Hi VarACiers!
VarAC 6.3.3 was mainly about experimenting a new broadcasts feature. Yes - we had a few hurdles but it has proven to be a super valuable feature. V6.4.15 adds plenty of broadcasts new features & enhancements.
But another big thing with the new version is Narration! Yes. synthesized text-to-voice that will read outload anything you want. From Broadcasts to CQ calls. From chat messages to real-time alerts. you name it.
V6.4.15 also adds a super cool feature for daily use but also for EmComm. Alert tags. Customizing strings that when received, will trigger a visual and sound alert.
But its not all - there is more. MUCH MORE.
Here is the full list: (You can also find a list of bug fixes towards the end of this email).
New features
Narration - VarAC will read you incoming messages, broadcasts, CQ, Beacons, alerts and notification. Great for the visual impaired but also for those that want vocal alerts. Its all under "settings --> Appearance and sounds"
Alert tags - Setting keywords that will trigger an Alarm sound and will show on screen with customized colors (Unser settings -> Alert tags configuration). Great for EmComm - to set alarm and visual alert using a broadcasts
VARA-FM Broadcasts through digipeaters - up to 2 digipeaters
Customize your alerts (sound) preferences- Enable/Disable various sound alerts under "settings --> Appearance and sounds"
VarAC Exit Cat command: When using VarAC direct CAT control, you can put Rig in a desired state upon VarAC shutdown. Set the "VarACExitCmd=" in your VarAC_cat_commands.ini file. Multiple commands can be provided with comma separation.
Using remote VARA modem (defining host/IP). Used primarily for VARA FM.
Enhancements
Broadcasts are now saved to DB. Loading last 24 hours on screen upon VarAC startup. (enable/disable this under settings)
Saving last broadcast splitter position between startup (broadcast section height)
Showing all decoded broadcasts. Making sound only for those who are for me (including ALL)
Re-broadcasting - right clicking previously sent broadcast and re-broadcast it.
Broadcast without closing the "broadcast message" window. Sending many broadcasts now made easy.
"Enter to broadcast" on the broadcast popup.
Translate a broadcast (using right-click)
Adaptive broadcast row height based on selected font size (avoid cutting y/g/q...)
Showing historical broadcasts of a user in the "Callsign history" panel.
Double click on a broadcast opens a broadcast reply window.
Relay notifications are now persistent. Not losing them after restarts as they are now kept in the SQLite DB.
Connect & relay now - right click Vmail in your outbox/parking folder and initiate a connect & relay.
Vmail size limit changes: VaraHF(500Hz): 350 / VaraHF(2300Hz):10,000 / VaraFM:1,000,000
Changing order of things upon startup to improve connectivity stability with the VARA modem
Clicking checkbox text on the main screen also changes the checkbox state
As always - to upgrade from existing VarAC version:
Download the VarAC Zip file.
Unpack to a temporary directory.
Copy ONLY the VarAC.exe file to your existing VarAC installation directory.
We will be happy to continue and support you in the forum and on our Facebook group.
73, Irad 4Z1AC & the VarAC team
Narrations & Sound control
Alert tags
Easy broadcast
Broadcasts enhancements
I'm really enjoying the new functionality, but it does highlight any laziness in system configuration - I'm sitting on 14.105 and hearing a synthesized female voice announcing all sorts of events that are taking place a long way away. Someone has not set their Windows default output device properly and seems to have VOX enabled on the radio - their narrations are being broadcast round the world!