Download the Required Software

Before starting the setup, ensure you have the necessary software installed:

• Download the latest version of APRSdroid (NA7Q) from NA7Q’s website.
• Download the SPP GUI Program, which is essential for managing the Bluetooth serial connection between your devices.

Pairing Your PC and Android Phone via Bluetooth

1. Open Bluetooth Settings on your Windows PC.
2. Enable Bluetooth and set it to “Allow Bluetooth devices to find this PC.”
3. On your Android phone, navigate to Bluetooth settings and search for nearby devices.
4. Select your PC from the list of available devices to begin pairing.
5. A PIN will be displayed on both your phone and computer. Confirm that the PIN matches on both devices.
6. Accept the pairing request on your phone first, then confirm on your PC.
7. Once the pairing is successful, your PC and Android phone will be connected via Bluetooth.

Configuring the Bluetooth Connection for APRSdroid with VARA HF

1. Open Bluetooth & Other Devices settings on your PC.
2. Click on More Bluetooth Options.
3. Navigate to the COM Ports tab.
4. Click Add, select Incoming communication, and then click OK to save the settings.

Configuring the COM Port in SPP GUI Program

1. Launch the SPP GUI Program on your PC.
2. Set the COM port to the one added under Bluetooth options.

Configuring VARA HF

1. In the SPP GUI Program, locate the Program to Run option.
2. Browse to your VARA HF installation folder and select vara.exe.
3. Enable the Autostart Bridge option.
4. Set the Port in SPP GUI to your VARA HF KISS Port.
5. Assign the COM port in SPP GUI to the VARA HF KISS port for communication with APRSdroid.

Adding SPP GUI to Windows Autostart

For convenience, you can configure SPP GUI to start automatically when Windows boots:

1. Press Windows key + R, then type shell:startup and press Enter.
2. Create a shortcut inside the Startup folder pointing to spp-gui14.exe.

Setting Up APRSdroid to Use Bluetooth SPP Connection

1. Open APRSdroid and navigate to Connection Preferences.
2. Select the PC device name from the list of Bluetooth devices.
3. Start the SPP GUI Program.
4. Configure the settings as needed and start the bridge.

Final Notes

• Ensure your Bluetooth device is connected and paired before starting the setup process.
• Double-check COM port settings and the VARA HF installation path to avoid issues.

For more details, visit the official guide on NA7Q’s website.

By following this guide, you should have APRSdroid successfully communicating with VARA HF over Bluetooth.

The post Setting Up APRSdroid with VARA HF Over Bluetooth appeared on Hamradio.my - Amateur Radio, Tech Insights and Product Reviews by 9M2PJU.

For ham radio operators who frequently work in portable settings, efficient logging solutions that work on lightweight hardware can be a game-changer. One creative operator has developed a Vim syntax plugin specifically for creating Fast Log Entry (FLE) compatible log files directly in the Vim text editor.

The Problem This Plugin Solves

Fast Log Entry is an excellent tool for quick contest and DXpedition logging, but it doesn’t run natively on Linux. The developer of this plugin wanted something that would:

Run directly in a console/terminal
Work on a lightweight Linux laptop with minimal resources
Allow for creation of FLE-compatible logs for later import
Provide syntax highlighting for error detection while logging

The Solution: A Vim Syntax Plugin

The plugin enhances Vim by adding syntax highlighting when editing FLE-format log files. This makes portable logging much easier for Linux users. Key features include:

• Call signs, RST reports, and QSO data are color-coded for quick identification
• Invalid entries are highlighted differently, making errors easier to spot
• The structured format of FLE is preserved, ensuring smooth import into FLE

How It Works

The workflow is simple:

1⃣ Log contacts in Vim using FLE syntax while operating portable
2⃣ Copy/paste the log into Fast Log Entry when back at the main station
3⃣ Use FLE’s built-in tools to convert the log to ADIF or other formats

Why This Approach Works Well

This approach offers several benefits:

Minimal Requirements – Works on any Linux system with Vim
Battery Efficiency – Terminal-based tools consume significantly less power
Reliability – Vim is stable and lightweight, perfect for field operations
Offline Capable – Works even in remote locations without internet access

For Those New to Fast Log Entry

Fast Log Entry is a highly efficient program for contest and expedition logging. It uses a clever shorthand format that speeds up logging and reduces errors. If you’re unfamiliar with FLE, check out WB3GCK’s excellent write-up on the subject (originally shared by W8EMV).

Visit https://rz01.org/vim-fle-syntax/

The post Vim Syntax Plugin for Fast Log Entry Log Files appeared on Hamradio.my - Amateur Radio, Tech Insights and Product Reviews by 9M2PJU.