To be able to see Freq list I switched my CAT kenwood settings to OMNI-RIG I set up omni correct. But no TS-890s rig selection, using other model kenwoods and my other ts-590 rig, no luck. it did not work, in that is always set to FSK-R not USB-D, though it did change freq. So I switched back to CAT settings, works fine but I can't see Freq list, and have to change freq manually- no problem.
I don't care that is doesn't set the Freq, in CAT mode, I can do manually,
just would like to see the freq reminders.
thanks
john KK4SHF
USB-D is correct setting for ts-890s - but works in both modes USB OR USB-D on my ts-890s
when in doubt - always check if you have latest firmware, AND PGM VERSIONS VARA TOO.
YES!! I also just had an abbreviated QSO with Gary (NC3Z) as well as Glen (N3MEL)
I am going to call this project a success. NOW, all I need is to learn more about it and be less of a noob when it comes the the actual QSO. Right now trying to figure out how to give a signal report. I think I have to watch the SNR on the VARA HF window for that but I'm not sure. And I kept forgetting to look at it during my first two QSO's.. I'll get there, with y'alls help, I may come into the 21st century yet :)
@minicowman
I just has a QSP on 7.105 with Gary NC3Z. he send beacon periodically and also call CQ.
Try to connect him.
please also share a screenshot of your VarAC along with the VARA-HF modem so I can see if all is set correcrly.
Prior to my last post, I had not changed the Omnirig default of USB-D to USB but I did do that afterward. That does appear to have fixed that issue. So, everything at this point appears to be working as far as rig control, transmitting, etc. My only issue now is, even though I have added every frequency that others have posted via this forum (placed into the frequencies.conf file.. and they are visible in the program now).. I can occasionally hear other digital signals but nothing is showing up on the "Last Heard" windows. Also, I've tried calling CQ several times and sent beacons several times. Negative contact with anyone. Right now I have it tuned to 7.105.0 as grey line is approaching and 40 meters will be better very soon. I will leave it there for the next few hours and see if I hear anyone.
Sorry about the lack of response. I know y'all are trying to help. But here's where I am now.. ALMOST everything is working! (YAY!) The only 'glitch' now is that whatever frequency I change to, my TS-590sg goes into FSR mode (not sure what that even is).. But the frequency changes on the radio. All I have to do is tap the LSB/USB button to change back to USB and all is well.. I can send beacons now and actually output a signal (as indicated on my radio and the external SWR/Power Meter).
I have yet to make a contact though. But I will keep trying.
@minicowman Can you send a screen shot of the VarAC screen entirely after hitting a CQ please ?
@minicowman The one line that stands out is:
2021-11-30 16:24:44 WARNING: VARA is not connected to any App via TCP Port 8300
Please visit the setting page and ensure that your path and port settings are the same as defined in the VARAHF config.
In the second set of messages, I can see you are trying to RX a CQ with an SSID. I have seen the errors myself at times while doing this.
I have yet to confirm that having an SSID suffix works 100%.
if you want to try it you can switch to CAT control and use the Kenwood TX;/RX; commands for PTT.. At least IIRC the TS-590s uses the same protocol as the TS2k. and manually select USB and tune
Alright, did all that.. As anticipated, ended up back where I started.. nothing working. I'll probably set this all aside for now. Maybe someone will come up with a batter interface at some point. I'll check it out from time to time.
That's pretty much the conditions I initially set it up in but I'll give it a try and see what happens. Thanks!
here's what I would do...
uninstall - Delete the VarAC program and Omni rig folders too, completely
restart pc. (not shutdown)
go to sleep
reinstall it all again.
just set VarAC to CAT,
set baud and rts cts to high
set your audio in VARA modem.
it will work fine. it will PTT as needed.
just manually set the Freq, USB-D on the radio manually.
i have the ts890. it will work.
after a few days working it... you can add the ts-890.ini and try that in omni rig.
john
Alright, doing more tinkering this morning.. I notice that in the "VARA-HF command stream" window, I'm seeing a lot of "WRONG" messages. SO... I went to the Vara-HF window and opened the log. Here are some example entries for the last few days...
It appears to me that Vara-HF doesn't like the commands being generated by VarAC..?
2021-11-30 16:35:45 Wrong command: CQFRAME KN2Z 500
2021-11-30 16:35:25 Wrong command: CQFRAME KN2Z 2300
2021-11-30 16:35:14 Wrong command: CQFRAME KN2Z 500
2021-11-30 16:34:21 Wrong command: CQFRAME KN2Z-9 500
2021-11-30 16:34:09 Wrong command: CQFRAME KN2Z 500
2021-11-30 16:27:21 Wrong command: CQFRAME KN2Z 500
2021-11-30 16:27:11 Wrong command: CQFRAME KN2Z 500
2021-11-30 16:26:57 Wrong command: LISTEN CQ
2021-11-30 16:26:05 Wrong command: LISTEN CQ
2021-11-30 16:25:50 Wrong command: LISTEN CQ
2021-11-30 16:24:44 WARNING: VARA is not connected to any App via TCP Port 8300
2021-11-30 16:22:36 Wrong command: LISTEN CQ
2021-11-29 18:06:51 Wrong command: CONNECT KN2Z
2021-11-29 18:06:24 Wrong command: LISTEN CQ
2021-11-29 18:04:59 Wrong command: CONNECT KN2Z
2021-11-29 18:04:40 Wrong command: LISTEN CQ
2021-11-29 18:04:07 Wrong command: CONNECT KN2Z
2021-11-29 18:03:47 Wrong command: LISTEN CQ
2021-11-29 18:03:07 Wrong command: LISTEN CQ
2021-11-29 17:38:14 Wrong command: LISTEN CQ
2021-11-29 17:14:16 Wrong command: CONNECT KN2Z
2021-11-29 17:13:44 Wrong command: LISTEN CQ
2021-11-29 17:03:29 Wrong command: CONNECT KN2Z
2021-11-29 17:03:16 Wrong command: LISTEN CQ
2021-11-29 17:01:20 Wrong command: CONNECT KN2Z
2021-11-29 17:01:09 Wrong command: LISTEN CQ
2021-11-28 01:52:25 Wrong command: CONNECT KN2Z
2021-11-28 01:52:14 Wrong command: LISTEN CQ
2021-11-28 01:50:05 Wrong command: CONNECT KN2Z
2021-11-28 01:49:26 Wrong command: CQFRAME KN2Z-9 500
2021-11-28 01:45:24 Wrong command: LISTEN CQ
2021-11-28 01:45:10 Wrong command: LISTEN CQ
2021-11-28 01:36:42 Wrong command: CONNECT KN2Z
2021-11-28 01:24:58 Wrong command: LISTEN CQ
2021-11-28 01:24:29 Wrong command: CQFRAME KN2Z-9 500
2021-11-28 01:23:10 Wrong command: LISTEN CQ
2021-11-27 17:12:55 Wrong command: CQFRAME KN2Z-9 500
2021-11-27 16:57:50 Wrong command: CQFRAME KN2Z-9 500
2021-11-27 16:55:03 Wrong command: LISTEN CQ
2021-11-23 16:51:13 Wrong command: LISTEN CQ
2021-11-23 16:50:47 Wrong command: CQFRAME KN2Z 2300
2021-11-23 16:50:37 Wrong command: CQFRAME KN2Z 2300
2021-11-23 16:50:27 Wrong command: CQFRAME KN2Z 2300
2021-11-23 16:49:26 Wrong command: LISTEN CQ
2021-11-23 16:46:26 Wrong command: CQFRAME KN2Z 500
2021-11-23 16:46:17 ABORT command received
2021-11-23 16:46:16 Wrong command: CQFRAME KN2Z 500
2021-11-23 16:46:06 Wrong command: CQFRAME KN2Z 500
2021-11-23 16:46:02 Wrong command: CQFRAME KN2Z-9 500
2021-11-23 16:44:47 Wrong command: CQFRAME KN2Z 500
2021-11-23 16:44:37 Wrong command: CQFRAME KN2Z 500
2021-11-23 16:44:27 Wrong command: CQFRAME KN2Z 500
2021-11-23 16:43:33 Wrong command: LISTEN CQ
Yes, when I first installed VarAC... that was what I started with. Up until that day, I had never heard of Omnirig... When the CAT control selection didn't work, I did an internet search for Omnirig.. found it, downloaded and it.. sort of ... worked. Not sure why Flrig wasn't used as an option.. it's been around for a long time and works great, but hey, I'm old but not afraid to try something new now and then 😊
Anyway, the CAT control selection, with Kenwood Transceiver selected, didn't work even a little. But, as I said, I'm not done tinkering just yet.
Have you tried using "CAT control for PTT" vs "OmniRig for PTT"??
Thanks, I'll give that a try. I did try the cat control when I first installed VarAC (of course it didn't work) but that was before I started tweaking the ini file. I learn a little more each day as I tinker with this.. Not ready to give up yet. I have the Fldigi suite that does work so if or when I get VarAC up and running, it will make a nice addition to the communication toolkit.
I think I made that 890 ini file as I had mentioned before legacy Kenwood uses CAT command MD for mode and the 890 uses OM.
Ok you can just set VarAC to CAT,
set baud and rts cts to high
set your audio in VARA modem.
it will work fine. it will PTT as needed.
just set the Freq, USB-D on the radio manually.
but the ts-890.ini file gary sent me works for ts-890 too.
yes you have to set baud to match.
73 john
After you said that I went and looked... I found the existing ini file and opened it. I found several things supposedly set up for the TS-590 that weren't correct. My radio is set to 115200 baud for pretty much ever other digital mode I use.. The ini file had it set to 9600. There were some other minor things as well. But after getting the changes made to that ini, I tried it out and still have issues. The frequency now tracks between the software and my radio... changing frequency in the software causes the radio to change and vice-versa. It still comes up with "WRONG" when I try to connect my station so still not successfully using VarAC but I'm gaining 😉
Gary, sent me TS-890s ini file for Omni rig, and that's fixed all my issues. I had to have him send it to me as zipped file by email, then you just drop in in the OmniRig "Rig" folder to see in dropdown list.
I am having very similar issues with my Kenwood TS-590sg.. I used the TS-590 selection in Omni-rig and it 'sort of' works.. But the 'connect station' only shows up as not grayed out for a few seconds. Also, switching frequency in omni-rig results in radio going to rsk sometimes, other times is stays in USB.. No idea if USB is what I want for all bands but that's where it goes. And, finally, transmit doesn't work at all. Trying CQ.. sometimes it shows up as an outgoing message with no subsequent transmit.. other times the outgoing message stays blank.
The forum software is not working for a download,:
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