VARA HF substitute for iPad?

RadioMail
1

I currently use Winlink express and VARA HF with a Windows laptop. I would like to set up radiomail with my iPad. What are people using for a VARA HF substitute?
Thanks,
K9RBH

2

For HF use with RadioMail, here’s the current situation:

VARA HF (proprietary)

  • Requires a PC to run the VARA HF modem.
  • You can run it headless using a small PC like a Beelink. See a video that walks thru the complete setup.
  • I made a utility called varanny to help manage the VARA instance remotely.

Robust Packet (proprietary)

  • The Link500 is a hardware modem that supports Robust Packet and works over Bluetooth LE.
  • It acts as a standalone TNC and works with RadioMail.

Until recently, integrating a software modem directly into RadioMail wasn’t viable because iOS didn’t allow PTT control of USB sound cards. But with the new DigiRig Lite, which exposes PTT via audio, software modem are now possible.

ARDOP (open source)

  • Actively being updated and there’s potential to port to iOS.
  • Not yet integrated into RadioMail, but it’s on the roadmap.

Pactor (proprietary)

  • Some Pactor modems have Bluetooth, but it’s Bluetooth Classic, which iOS doesn’t support.
  • I’m looking into creating a bridge device (like the B.B. Link) so iPhones can talk to these modems.
2 Likes
3

That is a very comprehensive response. Thank you so much!
Rick K9RBH