/VARA%20Products/)