I have packet running great. When setting up Vara, it says "Enter host and port information"
Can anyone offer an example of what that should look like? Is it the IP address for the computer running Vara or something else?
Thanks,
N4DPH
I'm confused about this as well. Wouldn't the point of running RadioMail be not having to lug along a computer?
---mark, KM6ZPO
The goal of RadioMail is Winlink portability but it is bound by the connection capabilities of equipment (phone, modem and radio) and availability of protocols.
VARA is a closed source, Windows only software based on a proprietary protocol. Currently, the only way to achieve interoperability with other stations running VARA is for the client application to connect to a running instance of the VARA software. The VARA software can be run on Rbpi or other small, headless computer like the Beelink T4. In that configuration, RadioMail connects to the VARA software via TCP/IP, so the IP address is the one of the computer running the VARA application.
The popularity of VARA makes it a very desirable mode, but unfortunately it's not an open standard so it's crippling interoperability. Hopefully another better and open (this looks promising https://m17project.org) protocol will come along or someone will tackle the challenge of reverse engineering the VARA protocol so we can free it from its Windoz jail.
Georges,
I have Vara running on a Windows machine. When setting up RadioMail to use Vara, what do I type in the local host box? Is it an IP address, computer name, MAC address???
Thanks,
David
N4DPH
David, yes this is either the IP address or if your computer OS supports mDNS it can be `<computer name>.local`
I have the same setup: Windows running VARA FM. I tried both <computer name>.local and IP Address. Radiomail message:
*** Finding device Vara FM Modem
*** Connection timed out.
VARA FM on the Windows machine is set up to connect to the radio through a Signalink USB via UZ7HO's Soundmodem interface. What am I missing?
Verify that:
* IP and port are correct
* Phone is on same network as computer
* No other app are connected to the VARA MODEM (e.g. Winlink Express should not be running)
That got me further. I fixed the port number for data, and launched VARA MODEM without Winlink Express. Verified both devices are on the same WiFi network.Thanks!
However now the final Radiomail message is:
*** Could not establish connection
With both <hostname>.local and <IP Address>
OK. Another issue could be that the ports are not exposed to the network due to a firewall on the computer.
If you have another computer, try to see if you can connect to the VARA FM using
telnet <IP Address> <Port>
If you don’t get a connection it’s likely that there is something preventing it.
I found my error. I had been trying radiomail against a Raspberry Pi as most of the discussion here seemed to be around linux, and that computer was physically connected to the radio. When I connected the Windows PC to the radio, IT WORKED! Thanks! and Merry Christmas!
Thanks for everyone’s comments on this thread. The IP address and info on watching the ports helped with both Vara FM and Vara HF.
With Vara HF, I have to close the instance of Vara after each connection and restart before switching to a new station.
RadioMail is a very handy tool. Thanks to all the folks who participated in the development and testing. N4DPH
Assuming you're running VARA on Linux? There is a known problem with VARA application not rebinding a closed socket properly under Linux.