Is there any way to turn off the error correction?
I'm enjoying VarAC - the functionality is very good and it works well with reasonably strong signals. But the underlying VARA protocol seems to get in the way as the signals drop. I'm an old-time PSK31 and RTTY user - zero error detection and correction. I could manage a QSO under some pretty terrible conditions - it's surprising how much corruption to the data stream you can accept and still work out what the guy at the other end means. I'm finding that many of my VarAC QSOs fail because the signal drops down into the noise floor and VARA goes into a sequence of repeated NACs and retransmissions. If I look at the monitor window, I can see that most of the text is getting through but it's failing the data integrity checks. I would settle for some garbled text rather than a dropped connection!
Does the client application - VarAC in this case - have any control over the low level protocol? Are you able to do anything to accept the errors and let the QSO continue?
Martin
Discussing technical matters is easy. You can measure, evaluate them. Add the human factor and logic get flushed down the toilet. For conversational contacts, Olivia is very solid and one of the best options. Yet very few use it. VarAc, is based upon VARA and adds the integrity, paying a toll in speed with very low signals. It allows to send files, where the integrity importance is obvious. Popularity of FT8 exploded in the last few years, with very many operators operating fully automated stations and just checking the log once they get home after work.... I personally couldn't be any less interested in FT8; but many others are, and that's perfect to me. I see more of a problem in terms of VarAc popularity with people constantly remaining on the calling frequency and blocking other traffic.