Anyone out there using VARA Modem for Packet BBS use? If so, do you feel comfortable replacing your hardware with it? I'm tempted to downsize my considerable PK232 collection but haven't put much time on VARA yet...
On 02-20-22 04:44, echicken wrote to InfectedBootSector <=-
Anyone out there using VARA Modem for Packet BBS use? If so, do you feel comfortable replacing your hardware with it? I'm tempted to downsize my considerable PK232 collection but haven't put much time on VARA yet...
I'd like to know more about it. I'm not familiar with the VARA modem
and a quick search turns up ... bits of information scattered all over
the place, in keeping with frustrating amateur tradition.
Will this modem be compatible with remote stations that currently
connect to your PK232(s)?
Have you tried it? Anything making you feel wary of using it more?
Ideally we'd all be able to use software modems and soundcard
interfaces, of which there are many, rather than needing to plug some
box from the 1980s into our radios and computers. That makes it far
more accessible to all. Couple that with something better than AX.25
and maybe it could be useful.
Apparently it works quite well, but it is proprietary, so you're stuck
kinda like the AMBE nastiness in many DV modes, where you have to have a chip to (legally) process the audio.
Will this modem be compatible with remote stations thatcurrently connect to your PK232(s)?
Highly unlikely, from what I understand, it's a very different mode.
You can always use Direwolf if you want a software modem/TNC that's
compatibile with legacy systems - software implementation with better performance than hardware - there's a writeup somewhere on how Direwolf
On 02-21-22 06:05, echicken wrote to Vk3jed <=-
Apparently it works quite well, but it is proprietary, so you're stuck
Yuck. I remember seeing some other data mode like this recently, though
I believe its creator stated some intent to share the details later on. Seems like a sure way to prevent adoption of your mode.
kinda like the AMBE nastiness in many DV modes, where you have to have a chip to (legally) process the audio.
Yep, and most DV modes have not seen very wide adoption, except DMR in
the past decade thanks to cheap HTs with said codec on board.
I suppose it could still be a replacement, but one would have to coordinate with every other station that normally connects to theirs.
That seems ... unlikely.
You can always use Direwolf if you want a software modem/TNC that's
I've used it briefly and have heard great things, but I have no real
need for it at the moment.
compatibile with legacy systems - software implementation with better performance than hardware - there's a writeup somewhere on how Direwolf
Performance as in being able to decode weaker signals? I'll have to
look for some info on that.
DMR and to a lesser extent, Fusion (the FT-70 is reasonably priced too).
become available. M17 is a 100% open source DV mode. It uses the Codec2
Direwold is more tolerant of maladjusted radios. It actually uses multiple modems in parallel on receive to process signals with different levels of twist between the two tomes and takes the best decoded output. Direwold
also has an extension to the AX.25 protocol that allows lower BER (and more decoded frams) at low SNR. This extension is backwards compatible with standard AX.25, and the extra error correction is ignored by standard TNCs. This is because the extension is a wrapper around the standard frame that contains the extra FEC, and a standard TNC simply sees the standard frame within.
On 02-23-22 03:06, echicken wrote to Vk3jed <=-
DMR and to a lesser extent, Fusion (the FT-70 is reasonably priced too).
Yeah, $240 CAD for the FT-70 is not bad, but more than I'm willing to spend right now to check out yet another DV mode. Tempting though,
since a local friend is a fan of it and says there's decent activity
here. Perhaps I'll see a used one in a flea market soon.
become available. M17 is a 100% open source DV mode. It uses the Codec2
I like the idea of M17, but I haven't kept up with it. Do you have any direct experience with it?
I'll happily get on board with M17 when I can buy a built rig (or one requiring minimal assembly) and have some other people to talk to on
it.
Direwold is more tolerant of maladjusted radios. It actually uses multiple modems in parallel on receive to process signals with different levels of twist between the two tomes and takes the best decoded output. Direwold
Well, that's pretty cool. Thanks for the overview.
Sounds like (and presumably is) FX.25. A nice idea, but unfortunately
it comes with all the baggage that is AX.25. I understand why, but I
just can't get excited about it. Not that I'm well qualified to have an opinion on the subject, but I just find AX.25 and its various bolted on improvements (and documentation) to be a bit of a mess.
Yeah, $240 CAD for the FT-70 is not bad, but more than I'm willing to spend right now to check out yet another DV mode. Tempting though, since a local friend is a fan of it and says there's decent activity here. Perhaps
I like ham radio. It takes up a pretty large part of my time. But there is an inverse relationship between people that like to ragchew and people that are interesting.
Re: VARA Modem
By: InfectedBootSector to All on Sat Feb 19 2022 21:35:00
Anyone out there using VARA Modem for Packet BBS use? If so, do you feel comfortable replacing your hardware with it? I'm tempted to downsize my considerable PK232 collection but haven't put much time on VARA yet...
I'd like to know more about it. I'm not familiar with the VARA modem and a quick search turns up ... bits of information scattered all over the place, in keeping with frustrating amateur tradition.
Will this modem be compatible with remote stations that currently connect to your PK232(s)?
Have you tried it? Anything making you feel wary of using it more?
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