Re: VARA FM Winlink no connect - Stumped!
Sorry, that was a typo! I have tried high and low power, with no benefit. At this point, I have another sound card coming in later this week, and I'll see if that makes any difference. I did try uninstalling and re-installing RMS Express and VARA FM, and I also updated my AIOC sound card to the latest firmware. This issue is one of the most puzzling I have ever come across, and I know it will turn out to be something stupid that I did, but so far, everything looks correct, and as I said earlier, packet seems to work fine on a local BBS system.
On Mon, Mar 3, 2025 at 10:02 PM, Dave Telling, KJ7WT wrote:
W7DEM-10 (4 miles away);NV7LV-10 (18 miles away); KL7RI-10 (23 miles away
Dave;
I looked up all three gateway stations on . It looks like NV7LV-10 is a typo on your part... the closest call I could see on the list is NV7LC-10. If you have NV7LV-10 in the call-sign box, though, that would explain problems connecting to that gateway.
?
Gateway stations do go down occasionally, so that's a possibility. However, if you're hearing W7DEM-10 responding to other stations, that's probably not the case for that station.
?
I don't have any experience with the HTs you're using... Have you checked that you haven't bump the output power to 'low'? You probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference between TX power levels on your monitoring HT.
?
Mark - AD7EF
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Re: VARA FM Winlink no connect - Stumped!
On Mon, Mar 3, 2025 at 10:02 PM, Dave Telling, KJ7WT wrote:
W7DEM-10 (4 miles away);NV7LV-10 (18 miles away); KL7RI-10 (23 miles away
Dave;
I looked up all three gateway stations on . It looks like NV7LV-10 is a typo on your part... the closest call I could see on the list is NV7LC-10. If you have NV7LV-10 in the call-sign box, though, that would explain problems connecting to that gateway.
?
Gateway stations do go down occasionally, so that's a possibility. However, if you're hearing W7DEM-10 responding to other stations, that's probably not the case for that station.
?
I don't have any experience with the HTs you're using... Have you checked that you haven't bump the output power to 'low'? You probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference between TX power levels on your monitoring HT.
?
Mark - AD7EF
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Re: VARA FM Winlink no connect - Stumped!
W7DEM-10 (4 miles away);NV7LV-10 (18 miles away); KL7RI-10 (23 miles away. I have successfully connected to all three in the past, the one at 23 miles was a bit sketchy! All use 145.610 for their frequency, and as I mentioned, I have another radio that use
to monitor, which let's me know that I am not getting any return data from the RMS nodes.
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On Mon, Mar 3, 2025 at 02:38 PM, Dave Telling, KJ7WT wrote:
There are three 2m systems near me, all on the same frequency, and none of them respond.
What are the call-signs (and -nn extension) for those three gateway stations?
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Mark - AD7EF
?
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Re: VARA FM Winlink no connect - Stumped!
Yes to all your questions. Also, I can hear one of the nodes (not sure which one, as the frequency is shared with several in the area) make a connection to another station, and the connecting station's audio sounds (to my ear, at least) the same as what I transmit.
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On Mon, Mar 3, 2025 at 05:20 PM, Dave Telling, KJ7WT wrote:
Yes, I tried autotune and ping - no response
Do you hear all 10 Auto Tune bursts, at increasing volume levels? Watch the Auto Tune counter... if any bursts are missing, are they at the beginning or the end of the sequence?
?
Are you selecting the call of the gateway station you're trying to connect to from the VARA FM Winlink "Channel Selection" list (i.e. the "Vara FM Channel Selector" window) so that the call sign in the "Connection:" field has the -nn extension, like so?:
?
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Does the "Connection: mode drop-down field show "Direct"?
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Mark - AD7EF
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Re: VARA FM Winlink no connect - Stumped!
On Mon, Mar 3, 2025 at 02:38 PM, Dave Telling, KJ7WT wrote:
There are three 2m systems near me, all on the same frequency, and none of them respond.
What are the call-signs (and -nn extension) for those three gateway stations?
?
I'd be very surprised to see three VARA FM Winlink RMS gateway stations in close proximity all being on the same frequency.
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Mark - AD7EF
?
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Re: VARA FM Winlink no connect - Stumped!
On Mon, Mar 3, 2025 at 05:20 PM, Dave Telling, KJ7WT wrote:
Yes, I tried autotune and ping - no response
Do you hear all 10 Auto Tune bursts, at increasing volume levels? Watch the Auto Tune counter... if any bursts are missing, are they at the beginning or the end of the sequence?
?
Are you selecting the call of the gateway station you're trying to connect to from the VARA FM Winlink "Channel Selection" list (i.e. the "Vara FM Channel Selector" window) so that the call sign in the "Connection:" field has the -nn extension, like so?:
?
?
Does the "Connection: mode drop-down field show "Direct"?
?
Mark - AD7EF
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Re: RMS Trimode Hybrid Gateway
I assume the G90 is for the HF side. I don't?have HF yet but I will. My current set up: - I am using a BeeLink Mini PC running?Windows 11 Pro.
- I am using two Digirig Mobile and two Yaesu FTM-6000r. Each Digirig requires its?own USB Port. One for 2 meters VFH and one for 70 cm UHF.?
- I am using a triplexer for 2 meter, 1.4 meter (220) and 70 cm connected to one feed line to one triband antenna. Someday I will add a?third radio for 1.4 meters
- I have two installs?of Vara FM and two installs?of RMS Relay. "VARA FM-2m" and "RMS Packet 2m" for VHF. "VARA FM-70cm" and "RMS Packet 70cm" for UHF.?
- I will be adding 1.4 meters someday, requiring?a third install of?VARA Fm and RMS Packet.
- I am running one instance of RMS Relay, and RMS Relay auto starts RMS Trimode. Trimode?is not yet configured?except for Gateway information,?Call sign etc.
- After installing, in the next week a Virtual COM Port sharing software I will?be setting?up Packet for both the VHF and UHF.?
- By using a COM Port splitter or sharing?software I will be able to operate both VARA FM and Packet on both VHF and UHF using only one Digrig Mobile and radio for each VHF and UHF.
- As soon as the?funds are available I will be adding an HF radio. The HF radio will include a sound card USB connection and CAT Control. Then I will finish the RMS Trimode configuration.
- It is my hope that the HF will be both VARA and Packet as well. Again requiring the COM Port sharing software.
- Finally I have a Satellite?GPS unit which is keeping time for the Mini PC. Once the COM Port software is installed next week I will also use the GPS to configure location?information in RMS Trimode.
I hope looking at what I have done helps you in your endeavors.
I'm not sure what your getting. I see 2 soundcards. I know what the G90 does and I have used my digirig?with. I have no idea what the FT 2980 does. I have a Motorola radio using a (VHF) 9612 Kantonic TNC. I have a Master Communication DRA 36 running Vara FM on a Kenwood D 710. I also run Pactor going to IC 7300.
I have an old Dell PC which I'll be changing to New Mini PC. I'll be using a power USB hub. Each of the device that Trimode requires will be Vara HF and Pactor TNC. The VHF nodes do not require PPT as they will the radio..
Your G 90 will use the Digirig and the soundcard (Digirig) will used the sound codec and the com port will be seen by device manager.
The FT 2980 will be the other soundcard.That radio will not use VFO control. (no comport)
I see only one com port showing up in device manager which will be from your G 90.
RMS relay depending?on your setting will (Lost Internet) tell Trimode to forward the messages to a hybrid station.
USB hub with 4 ports Port 1: Digirig pointing to G 90 (Comport) Port 2: FT 2980 pointing to that sound card. (No comport) Port 3: Bluetooth for Keyboard (Comport) Port 4: Bluetooth for mouse. (comport)
I think that's what your are describing.?
73
Don Poaps
New Westminster, BC
VA7DGP DATA VA7QU ? VOICE Winlink:?va7dgp@...
Subject://wl2k ? ? ? ? ?
ALLSTAR ?530780
Hamshack Hotline5971
Mid-Island Phone Mesh 2210 2232
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
On Mon, Mar 3, 2025 at 4:05?PM Matt N2NFG via <matthewlangone= [email protected]> wrote: Has anybody gotten their hybrid RMS gateway successfully configured? I’m running relay, packet and trimode but I don’t want to tie up my 705. I’m using a g90 and ft-2980, is it possible to put both sound cards (xggcomms and DigiRig lite) on a single usb port with a hub? Antennas are a diamond x50 at ~37 ft above ground and a chelegance KC4
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Re: RMS Trimode Hybrid Gateway
I didn't mention Vara FM, depending on what sound card. I know the digirig?will need a comport to PTT the VHF radio.
73 Don Poaps
New Westminster, BC
VA7DGP DATA VA7QU ? VOICE Winlink:?va7dgp@...
Subject://wl2k ? ? ? ? ?
ALLSTAR ?530780
Hamshack Hotline5971
Mid-Island Phone Mesh 2210 2232
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
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Re: RMS Trimode Hybrid Gateway
I'm not sure what your getting. I see 2 soundcards. I know what the G90 does and I have used my digirig?with. I have no idea what the FT 2980 does. I have a Motorola radio using a (VHF) 9612 Kantonic TNC. I have a Master Communication DRA 36 running Vara FM on a Kenwood D 710. I also run Pactor going to IC 7300.
I have an old Dell PC which I'll be changing to New Mini PC. I'll be using a power USB hub. Each of the device that Trimode requires will be Vara HF and Pactor TNC. The VHF nodes do not require PPT as they will the radio..
Your G 90 will use the Digirig and the soundcard (Digirig) will used the sound codec and the com port will be seen by device manager.
The FT 2980 will be the other soundcard.That radio will not use VFO control. (no comport)
I see only one com port showing up in device manager which will be from your G 90.
RMS relay depending?on your setting will (Lost Internet) tell Trimode to forward the messages to a hybrid station.
USB hub with 4 ports Port 1: Digirig pointing to G 90 (Comport) Port 2: FT 2980 pointing to that sound card. (No comport) Port 3: Bluetooth for Keyboard (Comport) Port 4: Bluetooth for mouse. (comport)
I think that's what your are describing.?
73
Don Poaps
New Westminster, BC
VA7DGP DATA VA7QU ? VOICE Winlink:?va7dgp@...
Subject://wl2k ? ? ? ? ?
ALLSTAR ?530780
Hamshack Hotline5971
Mid-Island Phone Mesh 2210 2232
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
On Mon, Mar 3, 2025 at 4:05?PM Matt N2NFG via <matthewlangone= [email protected]> wrote: Has anybody gotten their hybrid RMS gateway successfully configured? I’m running relay, packet and trimode but I don’t want to tie up my 705. I’m using a g90 and ft-2980, is it possible to put both sound cards (xggcomms and DigiRig lite) on a single usb port with a hub? Antennas are a diamond x50 at ~37 ft above ground and a chelegance KC4
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Re: VARA FM Winlink no connect - Stumped!
Also, I forgot to mention - the initial successful connection was with a rubber duck on the HT, after that I switched to a gain antenna on the roof. I also tried going back to the rubber duck, but still no joy. 73, Dave KJ7WT?
The message in the outbox won't affect the connection, but selecting VARA FM P2P vs VARA FM Winlink will.
?
Dave I've been able to use an HT to connect to Winlink gateways that were either really close or if my antenna was on a tall mast. The time of day can affect really weak signals that seem to work early, but not at all during the day. I can hit my Winlink gateways from my car 17 miles away at work just after sunrise, and my gateway antennas are in the attic above the second floor. Not long after, it becomes impossible to reach my gateways. The reason why I mentioned this is that if nothing in your QTH has changed, then it must be something outside that has changed. Can you try using an external antenna mount at a higher elevation or at least one with higher gain?
?
73
John Denison
KD5YOU
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Re: VARA FM Winlink no connect - Stumped!
I always select VARA FM Winlink for my sessions. Also, the gateway is just 7 miles from my QTH, and I have no problem connecting with a packet node (2m) that is 20+ miles away. I literally had just made a successful connection a few minutes earlier. 73, Dave KJ7WT?
The message in the outbox won't affect the connection, but selecting VARA FM P2P vs VARA FM Winlink will.
?
Dave I've been able to use an HT to connect to Winlink gateways that were either really close or if my antenna was on a tall mast. The time of day can affect really weak signals that seem to work early, but not at all during the day. I can hit my Winlink gateways from my car 17 miles away at work just after sunrise, and my gateway antennas are in the attic above the second floor. Not long after, it becomes impossible to reach my gateways. The reason why I mentioned this is that if nothing in your QTH has changed, then it must be something outside that has changed. Can you try using an external antenna mount at a higher elevation or at least one with higher gain?
?
73
John Denison
KD5YOU
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Re: VARA FM Winlink no connect - Stumped!
The message in the outbox won't affect the connection, but selecting VARA FM P2P vs VARA FM Winlink will.
?
Dave I've been able to use an HT to connect to Winlink gateways that were either really close or if my antenna was on a tall mast. The time of day can affect really weak signals that seem to work early, but not at all during the day. I can hit my Winlink gateways from my car 17 miles away at work just after sunrise, and my gateway antennas are in the attic above the second floor. Not long after, it becomes impossible to reach my gateways. The reason why I mentioned this is that if nothing in your QTH has changed, then it must be something outside that has changed. Can you try using an external antenna mount at a higher elevation or at least one with higher gain?
?
73
John Denison
KD5YOU
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Re: VARA FM Winlink no connect - Stumped!
Yes, I'll check, but I never have used P2P, so I'd be surprised if that was the case.
Another guess.? Is the message in your outbox set as Winlink, instead of P2P?? If set to P2P, then unless you are connecting to a node that is in P2P listening mode and also is the callsign your message is addressed to, then the connection/transfer will fail.
73,
-- Dave, N8SBE, Hamshack Hotline 550-0971, HamsOverIP 101018, AmateurWire 1348
On 2025-03-03 20:20, Dave Telling, KJ7WT via wrote:
Hello Mark,
Yes, I tried autotune and ping - no response. The last time something like this happened, I found it was because I was selecting VARA FM Radio only. Once I selected VARA FM Winlink, everything worked, so I am at a loss to understand what happened.
73,
Dave, KJ7WT
?
Have you tried running an "Auto Tune", from the VARA FM "Settings -> SoundCard..." window?
?
On your 'monitor' radio, you should hear all 10 signal bursts at increasing audio levels. Many radios stop transmitting if the audio level is too high.
?
Make sure that you've entered the full call of the station you're trying to connect with, in the "Calibrate with:" field.
?
Mark - AD7EF
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Re: VARA FM Winlink no connect - Stumped!
Another guess.? Is the message in your outbox set as Winlink, instead of P2P?? If set to P2P, then unless you are connecting to a node that is in P2P listening mode and also is the callsign your message is addressed to, then the connection/transfer will fail.
73,
-- Dave, N8SBE, Hamshack Hotline 550-0971, HamsOverIP 101018, AmateurWire 1348
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On 2025-03-03 20:20, Dave Telling, KJ7WT via groups.io wrote:
Hello Mark,
Yes, I tried autotune and ping - no response. The last time something like this happened, I found it was because I was selecting VARA FM Radio only. Once I selected VARA FM Winlink, everything worked, so I am at a loss to understand what happened.
73,
Dave, KJ7WT
?
Have you tried running an "Auto Tune", from the VARA FM "Settings -> SoundCard..." window?
?
On your 'monitor' radio, you should hear all 10 signal bursts at increasing audio levels. Many radios stop transmitting if the audio level is too high.
?
Make sure that you've entered the full call of the station you're trying to connect with, in the "Calibrate with:" field.
?
Mark - AD7EF
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Re: Was: VARA FM over KISS TNC? Is now: BTECH UV Pro, Vero N76
Mine connected to Radiomail by selecting the VR-N76 in Radiomail itself. Same with aprs.fi. It doesn't seem to connect via the BT page in settings for those, but I have tried with multiple iPhones and it worked by selecting in the app itself.
--
73
Derek
KQ4ALK
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Re: VARA FM Winlink no connect - Stumped!
Hello Mark,
Yes, I tried autotune and ping - no response. The last time something like this happened, I found it was because I was selecting VARA FM Radio only. Once I selected VARA FM Winlink, everything worked, so I am at a loss to understand what happened.
73,
Dave, KJ7WT
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Have you tried running an "Auto Tune", from the VARA FM "Settings -> SoundCard..." window?
?
On your 'monitor' radio, you should hear all 10 signal bursts at increasing audio levels. Many radios stop transmitting if the audio level is too high.
?
Make sure that you've entered the full call of the station you're trying to connect with, in the "Calibrate with:" field.
?
Mark - AD7EF
|
Re: VARA FM Winlink no connect - Stumped!
Have you tried running an "Auto Tune", from the VARA FM "Settings -> SoundCard..." window?
?
On your 'monitor' radio, you should hear all 10 signal bursts at increasing audio levels. Many radios stop transmitting if the audio level is too high.
?
Make sure that you've entered the full call of the station you're trying to connect with, in the "Calibrate with:" field.
?
Mark - AD7EF
|
RMS Trimode Hybrid Gateway
Has anybody gotten their hybrid RMS gateway successfully configured? I’m running relay, packet and trimode but I don’t want to tie up my 705. I’m using a g90 and ft-2980, is it possible to put both sound cards (xggcomms and DigiRig lite) on a single usb port with a hub? Antennas are a diamond x50 at ~37 ft above ground and a chelegance KC4
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Re: VARA FM Winlink no connect - Stumped!
FWIW, I have tried a range of TX drive levels, but still no joy. Since the hardware works with my packet setup, I have to think it is something in RMS Express or the VARA-FM setup, but I changed nothin in the setup between the two tries. I've double-checked the frequency, no TX offset, etc.
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VARA FM Winlink no connect - Stumped!
I had finally figured out how to use Winlink with VARA-FM and an AIOC into both a Baofeng and an Anytone 878. I also use the same hardware configuration for Direwolf/Outpost packet BBS operation.
Today, I was able to connect to a Winlink node, with no issues, but when I tried again a few minutes later, I could not connect on either radio. I have an HT set up as a "monitor", and I can hear outgoing transmit audio, but never hear any return audio. There are three 2m systems near me, all on the same frequency, and none of them respond. However, if I start Direwolf and Outpost, I can connect to that BBS every time. I haven't changed any settings in my Winlink/VARA-FM setup, so I'm at a loss here. Is there any way to determine what my Winlink setup is actually sending out? As I said, I can hear the audio on my monitor HT, and it sounds (to me) the same as it always has.
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Mark Davis
Wes Larson
Don Poaps
Derek - KQ4ALK
Matt N2NFG