VARA

We are pleased to announce that Jose Alberto Nieto Ros EA5HVK has released VARA FM version 4.01 as of 1700UTC November 28, 2020. Highlights of this release are:

• The addition of a digipeater capability to extend the effective range similar to AX.25 Packet but without collision protection. Up to two digipeaters are supported.
• Significantly improved weak signal operation through the addition of a lower data rate speed level.
• Improvements for operation with inexpensive HT radios and through voice repeaters.
• Various performance enhancements.
• VARA FM callsign sign display displays station IDs currently using the channel
• New Ping feature showing VU readings and Signal to Noise Ratios

*** NOTE*** Version 4.01 is NOT compatible with previous VARA FM releases. Transition to the new version should be managed locally.

Download version 4.01 here.

Speeds shown in the table above will be dependent upon your sound card interface, RF levels, proper calibration, direct connect and/or number of digipeaters used.

Please post questions to the Winlink Programs Group as needed. Several beta testers who are present there will try to help during the day.

--The Winlink Team

VARA HF 4.0 is a major upgrade that offers additional speed, robustness and utility, including a new robust 500 Hz narrow bandwidth mode.

The Winlink Team has planned a careful network cutover to this new version on June 30, 2020, because it does not offer backwards compatibility with earlier versions. RMS running VARA HF 4.0 will not communicate with VARA 3-equipped clients.

A VARA HF 4.0 upgrade package is available now for early download at:
https://rosmodem.wordpress.com

To avoid early incompatibilities this package will not allow installation and use until June 30. This delay is to allow critical information to flow about the upcoming breaking change, and to allow users who intend to be offline on the cutover date to download it now for installation on or after June 30.

ALL RMS Operators:
AT THIS TIME, please add the following announcement to a BANNER.txt file in Trimode or other RMS application to help inform your users:

"ON JUNE 30, 2020, Winlink VARA HF RMS stations will switch to use VARA HF 4.0, which is incompatible with earlier versions. Client stations should prepare early to upgrade. Download VARA HF 4.0 from https://rosmodem.wordpress.com now, and install it on June 30 or after."

Thanks and 73,

The Winlink Team

The ARDOP (Amateur Radio Digital Open Protocol) and VARA protocols are both now fully integrated into software by the Winlink Team. Where BPQ32 allowed both these soundcard modems (radio protocols) to be used on the Winlink system during protocol beta testing and after. Now they have been integrated into the systems' most popular software, RMS Trimode on the server side, and Winlink Express on the client side.

To get the beta software, enable the checkbox for allowing beta software to be auto-updated in your programs. You will also need the latest version of VARA from the author's web site https://rosmodem.wordpress.com.

If you join in the testing effort, please post your observations and results on the Winlink_Programs_Group (see the Support menu on the site).

Eventually, we expect WINMOR to be phased out as these new, more robust and speedy protocols become regularly used. There will be a long and healthy overlap during the transition.

Give them a try! Rigorous testing has shown their promise, and now there are many positive real-world performance reports over HF pathways with today's typical poor band conditions.

73,
The Winlink Development Team