I am totally amazed at the lack of activity on VARAC. Apparently there are lots of folks with the program, the equipment and the antenna, and perhaps at sometime in the past, an interest in this mode. I see many beacons apparently put out there by computer, something like FT8, and just left to run.
The band must be open, we see the beacons, SSB contacts, nets and etc. are going on. I can't help but wonder what the 20 or so people, that have beacons repeating, are doing.
I am just disappointed. This wonderful mode has become my favorite and I have a hard time finding anyone to visit with. I have been a ham for over 64 years and am disappointed to see that all modes of our hobby are declining. Too much high tech that is too easy, I guess. Why bother with radios, antennas, and computers when you can just jump on the computer and talk anyplace in the world.
OK, this old man is through venting. Please get on the air somewhere and let's visit.😅
I'm late to the party, but I want to reflect the sentiment here. It seems to be hard to find people to chat with. I'm learning how to use this software, and I'm quite impressed with the quality of the system (the "from keyboard to radio" system). I've made a few mistakes and have been gently guided back. Thanks for that, whomever. It is a complex system with a lot of places to go wrong. But learning it is worthwhile, imho.
At any rate, I plan to do my part as best I can to spread the word about this very capable mode. Thanks!
As I type this, 0703 UTC, 7th September, I have seen 8 stations sending beacons on 20m, only myself sent a CQ (5 times in the past hour), sadly no replies.
I feel that many hams these days are afraid of their own shadow, let alone want to actually have a QSO. What is wrong with everyone? The "C" in VarAC is CHAT, let's have a QSO!
I am usually active on 14.105 weekday mornings, around 0630 to 1030 UTC.
73 Dave
The desert surrounded him on all sides, many instrumentalists and vocalists suffer from a lack of piano literacy and the inability to simply play along with themselves. Then again, there is more professional choice: you can be not only a teacher and musician, but also an accompanist, a pianist
So, to date 82 people have read this post. How many have given a presenation to their local club actully encouraging others to install the software, offered help to set up and use the mode. All very well complaining about lack of activity but what active steps are YOU taking to improve the situation?
This is a very robust and useful mode, I am also surprised at the lack of normal QSOs that are happening. This is my favorite mode, after JS8Call (which has also just turned into a bunch of automated stations) and Olivia. I even created a web access server using VARA mostly because of the merits of this mode. Maybe we should advertise VarAC more, talk about it with other hams, bring it to their attention. I don't know how many people actually know about VARA and all the chat capabilities it has when combined with programs like VarAC.