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V3.7.9 doesn't recognize VARA HF license the second time opened

Title says it all: V3.7.9 doesn't recognize VARA HF license the second time opened. The first time I opened a new install of V3.7.9 (No previous install) it recognized my license and allowed me to [TUNE] from the front panel. The second time I opened the program up it said I needed a license for VARA HF. I checked the rev and it is VARA HF V4.6.2 and the license key is in the settings. Anyhow, the rig is IC 7300 and all is operating properly.

5 comments

5 Comments

kb0ne.ars

May 22, 2022

PROBLEM SOLVED!

Thanks to Irad, he pointed out that I had entered my call in VAR AC as KB0NE-5 and that the VARA license was just KB0NE which makes things misbehave. So in other words: It was a dumb operator error.

This was easily fixed by editing the file VarAC.ini with notepad and changing my call by dropping the '-5'. All is right with the world now.

Thanks again Irad!

kb0ne.ars

May 21, 2022

email sent

irad d

May 20, 2022

It takes a few seconds from startup for VarAC to identify that your VARA modem license is there. the VARA modem sends a commands out that tells if it is registered or not. Until this message broadcasted, VarAC can't tell.

I assume you started VarAC and hit the TUNE immediately ?

Is this reproducible ?

kb0ne.ars

May 21, 2022

Replying to

Hi,

No, I tried several times and not immediately at boot-up.

I went out to the ham shack and tried this again and documented what I did. I don't see a place on this forum to attach files or such but I do have a pdf of screen shots and the steps I used if you want it. And, yes, the problem repeated itself again for documentation purposes.

Here is the text without (SCREEN SHOT):

------------------------

IC 7300 turned on. Boot computer. Start VARAC.

(VARAC V3.7.9 WITH TUNE BLACKED OUT)

It has been about 5 minutes now and VAR AC screen still looks the same with the tune button blacked out.

VAR AC brings up VARA HF

(VAR HF v4.6.2 AND PICTURE SHOWING LICENSE ENTERED)

Next step is to call CQ on 10 meters…. Full power out…. ALC set correctly from earlier setup in winlink express which is accepting license for full bandwidth ops. Gerbil chatter heard in the monitor. After CQ, the tune button is now visible.

(SMALL SCREEN SHOT OF TUNE BUTTON LIGHT UP)

Pressing TUNE button presents this:

(SCREEN SHOT OF "TUNE REQUIRES A LICENSE")

After clicking OK on the error message, the TUNE button is still visible so I click TUNE again… same results.

( "TUNE REQUIRES A LICENSE")

So, YES, it is quite repeatable.

-----------------

Like I said, this is a new installation of VARAC. Installation consists of copying all the unzipped files to a handy VARAC folder and clicking on the .exe file. So the program isn't installed in the traditional sense.... Perhaps there is something that is needed from a previous install that I need to put in.

Like I had said, this isn't a show stopper but it might be an indication of some oddity lurking underneath the hood.

Best 73 KB0NE

irad d

May 21, 2022

Replying to

@kb0ne.ars Ok. thanks for elaborating.

You can upload images here easily. with COPY & PASTE.

I would like to see this please though:

Start VarAC from scratch
Send me a screenshot showing the TUNE button is disabled
Send me a screenshot of the modem itself (showing your callsign at the top)
Copy all the rows in the "VARA COMMANDS" section (right-click -> copy all) and paste here.

This will help me to understand what went wrong with negotiation your Modem.

If you find it hard here, please send to my email iradirad@gmail.com

73s!

Irad