Aether Term

BBS terminal client for amateur radio, with HMAC-SHA256 authentication, rig control, macros and built-in support for the open-source Aether HF modem.

Aether Term is a PyQt6 desktop application for connecting to amateur radio BBS systems over Aether HF, VARA HF, VARA FM, AGWPE packet TNCs (Soundmodem, Direwolf), and KISS TNCs such as the one built into a Kenwood TH-D74/D75, over Bluetooth, USB or TCP.

Formerly VARA Term. The application was renamed when Aether HF support was added. Your settings, saved station passwords and Hamlib download are carried over automatically the first time Aether Term starts (see Upgrading from VARA Term).

Features

• Connect to BBS stations over Aether HF, VARA HF, VARA FM, AGWPE packet, or a KISS TNC
• KISS TNC mode: connect straight to a radio's built-in TNC (TH-D74/D75 over Bluetooth or USB, Bluetooth LE radios such as the VR-N76) or Direwolf, with no Soundmodem in between. Aether Term runs AX.25 itself, digipeaters included. Bluetooth LE is not yet tested with a radio.
• Aether HF integration: live modem status in the status bar, a pre-connect check that explains in plain words why the modem would refuse a call (host port off, no rules chosen, keying or sound card fault), modem identity check, link speed and session bandwidth
• Automatic HMAC-SHA256 authentication — passwords never go over RF
• Encrypted Winlink registration (WLREG) for checking email via BBS
• PTT for VARA HF (and Aether HF set to host-program keying) through OmniRig, Hamlib rigctld or FLrig; Connect stops if the chosen method can't reach the radio
• Mode switching with modem auto-launch (VARA FM, VARA HF, Aether HF, Soundmodem)
• Connection profiles (per-profile operator, tactical address, mode and bandwidth) and target history
• Configurable macro buttons with BBS command reference
• Real-time S/N graph, session logging, dark theme terminal
• Internet connectivity status from the BBS
• Local test mode — test a BBS on the same PC with no radio or modem (below)

Quick Start

1. Install dependencies: pip install -r requirements.txt
2. Run: python src/main.py (or double-click start_aether_term.bat)
3. Configure your callsign in Settings → Terminal Setup
4. Pick the modem in the toolbar (Aether HF, VARA HF, VARA FM, Soundmodem or KISS TNC)
5. Enter the target BBS callsign and click Connect

A one-line installer for Windows (clones the repository, installs dependencies, creates a desktop shortcut) is on the project page.

The full user manual is in docs/MANUAL.md.

KISS TNC (radio's built-in TNC)

Choose KISS TNC in the toolbar and set Settings → Modem Configuration → KISS TNC:

• Kenwood TH-D74 / TH-D75: pair the radio in Windows Bluetooth settings (or plug in USB), pick the Standard Serial over Bluetooth link COM port, and set the radio's TNC to KISS mode.
• Bluetooth LE radios and TNCs (VR-N76, VR-N7600, Mobilinkd): press Scan and pick the radio. New and not yet tested with a radio.
• Direwolf: TCP, port 8001.

See section 5.7 of the manual.

Local test (no radio)

Test your Aether BBS from Aether Term on the same PC, with no radio or modem. The BBS reaches VARA FM through VARA's TCP host interface; in local test mode Aether Term plays that modem, listening on 127.0.0.1 only (command port 8500, data port 8501 by default — not 8300/8301, which the real VARA uses). Nothing is transmitted. The session itself runs through the same code as on the air (;TRANSPORT?, HMAC login and the rest), so what you see in local test is what a station on the air gets.

1. In Aether Term, choose Local test in the toolbar (or Settings → Terminal Setup → Modem → Local test (no radio)). The status bar shows waiting for the BBS on 8500/8501 and the title bar says LOCAL TEST — not on the air.
2. In Aether BBS, open Settings → Instances and add an instance: Name Local test, Transport VARA FM, Cmd port 8500, Data port 8501, Auto Start off (the BBS reaches VARA on 127.0.0.1; its form has no Host field). Save, then start or enable it. The BBS tries to reach the modem 5 times over about 15 seconds and then gives up; if Aether Term wasn't ready, start the instance again from the BBS dashboard. Aether Term's status bar then shows <BBS call> attached on 8500/8501.
3. Press Connect. Aether Term calls the BBS that attached, whatever the target box says.

Settings → Modem Configuration → Local test sets the two ports and the callsign you connect as (empty: your own) — for example your sysop call, or a stranger's such as N0CALL to see what an unknown station gets.

Using Aether HF

Aether HF is an open-source HF data modem with a publicly documented air interface. It speaks VARA HF's published TCP host interface, so Aether Term drives it through the same command and data ports it uses for VARA, and additionally reads Aether HF's own control API for status.

On the air, Aether HF talks only to other Aether HF stations — the compatibility is in the software, not the signal. The BBS you call must be running Aether HF too, on the same bandwidth (2300 Hz or 500 Hz) and the same link-protocol version.

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