Hello All, I enjoyed my first couple of QSOs yesterday with W1IZZ and W2JON. Thanks, guys.
I am trying to learn the behavior of the program, especially the way it responds to connection requests. For example, when I I have VarAC running but I'm away from my desk, I may return to see an "Incoming Connection Request. Hold tight." The next line in the data stream says, "NO LUCK. Maybe next time."
I assume that is another station trying to connect with me. But I can't tell who it is or what happens with that connection. If I have my "I'm away" box checked, does that station automatically receive my away message? That is my assumption. But perhaps it's not the case.
Does the "NO LUCK" message in my stream indicate that our connection just failed? So my station did not send an "away" message? I indicate the option to 'leave a message' but maybe they never see that, or can't do it because my station won't connect with them?
Now I am thinking that "INCOMING CONNECTION REQUEST" indicates that my station is automatically trying to respond to someone. But I don't have to do anything until the connection is made. If it works, I'll see the station call sign, etc. Is that correct?
Just trying to figure out the logic. Thanks in advance.
Tom - KF0AER
@W2JON and @irad d - Thanks for the clarification. I thought I knew what was happening, but trying to figure out if I'm getting it in my mind. I haven't yet had someone successfully connect with me when I have my "away" message enabled and seen a message left.
Last night the bands were dead here so I wasn't able to test anything more.
I have been passing the word about VarAC so I'm hoping we'll get a lot more normal traffic.
Cheers!
Tom
Hey @KF0AER - Tom K
What @W2JON said is correct.
I'll elaborate more about the hand-shake process per your request.
Lets say I want to connect you. these are the steps :
I send a connect packet. this packet has only YOUR callsign in it.
You received the packet so you know someone is trying to connect you. but you still don't know who that is.
At this phase I show the "Incoming connection request"
You respond back.
If I fails to decode your response it will go back to step #1. So this is why you may see a few "Incoming" messages in a row.
At some point I give up on trying
when your side see no more incoming requests happening, it will give you the NO LUCK. so you are only left with knowing that someone tried to connect you.
If I was successfully decoded your response - then my next packet will be MY CALLSIGN so you know who I am and the link is established (this is when you see the "CONNECTED" messages and hear a DING sound.
I hope it helps
Irad
Hey Tom. Yes, that means that there is an incoming connection.
The "NO LUCK" message simply shows that the connection wasn't able to be negotiated. On a related note.. our last QSO had been cut off due to a lock-up on my side. I did try to reconnect but was unable. Was this incoming connection request you are talking about from after our QSO? (I was trying to reconnect but heard nothing in reply)
And to answer your question, Yes. Your machine will answer automatically. and if you are away you can set the away box to have it reply with a canned answering machine message.