VarAC decentralized e-mail system

    It has been a while I wrote about VarAC. This digital communication system is getting more advanced. It now features a decentralized e-mail system. Not a same system like Winlink but another opportunity to send and receive e-mail. No need to register in a network system but just e-mail everyone you like with your radio and the VarAC software.

More info and a comparisation with Winlink can be found on a dedicated VarAC e-mail gateway page:

https://www.varac-hamradio.com/varac-email-gateway

It is a nice feature. But does it work? I wrote myself an e-mail and used HB9AVK's e-mail gateway. Since it is "live" I just waited for the e-mail to arrive and replied to my e-mail right away. The reply was received instantly and this is how it looks:

On the e-mail side it looks like this. There is even a notice that my reply e-mail has been delivered over the radio.

Of course there are advantages and disadvantages. Since not all gateways are on air all the time there is a risk that you will not get a answer on your e-mail right away. There is a warning system as soon as you will send out a beacon you will get a notice from the gateway system if there is a mail waiting for you to pick up. You need to connect to the same gateway station to retrieve you e-mail. In Winlink you can retrieve your e-mail or message from any Winlink station around the world. I think this is the biggest difference between the two systems.

Anyway, I think it is a nice system and a very good addition to the HAMradio community. If you need to send an e-mail and Winlink is not working or you can't reach a Winlink station you can always try VarAC. It is good to have multiple systems available.

You probabely think now why would I need something like this. Well there are still places on earth without internet or cellphone access. Not everyone has a satphone or satellite link available. If you are a HAMradio operator this can be a life saving tool.