Configuring YAAC for Use with VARA

YAAC (short for "Yet Another APRS Client) is an APRS program that will link to FLdigi via KISS-over-IP.  YAAC is written in the Java language, meaning it is "portable" -- the same program will run essentially identically on Windows, MacOS, Linux or a Raspberry Pi. 
     YAAC uses Open Streetmaps for it's mapping data. Unlike many other APRS clients, it uses Open Streets data in zoomable scale-able vector format; i.e. like AutoCAD or Adobe Illustrator -- not tiled fixed bimaps. The vector data can be downloaded  and stored locally, allowing freely-zoomable maps WITHOUT an Internet connection in the field.

Because YAAC is a Java-based program, you must have the Java 8 Runtime components for your OS installed and running before installing YAAC.

Download the Java installer here:
    https://java.com/en/download/
Ignore any possible warnings about Java not running in your particular browser. The intent here is to run a standalone program (YAAC) that depends on Java, not to use Java as a browser plugin.

Then download the YAAC installer here:
    https://www.ka2ddo.org/ka2ddo/YAAC.html
Be sure you have a version of 11 May 2020 or later. Only these latest versions have the "BCN" button on the tool bar that allows you to force beacons-on-demand. (Rather than automatically at intervals.) This is useful for debugging the YAAC-FLdigi linkage, and is required for operation on 60 meters where automatic transmission is prohibited.

YAAC is run by double-clicking the YAAC.jar file in the main install folder for YAAC.  You will probably want to create a desktop shortcut to YAAC.jar for convenience in starting it in the future.   Go through the first-time-run setup wizard to enter essential information such as call and station location lat/long. Skip the port selection dialog for now. Note that because this is not a native Windows application, no label will appear on the title bar at the top of the window, and and icon without name will appear in the Windows Task Bar.

After a significant delay, a map of the area around the coordinates you entered will appear. Pull down and select "File", "Configure", "Expert Mode" as shown.

1. Click the "Ports" tab..
    
2. Click "Add"
    
3. A pull-down ports-type list hat shows more port types than the first-run basic setup dialog does.. Choose "KISS-over-TCP".
    
4. Enter the IP port # to use. Use 8100 to be compatible with VARA's default KISS-over-IP port. (You can change it in both YACC and VARA, if needed, to resolve conflicts with other programs.)
   
   If both YAAC and VARA are running on the same computer, accept the default IP addresss "localhost . (In TCP/IP networking this IP address always means "this machine". The text address "127.0.0.1" means the same thing.)
   
   The computer running VARA could be different from the one running PinPoint. In this case, enter the IP address or network name of the other computer.
    
5. Clear the check boxes for any digi hops.  WIDEn-N digipeating is not used on HF.
    
6. Click "Save"

IMPORTANT!  VARA must be started and running first, before YAAC is started.  VARA acts as a TCP server. YAAC is a TCP client, and will fail to link up correctly if the server isn't already present.