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Net Operations?

I have an Idea.

Under normal operation, everyone on frequency can copy beacons and CQs. When 2 stations are connected, copying everything being said can be problematic. But beacons and CQ usually are decoded. This got me to thinking.

If there were a special setup within Settings (ala WSJT-X "Advanced Settings") where instead of having windows for becons and CQs there would be (by way of the special setting) windows for check-ins and Net Control (NCS) for a WAS Net, ARES Net, etc. When NCS announces preambles and calls for check-in, those messages could be decoded in the existing Data Stream window. Or maybe in the VARA monitor window. Because of VARAs 'busy' feature, when NCS calls for check-ins, all stations can hit the 'Check In' button and the program will sort out pile-up. When NCS gives a net member a turn to call a station he heard, they could 'connect', pass data, disconnect and pass back to NCS. Unless operating on FM or in GREAT band conditions, not all net members will hear the connected QSOs but as long as they can connect to their desired contact or NCS, messages will get through.

I'm not smart enough to think of all of the details, but it is a concept. But imagine a large number of operators existing on the same frequency participating in the same event.

Could this be possible with VarAC?

Steve Panattoni - N6RSH

9 comments

Comments (9)

irad d

Jul 03, 2022

I must say I am not a big fan of "I'm here - no traffic" nets. But what will kill this is the time in which a station need to make a connection, pass some data and close it. it can a 1 minutes in good conditions. But you got me thinking about something else when the new version will be out allowing scalability for QSOs. a monthly/weekly QSO party. I'll give it some thoughts. thank you :)

Steven Panattoni

Jul 04, 2022

Replying to

Keeping my fingers crossed.

I was thinking of Emergency Service nets where traffic MIGHT be listed and passed or not. A WAS net (the ones I am familiar with) take a checkin list (Where the CQ/Beacon could be utilized) and then NCS can go down the list and members would then connect with one of those on the list, if desired.

I'm not sure QSO parties would fit with this mode but I don't know what you have in mind.

Like I said, if the CQ and/or the beacon could be configured, in a possibly advanced setup, to allow for a short message (10/20/30 characters or less), then VarAC would work GREAT for Net operations. CQ/Beacon don't require ARQ. My beacon and CQ windows get populated with call signs simply by listening, no response by my radio. Opening up the beacon, for example, for a 3-5 word message would be all that's needed to run a net with VarAC. Net Control Station would simply indicate start of net, a call for check-ins (QNI?). Check-ins would use the CQ function and Net Control (NCS) would take a list. Then he would go down the list, using the modified Beacon, to give stations their turn, whether it's an Emergency Service net or WAS net or whatever. I am thinking this would work good on VARA-FM for Emergency nets.

Thank You soo much for what you are doing for Amateur Radio. Thanks to your team as well. BEST 73,

Steve Panattoni N6RSH

g0nbd

Jul 03, 2022

Closest , would be the run two vara modem sessions , one stand alone , in monitor mode , showing the RX audio ,

The other the tx/rx modem used for chat, then the monitor modem would show the channel traffic, but , only if the frames met the required s/n level , at your-rx , would have to be the HF version ,

Vara was designed to move large data volumes in the shortest possible time , the chat function was never part of the concept, originally provided as talk back during file transfer - hence features are not available in the original versions. there is no broadcast function, other than the beacon and cq, which have been provided , as part of the vara-c project.

73-G