Not sure if VARA modem supports connections with multiple stations simultaneously but if it does, a group chat would be a fantastic addition to PtP chats! This would mean joining all stations within coverage and who hear each other (or a master station) to chat together similar to IRC channel, for example.
If not all stations hear eac other, other stations could relay the messages onwards. Maybe this needs a solution of TDMA of some sort then?
Identification of membership to a certain group chat could be similar to a service ID used in WinLink.
73
Erik OH2LAK
VARA is only P2P protocol.
I have explored numerous times the possibilities for a STAR type group chat even even a Circular token approach.
As VARA-HF takes quite some time for link establishment, and as conditions in HF varies. it can be very slow to have a single user who act as the manager, get all messages and distribute to all.
Therefore there is not real way to "fake" a group chat in an acceptable latency. As VarAC is trying to provide a modern chat experience, taking it to the JS8CALL type speeds is not something I would like to pursue.
Irad, Here in our region, Michigan- Ohio- Indiana- Illinois- Wisconsin, we call ourselves the Great Lakes Vara P2P Group, currently using Netlogger for our gatherings on the air. We have been using Winlink Express with Vara HF P2P. Since Vara P2P is station to station only, Netlogger solves a lot of problems. A few of us have added VaraC to the mix on a QSY frequency from the Winlink session and it works to be able to coordinate using Netlogger.
The only practical method without a coordination method like Netlogger is to monitor and copy call signs, then snipe in to the copied calls as gaps/ lulls occur. We have found Netlogger to be the most elegant method for our purposes.
For purposes of this discussion, say on 14105, the Netlogger session could be called the "14105 Worldwide VaraC Group" or similar words for whichever freq is chosen. QSY coordination can be done using the chat feature on Netlogger. It only requires one station to open and maintain the log for the session period. Can a dx spotter service be used similarly?
Thoughts? Suggestions?
@w8nsi Jim Yes. I see where you are going with this Jim. Not a live group chat but more like a group forum (who said BBS hihi)... where you can connect and pull the last message from the last time you were connected. That is indeed possible yet not so much in line with my initials goals for VarAC as a live chatting experience.
But I'll spend some more time thinking about this idea so thank you for bringing this up. 73s
@irad d People log in on netlogger just to show that they are available even if they have not done an on the air "here I am". Netlogger has a "lurker" list of stations who are watching but not recognized as being in a net. I mostly use the lurker list to see who is on. Then if/when I can connect it becomes a live chat. Netlogger functions more as a self listed spotter list than as a bbs.
Irad,
We have discussed the same thing here. I have added a VARA FM port to my packet node and it works very well with the packet chat server but only as you said p2p. I was thinking something more like a repeater like system that would work with VARA in an unconnected mode such as you are doing with the beacon/cq. Just something I been thinking about.
73 de Glenn
Hi Glenn.
Well - the Beacon thing is a hack I did harnessing the CQ option in the VARA modem. but there is no real way to send "unconnected" data with VARA.
Thanks Irad for your explanation. Studying VARA protocol confirmed the fact that there is no real room for unproto mode and for HF it is truly so that conditions vary. I like though I'm not the only one who has given this a thought so lets keep the topic open :)
73
Erik OH2LAK TF3EY