|
I am unable to find ANY Vara FM nodes in the state of Maine, let alone my grid square FN57ti.
I just licensed my VARA FM without actually trying it first... smart huh? Vara FM says there aren't ANY nodes within 185 miles of my grid square.
I concated VARA and it was suggested to me to post here and ask if anyone knows of any I am not aware of. I can't use HF as I am only a Technician license, and I don't have HF equipment at this time.
Thank you all in advance for your guidance.
73 de WW1ZRD
|
If your looking for just plain Jane VARA FM station to station simplex contacts, you'll have to interest other locals to participate. If you're looking for VARA FM Winlink operations, yeah, pretty well nonexistent in your neck of the woods. Examine this current mapping of such activity where you're at. 
|
Your right but there are packet gateways, not sure if they are near you or not. Packet works well with winlink via sound modem instead of varafm. Check it out?
On Mon, Apr 22, 2024 at 3:20 p.m., ww1zrd@... <ww1zrd@...> wrote: I am unable to find ANY Vara FM nodes in the state of Maine, let alone my grid square FN57ti.
I just licensed my VARA FM without actually trying it first... smart huh? Vara FM says there aren't ANY nodes within 185 miles of my grid square.
I concated VARA and it was suggested to me to post here and ask if anyone knows of any I am not aware of. I can't use HF as I am only a Technician license, and I don't have HF equipment at this time.
Thank you all in advance for your guidance.
73 de WW1ZRD
|
You might ask if there are any vara fm users close to you and try peer to peer operation. We have done that in our area.
?
73
W9NMM
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
On Behalf Of ww1zrd via groups.io
Sent: Monday, April 22, 2024 11:54 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [VARA-MODEM] Looking for VARA FM Nodes in Northern Maine
?
I am unable to find ANY Vara FM nodes in the state of Maine, let alone my grid square FN57ti.
I just licensed my VARA FM without actually trying it first... smart huh? Vara FM says there aren't ANY nodes within 185 miles of my grid square.
I concated VARA and it was suggested to me to post here and ask if anyone knows of any I am not aware of. I can't use HF as I am only a Technician license, and I don't have HF equipment at this time.
Thank you all in advance for your guidance.
73 de WW1ZRD
|
You can still use 10 meters in the data portion of the band as a Tech, but still you would need an HF radio.
Another option is to upgrade to General or Extra and then use HF. NVIS would be good for states surrounding Maine.
73
John Denison
KD5YOU
|
Getting the General Class license would greatly expand your bands and would open up NVIS (and DX) range stations.? Are you running a node?? We're looking to expand the existing RF-linked network; Maine would be great:?
|
Hi Jeff,
Unfortunately I have severe time constraints, My XYL has MS, and I am taking care of her, plus I am caring for an intellectually handicapped individual 24/7 who lives at home with us, so I don't currently have time to study for general yet, and my funds...
well I haven't left the Baofeng / Yaesu FT4 neighborhood yet if you know what I mean.
I just wanted to get Winlink operational via VARA FM. ?
73
WW1ZRD
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Getting the General Class license would greatly expand your bands and would open up NVIS (and DX) range stations.? Are you running a node?? We're looking to expand the existing RF-linked network; Maine would be great:?
|
Hi Jacques and others,
Sorry to hear that you have not more time for this hobby.
I see that there are 9 Packet STNs in Maine.
It is possible to run Packet AND VARA-FM on the same TRX and freq. (but not the same time) !
It should be a challange for those 9 STNs to program VARA-FM in their RMS.
This program costs noting to add.
And I thougt that a RMS do not need a license to get the max speed.
VARA-FM is more sensitive and effectiv.
A 100k file with Packet takes 20 minutes and with VARA-FM , with good S/N and license, 2 minutes.
So with EmmCom you could pass more messages or with less power consumption.
I run on one W7 notebook VHF Packet AND VARA-FM, with UHF Packet AND VARA-FM and VARA-HF in case of emergency (local regulations).
'73 and Good luck
Peter , PE1DCD
NB.? Sorry for my ugly English
|
Hi Peter,
Actually there is nothing "ugly" or even incorrect in your English. ? LOL.
My time situation is quite bleak for the immediate future, however I have live changing plans for next year, find another care home for the individual who lives with us, sell our house, pay off all debt, buy an acre or two of land, either with a small single
level home on it, or put a cabin on it, or even a 40ft travel trailer on it.
Then I would have the time I want to enjoy Amateur Radio, because it would just be my wife and I, and no other commitments.
Thank you all for listening to my tale of woe, LOL, and thank you Peter for taking the time to look at my communication options.
When I get the time I need, I will definitely upgrade to General Class, open up HF, and be a "real" HAM. Right now I guess I am a kinda/sorta getting there/working on it Technician License. Haha.
73
WW1ZRD - Jacques
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Hi Jacques and others,
Sorry to hear that you have not more time for this hobby.
I see that there are 9 Packet STNs in Maine.
It is possible to run Packet AND VARA-FM on the same TRX and freq. (but not the same time) !
It should be a challange for those 9 STNs to program VARA-FM in their RMS.
This program costs noting to add.
And I thougt that a RMS do not need a license to get the max speed.
VARA-FM is more sensitive and effectiv.
A 100k file with Packet takes 20 minutes and with VARA-FM , with good S/N and license, 2 minutes.
So with EmmCom you could pass more messages or with less power consumption.
I run on one W7 notebook VHF Packet AND VARA-FM, with UHF Packet
AND VARA-FM and VARA-HF in case of emergency (local regulations).
'73 and Good luck
Peter , PE1DCD
NB.? Sorry for my ugly English
|
First, you are already a REAL Ham. Don't let anyone take away your accomplishments, especially yourself.
If you can reach those packet stations, and even if you can't, befriend the station owners and talk them into spinning up VARA FM into their RMS. It's pretty simple to do.
You can can even join in the fun by setting up your own relay station, there may be other Jacques out there wanting to do the same thing. Even with your equipment listed you could still benefit the community (invest in an antenna system next, there's plenty of inexpensive/home brew options).
Greg - KD2MIC
|
Jacques,
You ARE a Ham Operator.? You are progressing along the same lines as thousands of other who began this journey in what little time they had in their daily busy lives and learned and experimented with other modes and radios into all the different directions and disciplines that our hobby/way of life contains.? You should commend yourself for having studied and passed that 1st exam.? Thats more than many people will accomplish.? Now you have your ticket yo learn.? Have fun with it.
Look at you,? already pushing the boundaries of what you know and your "comfort zone"? taking a chance to reach out to the community for info and assistance in an unfamiliar area.
Be patient (especially with yourself) and continue to learn and experiment.? You will find that it doesn't take much to make huge strides and accomplish your goals.
Best wishes to you and yours.
Bill, NB8M
|
Hi Bill,
Awwww shucks. ? LOL
I am in the process of putting up a LoRA/MESHTASTIC Router_Client (equivalent of a repeater), as apparently in my neck of the woods, there is a whole lot of NOTHING going on outside of a few local 2M repeaters. I have a node in my house, my car, and now that
spring is here, I am looking for a good location for the router/client.
While getting Meshtastic started, I would also love to get an AREDN node (there aren't any up here either), as well as set up an APRS Digipeater (I don't think there are any up here either). Pushing the envelope on APRS, I am also interested in the new CAT
protocol, ( ?) which would eventually be a replacement for APRS.
Thank you for the words of encouragement, ? I sincerely appreciate it. I will keep forging ahead, most importantly thought I want to get to General so I can enjoy HF.
73 de WW1ZRD
Jacques
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Jacques,
You ARE a Ham Operator.? You are progressing along the same lines as thousands of other who began this journey in what little time they had in their daily busy lives and learned and experimented with other modes and radios into all the different directions
and disciplines that our hobby/way of life contains.? You should commend yourself for having studied and passed that 1st exam.? Thats more than many people will accomplish.? Now you have your ticket yo learn.? Have fun with it.
Look at you,? already pushing the boundaries of what you know and your "comfort zone"? taking a chance to reach out to the community for info and assistance in an unfamiliar area.
Be patient (especially with yourself) and continue to learn and experiment.? You will find that it doesn't take much to make huge strides and accomplish your goals.
Best wishes to you and yours.
Bill, NB8M
|
Hi Greg,
Thank you as well for the words of encouragement ?
I will take what everyone says on board and work on getting things sorted out.
73 de WW1ZRD
Jacques
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
First, you are already a REAL Ham. Don't let anyone take away your accomplishments, especially yourself.
If you can reach those packet stations, and even if you can't, befriend the station owners and talk them into spinning up VARA FM into their RMS. It's pretty simple to do.
You can can even join in the fun by setting up your own relay station, there may be other Jacques out there wanting to do the same thing. Even with your equipment listed you could still benefit the community (invest in an antenna system next, there's plenty
of inexpensive/home brew options).
Greg - KD2MIC
|
I got into Meshtastic too, only to find out that in rural America there isn't much going on with that (or AREDN for that matter), but I guess that just means I need to build better antennas!
|
...AND... get others to set up more nodes! ?
I mean, seriously, look what they (esp Andy Kirby ?has done with Meshtastic in UK! Like, WOW! ?
|
|
Basically chatting/vlogging about what I am interested in! https://bit.ly/3juG2KE
www.youtube.com
|
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I got into Meshtastic too, only to find out that in rural America there isn't much going on with that (or AREDN for that matter), but I guess that just means I need to build better antennas!
|
I would reach out to fellow ham’s in the area and enlist their help in setting up another station for testing. ? -73, Chris, KD6OUB ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of ww1zrd@... Sent: Monday, April 22, 2024 8:54 AM To: [email protected]Subject: [VARA-MODEM] Looking for VARA FM Nodes in Northern Maine ? I am unable to find ANY Vara FM nodes in the state of Maine, let alone my grid square FN57ti.
I just licensed my VARA FM without actually trying it first... smart huh? Vara FM says there aren't ANY nodes within 185 miles of my grid square.
I concated VARA and it was suggested to me to post here and ask if anyone knows of any I am not aware of. I can't use HF as I am only a Technician license, and I don't have HF equipment at this time.
Thank you all in advance for your guidance.
73 de WW1ZRD
|
RobVE3GGR
NOEL MORTIER W9NMM
Jeff KP3FT
Bill Erwin (NB8M)