where can I find VarAC activity?

in VarAC - HF discussion forum

I tuned to the varous VarAC frequencies on all bands, when the band is open, but never hear anything?

Is there any group that does operate say a VarAC chat net, if so what frequency, time ( in ET ) and day.

12 comments

Comments (12)

al2

Jul 29, 2023

Thanks again to both you Albert & Gary,

It is funny I really don't work much digital but I love at least getting it going to monitor any activity and see where signals are coming from.

I'll try the things you two suggested and again,Thank You both.

NC3Z Gary

Jul 19, 2023

So screenshots of your VARA HF modem would be a helpful start.

Albert Kleyn

Jul 19, 2023

Al, as Gary says... the bands were hopping hot. If you are not seeing any beacons or CQ's your problem lies somewhere else. Presuming that you are on the right freq. you should hear the warbling tones. If you can hear those, at least yr receiver is working. STAY on the freq. for at least a while . Make sure that you have Vara itself and VARAC set up properly. Folks here will help out as much as we can.

Albert

NC3Z Gary

Jul 19, 2023

So you are not decoding any Beacons or CQ's? The bands were full of VarAC signals today.

al2

Jul 28, 2023

Replying to

Thanks Albert,

Are you saying the only way I can see say a conversation between two stations is for me to also be connected to those two stations?

How would a net work, you'd have to be connected to say 10 or 20 stations?

Like I said, I see plenty of beacons and occasionally a CQ but I have never caught a conversation.

This is why I been asking if anybody knows of a VarAC net in the SE U.S..

Also do you leave the VARAHF MONITOR mode ON or OFF.

How do I display two VARAHF screens, I only see one.

Again Thank You for your time,

NC3Z Gary

Jul 28, 2023

Replying to

Check out pg 27 of them manual. https://www.varac-hamradio.com/forum/manuals-troubleshooting/english-manuals-by-varac-community

Albert Kleyn

Jul 29, 2023

Replying to

Al.

Since I am in Ireland, I can't meaningfully comment of the SE USA traffic scene, but I am sure others can.

While I could be totally wrong here, You can ONLY be connected to ONE station at a time.

Re the beacons/cq situation. Al...... don't worry about it. Take your time.... BUT... why not take the initiative ?? Call CQ yourself. And yes, it is common to see PLENTY beacons and very few CQ's. Now... there might be a reason for that. Take myself for example: I work an 80-100 hour week, running a large animal sanctuary. ( See my QRZ page). I am very seldom able to answer a CQ, as I am too busy. So... I beacon. That does two things: It shows people that I am on air and that EI land can be reached. (propagation permitting). Secondly Al..... it will allow folks to leave a msg (VMAIL) for me, if they so wish. ( Do make sure that you have auto QSY enabled, so that this can work properly). As Gary so rightly says in his msg: READ THE MANUAL from front to back and from back to front. Pat, the manuals author has put a HUGE amount of effort in this manual and virtually everything you need to know is documented in great detail. Amongst others is the way to have a VARA monitor copy running simultanously with the main VARA HF copy. Do note: this is a luxury and VARAC will work perfectly ok without it. It is just a nice thing Irad has provided for us to use, IF we so wish.

In summary: READ the manual. Experiment, and above all: Have PATIENCE. Ensure your Radio settings are as best as you can get them. I can hit Australia with less than 50 watts from Ireland and at times with much less than that. Al, if I can do it ?? (at 79 years of age), SO CAN YOU!

Albert. EI7II.