Will there ever be a native Linux version of VarAC?
I get this question quite often, and the short answer is:
Never say never, but realistically, no.
Here’s why:
The VARA Modem itself is Windows-based – Even if VarAC were ported to Linux, you’d still need a Windows machine to run the VARA modem. That defeats the purpose.
Linux compatibility via WINE – You can already run VarAC and VARA on Linux using WINE, even on a Raspberry Pi. Here's just one example: https://dl1gkk.com/winlink-express-varac-and-vara-modem-on-a-raspberry-pi-5/
Massive codebase & maintenance – VarAC's code is huge. Rewriting it for Linux would take an enormous effort, and maintaining two codebases for a relatively small Linux user base (~15%) isn't practical.
Bottom line
Considering all three points—especially #1 and #2—creating a native Linux version simply doesn’t make sense. Maybe that will change someday if VARA offers a linux version or when I have more time and fewer tasks on my to-do list, but for now, the cost-to-benefit ratio just isn’t there.
73s,
Irad 4Z1AC
Again, that´s bad in general. Let´s build or own modem for Varac or spent some money for the developer of vara hf modem to develop a native linux version. I would donate it!. The wine variant is crashing here on Pi5 often :-( However, i ike Varac very much even i´ve to use M$.