Why is the adaption rate of VARAC so slow?
I have been using VARAC HF for several months and I am blown away at the power it has for our ham community. And the poregresivness of all those who are involved in developing it is nothing short of AMAZING!
So why are hams slow to learn about it and adapt it?
I have seen very few enthusiastic videos on YouTube promoting it and the many features.
One major aspect that I feel is not being realized by hams is the fact that when they are not using their radio for other applications, if they leave their rig running on VARAC HF, they are helping to build a tremendous radio network. Especially with the "Freq Schedule" feature, VARAC offers a powerful communications tool. More so than any other digital mode.
I tell many of my ham friends about VARAC and they don't seam to "get it."
So what can we do to engage more hams? What is the story we need to tell them to get more involved?
73
Bret C / AC0AE
My enthusiastic Elmer, who is about half my age (I'm 66), got me into both FT8 and Vara.
I think the answer is to promote this mode with any younger hams you happen to run into. The old curmudgeons who disdain digital modes are dinosaurs, and many of the older ones still struggle with computers. That's fine if they just want to do CW and SSB, so let's direct the focus on the generation who grew up with computers. That's where the growth will come from.
PS: Today is just my 2nd day using Vara! And I have to say that I was nagged into buying the $69 license for Vara HF. I am frustrated with that because VarAC is the meat of the mode and deserves to be compensated. I will donate. But $69 for Vara HF is a bit high for some younger ham's especially since FT8 is "Free"....