[aprssig] Announcing the VARAtrack APRS-over-VARA APRS Tracker

Mon Apr 20 14:43:33 EDT 2026

Hello all,

As far as I know, VARA is proprietary closed-source technology available under license.
I do not know that Stephen is a VARA developer or otherwise has access to the VARA source.

According to Google's AI Overview:

-- begin included text --
No, the VARA HF modem is not open source. It is a proprietary, closed-source software developed by EA5HVK, designed to be used 
with applications like Winlink.
Key details about VARA:

  * Proprietary License: While a free "trial" version exists, full-speed functionality requires a paid license (roughly €64–$75).
  * Windows-Only: It runs natively on Windows, though it can be used on Linux via emulation layers like Wine.
  * Closed Protocol: The modulation technique and protocol details are not published, which is a point of contention regarding the
    open-source spirit of amateur radio.
  * Not Open Source: It is not free software, and the source code is not available to the public.

-- end included text --

So it would appear up to EA5HVK to release and support a version of VARA HF modem on
platforms other than Windows. I have no connection whatsoever to EA5HVK or VARA.

73,
Dana  K6JQ

On 4/20/2026 2:46 AM, Ev Tupis via aprssig wrote:
> Hi Alex,
> Though I don't speak for Stephen nor am I involved in his VARA work, I'll chime in as similar sentiments have been expressed in 
> other projects I've been involved in, in the past.  Several items come to mind.
>
> If one wants the largest possible audience for a product, they use the platform that the audience uses.
>
> Proof-of-concept is done using the easiest platform for the developer to develop upon and transition to the largest possible 
> audience.
>
> Once proven, development spokes become easier for development partners to step forward and to work in partnership with the 
> pioneering developer to assure cross-platform consistency.
>
> Though Stephen is highly skilled, it sounds to me that you have the knowledge and resources to be a development partner.  The 
> question in return would be, "would you be willing to work with Stephen to advance the items you ask about?"
>
> Sincerely,
> Ev, W2EV
>
>
> On Monday, April 20, 2026 at 12:18:11 AM EDT, KF4LVZ <aprssigzbr6 at acarver.net> wrote:
>
>
> Given the increasingly hostile behavior of Microsoft against users of
> Windows, why is this still a Windows-only capability?
>
> What is special about the VARA protocol that is preventing its
> conversion to something that could be run using Linux or other hardware
> solution like an FPGA?
>
> On 2026-04-18 12:54, Stephen H Smith via aprssig wrote:
> > Several years and 15,000 miles of road-trip drive-testing,  using the
> > VARA high-performance HF modem alongside traditional AX.25 HF packet,
> > has shown VARA to be orders of magnitude superior for reliably
> > transmitting APRS position reports on HF.
> >
> > VARA exists exclusively as a Windows-based sound-card  "soft modem" -
> > the only way to do APRS-over-VARA has been to use a mobile laptop or
> > Windows tablet in the vehicle. No simple hardware-only solution
> > analogous to the Byonics TinyTrack for classic packet exists.
> >
> > Recently, very inexpensive (starting at USD $139) tiny Windows-based
> > ultra-compact computers known as "stick PCs" have become available.
> > These devices are very small fully-functional 64-bit Intel-based quad-
> > core PCs. They include 4 USB-C ports, 1GB Ethernet port, WiFi 5,
> > Bluetooth 5, a Realtek HD sound system, and 4K-capable HDMI video.
> > Further, these devices run directly from 12 VDC, making them ideal for
> > mobile applications!
> >
> > These devices are widely used to drive the 42" monitors displaying menus
> > over the counter at fast-food places, and in airports for displaying
> > incoming and outgoing flights.  I have now one setup one to operate as a
> > stand-alone APRS-over-VARA tracker.
> >
> > Full details on the VARAtrack setup are on  my website at:
> >
> > <http://WA8LMF.net/VARA <http://WA8LMF.net/VARA>>
> >
> > Scroll down the page and follow the link on that page for "The
> > VARAtrack".   Near the bottom of the VARAtrack page is a link to
> > download a backup image file of my entire setup that can be used to
> > restore the entire setup to another similar stick PC.
> >
> > I will demonstrating the VARAtrack at the Dayton Hamvention at my radio
> > trailer aka "Studio B" in the Emergency Comms Vehicles Expo.\
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > Stephen H. Smith    wa8lmf (at) aol.com
> >
> > EchoLink:  Node #  14400  [Think bottom of the 2-meter band]
> > Home Page: http://wa8lmf.net
> >
> > Live APRS Mapping on HF & VHF
> > <http://WA8LMF.net/map <http://WA8LMF.net/map>>
> >
> > "Studio B" Ham Shack on Wheels
> > <http://WA8LMF.net/Aliner <http://WA8LMF.net/Aliner>>
> >
> > -- APRS over VARA  --
> > <http://wa8lmf.net/VARA/APRSoverVARA>
> >
> > HF    APRS-over-VARA
> >    40M   7.083.5  USB       30M  10.148.2  USB
> >
> >
> > -
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > aprssig at lists.tapr.org
> > http://lists.tapr.org/mailman/listinfo/aprssig_lists.tapr.org
>
>
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