Is anyone in BCA using VARA HF as a means of internet via HF Radio? https://www.bluewatercruising.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1777818 Sat, 13 Jun 2026 11:55:01 GMT Tue, 30 Apr 2024 16:12:10 GMT Copyright © 2024 Bluewater Cruising Association Is anyone in BCA using VARA HF as a means of internet via HF Radio? https://www.bluewatercruising.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1777818 https://www.bluewatercruising.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1777818
Question for BCA members:
-Is anyone using VARA HF as an alternative to a pactor modem with their HF radio?
Accidentally came across this software the other day, and sounds like a really cost-effective backup to satellite communications (Starlink/Iridium). Can get up to 10kb/s internet (email/weather/files sending) for the cost of the software ($70) and an external soundcard ($100-200) and an HF Radio with no running costs. Sounds like a great alternative to shelling out ~$2000 for a P4 Pactor modem to get equivalent speeds.
Only catch is - much like a pactor modem - need to get your amateur radio license... so time to start studying!

 

https://rosmodem.wordpress.com/2017/09/03/vara-hf-modem/

]]> Tue, 30 Apr 2024 16:24:36 GMT https://www.bluewatercruising.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1777831 https://www.bluewatercruising.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1777831 Hardware is listed at https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=software+defined+radio

Ham forums discuss the various options, but even the bare plug-in provides a lot.

There are also websites whereone can connect to and use an SDR installation.

Although the context is ham radio, SDR is brodband and can go from 100KHz to 2300MHz with a visual waterfall display and decode many forms of modulation.
https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/listen-to-ham-radio-online.html
http://www.k3fef.com/

On a different topic, https://fastseas.com/ might be of interest.
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