I didn’t have the winlink method in mind. Was suggesting just a “best band” indicator once two stations connect based on grid locations and conditions.
Whatever method gets the same results would be fantastic. varac user base is growing and I think that would cut down on frequency congestion, increase efficiency, and improve the overal VarAC experience.
Gotcha. I know that list in Winlink. It is not calculated at the application level. it is distributed by a centralized source that provides updated lists of RMS nodes and propagation forecasts.
With VarAC there is no need for that. Beacons and SNRs are your best friends when it comes to determine if a station is worth trying to connect to. IF you hear someones beacon -21DB it is a good sign your link is not going to be a stable one. No forcast map will change that.
With Winlink, you dont have a center CF where all RMS are beaconing so you dont really know if you can hear them ok or not. Therefore it is required for winlink.
When using Winlink and setting up a VARA HF connection, the channel selection dropdown shows all possible gateways in order of distance from your grid. To the right of that table are two columns, Path Reliability and Path Quality. Now, when you display beacons or CQs, you could place those two numbers to the right of the entry giving the user an idea of connection success.
I was thinking more how ALE (Automatic Link Establishment) works. Except without the Automatic part.
After connecting to a station and exchanging your grid locations, it would then tell you the best frequency or band to use.
In example: Might have a direct connection (path) on 15 meters verses two bounces on 40m.
The difference being, both parties would be aware or better advised of a stronger band, instead of assuming.
Would need to pull some solar weather data, I suppose.
Just a suggestion to improve connectivity and reduce congestion on 20/40/80m. We get a lot of spectrum to play with, might as well use it.
I didn’t have the winlink method in mind. Was suggesting just a “best band” indicator once two stations connect based on grid locations and conditions.
Whatever method gets the same results would be fantastic. varac user base is growing and I think that would cut down on frequency congestion, increase efficiency, and improve the overal VarAC experience.
Not sure I follow the use case you suggest.
Could this be similar to the channel selection feature in Winlink where the connections are rated by reliability and quality. Just a thought.