Hello everybody,
I'm having troubles with VarAC and my FT-991A. My setup works fine with Winlink and has previously worked with the first VarAC release. Since the 3.x release I cannot transmit but can receive normally other stations calling CQ. The FT-991A is configured for Data. OmniRig works perfectly and frequency is synced ok. My audio codecs are ok for I use them with Winlink. When I use the VARA soundcard tune button in Winlink all works fine. I can adjust the ALC level without any problem but this is not possible with VarAC. I do not understand why VarAC is not able to pipe the audio output codec to my FT-991A.
Any suggestions ? Thanks, 73 Ezio - F5MWA / K3EK
Hello Pat, Irad and Gary,
First of all I've to thank Pat for his helpful hints. As a matter of fact I started trying different setups and managed to have VarAC working after a while. However Irad is also right, for Omnirig plays a role in the whole setup. I resume (leaving the Winlink setups by side) the different setups :
VarAC on USB-D (U-D on the FT-991A display)
Menu item 72 on USB - if on Data not working (no carrier)
Menu item 109 can be either on Data or USB, both work
VarAC on USB and FT-991A on USB
(Omni Rig must be on FT-991-Data, if on FT-991 it does not work) !
Menu item 72 Data or USB, both work
Menu item 109 USB, if on Data not working (no carrier)
A last word should be said about the ramping complexification of setups in the rigs of the latest generation. There are billions of possible setups and not a single word is spent on the manuals of the different manufacturers to help us Hams use the software of our choice. Not a single example of setup is given on some of the most used software such as HRD or Fldigi only to mention those two. Of course there is Internet but some of us have spent hours to get some of our rigs working with a specific software and manufacturers seem to be unconcerned about this fact. They leave the implementation costs to us Hams or to the software developers (who on their side do NOT have all rigs at their disposal). I've spent my whole life in the world of electronics as an engineer so I can imagine what it means for a newbie to use the newest rigs. And then we complain we have not enough new Hams.....
Thanks again to all of you for your assistance.
73 - Ezio F5MWA / K3EK
Hi Ezio,
This only for Winlink use:
FT-991A connected with the USB cable
If you will use the DATA-USB modus :
Set the FT-991A menu
72 on USB
109 on DATA
Set the FT-991A in DATA-USB modus
If you will send in USB modus :
Set the FT-991A menu
72 on DATA
109 on USB
But for both settings see that the OmniRig are not in one of the used COM ports.
Now my Settings for use VarAC
FT-991A connected with the USB cable
If you will use DATA-USB modus:
Set the FT-991A menu
72 on USB
109 on DATA
Set the FT-991A in DATA-USB modus
If you will use USB modus:
Set the FT-991A menu
72 on DATA
109 on USB
I hope this will solve your problem.
73 de Pat
Hi Ezio @k3ek.us
When you try to connect someone using VarAC, and the PTT is keyed, what is the mode your transceiver is at ? Please compare it with the mode you are at using Winlink. let me know if there is any difference. As OmniRig also place your Rig at a certain mode and I suspect something around that place is happening. Irad
Hello Irad, Gary and Pat
Thank you for all your comments and suggestions to my post.
Here are the requested screenshots of my setup. I agree with all you said but please keep in mind that VARA works fine with Winlink Express, so I do not see any reason why it should not work with VarAC. My FT-991A setup should be the same except if the software uses a different way to use the Audio codec. Irad says the audio is managed by VARA but then why does it not work with VarAC ?
As you may see the VARA soundcard setup is identical for Winlink and it works fine.
I've never had such a strange occurrence and VarAC was working fine with the very first version. I had a few QSOs in January., however when I run the first version again it does no longer work. I've VarAC in my documents folder as the first version.
Thank you in advance to let me know if you find out what may be wrong. 73
Hi @k3ek.us Just to add my 2 cents. VarAC is not pushing audio. All audio is managed by the VaraHF modem. VarAC only takes care of PTT. So if the PTT is keyed ok, but no audio is going out - you better check the VARA-HF sound card configuration.
Please as Gary mentioned - if the problem persist, share some screenshot showing the prioblem. this may allow us to better understand and come up with ides.
Irad
Hi Ezio,
And here my settings of the FT-991A menu with use only the USB connection and OmniRig.
For using the FT-991A with only the USB connection you must install the Yaesu drivers
Go to Yaesu's website select the FT-991A click Files and download the FT-991A / SCU-17 USB driver (virtual com port driver)
After installing these drivers, two com ports are created
The Enhanced COM Port is used for CAT control.
The Standard COM Port is used for the TX
(the COM ports may be different from those in the example)
You can view the installed COM ports in device manager
I will this add to the manuals.
Hope this will solve your problem
73 de Pat
Hi Ezio,
I to use the FT-991A with the micro KEYER II as interface and it's work in USB and DATA-USB modus.
Here my settings of the FT-991A menu with use with the micro KEYER II and OmniRig
I will this add to the manuals.
For the VARA setup and the Omnirig and VarAC setup see the manuals I wrote
Hope this solve your problem
73 de Pat
Can you share a screenshot of your VarAC Settings page and your VARA HF Setup page? It would help a lot to see what you have set.