If beaconing and "ping" used FT8 it would save a lot of bandwidth and be much more efficient ping, users would have to learn to figure out that just because a ping was successful at -28 SNR, that doesn't mean a VarAC session at 500hz using vara would work. Broadcast mode should use JS8 Normal rather than AX25. AX25 frequently requires a higher SNR than Vara-HF. Js8 for broadcast would allow interoperability with linux users from day one, as they could use js8call to decode. These two changes would allow VarAC to be used on ft8 calling frequencies, for contesting and award chasing. It would allow weak signal QSOs for group chats and times when VARA-HF can't make it through. It would increase the usability of the suite and draw more users into it, improving VarAC vmail functionality and relaying.
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So js8call can technically run in parallel with vara-hf just fine, however only one application can own the radio for CAT purposes, my understanding is that VarAC handles CAT for the vara-hf modem?
Also, VarAC is already implementing AX.25 for broadcast messages, so I'm not sure how this would be any different? I understand this would be additional work but the final product would be much more usable. Thanks for the discussion, I'm not sure why this was archived so quickly.
I think you misunderstand that VarAC is an application that runs on top of VARA HF, VARA FM, or even VARA SAT. I concur with WD4KAV that to use the same radio as VARA, you'd have to shut off VARA, load the other application, and then switch back and forth. Or, I suppose they could be run in parallel, but that's a lot of work to manage two applications that both want to have access to the radio.
I'm not an expert, but based on many years of using all these programs, I don't think what you suggest is possible.
VarAC uses the VARA-HF software modem exclusively. To use FT8, and JS8CALL, the VARA-HF modem would have to be stopped, then FT8 or JS8CALL would have to be started and interfaced with VarAC. Once done with FT8 or JS8CALL, then those programs would have to be stopped and the VARA-HF software modem re-loaded and interfaced to VarAC.
The above does not even begin to touch other issues, like setting filter widths for receive and transmit, and keeping receive and transmit audio levels consistant.
73
Joe