[nos-bbs] VARA HF iface for JNOS 2.0 - Connections from JNOS to VARA modem

Sun Jan 10 09:04:10 EST 2021

I am using VARA with pat on Linux.  Will that work too?

On Sat, Jan 9, 2021 at 1:59 PM M Langelaar <maiko at pcsinternet.ca> wrote:

> Hey Bruce,
>
> GRAPENOS, yup, I think BK told me about that one (I think) ...
>
> Oh wow, so I should grovel at your feet HI HI, you would have
> worked with Brian Kantor then correct ? He mentioned some of
> the old WA4DSY days when I last chatted with him ...
>
> SO, here's a 'secret' for anyone that wants to 'play' ***
>
> IF you rsync the latest JNOS area on my official site, add :
>
>     #define EA5HVK_VARA
>
> to your config.h, then on each JNOS you can start comms to
> their respective VARA HF windows modems something like :
>
> JNOS A (on the cloud, accesses my VARA on client PC at home)
>
>     attach vara vara0 256 10.8.10.21 8300
>
>   watch the JNOS log for stats, when both ports are connected, run :
>
>     varacmd "MYCALL VE4KLM"
>
>     varamcd "LISTEN ON"
>
> JNOS B (on another subnet here at home)
>
>     attach vara vara0 256 192.168.100.102 8300
>
> watch the JNOS log for stats, when both ports are connected, run :
>
>      varacmd "MYCALL K4TQL"
>
>      varacmd "LISTEN ON"
>
> THEN on one of the JNOS instances, try this :
>
>      varacmd "CONNECT VE4KLM K4TQL"
>
> The two VARA modems should sync up and connect, THEN at
> that point you can even try this on either (?) JNOS console :
>
>      c vara0 ve4klm
>
>   or
>
>      c vara0 k4tql
>
> depending which JNOS you are on.
>
> That's the latest progress I have made, you will find however the
> the ax25 connection I am trying to make stalls at some point, and
> that is where I need to work on the buffering and flow control, etc.
>
> Each Windows PC is line-in / speaker out to the other using a couple
> of stereo cables, since at this point it's hard and really no point to try
> it on an HF frequency when you have nobody to play with anyways.
>
> HOWEVER to me this is great progress, the mechanics are in place.
>
> Sorry for the length of this post, but now folks have something to maybe
> fool around with. The VARA modem I used is of course trial version, so
> the link speed probably is not helpful in fully testing it, but at some
> point
> I am sure I will pay Jose the fee and get the full version. It's pretty
> cool !
>
> I don't use WINE since I'm spoiled to have work computers with
> fully licensed Windows systems (of any kind) at my disposal, so
> it's no impact to run the extra program on them, and with VPNs
> and other creative routing, it doesn't matter where my JNOS is
> running as long as I have a network to my software modems.
>
> It's been like that from 'day one', I tried WINE when it first came
> out, but I was more interested in Virtual BOX and KVM, and Xen
> and all that, and by then I working as an IT guy in corporations
> that could afford windows licenses and such ...
>
> Dare I say, but BPQ seems to have a grasp on things, it's been
> out for a while I think, and seems quite stable and well in use.
>
> Yes, internet killed the radio star, but the internet is still good for
> lots of stuff, like getting software out to the masses of course.
>
> I've just been fearing lately that JNOS is turning into just another
> internet app, perhaps why I've become obsessed with the software
> based IP connected modems over the past years.
>
>
> On 09/01/2021 2:30 p.m., Bruce Nebergall K4TQL wrote:
> > Maiko,
> >
> > VARA HF iface for JNOS 2.0
> >
> >
> > Here's another Re:
> >
> > I got VARA running under Linux Wine.  Actually I used Crossover Linux
> > because it's easier to
> > set up test bottles for different applications.  With a Terabyte
> > drive, I don't worry about
> > disk space.
> >
> > As I said, I got it working basically under Wine 32 bit Windows 7
> > bottle.  Now I've got to
> > figure out what I did right so I can duplicate it.  Task underway.  I
> > use VARA as part of
> > an Air Force MARS message network.  Right now we are using BPQ but I'm
> > looking for a better
> > matched software that works under Linux.
> >
> > I'm an old hand at NOS.  I and some others ported NOS to support
> > WA4DSY's high speed RF
> > modem.  Worked like a charm.  Internet killed the network.  The port
> > was called GRAPESNOS.
> > You may have heard of it.
> >
> > I've looked at the source code to see if I could port it into
> > something more fitting to
> > AF MARS use that BPQ.  But, man, the code has changed worlds from what
> > I knew.  I'd have
> > a lot of catching up to do.  Don't know if this old (now) brain can do
> > it.
> >
> > I'll keep you advised as to my progress on VARA..
> >
> > BTW, any reason why you dno't do Wine?
> >
> > Bruce, K4TQL
> >
> > On 1/9/21 3:07 PM, M Langelaar wrote:
> >> Hi Bruce,
> >>
> >> The modem is Windows, communications is TCP/IP, one command port, one
> >> data port.
> >>
> >>    Jose' webpage is -> https://rosmodem.wordpress.com
> >>
> >> At this time my tests are hardwired between 2 Windows PCs, each has it's
> >> own JNOS instance on the network using it. That's all I have to work
> >> with, it
> >> is a good enough setup to confirm that I got the mechanics working
> >> nicely.
> >>
> >> It's the flow control and a few other issues that I'm going to need a
> >> bit of
> >> time to work on, there are some protocol issues that I need to nail
> >> down.
> >>
> >> For what it's worth, I got confirmation from yet another person this
> >> morning
> >> saying the WinRPR interface recently added to JNOS 2.0 is working quite
> >> well, even comparable to their old TNC setups, so that's very
> >> encouraging.
> >>
> >> I don't use WINE, sorry.
> >>
> >> Maiko / VE4KLM
> >>
> >> On 09/01/2021 1:57 p.m., Bruce Nebergall K4TQL wrote:
> >>> Maiko,
> >>>
> >>> Good news about the VARA port.  What platform is the VARA modem
> >>> running on?
> >>> Windows?  On Linux under Wine?  How do you communicate between the
> >>> modem
> >>> and JNOS?  Hardwire from one PC to another? If running under Linux Wine
> >>> have you had any issues with JNOS connecting to VARA?
> >>>
> >>> Bruce
> >>>
> >
>
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