Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this ham radio collaboration with The Comms Channel, we set out to demonstrate a Winlink peer-to-peer (P2P) contact using VARA HF—and instead encountered an unexpected software glitch in VARA that caused the contact to fail.
Rather than ending the test, we put real-world emergency communications principles into action. Using APRS messaging, we coordinated a rapid change of plan and successfully completed the contact using JS8Call. This experience highlights exactly why every operator should have a PACE plan (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency) when operating digital modes.
This video is an honest look at when things go wrong on the air, how to adapt, and why redundancy and flexibility are critical in emergency, preparedness, and off-grid communications.
Topics covered in this video:
• Winlink peer to peer (P2P) communications
• VARA HF software failure and troubleshooting lessons
• APRS messaging for coordination
• JS8Call digital communications success
• Ham radio PACE planning explained
• Emergency and disaster communications concepts
• Amateur radio digital modes comparison
• Real-world comms problem solving
Whether you’re into ham radio preparedness, emcomm, digital modes, SHTF communications, or simply want to learn how APRS, Winlink, VARA, and JS8Call work together, this video provides valuable real-world insight—not just theory.
🔹My Favorite Gear - amazon.com/shop/km4ack
🔹Links mentioned in the video
youtube.com/@UCjEDZ_R_ypSc-MUBRkiW1lw
🔹Raspberry Pi Build Guide - tiny.cc/pi4guide
🔹Frequently Asked Questions - tiny.cc/km4ack-faq
🔹Weekly Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/40da1fe472e3/km4acknewsletter
🔹Follow Me
Twitter @km4ack
🔹FREE Get Started Guide - tiny.cc/getstartedguide
🔹Cool Ham Gear - km4ack.com
🔹Support the channel through Patreon - patreon.com/km4ack
🔹Did you just get a raspberry pi and want to hook it up to your radio? Start here youtu.be/E1SEgPFQk4M
Want your raspberry pi to play nice with your ham radio? Are you into digital modes like FT8, JS8Call, FLDIGI, Winlink, APRS, Digipeaters and others? Each week I put out new content showing you exactly what steps to take to get the latest ham radio software on your raspberry pi. Whether you just want to ragchew or are seriously into emergency preparedness, emcomm, or ARES and want to learn all you can about using the raspberry pi to drive your ham radio, this channel has something for you. Be sure to click the subscribe button and ring the bell before heading off. That way you will get notified of all future videos.
🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
In this ham radio collaboration with The Comms Channel, we set out to demonstrate a Winlink peer-to-peer (P2P) contact using VARA HF—and instead encountered an unexpected software glitch in VARA that caused the contact to fail.
Rather than ending the test, we put real-world emergency communications principles into action. Using APRS messaging, we coordinated a rapid change of plan and successfully completed the contact using JS8Call. This experience highlights exactly why every operator should have a PACE plan (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency) when operating digital modes.
This video is an honest look at when things go wrong on the air, how to adapt, and why redundancy and flexibility are critical in emergency, preparedness, and off-grid communications.
Topics covered in this video:
• Winlink peer to peer (P2P) communications
• VARA HF software failure and troubleshooting lessons
• APRS messaging for coordination
• JS8Call digital communications success
• Ham radio PACE planning explained
• Emergency and disaster communications concepts
• Amateur radio digital modes comparison
• Real-world comms problem solving
Whether you’re into ham radio preparedness, emcomm, digital modes, SHTF communications, or simply want to learn how APRS, Winlink, VARA, and JS8Call work together, this video provides valuable real-world insight—not just theory.
🔹My Favorite Gear - amazon.com/shop/km4ack
🔹Links mentioned in the video
youtube.com/@UCjEDZ_R_ypSc-MUBRkiW1lw
🔹Raspberry Pi Build Guide - tiny.cc/pi4guide
🔹Frequently Asked Questions - tiny.cc/km4ack-faq
🔹Weekly Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/40da1fe472e3/km4acknewsletter
🔹Follow Me
Twitter @km4ack
🔹FREE Get Started Guide - tiny.cc/getstartedguide
🔹Cool Ham Gear - km4ack.com
🔹Support the channel through Patreon - patreon.com/km4ack
🔹Did you just get a raspberry pi and want to hook it up to your radio? Start here youtu.be/E1SEgPFQk4M
Want your raspberry pi to play nice with your ham radio? Are you into digital modes like FT8, JS8Call, FLDIGI, Winlink, APRS, Digipeaters and others? Each week I put out new content showing you exactly what steps to take to get the latest ham radio software on your raspberry pi. Whether you just want to ragchew or are seriously into emergency preparedness, emcomm, or ARES and want to learn all you can about using the raspberry pi to drive your ham radio, this channel has something for you. Be sure to click the subscribe button and ring the bell before heading off. That way you will get notified of all future videos.
🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
