Need Configuration Help: VARA HF Modem & VarAC with IC-7300

I believe these questions have been answered, but if not - the main thing to remember in setting up VarAC with the IC-7300 is that you MUST use CAT control if you want VarAC to control the rig properly.

good evening, What was the fix? Seems I am having the same issue- I can still Winlink with VaraHF but not able to get a handshake with VarAC... Can you share the settings?

73

Mike

I assume you have solved your problem by know - in case not: Did you make all correct adjustments in the Connection setting of your IC-7000? These are different for what you need for HRD/WSJTX. There is a good video on that, I had exactly the same problem:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n6NWh0Cmpo

Also using Omni-Rig with Omni-Rig Client was helpful.

73 Gustav (DO5GD)

Thanks to all! Got VarAC working and had my first QSO with a station not even their! Looks really neat. 73, Carl WA0CQG

Hi Carl - I have exactly the same setup, except Win 10 Pro 64. I'd be happy to help with either TeamViewer or Zoom (or both). Look me up on QRZ and send me a direct email if you like. My time is flexible (I am retired).

For starters make sure you have the latest versions of both. I recommnd the TrippLite USB cable which has a ferrite bead, and just plain always works. Also make sure you have the correct Icom driver, and that it properly installed (you no doubt know all that, so just double checking). Here is the cable:

https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Hi-Speed-Ferrite-U023-006/dp/B003MQ29B2/ref=sr_1_5?crid=16XNIXMSLH10Y&keywords=tripp+lite+usb+cable&qid=1678037649&sprefix=tripp+lite+usb+cable%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-5

Let me know ...

73

Lyn, W0LEN (ex-MN )

Gary .... doing a TeamViewer session could be very useful, Unfortunately, the rest of today is pretty well tied up. Maybe sometime Monday on would be great. I did reload JTDX for FT8 and is working properly.

Thanks to the efforts of Glenn, N3MEL, I made some progress today, But still not working correctly. I was able to decode on 14.105 but the the PTT test fails. The PC is running Windows 11 PRO and Ports are COM 1 and 3 . The driver for Port 3 is Silicon Labs CP210x. The CAT cable from the IC-7300 has a Ferrite cord with 11-turns. When that is connected to a j5create 7-port USB hub the VARA HF VU meter reads mid scale, however when the hub is bypassed and the ICOM CAT cable is connected via a USB extension cable to the PC there is no reading on the VARA VU meter. It is possible that the extension cable is defective. What is important to note here is that even with a VU meter reading, the "test PTT-ON" button on VarAC setting does not work. The radio CI-V Baud Rate is 19200 and VaraC is set to the same rate. Depressing the button produces a red error message that says "Unable to send command to Com port. Make sure that Omnirig or other programs are NOT holding this COM port access to the port 'COM3' is denied." It does not appear that other applications are running that use COM 1 or 3. When the CAT cable is disconnected from the hub, then COM3 disappears. It also seems that other rig control functions like frequency change do not work. I also not that FT8 using JTDX as well as WSJT-X works just fine with the same PC and cables. BTW, the drivers are the latest from ICOM Japan. I did discover that many calls and associated data (bandwidth, time, slot and SNR were captured and logged.

One commenter asked for details so here they are. Comments or Suggestions?

73, Carl WA0CQG

How about you start with what you have done and where you have issues? Otherwise it will be a game of 10,000 questions. Luckily you have a radio that is super simple to interface with VarAC and VARA.