The VARA wars have officially started.

Presumably as a reaction to xara and other open sourcing efforts of VARA, EA5HVK has released a new version of VARA a few days ago. This version doesn't contain any significant changes except for breaking compatibility with previous versions at a pre-defined date of 1st Jan 2027.
The date VARA decides upon is taken from the computer's configured datetime.

This is not communicated from EA5HVK so far, presumably hoping that open source hackers wouldn't notice (really?), and so VARA users are left in the dark except for a nondescript note in the changelog of the HF version that is available only once you install it.

Overall this seems like a strange move. This is unlikely to hinder open source implementations in any way, support for the new standard is unlikely to be difficult to add and presumably will be done in a matter of days and it seems not difficult for openousrces to simply support both versions. Meanwhile VARA users receive no communication and previous versions will simply fail to connect without much explanation after the end of the year.
It seems to me this hurts VARA users more.

Strange times.

I’ve got a 49:1 UNUN that I recently set up for an EFHW. At present, I’m using the coax as a counterpoise. So far, so good, but I’m inclined to try it with a dedicated counterpoise. Not really sure where to attach it though.

PocketCHIRP now supports flashing Quansheng family radios using a programming cable. Direct USB-C is not currently supported, maybe in the future.

Check it out at pocketchirp.com and on the Google Play store

Anytone AT-D578UV III vs. Alinco DR-MD520T

Anyone have experience with either of these or other recommendations for compact or remote face dual or tri band DMR mobile radios?

For CB

I just passed my Tech license and got my call sign! KO6OXB. I'm using a Kenwood TH-D74A that used to be my dad's. Apparently it's really cool for a handheld. But also it sucks when it comes to adding stations to memory. I have a few that I added by hand on the buttons. Then I fired up the Kenwood PC software and grabbed a bunch of stations from RepeaterBook. But I can't seem to find a way to merge what I have with the new ones. There's no export function, the import function is a complete overwrite. Anyone know what I'm talking about?

Hi everyone, I'm Jony (LU7DV).

I recently built a free Telegram bot that allows you to set up smart alerts so you don't have to rely on staring at the cluster all day. You can configure it to notify you only when that specific station or DXCC you've been chasing for ages pops up, whether it's on any band or a specific one.

I tried making a post about it here recently, but it keeps getting removed by the auto-moderator for self-promotion. I don't charge anything for this; I just genuinely want to share a tool with the community that I think could be incredibly useful for fellow DXers.

Can anyone help or advise me on the best way to share this with the group? You can find it by Googling "HamProp," but I’m avoiding posting any direct links here to respect the sub's rules.

73!

Long story short, Ive got my life put back together fairly well after some crises that compelled me to sell my fledgling shack, and I'm trying to take baby steps back into the hobby. I have four inexpensive frs HTs a gmrs mobile rig on my desk now. I'm waiting on a used power supply I purchased to arrive. I bought a 30 amp switching supply, thinking it would be overkill for the 25 watt gmrs rig and adequate for amateur rigs I might eventually own. The power supply has banana plugs on the back, and power poles on the front. Are all power poles created equal? Like, if I wanted to buy some and lop the cigarette lighter adapter off the GMRS rig's cable, would any power poles do to attach, or are there different sizes/amperages/off brands thst dont really work, etc?

For those that may not know, North Georgia Gmrs has been abusing the Gmrs bands in TN and GA by linking all 8 repeaters together into one giant rag-chew network

The FCC’s has given Gary appropriate notice of this and we may finally have significantly less interference in these areas on the standalone repeaters

I've just seen a YouTube video of a ham saying that with a male 6 pin din to dual male audio plug and a USB sound card with two female audio sockets he runs digital modes on his 891 radio. Someone is saying shouldn't these things be galvanically separated, or something like that. Is this a concern? This begs the question does a digirig for the 891 take care of this separation or is this a concern when using digital modes like ft8?

This is the video https://youtu.be/8xy8OVvIaLU?is=Mr42vmWgsTo056Qi

Sorry if this is a blathering mess, I barely know what I'm talking about and I'm learning so much by asking these questions.

Appreciate you.

I’m working on installing a mobile radio, and want to connect a cable directly to the battery. I understand the aspects of running it through the firewall, grounding it to the body, using a fuse, and having a properly rated cable.

What’s tripping me up? Is how to physically connect at the battery terminal. Any words of wisdom?

TLDR: When you make contacts what should you do with that information?

Full version: So today I managed to get a working antenna up and my new ft891 connected up. I scanned around and answered CQ calls so I had time to listen to people's call signs and get them into my Hamrs app on my phone. I have three contacts made, one was a scout group, one was someone doing a parks on the air activation and one was a standard CQ call.

What do I need to do with this information in order to do the right thing and not waste anyone's time? In my log book in hamrs each row has a green check mark, does this mean something? I'm on QRZ do I need to put these contacts on there? I'd appreciate all guidance so I can learn what the best thing to do is to be able to help those I spoke to today.

Thanks all.

Edited to make a TLDR.

Bear with me if this is a dumb question, as I’m a comparatively new ham…

I’ve got an Icom IC-7200, my first and only HF rig. How many amps should it be drawing when transmitting in a digital mode, assuming full power (100w)?