PTT not working on Kenwood TS-2000

I am a new user of VarAC. I am attempting to use it with an early model Kenwood TS-2000. CAT control works in every respect except for PTT. I like the VarAC UI and I would prefer to not be forced to use flrig.

I have confirmed with a terminal program, the proper command to put my TS-2000s PTT On is "TX;", not "TX0" as in your configuration. So I downloaded a new CATCommands file, placed it in C:/VARA, and edited it as follows:

[Kenwood TS-2000]

CmdType=TEXT

PTTOn=TX; <--- only this line is changed. It was set to TX0; but that does not work with my radio.

PTTOff=RX;

ModeUSB=MD2;

ModeUSB_D=MD2;

That should work but it still doesn't. I have been unable to find a way to confirm when PTT is turned on, that "TX;" is actually sent to the radio. I am pretty sure it is not because, again, when I send "TX;" to the radio using the same USB serial port cable I use with varAC, js8call, and fldigi, it works. Also I have confirmed that flrig uses the TX command.

The radio is configured for 9600,n,8,1. Win10 shows the USB serial port is COM3. I have set the VacAC settings accordingly.

I have noticed a few other odd things.

1. When I examine the files in c:/VARA, I find the VARA config file. There is a PTT section in it which has this data:

[PTT]

Rig=52

PTTPort=COM1

CATPort=COM1

Baud=4800

Pin=1

RTS=0

DTR=0

Via=3

Icom Address=

Most everything here is wrong. The port should be COM3. The Baud should be 9600. I don't know whether the other parameters are correct or not.

Is this config file used? Could this be the reason PTT does not work? If so, why does the rest of CAT work? It seems like if this file is used, neither the PTT nor any other CAT command should work.

2. I've also wondered if my customized config file is even being read. So I renamed the radio as follows:

[Kenwood TS-2000xx]

CmdType=TEXT

PTTOn=TX;

PTTOff=RX;

ModeUSB=MD2;

ModeUSB_D=MD2;

When I restarted VarAC, the xx did not appear in the programs radio list. That makes me wonder if VarAC is even reading the radio config file. I do realize that this trivial change may not cause the radio list to be updated. The Rig=52 command above makes me think the title here is not read and instead the software just jumps to the 52nd radio in the CAT file.

3. I have enabled debug mode. Then I went to Settings / RIG Control and VARA Configurations / RIG settings and repeatedly pushed the PTT ON and PTT OFF buttons. The radio never keyed. When I looked at the log, I only found the TX0; command, never the TX; command. However the TX0; commands do not seem to be caused by me pushing the PTT ON button. I suspect the commands issued while in the RIG settings screen are not logged. If this is the case, it might be helpful to log everything while the user is in this portion of the program.

In summary, please give me some advice on how to reconfigure VarAC to use the TX; command rather than the TX0; command to turn the PTT on. And please let me know if I should be concerned about the incorrect data in the VARA config file.

Thank you for your assistance and for your hard work on VarAC!

Clark AL7EK