I realize that there are a couple of posts on this subject - I would like to add another use-case in addition to EmComm (for which I think this would be VERY useful):
Sailors on yachts that rely on HF for communications could use VarAC if it gave them the easy ability to send a position report without transcribing GPS coordinates into a message. Some yachters are using JS8Call for this currently, but if VarAC had a GPS connection, it would be a much more useful tool.
An even better idea would be for someone who is interested to ask nicely the developer of VARA, Jose EA5HVK, to allow the CQ feature of VARA to also include a 6-10 digit Locator information along with the CQ call. After this is implemented, we can ask nicely Irad Deutsch to include the Locator on BEACONS and CQ CALLS and also make VarAC read NMEA DATA from a GPS in order to read the current position of a VarAC station and to transmit it on RF. Next VarAC would also need some code to be an IGATE (with an ON/OFF switch of course) and upload any position BEACONS to APRS.FI
73 de M0SUY
VARA-modem can already handle KISS connections. Location can be sent for example using Pinpoint APRS or other KISS-compatible software running in parallel with VarAC.
Just my two (euro) cents regarding this is that location sending, receiving and having a mapping platform and all the bells and whistles to go with them, is better to have on a separate program which development concentrates on that, whilst VarAC can concentrate developing in conversational development.
73,
Erik OH2LAK TF3EY