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Re: Winlink RMS Packet with VARA FM and Soundmodem

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you. For all the advice and comments.
?
I have both packet and VARA FM working on the test gateway.
?
Tonight I installed COM Port splitter software and set up two com ports. I linked Soundmodem and VARA FM to these ports. I sent and received messages, some with templates, in both packet and VARA FM. I was even able to send and receive short messages with a? Baofeng? UV-5R and Digirig in the client station.
?
Now I need to spend some time reading other recommended information and do some tweaking. Some of club members may be interested in separate packet and VARA FM gateway stations.
?
Thanks so much for your help.
?
George VY1GP
Winlink VARA-FM working with AIOC and Baofeng

 

Hello All,
Well, I feel kind of foolish posting this, but I got my Winlink/VARA-FM/AIOC/Baofeng combo working, and it was partly due to my ignorance and an unexpected hardware issue.
My hardware setup worked to access a local BBS using Outpost and Direwolf, so I was pretty sure that aspect was good, but I could not get Winlink (RMS Express) to send or receive messages. My system would seemingly connect, but then after about 15 seconds, disconnect without doing any message actions.
I had been using "Vara FM Radio-only" as the session selection. I had tried "Vara FM Winlink" but could not even get an initial connection, so I thought that wasn't the correct protocol. Subsequently, I discovered that the battery in my Baofeng was basically down to the point where it was not responding to the PTT from the AIOC, so I charged it back up, tried "Vara FM Radio-0nly", but still no joy. I then though I'd try the "Vara FM Winlink" again, since I figured it could have failed because of the PTT issue and - success! I made a good connection, sent and received a couple of messages, and also tried with my Anytone 878 radio.
So, that has been my experience, perhaps it may help if someone else is scratching their heads about connection issues.
73, Dave, KJ7WT
Re: Winlink RMS Packet with VARA FM and Soundmodem

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

I also calibrate for VARA FM but aim for the VARA FM receive level to be around -6dB.?? This produces a good deviation level with Sound Modem.

?

Tom N5TW

_._,_._,_
Re: Winlink RMS Packet with VARA FM and Soundmodem

 

I agree that it can be difficult to get optimum levels for both packet and Vara FM. I usually optimize for Vara FM as soundmodem is pretty forgiving and seems to do well with a wider range of levels. Far better to use 2 sound cards and 2 radios on different frequencies/bands. Dual-mode is not really recommended in my mind.
?
-Scott, NS7C?
Re: Winlink RMS Packet with VARA FM and Soundmodem

 

John Denison
The only thing that could interfere?with performance is the COM Port splitter, it is software and software does run?on a processor and it theoretically?could cause a truncation?of performance. But your suggestion would require double the sound devices and double?the radios. Because of the?SSIDs they could still be on the same frequency. So to save money use a COM Port splitter?and have only one sound device and one radio per frequency?and or band. AND YES it all could run on one PC.

On Sun, Feb 23, 2025 at 1:44?PM John Denison via <kd5you=[email protected]> wrote:
Have you considered setting up two gateways on the same PC? It seems like every gateway in my area that has both packet and VARA FM on the same radio & sound card has poor performance (speed step down) on VARA FM but good performance on packet. I'm guessing that is due to not being able to set the audio to be correct for both packet and VARA FM. My gateways use separate installations, radio and sound card/tnc for both packet and VARA FM, and stations that connect typically don't experience any speed step down except for rare occasions.
?
73
John Denison
KD5YOU



--
Wes Larson
KF7BWS
Re: Winlink RMS Packet with VARA FM and Soundmodem

 

Have you considered setting up two gateways on the same PC? It seems like every gateway in my area that has both packet and VARA FM on the same radio & sound card has poor performance (speed step down) on VARA FM but good performance on packet. I'm guessing that is due to not being able to set the audio to be correct for both packet and VARA FM. My gateways use separate installations, radio and sound card/tnc for both packet and VARA FM, and stations that connect typically don't experience any speed step down except for rare occasions.
?
73
John Denison
KD5YOU
Re: Winlink RMS Packet with VARA FM and Soundmodem

 

Brian (W7OWO) has been a very beneficial?consultant for our (K7MAR) project. After much hair pulling and frustration the "Mike Spohn N1SPW" document "Windows-11 Digirig Sound Settings" got us on the right path and we are now fully functional as a dual band VARA FM RMS Gateway. The next step is to get Packet working for a dual mode, dual band, gateway. It is absolutely?necessary?for us to use a COM Port splitter to allow two applications to share the same COM Port. I have looked into several different COM Port splitters one is??but in reading the WEB page I have made an assumption?that it is only free for a period?of time. So I am leaning toward one of the others that is up front concerning the cost. Listen to Brian he will?get you down the right path. My suggestion is DO NOT do dual mode at first get VARA OR Packet going first then add the second it will?be much simpler.


On Sun, Feb 23, 2025 at 12:20?PM WA8LMF via <wa8lmf3=[email protected]> wrote:
On 2/23/2025 12:58 PM, George Privett via wrote:
Thanks again.
?
?
Is C media a distinct piece of hardware or a protocol. E.g. is a the RA sound card used in VARA FM PTT and discussed in the pdf document C media compliant?
?
George



--
Wes Larson
KF7BWS
Re: Winlink RMS Packet with VARA FM and Soundmodem

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

On 2/23/2025 12:58 PM, George Privett via groups.io wrote:
Thanks again.
?
?
Is C media a distinct piece of hardware or a protocol. E.g. is a the RA sound card used in VARA FM PTT and discussed in the pdf document C media compliant?
?
George
_._,_._,_

?

The C-Media CM-108 and CM-119 sound chips, ? used in many USB sound "dongles" sound card, and used in several ham digimode interfaces (DigiRig, Masters DRA, etc), ?? have a single-bit I/O pin in addition to the analog audio inputs and outputs.??

Some sound card applications including VARA, DireWolf, the UZ7HO Soundmodem and FLdigi can set this pin high or low for PTT keying purposes. -- as an alternative to traditional serial port RTS/DTR PTT keying, or the complexities of CAT control, or VOX.?? This option variously shows up in application dialogs as "RA-PTT" or "C-Media PTT".

Because this is part of the sound system driver, (not a logical com port), there is no problem with several apps contending for control of this pin at the same time.

Data sheet on the CM-108 Sound Chip Attached


Stephen H. Smith??? wa8lmf (at) aol.com
Skype:??????? WA8LMF
EchoLink:? Node #? 14400? [Think bottom of the 2-meter band]
Home Page:?????????

30 Meter?? APRS-over VARA? Frequency?? Details Here:
????

- APRS over VARA? --
??

"Studio B" Ham Shack on Wheels
??

-
?



CM108b-Sound-Chip.pdf
CM108b-Sound-Chip.pdf

Re: Winlink RMS Packet with VARA FM and Soundmodem

 

Thanks again.
?
I will try a com port splitter app.
I have DIRWOLF loaded, but not running yet - still reading the documentation.
Is C media a distinct piece of hardware or a protocol. E.g. is a the RA sound card used in VARA FM PTT and discussed in the pdf document C media compliant?
?
George
Re: Winlink RMS Packet with VARA FM and Soundmodem

 

You can't run dual-mode using my instructions with a sound card interface that uses a COM port for PTT. You would need a COM port splitter application to make that work. My instructions assume you are using a C-Media based sound card that uses the GPIO line for PTT. This can easily be shared between both soundmodem and Vara FM.
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Brian, if you could net get PTT to work with soundmodem, you no doubt did not have the PTT-dll.zip file downloaded from UZ7HO. This is required, and works flawlessly.
?
-Scott, NS7C
Re: Winlink RMS Packet with VARA FM and Soundmodem

 

I forgot to include:
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When building the dual mode gateway with the DigiRig Lite, I found the initial volume levels recommended in the instructions were too high.? I eventually ended up with? the Windows Volume levels around 10% to 15% and a very low drive level in VARA FM.??
?
I ended up using DireWolf rather than SoundModem as I couldn't get SoundModem to operate the C-Media PTT.? A problem I didn't have with VARA FM, and my first config of DireWolf used the C-Media PTT fine.? ?I also have preference over DireWolf as I find his documentation much more explicit to my way of thinking.? ?Also DireWolf can do soundcard Lookup by name rather the position, so if? I haven't been diligent in making sure the same USB port is always used for the Sound Card, Windows may rearranges the order during a major update.? DireWolf isn't impacted by this.? ?Since several of the gateways are in ambient temperature bunkers, consumer devices with relays tend not to last long during particularly cold winters or record temperature summers.
?
Brian
Re: Winlink RMS Packet with VARA FM and Soundmodem

 

Thank you to everyone who sent advice. I tried several suggestions.
I think packet mode is getting close to working but the message is not sent.
?
Hardware:?
1. gateway - Initially Yeasu 1500M, now IC-320F & initially Digirig mobile, now Rigblaster Nomic -
2. client station: IC-208H, Digirig mobile
?
Observations:
1. Tried VOX - VARA FM quit working
2. Configured everything in "RMS Packet Dual-Mode (Packet and VARA FM Setup)" - pdf - Scott, NS7C (de K3FZT / Steve), but because I don't have an RA sound card, the VARA FM PTT is configured using the com port.? VARA FM works well.
3. I use a third transceiver to listen to the sounds going back and forth between the client station and the gateway station.
4. The gateway hears packet, the RMS Packet telnet connection opens up and looks like the Soundmodem is trying it is trying to listen and send packets back to the client station. The message is not sent to the Internet via RMS Packet telnet.? Then the transmissions stop. See info below produced in the monitor windows
5. There may be a problem in the client station, but there are no alternate gateways to test.
?
Thank you
George VY1GP
?
Information from gateway software
A. Initial start up
1. Information from RMS Packet
a. Telnet Channel Events
*** Initializing RMS Packet version 2.1.51.0 - Please standby.
*** RMS Packet is configured to use AGWPE.
*** Ready.
b. Packet Channel Events
*** VY1GP-10 logged in to AGW
*** AGWPE initialization successful @ 2025/02/23 13:02:23
*** Launching Vara FM TNC -- C:\Vara FM\VARAFM.exe
*** Launched Vara FM TNC for channel VY1GP-10
*** Successfully opened VARA FM TNC command port 127.0.0.1:8300
*** Vara FM initialization successful @ 2025/02/23 13:02:30
*** Ready.
*** Registering AGW call sign VY1GP-10, Mode=Packet_9600
*** Registering Vara FM call sign VY1GP-10, Mode=VaraFM_WIDE, Freq 145.07
*** Registering AGW call sign VY1GP-10, Mode=Packet_9600
*** Registering Vara FM call sign VY1GP-10, Mode=VaraFM_WIDE, Freq 145.07
2. Information from Soundmodem - blank monitor
3. Winlink client station
a. RMS Express, packet
*** Starting WL2K packet session...
*** Launching C:\Soundmodem\soundmodem.exe
*** Soundcard modem is running.
*** Initializing KISS over TCP Host 127.0.0.1 Port 8001
*** Initialization complete
*** Ready
b. Soundmodem monitor window: nothing, idle until "Start"
?
B: During packet exchanges after "Start"
1. Information from RMS Packet
a. Telnet Channel Events
Connected VY1GP to CMS-SSL in 0.3 seconds.
[10] Connected 2025/02/23 16:02:39
[10] Callsign :
[10] .VY1GP VY1GP
[10] ;SQ: 31032650
[10] ;SR: 07317004 145070000 3
[10] [WL2K-5.0-B2FWIHJM$]
[10] ;PQ: 43935914
[10] CMS via VY1GP >
*** Telnet link disconnected
[10] Disconnected VY1GP 2025/02/23 16:04:22
?
b. Packet Channel Events
[10] *** CONNECTED To Station VY1GP 2025/02/23 16:02:39
[10] [WL2K-5.0-B2FWIHJM$]
[10] ;PQ: 43935914
[10] CMS via VY1GP >
[10] *** DISCONNECTED From Station VY1GP 2025/02/23 16:04:17
?
2. Information from gateway Soundmodem monitor window
1:Fm VY1GP To VY1GP-10 <SABM C P> [09:02:39R] [+++]
1:Fm VY1GP-10 To VY1GP <UA R F> [09:02:40T]
1:Fm VY1GP-10 To VY1GP <I C P R0 S0 Pid=F0 Len=54> [09:02:40T]
Welcome to the VY1GP Packet/VARA FM dual mode gateway
1:Fm VY1GP To VY1GP-10 <SABM C P> [09:02:41R] [+++]
1:Fm VY1GP-10 To VY1GP <UA R F> [09:02:42T]
1:Fm VY1GP To VY1GP-10 <SABM C P> [09:02:44R] [+++]
1:Fm VY1GP-10 To VY1GP <UA R F> [09:02:45T]
1:Fm VY1GP To VY1GP-10 <SABM C P> [09:02:47R] [+++]
1:Fm VY1GP-10 To VY1GP <UA R F> [09:02:48T]
1:Fm VY1GP-10 To VY1GP <I C P R0 S0 Pid=F0 Len=54> [09:02:49T]
Welcome to the VY1GP Packet/VARA FM dual mode gateway
1:Fm VY1GP-10 To VY1GP <I C P R0 S0 Pid=F0 Len=54> [09:02:55T]
Welcome to the VY1GP Packet/VARA FM dual mode gateway
1:Fm VY1GP-10 To VY1GP <RR C P R0> [09:03:02T]
1:Fm VY1GP-10 To VY1GP <RR C P R0> [09:03:07T]
1:Fm VY1GP-10 To VY1GP <RR C P R0> [09:03:13T]
1:Fm VY1GP-10 To VY1GP <RR C P R0> [09:03:19T]
1:Fm VY1GP-10 To VY1GP <RR C P R0> [09:03:25T]
1:Fm VY1GP-10 To VY1GP <RR C P R0> [09:03:30T]
1:Fm VY1GP-10 To VY1GP <RR C P R0> [09:03:36T]
1:Fm VY1GP-10 To VY1GP <RR C P R0> [09:03:42T]
1:Fm VY1GP-10 To VY1GP <RR C P R0> [09:03:48T]
1:Fm VY1GP-10 To VY1GP <RR C P R0> [09:03:54T]
1:Fm VY1GP-10 To VY1GP <RR C P R0> [09:04:00T]
1:Fm VY1GP-10 To VY1GP <RR C P R0> [09:04:06T]
1:Fm VY1GP-10 To VY1GP <RR C P R0> [09:04:12T]
1:Fm VY1GP-10 To VY1GP <DISC C P> [09:04:17T]
?
3. Information from client station Soundmodem monitor
1:Fm VY1GP To VY1GP-10 <SABM C P> [09:02:38T]
1:Fm VY1GP To VY1GP-10 <SABM C P> [09:02:40T]
1:Fm VY1GP To VY1GP-10 <SABM C P> [09:02:43T]
1:Fm VY1GP To VY1GP-10 <SABM C P> [09:02:46T]
1:Fm VY1GP To VY1GP-10 <SABM C P> [09:02:49T]
?
4. Information from RMS Express
*** Starting to call VY1GP-10
*** Opening KISS over TCP Host 127.0.0.1 Port 8001
*** Connecting to VY1GP-10
*** Disconnected at 2025-02-23 16:02:52
*** Disconnect reported.
Re: Winlink RMS Packet with VARA FM and Soundmodem

 

I have I have 5 dual mode RMS Gateways I maintain for my ARES group, and two personal dual mode RMS Packet gateways that I use for training exercises and exploration of features and operations.? ? I always start with the PDF provided by the Winlink.org titled "RMS Packet Dual-Mode (Packet and Vara FM) Setup ?Using a single radio and sound card? " and follow the instructions.? It is located in the "How-To Recipes"? under the Book of Knowledge tab.? This collection of RMS Packet gateways use either SignaLinks, DRA's, and a single DigiRig Lite that have been donated to the cause of adding VARA FM.? All using either VOX, or C-Media PTT.? Several have been working for over 10 years, and I added VARA FM as the second mode in 2018.??
?
After trying to help a neighboring county get their planned new Dual Mode RMS gateways operational and for the first time not succeeding when following the instruction,? I did some research as I was not familiar with the DigiRig Mobile they were using.? ?My first Google search took me to the PDF I use as a guide and found that there was a very recent update of the PDF that included information about the DigiRig Mobiles.? Quoting directly from the updated 2/7/2025 document( the italics are my emphasis).
?
"PTT Port:
These instructions assume the sound card interface generates PTT using the C-Media GPIO lines (DRA, DigiRig Lite, RIM, URI, etc.), or uses VOX for PTT. Sound card interfaces that use a COM port for PTT (DigiRig Mobile, etc.) cannot be shared between software TNC applications unless a COM port splitter application is used."
?
Brian - W7OWO
?
?
Re: Connecting with VARA-FM, but not sending/receiving messages

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Make sure the cable is connected correctly. There are some cables that have an elbow in them, which be the side connecting to the radio. Connecting it with a straight jack will work but not transmit data.

-Yigal M. Rechtman, CPA, CFE, CITP, CISM

Forensic accounting and Litigation support
Cell:?917-566-0020

rechtman.com/privacy


--
Yigal Rechtman
Re: Connecting with VARA-FM, but not sending/receiving messages

 

That¡¯s normal?

On Sat, Feb 22, 2025 at 8:01?PM Dave Telling, KJ7WT via <davetelling=[email protected]> wrote:
@W0EG: Top of the 3rd green arc, about "1:30" position.
Re: Connecting with VARA-FM, but not sending/receiving messages

 

@W0EG: Top of the 3rd green arc, about "1:30" position.
Re: Connecting with VARA-FM, but not sending/receiving messages

 

How high is the VU meter on receiving?

On Sat, Feb 22, 2025 at 6:26?PM Dave Telling, KJ7WT via <davetelling=[email protected]> wrote:
I get the same result using an AIOC and a Baofeng HT with VARA-FM. Everything works great accessing a local packet BBS, so I know that the hardware is working, but when I try a Winlink session, I see that my radio connects, then I hear the Winlink node send a series of short bursts of data, but no decoding is taking place, and after a few iterations of this, the node disconnects, having neither sent nor received messages.
Dave KJ7WT
Re: Winlink RMS Packet with VARA FM and Soundmodem

 

George,
?
I have run a Wnlink Packet RMS station for about 6 years now. I use an ICOM ID-880H mobile rig and a SignalinkUSB.
?
The system is configured in both soundmodem and VARAFM to use VOX within the SignalinkUSB, Therefore no requirement to use a COM port.
?
73
Mike VA3MCT
Re: Connecting with VARA-FM, but not sending/receiving messages

 

I get the same result using an AIOC and a Baofeng HT with VARA-FM. Everything works great accessing a local packet BBS, so I know that the hardware is working, but when I try a Winlink session, I see that my radio connects, then I hear the Winlink node send a series of short bursts of data, but no decoding is taking place, and after a few iterations of this, the node disconnects, having neither sent nor received messages.
Dave KJ7WT
Re: Winlink RMS Packet with VARA FM and Soundmodem

 

Hi Mike,
?
I am running a Winlink RMS Packet gateway.? The RMS Packet automatically connects to either Soundmodem or VARA FM depending what what mode it hears coming in. I can't seem to configure the three pieces of software so this happens.
?
For a client operation, I select what ever mode I wish to use, so either Packet Winlink or VARA FM Winlink, and the appropriate software is automatically engaged correctly.
?
73
?
George
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