I use a dummy load rather than an antenna on my client radio to periodically test my gateway. I use an rtl-Sdr to set deviation on the gateway, not auto tune.
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David, KE7RGP?
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Thank you Mike! The screenshots I¡¯m sending are pings from my gateway remotely to my client station at work. 9-10 miles LOS. Client is a 705, pa-500 and comet SBB 25 with a direct drill NMO roof mount in my mobile. Car is fully bonded and grounded and talks great. My QTH and job are directly across the Long Island sound from each other. Map attached.?
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On Jan 27, 2025, at 18:34, VA3MCT via groups.io <va3mct@...> wrote:
? Matt,
I also run an RMS and when I test between my Winlink Express and the RMS using VARA FM, I also see results I do not always like.
However, I have to take into account power and audio settings which are not suitable for testing across my backyard. I have set the RMS to work with some of our ham radio club colleagues that live 5-10KM away and so fine tuning is set that way. That obviously is not the same Autotuning that works across my backyard.
To get good tuning of VARAFM I suggest testing against other operators several KM's away.
I hope I have understood the issues you are facing and this proves useful.
73, Mike Crabtree - VA3MCT On Mon, 27 Jan 2025 at 18:11, Matt N2NFG via <matthewlangone= [email protected]> wrote: Wait a dang second. When I ping my client station with my gateway remotely, these are my numbers. Is the bad S/N coming from my client station? (On the right)? <image0.jpeg> ? Thanks for the reply Ken! I¡¯ve been following these guidelines to a T, unfortunately no luck. Connections are working fine I¡¯m just not understanding why my SNR is so terrible? ? Do both radios have to be on narrow?
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I get similarly weird ping readings if I test my WE VARA FM client against my RMS at close range. Signals are just too strong and upset various readings (some are strong green and one or more are red, making no sense). ? I can verify this by taking my WE rig mobile and things settle down once I¡¯m half a mile or so away.
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On Jan 27, 2025, at 6:34?PM, VA3MCT via groups.io <va3mct@...> wrote: ? Matt,
I also run an RMS and when I test between my Winlink Express and the RMS using VARA FM, I also see results I do not always like.
However, I have to take into account power and audio settings which are not suitable for testing across my backyard. I have set the RMS to work with some of our ham radio club colleagues that live 5-10KM away and so fine tuning is set that way. That obviously is not the same Autotuning that works across my backyard.
To get good tuning of VARAFM I suggest testing against other operators several KM's away.
I hope I have understood the issues you are facing and this proves useful.
73, Mike Crabtree - VA3MCT On Mon, 27 Jan 2025 at 18:11, Matt N2NFG via <matthewlangone= [email protected]> wrote: Wait a dang second. When I ping my client station with my gateway remotely, these are my numbers. Is the bad S/N coming from my client station? (On the right)? <image0.jpeg> ? Thanks for the reply Ken! I¡¯ve been following these guidelines to a T, unfortunately no luck. Connections are working fine I¡¯m just not understanding why my SNR is so terrible? ? Do both radios have to be on narrow?
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Matt,
I also run an RMS and when I test between my Winlink Express and the RMS using VARA FM, I also see results I do not always like.
However, I have to take into account power and audio settings which are not suitable for testing across my backyard. I have set the RMS to work with some of our ham radio club colleagues that live 5-10KM away and so fine tuning is set that way. That obviously is not the same Autotuning that works across my backyard.
To get good tuning of VARAFM I suggest testing against other operators several KM's away.
I hope I have understood the issues you are facing and this proves useful.
73, Mike Crabtree - VA3MCT
On Mon, 27 Jan 2025 at 18:11, Matt N2NFG via <matthewlangone= [email protected]> wrote: Wait a dang second. When I ping my client station with my gateway remotely, these are my numbers. Is the bad S/N coming from my client station? (On the right)?  ? Thanks for the reply Ken! I¡¯ve been following these guidelines to a T, unfortunately no luck. Connections are working fine I¡¯m just not understanding why my SNR is so terrible? ? Do both radios have to be on narrow?
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Wait a dang second. When I ping my client station with my gateway remotely, these are my numbers. Is the bad S/N coming from my client station? (On the right)? 
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On Jan 27, 2025, at 18:06, Matt N2NFG via groups.io <matthewlangone@...> wrote:
? Thanks for the reply Ken! I¡¯ve been following these guidelines to a T, unfortunately no luck. Connections are working fine I¡¯m just not understanding why my SNR is so terrible? On Jan 27, 2025, at 17:37, David Lowry via groups.io <huskyrunnr@...> wrote:
? Do both radios have to be on narrow?
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Thanks for the reply Ken! I¡¯ve been following these guidelines to a T, unfortunately no luck. Connections are working fine I¡¯m just not understanding why my SNR is so terrible?
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On Jan 27, 2025, at 17:37, David Lowry via groups.io <huskyrunnr@...> wrote:
? Do both radios have to be on narrow?
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They¡¯ll work on wide but I dont think it makes much, I f any difference, at least for the ft-2980 because it doesn¡¯t have the capability. The 705 and my d75 I¡¯m sure can do 9600
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On Jan 27, 2025, at 17:37, David Lowry via groups.io <huskyrunnr@...> wrote:
? Do both radios have to be on narrow?
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Do both radios have to be on narrow?
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On Mon, Jan 27, 2025 at 01:58 PM, Matt N2NFG wrote:
?
Good afternoon, Matt - Since its a gateway set-up issue, you might cross-post to the Winlink groups.io feed ( /g/Winlink ) - many members of the Winlink Development Team monitor that page and may be able to provide some guidance. ?
Second: This is my go-to when trying to troubleshoot gateway issues:
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Lastly, the guideline linked above shows a PTT Port of "EXT." The dropdown menu has other options. I'd suggest trying other options for DigiRig. I know my setting vary depending on which sound interface I'm using - examples: DRA-50, Signalink, etc.? I've haven't used the DigiRig so can't provide specific guidance.
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Good luck!
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73, Ken NB6S
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Re: VARA locks up on transmit
Thanks for your suggestions.? I thought the same but then turned the radio off and still had the problem.? Upon further futzing around I've found that the VARA "Auto Tune" feature works correctly but the "Tune" feature still locks up.
Anyway...
It's working now.
Jim Price KO6GM
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Re: VARA locks up on transmit
I didn't see what radio you are using. I had an issue with my Xiegu x6200 with the power latching on when pushing the button on the radio.? Under the Settings 2 menu Check the PTT mode button - it should be on "NORMAL" not "TOGGLE".?You might also want to set in SETTING1 menu, the "MIC SEL" value to whichever you want to use "HANDLE" or "BUILT-IN" rather than "AUTO" in this menu.
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Just an FYI.
Keith
N1XTK
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Re: Major Updates Changing Sound Device Sort Order
There are many other things that can monkey with your audio settings, besides a Windows update.? Just blaming Windows update for all their woes is what gets my goat.
For instance, I've discovered that when using Jitsi conferencing, it monkeys with my mic audio level settings, such that after the meeting is over, I have to remember to go back into Zoom and set my mic gain back to where it was before Jitsi hijacked it.? And no, Jitsi has no controls to set the mic gain manually from with the program.? It just decides on its own to lower my mic gain.
There are literally dozens (hundreds?) of interactions between apps, drivers, and even web-based stuff that can mess with your PC settings, so again, the only thing I'm tired of hearing is folks jumping to the conclusion that it was a Windows update that blew their settings, without spending any time investigating what REALLY happened.
73,
-- Dave, N8SBE, Hamshack Hotline 550-0971, HamsOverIP 101018, AmateurWire 1348
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On 2025-01-24 07:46, Joel Black - W4JBB via groups.io wrote:
Well, Dave, then you've never had to deal with laptops in a work environment where Windows and its updates will re-arrange (or remove) USB ports and sound devices. I can tell you from experience that it's frustrating as hell to be at a remote m/w site and cannot figure out why your laptop won't talk to the m/w and you wind up having to troubleshoot the laptop *before* you can troubleshoot the m/w radio - usually at 0200 (you never get a problem during the day). Sometimes a simple reboot would fix it, sometimes not. I've actually had to leave a site, find an office with a company network (because the m/w radio is down; therefore, no network), download correct drivers, and drive back out to the site. So, no, just leaving things plugged into a Windows machine (not always possible because of work laptops) or always using the same port doesn't always work. In my line of work, I learned a long time ago against using absolutes.
I don't generally discuss Windows issues because I only use it when forced to - my job forces me to use Windows. When it's their laptop, they get to do with it what they want.
For VARA, I use it in CrossOver on my Mac.
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Regards,
Joel - W4JBB
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Re: VARA locks up on transmit
I rechecked the sound setting and tried L+R.? No luck.? I'll try another sound card.? That should do it.
Jim Price KO6GM
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Re: VARA locks up on transmit
If there was a recent windows update, I'd check Windows Sound settings as these are sometimes changed during updates.? Dell PC's also add their own sound processing app as well.
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--
Roy Dugger, KD6R
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Re: VARA locks up on transmit
On Fri, Jan 24, 2025 at 07:35 PM, CalOES SOCC Officer - Jim Price wrote:
I noticed my VARA FM RMS was not receiving connections.? I checked the settings and all seemed OK.? I went into Settings/SoundCard and clicked "Tune" in order to check the output audio level.? The system locked up and would not stop transmitting when I reclicked the "Tune" button.? I tried this with the radio off to see if it was an RF issue and had the same lockup.? I reinstalled VARA FM--It's v4.3.8.? The Left channel is selected.? It still locks up.? The computer is a Window 10 machine and the sound card is a Masters Communications DRA-45.? All was working before.
Any suggestions?
Jim Price KO6GM
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Have you tried this VARA HF soundcard setting?
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-K0ION
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Where can I find more information on VaraDroid? M
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Re: VARA locks up on transmit
I had to ask...
In regards to the issue at hand, I am at a loss for advice! When I have had such situations, it was usually the result of switching sound cards from the Signalink to the Digirig and needing to adjust those particular settings.?
I wish I could be of more help.
73
Sincerely, ?Mr. Chris A. Robinson? ?KF6NFW / WQOQ661
My bad i missed that you had the radio off
On Fri, Jan 24, 2025, 8:57?PM Chris Robinson KF6NFW DMR ID 3153250 via <kf6nfw= [email protected]> wrote: if the radio is off, or not connected and he re-installed the SW. how would RFI be the issue?
Sincerely, ?Mr. Chris A. Robinson? ?KF6NFW / WQOQ661
Something has changed on ypur antenna system possibly. I had this happen to me, a rodent/bird/animal damaged my feedline outside and water was causing RF in my shack, locking up the computer/transmitter.? Check SWR and try low power to see if the issue changes. Let us know what you find.
On Fri, Jan 24, 2025, 8:35?PM CalOES SOCC Officer - Jim Price via <hjamesprice= [email protected]> wrote: I noticed my VARA FM RMS was not receiving connections.? I checked the settings and all seemed OK.? I went into Settings/SoundCard and clicked "Tune" in order to check the output audio level.? The system locked up and would not stop transmitting when I reclicked the "Tune" button.? I tried this with the radio off to see if it was an RF issue and had the same lockup.? I reinstalled VARA FM--It's v4.3.8.? The Left channel is selected.? It still locks up.? The computer is a Window 10 machine and the sound card is a Masters Communications DRA-45.? All was working before.
Any suggestions?
Jim Price KO6GM
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Re: VARA locks up on transmit
My bad i missed that you had the radio off
On Fri, Jan 24, 2025, 8:57?PM Chris Robinson KF6NFW DMR ID 3153250 via <kf6nfw= [email protected]> wrote:
if the radio is off, or not connected and he re-installed the SW. how would RFI be the issue?
Sincerely, ?Mr. Chris A. Robinson? ?KF6NFW / WQOQ661
Something has changed on ypur antenna system possibly. I had this happen to me, a rodent/bird/animal damaged my feedline outside and water was causing RF in my shack, locking up the computer/transmitter.? Check SWR and try low power to see if the issue changes. Let us know what you find.
On Fri, Jan 24, 2025, 8:35?PM CalOES SOCC Officer - Jim Price via <hjamesprice= [email protected]> wrote: I noticed my VARA FM RMS was not receiving connections.? I checked the settings and all seemed OK.? I went into Settings/SoundCard and clicked "Tune" in order to check the output audio level.? The system locked up and would not stop transmitting when I reclicked the "Tune" button.? I tried this with the radio off to see if it was an RF issue and had the same lockup.? I reinstalled VARA FM--It's v4.3.8.? The Left channel is selected.? It still locks up.? The computer is a Window 10 machine and the sound card is a Masters Communications DRA-45.? All was working before.
Any suggestions?
Jim Price KO6GM
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Re: VARA locks up on transmit
if the radio is off, or not connected and he re-installed the SW. how would RFI be the issue?
Sincerely, ?Mr. Chris A. Robinson? ?KF6NFW / WQOQ661
Something has changed on ypur antenna system possibly. I had this happen to me, a rodent/bird/animal damaged my feedline outside and water was causing RF in my shack, locking up the computer/transmitter.? Check SWR and try low power to see if the issue changes. Let us know what you find.
On Fri, Jan 24, 2025, 8:35?PM CalOES SOCC Officer - Jim Price via <hjamesprice= [email protected]> wrote: I noticed my VARA FM RMS was not receiving connections.? I checked the settings and all seemed OK.? I went into Settings/SoundCard and clicked "Tune" in order to check the output audio level.? The system locked up and would not stop transmitting when I reclicked the "Tune" button.? I tried this with the radio off to see if it was an RF issue and had the same lockup.? I reinstalled VARA FM--It's v4.3.8.? The Left channel is selected.? It still locks up.? The computer is a Window 10 machine and the sound card is a Masters Communications DRA-45.? All was working before.
Any suggestions?
Jim Price KO6GM
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Matt N2NFG
Ken Crouse
CalOES SOCC Officer - Jim Price
Lloyd KO4L