VarAC V16.1.8 Released: Live Activity Map, VMail Attachments, Rotator Control, and AI Customization
TL;DR: VarAC V16.1.8 by Irad Deutsch (4Z1AC) introduces the most anticipated feature in the application’s history: a native, real-time Live Activity Map plotting every beacon, CQ, QSO, and broadcast heard across the bands up to six months back. The update also delivers compressed VMail attachments with two-way Email Gateway bridging, automated antenna rotator control via PstRotator, custom prompt training for the on-air ACie AI assistant, a raw email mode tailored for Saildocs GRIB weather retrieval, and a futuristic Sci-Fi theme. VarAC remains completely free for licensed radio amateurs.
What Is VarAC V16.1.8?
VarAC V16.1.8 is a major feature update to the free, peer-to-peer amateur radio digital communications client by Irad Deutsch (4Z1AC), introducing a native Live Activity Map, compressed VMail attachments, automated antenna rotator steering, and customizable on-air AI agent capabilities.
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| VARAC V16.1.8 SYSTEM TOPOLOGY |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
[ Graphical Control Surface ] [ Core Processing Engines ] [ Hardware & Gateways ]
┌───────────────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────────┐
│ Live Activity Map: │ │ Protocol Core: │ │ Transceiver & Modem:│
│ - Beacons, CQs, QSOs │ ◄──SQL───┤ - VARA HF / FM / SAT │ ◄─CAT─►│ - Rig CAT Control │
│ - Band & Time Window Filters │ - Slot-Based QSY Engine │ │ - VARA Soundcard │
│ - EmComm Alert Pinning │ │ - Auto-Ping & Last Heard│ │ OFDM Modem │
└───────────────────────────┘ └────────────┬────────────┘ └─────────────────────┘
┌───────────────────────────┐ │ ┌─────────────────────┐
│ Tactical VMail Client: │ ├──────────IP────────►│ Directional Rotator:│
│ - Auto-ZIP Attachments │ ◄──Storage────────────┤ │ - PstRotator Daemon │
│ - Store-and-Forward Relays│ ├──────────API───────►│ - Auto-Bearing Track│
│ - Raw Saildocs Email Mode │ │ └─────────────────────┘
└───────────────────────────┘ ▼ ┌─────────────────────┐
┌───────────────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────────────┐ │ On-Air AI Engine: │
│ Visual Themes & Runtimes: │ │ Cluster Infrastructure: │ ◄─JSON─┤ - Google Gemini API │
│ - Sci-Fi / R2-D2 Audio │ │ - Multi-Node Instances │ │ - Custom EmComm │
│ - Windows Native / Wine │ │ - Grouped Node History │ │ Prompt Training │
└───────────────────────────┘ └─────────────────────────┘ └─────────────────────┘
When VarAC arrived in the amateur radio world, it proved that high-performance digital modes don’t have to be cold or mechanical. While FT8 changed weak-signal detection by reducing exchanges to automated grid squares and signal reports, it sacrificed personal conversation. VarAC took the robust Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) waveform of Jose Alberto Nieto Ros’s (EA5HVK) VARA modem and wrapped it in a full-featured keyboard-to-keyboard chat environment.
Over 90,000 operators across more than 100 countries now rely on VarAC for casual ragchewing, emergency preparedness (EmComm), and weekly global nets.
Version 16.1.8 represents a major architectural milestone. It incorporates high-tier features originally developed for SafecomLink (Irad’s professional PACTOR communications suite) directly into the free amateur radio client. From visualizing HF band propagation on a live global projection to steering directional antennas and sending field attachments, VarAC V16.1.8 expands what an amateur radio digital station can accomplish.
VarAC V16.1.8 vs Legacy Digital Modes and Previous Versions
To understand the scope of V16.1.8, consider how it compares with earlier VarAC releases and established amateur radio digital software:
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ DIGITAL MESSAGING PLATFORM COMPARISON │
├──────────────────────┬────────────────┬────────────────┬────────────────┬────────────────┬────────────────┤
│ Feature │ VarAC V16.1.8 │ VarAC V15.x │ Winlink │ JS8Call │ WSJT-X (FT8) │
│ │ (Current) │ (Legacy) │ Express │ (KN4CRF) │ (K1JT) │
├──────────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┤
│ Real-Time Live Map │ Native 6-Month │ External web │ External map │ Web-only │ Third-party │
│ │ Activity Map │ PSKReporter │ viewer │ PSKReporter │ GridTracker │
├──────────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┤
│ Offline VMail Inbox │ Yes (Direct or │ Yes (Text-only │ Yes (Full │ Yes (Direct or │ No │
│ │ Mediator relay)│ messages) │ mail system) │ Store & Forward│ (Real-time only│
├──────────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┤
│ Message Attachments │ Yes (Auto-ZIP │ No │ Yes (Manual │ No │ No │
│ │ compressed) │ (Text only) │ file attach) │ (Text only) │ │
├──────────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┤
│ Antenna Rotator Link │ Yes (Direct │ No │ No │ No │ No │
│ │ PstRotator IP) │ │ │ │ │
├──────────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┤
│ Autonomous AI Agent │ Yes (ACie with │ Basic prompt │ No │ No │ No │
│ │ custom system) │ only │ │ │ │
├──────────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┤
│ Clean Saildocs Mode │ Yes (Raw mode, │ No │ Requires clean │ No │ No │
│ │ stripped tags) │ (Appends tags) │ template │ │ │
├──────────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┤
│ Underlying Waveform │ VARA HF/FM/SAT │ VARA HF/FM/SAT │ VARA, PACTOR, │ Custom 8-FSK │ 8-FSK │
│ │ OFDM │ OFDM │ ARDOP, Packet │ 50 Hz │ 50 Hz │
├──────────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┼────────────────┤
│ Licensing │ Free for Hams │ Free for Hams │ Free for Hams │ Open Source │ Open Source │
│ │ (Closed engine)│ (Closed engine)│ (Closed engine)│ (GPLv3) │ (GPLv3) │
└──────────────────────┴────────────────┴────────────────┴────────────────┴────────────────┴────────────────┘
Headline Feature: The Built-In Live Activity Map
For years, VarAC operators relied on browser links to PSKReporter or third-party log visualizers to track where their signals were landing. VarAC V16.1.8 eliminates external dependencies by embedding a dedicated Live Activity Map.
+─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────+
| LIVE ACTIVITY MAP CONTROLS |
+─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────+
1. Global Data Visualization
- Plots every Beacon, CQ, QSO, and Broadcast heard by your receiver.
- Access historical propagation data extending back up to six months.
2. Selective Filtering & Ergonomics
- Filter activity by individual amateur radio bands (160m through 10m).
- Select dynamic time windows (last hour, today, past week, past months).
- Pin the map window on top of other applications during active operating sessions.
3. EmComm & Alert Visual Priority
- Stations operating in Emergency (EmComm) mode highlight with distinct borders.
- Stations transmitting active emergency alerts stand out prominently on the globe.
4. Interactive Station Context Menu
- Right-click any plotted station icon to trigger instant actions:
* Connect: Initiates direct link and slot QSY negotiation.
* Lookup: Pulls callsign metadata, operator bio, and station details.
- Requirement: Plotted stations must transmit a valid Maidenhead grid locator.
The map operates in real time. If left open on a secondary monitor, new beacons and contact lines appear the instant your station decodes them. Operators can spot band openings, evaluate antenna patterns, and track regional net roll calls without leaving the application.
VMail Attachments: Sending Real Files Through the HF Mailbox
VarAC’s store-and-forward VMail system allows operators to leave messages directly on remote station hard drives or park them at intermediary mediator stations when the recipient is switched off or out of propagation.
In V16.1.8, VMail gains support for file attachments (currently in Beta).
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| VMAIL ATTACHMENT PIPELINE |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
1. Compose VMail & Select Files (Images, ICS-213 forms, TXT, CSV)
│
▼
2. Automatic Compression: VarAC bundles and compresses files into a single ZIP archive
│
▼
3. Version & Capability Negotiation:
- Connect Handshake: Inspects remote Service Announcement list for attachment flag.
- Discovery Fallback: Issues an automated <SQ> query to verify attachment readiness.
- Safety Lock: Halts transfer if the remote station runs V15 or older.
│
▼
4. Transmission & Size Threshold Safeguard:
- If file size <= automatic threshold: Downloads and decompresses automatically.
- If file size > automatic threshold: Prompts receiving operator for approval.
│
▼
5. Two-Way Email Gateway Delivery:
- Outgoing: Forwarded to internet email recipients with attachments preserved.
- Incoming: Internet emails with attachments delivered back to VarAC as VMail.
Backwards-Compatible Protocol Negotiation
Sending attachments over HF requires caution, as older software versions can’t parse multi-part binary payloads. VarAC V16.1.8 implements automated protocol discovery:
– During connection negotiation, VarAC inspects the remote station’s Service Announcement packet.
– If a service list is absent, VarAC sends a discovery call containing the <SQ> tag.
– Only if the remote station explicitly affirms attachment support will VarAC transmit the payload. If the remote station runs an older build, VarAC protects the link by withholding the attachment.
Automated Antenna Rotator Control via PstRotator
Directional beam antennas (such as multi-element Yagis and rotatable dipoles) require precise azimuth alignment to sustain high-speed OFDM throughput on HF. Manually calculating bearings and turning rotators during fast-moving digital sessions adds friction.
VarAC V16.1.8 introduces native integration with PstRotator, the standard antenna rotator control utility for amateur radio:
– Network Interface: Configure PstRotator’s IP address and communication port under Settings -> RIG.
– Standby Azimuth: Define a default home heading (e.g., 270 degrees toward Europe or 0 degrees North) where the antenna rests when the station is idle.
– Fully Automatic Mode: When enabled, VarAC reads the target station’s Maidenhead grid locator upon initiating or receiving a connection, calculates the great-circle beam heading, and commands PstRotator to turn the array toward the station. Once the QSO disconnects, the antenna automatically swings back to your standby heading.
ACie AI Customization: Tailoring Your On-Air Assistant
ACie is VarAC’s on-air autonomous artificial intelligence assistant. Operating through the AI Gateway and powered by Google’s Gemini API, ACie can converse with remote operators who query your station over HF while you are away from the keyboard.
In V16.1.8, operators can now provide a custom system prompt for ACie:
+─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────+
| ACIE SYSTEM PROMPT ROLES |
+─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────+
Role A: Local Emergency Communications (EmComm) Node
────────────────────────────────────────────────────
"You are ACie, the emergency communications assistant for the Selangor ARES net on
14.105 MHz. Answer queries regarding local emergency shelter locations, backup VHF
repeater frequencies (145.550 MHz CTCSS 103.5 Hz), and supply drop coordinates. Keep
all responses concise and under 200 words."
Role B: Technical Station Elmer & Remote Beacon
───────────────────────────────────────────────
"You are ACie, operating station 9M2PJU. Inform callers about our station hardware:
an Icom IC-7300 outputting 50W into a multi-band dipole at 15 meters. Provide current
local weather and recommend active HF digital frequencies."
Key AI Enhancements in V16.1.8:
- Model Selection: Choose which Google Gemini model version powers your gateway directly within the settings dialog.
- Explicit Error Reporting: If the remote API fails or rate limits an incoming prompt, the remote station receives an immediate error notification across the link rather than timing out in silence.
Offshore Mariner & Gateway Enhancements: Raw Email Format & Saildocs
Many offshore sailors, cruising yachts, and remote expeditions rely on VarAC’s Email Gateway to access automated weather services such as Saildocs.com. Saildocs parses incoming emails to return text-based marine forecasts, wind models, and GRIB weather files over HF.
Historically, VarAC appended tracking metadata (such as routing headers and gateway timestamps) at the end of gateway emails. While harmless for human correspondents, automated parsing engines like Saildocs frequently failed when encountering unexpected text at the bottom of a request.
V16.1.8 resolves this with the new ‘Raw’ Email Checkbox:
– Clean Body Delivery: Checking ‘Raw’ during VMail composition completely strips all trailing application metadata, leaving only the clean query string (e.g., send GFS:00N,20N,090E,120E|2,2|0,24,48,72|WIND,APCP).
– Robust Return Routing: When an automated service replies to the gateway without metadata headers, VarAC inspects the TO: address field as a fallback, resolving the callsign and delivering the weather file directly to the sailor’s VMail inbox.
Cluster Management, Scanner Indicators, and the Sci-Fi Theme
VarAC V16.1.8 brings several additional tools designed for multi-radio installations and daily operational comfort:
+─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────+
| ADDITIONAL V16.1.8 ENHANCEMENTS |
+─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────+
1. Frequency Scanner Indicators in Beacons List
- Displays a distinct ">>" icon next to callsigns running the Frequency Scanner.
- Informs calling stations that the operator is hopping bands, prompting patience.
2. Friendly Multi-Node Cluster Instance Names
- Replace numeric instance IDs with custom labels like "20m Node" or "40m EmComm".
- Labels appear in Inquire operations, Last Heard lists, and on the Live Activity Map.
- Adds a configurable database timeout setting to prevent lockups during peak traffic.
3. Inquire Email Gateway Address
- New dedicated button in the Inquire module requests a station's email gateway.
- Operates during active links and across broadcast frames.
4. Futuristic Sci-Fi Theme
- Sleek dark aesthetic with glowing neon accents and optional R2-D2 acoustic cues.
5. Offline BBS File Access
- Open and review local shared BBS folders without needing an active radio link.
Clarifying VarAC and SafecomLink
In the release announcement, 4Z1AC addressed questions regarding SafecomLink:
– VarAC is free and stays free: VarAC remains an open-access, zero-cost platform for all licensed amateur radio operators using soundcard VARA modems.
– SafecomLink for PACTOR: SafecomLink is the commercial, professional communications equivalent developed by Irad Deutsch for hardware PACTOR modems (such as the SCS DR-7800 and DR-9400). A specialized Ham Radio Edition is available for radio amateurs who own hardware PACTOR modems, with calling activity centered on 14.120 MHz.
Both platforms share underlying architectural innovations, which is why features like the Live Activity Map, PstRotator control, and cluster enhancements arrived in SafecomLink before transitioning directly into VarAC V16.1.8.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Live Activity Map in VarAC V16.1.8?
The Live Activity Map is a native world map displaying beacons, CQs, QSOs, and broadcasts heard by your station over the past six months, featuring live updates, band filtering, and EmComm alert highlights.
How do VMail attachments work in VarAC?
VarAC bundles and compresses file attachments into a single ZIP archive. It verifies attachment support on the remote station using service announcements or discovery queries before transmission, with size threshold safeguards.
How does VarAC steer antenna rotators?
VarAC interfaces over the network with PstRotator. In auto-rotate mode, it reads the remote station’s grid locator, turns the antenna toward the target bearing upon connection, and returns to standby afterward.
What is the Raw email format used for?
The Raw format strips all metadata from outbound Email Gateway messages, allowing automated parsing services like Saildocs.com to return marine weather and GRIB forecasts to off-grid operators without formatting errors.
Is VarAC V16.1.8 still free for amateur radio operators?
Yes. VarAC is completely free for licensed radio amateurs and CB operators. SafecomLink is a separate commercial and amateur platform designed specifically for hardware PACTOR modems.
Sources and Further Reading
- VarAC Official Project Website: varac-hamradio.com
- VarAC V16.1.8 Official Downloads: varac-hamradio.com/download
- VARA High Performance Soundcard Modem: rosmodem.wordpress.com
- SafecomLink Tactical & EmComm Platform: safecomlink.com
- PstRotator Antenna Rotator Control: qsl.net/yo3dmu/PstRotator.htm
- Saildocs Marine Weather Dissemination Service: saildocs.com
73 de 9M2PJU
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