Re: Yaesu FTM-500 integration with Digrig
I would assume this cable would work. I am using it with a FTM-6000.
On Mon, Feb 24, 2025 at 6:45?PM Derrick Beard via <derrick.beard= [email protected]> wrote: Lawrence - did you ever get this resolved? I'm having the symptoms.? I'm using Yaesu's CT-164 10pin to 6pin cable connected to the digirig 6 pin (male) 1200 baud to TRRS audio.? I've also used the digirig 10 pin (male) to TRRS 1200 baud cable.? Both will trigger the PTT but a signal isn't transmitted through the radio (even though I can hear it through headphones plugged into the digirig).? My sound from the radio is received through the window sound devices and Vara FM as evidenced by their meters.? Hopefully you are monitoring this site still... Looking forward to hearing back from you.
?
73,
Derrick, K6SPX
? ?
|
Re: Yaesu FTM-500 integration with Digrig
Lawrence - did you ever get this resolved? I'm having the symptoms.? I'm using Yaesu's CT-164 10pin to 6pin cable connected to the digirig 6 pin (male) 1200 baud to TRRS audio.? I've also used the digirig 10 pin (male) to TRRS 1200 baud cable.? Both will trigger the PTT but a signal isn't transmitted through the radio (even though I can hear it through headphones plugged into the digirig).? My sound from the radio is received through the window sound devices and Vara FM as evidenced by their meters.? Hopefully you are monitoring this site still... Looking forward to hearing back from you.
?
73,
Derrick, K6SPX
? ?
|
Re: Winlink RMS Packet with VARA FM and Soundmodem
George, this is a very timely post as I was trying to do exactly the same yesterday. I followed the recipe that Steve K3FZT posted, but I am having issues with the PTT. I am using an IC-9700 as the radio. As VA3MCT said, the way to do this would be with VOX. Somehow, I am unable to get VOX to work with the 9700 connected to the PC, so I must be missing something simple. If anybody has suggestions, please let me know!
?
Facundo-KK4ODA
|
Re: Winlink RMS Packet with VARA FM and Soundmodem
On 2/24/2025 1:43 PM, Bob W0EG via
groups.io wrote:
I am relatively new to this.? I use VARA HF with
an Icom IC-7300 and VARA FM with Alinco DR-135 and Repeater
Builder 9600 interface.? Both use PTT, just by checking the box
for RA-board in VARA setup.? No need for COM port settings.
?
It's trivial UNTIL you want to run two or more sound card apps on
the same sound device at the same time (such as both AX. 25 packet
with the UZ7HO Soundmodem -AND- VARA ).? Then all hell breaks
loose as two or more programs fight for control of the same COM
port.
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
??
-
?
|
Re: Winlink RMS Packet with VARA FM and Soundmodem
I am relatively new to this.? I use VARA HF with an Icom IC-7300 and VARA FM with Alinco DR-135 and Repeater Builder 9600 interface.? Both use PTT, just by checking the box for RA-board in VARA setup.? No need for COM port settings.
On 2/24/2025 12:30 PM, Larry Burns via
wrote:
Why are you using VOX ? It's not needed in the setup
as sound modem has its own PTT.?
?VOX (as in a SignaLink or the "DATA VOX" function on some Yaesu
radios) has huge advantages.? You avoid the hassle of serial
ports, especially on modern computers that force you to use a
USB<-->serial dongles because they lack physical serial
ports.? And you avoid the even greater hassle of CAT control over
virtual COM ports.?? Note that dedicated data-mode VOX functions
are far faster on keyup and unkey than normal voice VOX setups.
But most importantly, VOX allows you to use two different
soundcard digimode apps (like VARA and the Soundmodem) on the same
sound card at the same time -- without the problem of two programs
fighting to control the same COM port at the same time.
Stephen H. Smith??? wa8lmf (at)
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
??
-
?
|
Re: Winlink RMS Packet with VARA FM and Soundmodem
On 2/24/2025 12:30 PM, Larry Burns via
groups.io wrote:
Why are you using VOX ? It's not needed in the setup
as sound modem has its own PTT.?
?VOX (as in a SignaLink or the "DATA VOX" function on some Yaesu
radios) has huge advantages.? You avoid the hassle of serial
ports, especially on modern computers that force you to use a
USB<-->serial dongles because they lack physical serial
ports.? And you avoid the even greater hassle of CAT control over
virtual COM ports.?? Note that dedicated data-mode VOX functions
are far faster on keyup and unkey than normal voice VOX setups.
But most importantly, VOX allows you to use two different
soundcard digimode apps (like VARA and the Soundmodem) on the same
sound card at the same time -- without the problem of two programs
fighting to control the same COM port at the same time.
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
??
-
?
|
Re: Winlink RMS Packet with VARA FM and Soundmodem
Why are you using VOX ? It's not needed in the setup as sound modem has its own PTT.?
Scott,
I have gotten SoundModem working flawlessly for several YCARES gateways I switched from hardware packet TNCs to using DRA's or SignaLinks where I new I need to use a program that only supported VOX.? I've also converted several dual mode installations to use SoundModem that I had originally used DireWolf and I have built several YCARES Digital Go-Kits to use SoundModem, relying on previous recommendations I've seen from you.? Up until now I've had no issues, but for some reason, I couldn't get this particular installation to work.? The DireWolf install was a Hail Mary attempt to get Packet working on this installation.? ?I was on a dead line to have it working an placed before the next YCARES Drill since it worked I left it alone.
?
Fast forward several months.? ?That system has not yet been placed in its targeted location due to water damage that occurred at it target location just before it was to installed.? ?So, after seeing your PTT.dll comment, and since I still have easy physical access, I got into its PC to see if somehow I had overlooked the PTT.dll.? I hadn't, it was there. I then tried switching back to SoundModem.? No joy still no PTT.? ?I even checked for a rogue directory of SoundModem just incase I had it in two locations and was starting a different SoundModem than the one that had the PTT.dll.? ?I've been using the system for most of the YCARES Winlink Net and have found it to be reliable.? I often use Packet days I suspect little or no messages will be downloaded as there is a measurably shorter time for the Winlink Packet Session when there is nothing to send or deliver than with VARA FM.??
?
?
Brian?
|
Re: Winlink VARA-FM working with AIOC and Baofeng
Yes, it was Bullard's Beach! We had amazing fish'n'chips at a little place in the harbor, and enjoyed a cranberry bog tour. We found that the cranberry-rum jam was amazing! Sadly, the day we drove back home was 9/11/2001. We were listening to the radio as we drove, and kept hearing the reporting about the fires and deaths in New York and wondering what was going on, as no one said what specifically had happened. We stopped at a convenience store in McCloud, and they had the TV on, and we discovered what had happened.
73,
Dave, KJ7WT
|
Re: Winlink RMS Packet with VARA FM and Soundmodem
Scott,
I have gotten SoundModem working flawlessly for several YCARES gateways I switched from hardware packet TNCs to using DRA's or SignaLinks where I new I need to use a program that only supported VOX.? I've also converted several dual mode installations to use SoundModem that I had originally used DireWolf and I have built several YCARES Digital Go-Kits to use SoundModem, relying on previous recommendations I've seen from you.? Up until now I've had no issues, but for some reason, I couldn't get this particular installation to work.? The DireWolf install was a Hail Mary attempt to get Packet working on this installation.? ?I was on a dead line to have it working an placed before the next YCARES Drill since it worked I left it alone.
?
Fast forward several months.? ?That system has not yet been placed in its targeted location due to water damage that occurred at it target location just before it was to installed.? ?So, after seeing your PTT.dll comment, and since I still have easy physical access, I got into its PC to see if somehow I had overlooked the PTT.dll.? I hadn't, it was there. I then tried switching back to SoundModem.? No joy still no PTT.? ?I even checked for a rogue directory of SoundModem just incase I had it in two locations and was starting a different SoundModem than the one that had the PTT.dll.? ?I've been using the system for most of the YCARES Winlink Net and have found it to be reliable.? I often use Packet days I suspect little or no messages will be downloaded as there is a measurably shorter time for the Winlink Packet Session when there is nothing to send or deliver than with VARA FM.??
?
?
Brian?
|
Re: Winlink VARA-FM working with AIOC and Baofeng
That would be Bullard's Beach State Park. The local radio group often has POTA activations there.
I am on the bluffs above Old Town and my Gateway has excellent coverage.
?
Bring your toys!
?
Thomas
KF7RSF
|
Re: Winlink VARA-FM working with AIOC and Baofeng
Thomas,
Thanks for that information. I'm not sure exactly what led me to think that the "Radio only" mode was correct, but glad I was finally able to stumble my way to a working solution!
BTW, I saw that you live in a town in Oregon that my wife and I visited a number of years ago, and camped at the state park nearby. We had a wonderful time, and will have to return for another visit one of these years, hi!
So, at this point, I can run VARA-HF or VARA-FM and get good results. Now my next step is to get some other radios (not handhelds!) for these modes.
73,
Dave KJ7WT
|
Re: Winlink VARA-FM working with AIOC and Baofeng
Congratulations on sorting out issues!
I strongly suggest that you stay as far from the Radio-Only modes as possible. These modes were written into the Winlink software to serve as a last resort in case of continent or world-wide loss of the internet. These methods are only possible if the final recipient has properly registered his personal choice of 1 or 2 MPS (Mail Pickup Stations) well in advance. You can also only send to an Amateur Call Sign - no sending to a SMTP email address. Even if these restrictions are met, there is no way to know when the message will make it to the recipient. HF forwarding from Gateway to Gateway is required, and can take many hours or even days to arrive. And, the message does not go to the recipient - it goes to his MPSs, and can only be picked up by the recipient connecting there.
I can say with certainty that if these methods are ever really needed, you are going to have many worse problems occupying your efforts. Communication will be well down the list.
Well-intentioned efforts to use these methods waste a lot of time, fail frequently, and serve little purpose. Many Gateway Admins wish they would just go away.
Concentrate on the routine use of the session types that include Winlink in their name, ie., Vara HF Winlink or Packet Winlink or VARA FM Winlink, and only when you are secure in your ability to connect and transfer data efficiently explore the modes in the second section of the drop-down menu - those that end in P2P.
Thomas Noel ?/WDT KF7RSF/NNA0WL
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Feb 23, 2025, at 17:08, Dave Telling, KJ7WT via groups.io <davetelling@...> wrote:
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
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
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.
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
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 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
--
|
Re: Winlink RMS Packet with VARA FM and Soundmodem
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
??
-
?
|
Tyler Griffiths
Brian - W7OWO
Thomas KF7RSF
Tom Whiteside
Scott Currie
Wes Larson