RadioMail can connect to VARA FM and HF software modems to connect to stations via the VARA protocol.

VARA is a type of radio modem that is used for transmitting and receiving data over amateur radio networks. It is a digital modem that uses a variety of modulation techniques to transmit data over the radio.

Client applications such as RadioMail can interface with a VARA modem via TCP/IP. The VARA software modem listens on two ports, by default 8300 for data and 8301 for data payload.

To configure VARA FM in RadioMail follow these steps:

1. Open the VARA FM application. Make note of ports (8300 by default) and computer IP address. Make sure no other application is connected to VARA as it can only be used by one client at a time.
2. In RadioMail, tap Settings -> VARA FM Modem
3. Enter host and port information
4. Tap Done

When connecting to VARA FM stations, RadioMail will attempt to connect to the running instance of VARA FM modem.

If your VARA FM software does not control PTT to the attached radio directly, RadioMail can control PTT using CAT control. See section below.

To configure VARA HF in RadioMail follow these steps:

1. Open the VARA HF application. Make note of ports (8300 by default) and computer IP address. Make sure no other application is connected to VARA as it can only be used by one client at a time.
2. In RadioMail, tap Settings -> VARA HF Modem
3. Enter host and port information
4. Tap Done

When connecting to VARA HF stations, RadioMail will attempt to connect to the running instance of VARA HF modem.

If your VARA HF software does not control PTT to the attached radio directly, RadioMail can control PTT using CAT control. See section below.

Depending on your equipment, VARA modem can be sometimes be configured drive the PTT of the radio on its own. In may other situation, CAT control needs to be handled independently.

RadioMail can interface with the rigctld daemon (part of the hamlib library) to control PTT and frequency changes when supported.

It can be useful to use the interactive version of rigctl (without d) first to ensure that your configuration parameter are correct for your specific radio.

Once you confirm that rigctl can talk to your radio properly, simply enter the IP and port of the device where rigctld is running in the Settings section of RadioMail.

Digipeaters are special stations that receive and sequentially re-broadcast digital data on the same frequency, extending the range of communications. You can now specify up to two digipeaters to use when connecting to a station in packet or VARA FM mode.

For each mode, you can specify and quickly toggle on or off each digipeater in the Settings interface.

When digipeating is in use, the via path is displayed in the connection dialog, and the DIGI indicator is present.

Note that packet and VARA FM digipeaters are not interchangeable since they need specific knowledge of the protocol to listen to and retransmit the data.