It is a bit confusing how to relay a message. There may be a simpler method, but this is what I do. * To determine what station can relay a message I use the FindPath button on the right side of the screen. Simply type in the station you wish to send a Vmail to. If any station on line has heard the station, they will report back when they heard it, what frequency and the SNR. * I then identify the best station which heard the station I want to send the Vmail to and I connect to that station which will become the relay station. * Once connected to the relay station, then move off of the calling frequency. Once off of the calling frequency, create a Vmail - BUT CHANGE THE CALL SIGN IN THE VMAIL TO THE DESIRED RECIPIENT (FINAL DESTINATION). By default, the call sign of the station you connected to will be listed in the Vmail destination and it must be changed. * Create the Vmail and send. You will get a warning message that the Vmail you created will be parked at the station you are connected to and not the final recipient. That is OK - just send it. * What happens now is that the Vmail you just created will be parked at the station you just connected with. Then when the final destinations VARAC beacons, the station where the Vmail is parked will send a notice to the final recipient that there is a Vmail waiting for them there. * Give it a try - it works great! * 73 * Bret C / AC0AE

Hams, I have noticed that may CQ requests go unanswered. I encourage everyone to respond to the CQ requests. Many of the CQ's are coming from new users. When I am in the shack and see a CQ, I respond and ask the caller how long they have been using VARAC. The typical response is 2-4 days. They are also eager to ask questions. If they are eager to learn more and we have a good connection, I ask them If I can send them a small TXT file listing the top features of VARAC via VARAC. Everyone has wanted me to send them the file. By sending the file to them it demonstrates the file transfer capabilities and they gain some valuable knowledge in the process. Then if that went well and we still have a good connection, I send them a small JPG to further demonstrate the capabilities. If you would like to also share the TXT file, please feel free to edit it and make it your own. 73 Bret C / AC0AE

Don and Irad, For me 19:00 or 20:00 UTC would be best for us in CDT. But just name a time and I will periodically join the net. Thank you. Bret C / AC0AE

I am interested in learning more about using VARA in ECOM. I am located in south Central Kansas. Bret C / AC0AE

Don - we should consider conducting a net in North America. We could conduct one using the same frequency and standards but at a different time. What do you think? If you agree, what day & time would be best for North America?

Wow, that is crazy Albert. Sorry you have to deal with the high energy costs. :-( 73 Bret C / AC0AE

Chuck - I just saw your post. You CAN connect to any station, then create a v-mail for a different station and leave it parked at the station you are connected with. This places the Vmail into the station you are connected with "PARKING" mail. Then (this is where it REALLY gets amazing!) The station that has the mail parked listens for the intended recipients beacon. When it hears the stations beacon, the station which has the parked Vmail alerts the final recipient that there is a Vmail waiting for them. Give it a try, you will not mess anything up by trying. Just leave a Vmail for me (AC0AE) at another station. Then I will get the alert. If I can help, please post your followup question here. 73 Bret C AC0AE

Steven - I also support your suggestion. Do you know how VARAC handles Vmails that have been in the out box for several days? TNX Bret C / AC0AE

After have been runing VARAC for several weeks now, I feel that some hams give VARAC a try, but they think it is just another digital mode. For some reason they fail to see the huge opportunity that VARAC offers to create a robust relaible network. I know that there has been a few YouTube videos created about VARAC but they just cover the basics about what it is and how some features work. However, I feel there is a need for a YouTube video about the opportunity the ham community has to grow the use of VARAC. To this point, I am amazed at the new people I chat with that have no idea how to send or relay a Vmail. Nor do they know about the power of the "Path Finder" feature. If an enthusiastic video was created on the advaced featrues and how we can build a robust network if we would leave our rigs running VARAC HF when we are not in the shack, it would motivate more people to embrace the use of VARAC. 73 Bret C / AC0AE