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the VARA CHAT program needs to get used more? to get warmed up to AV , but AV is just wrong,
IMO - Switch to Malware bytes free version, or just disable AV for a while. Windows defender it good enough if you are not surfing the unknown and opening attachments from phishing scams.

You completely backed up?
john kk4shf

Hello

I am trying to install VARA Chat.? My AV keeps blocking it giving me a warning for "Trojan.Gen.MBT" found.? I am using windows 10, and Norton AV online.? I have created exceptions for directory C:\VARA.? The program will install, but when run the AV removes it.

Thanks
Dan/VA7DFB

Hello

73

Dan/VA7DFB

Dan;

I've had great results doing VARA FM WIDE with my IC-7100 and a DRA-45.

According to Icom support, the sound-card hardware in the radio is limited to a 3KHz audio bandwidth, which limits the radio to 1200 bps "packet" performance on VHF / UHF when using the built-in hardware. That limits you to VARA FM NARROW throughput, which is still around 6Kbps throughput with licensed VARA... vs. about 300 bps throughput for "1200 bps" packet.

With the Masters Communications DRA-45 radio-interface board connected to the mini-DIN 6 data connector, using the "9600 bps receive" pin on the connector, I'm seeing transfer speeds, in both directions, of better than 11Kbps. I've been able to send and receive messages with 100KByte attachments in well under a minute, connecting to a nearby P2P station with matching capability and through a local "VARA FM 9600" RMS gateway station. Those are numbers for licensed VARA (HF or FM)... I think the unlicensed throughput will be about half that.

Make sure you've got the IC-7100 configured in data-9600 mode.

Mark - AD7EF

I have three stations on D710s. All three using DRA's, 30, 36 and 45. One running packet 9600 on band A and VFM on Band B. All work well. I am sure the menu is different but just make sure set to 9600. Levels are important so take your time.?

If you run into problems post them and you will get answers.

Steven
KC3DSO

Good evening all,
I am here looking for help using VARA FM (wide and narrow) with a Kenwood TM-D700A. My interface is a DRA-36, with a 6pin mini din double male connecting cable.
I have read Kevin's post about the D710, which I know is similar in some ways.

If the TM-D700A proves unsuitable, then I have an IC-7100 I can use.

My partner in testing is using a DRA-50 and a TM-D700.

Any advice on settings (on the DRA 36, DRA 50, and Kenwood TM- D700A) would be appreciated.

I have some experience with VARA HF and a tiny bit with VARA FM. A good deal of experience with other software modems.
Dan WD4NG

Thanks for the insight.?
--
VY 73,
Wes AE6ZM

The VARA 1200 or narrow fm will pass through audio circuits on MOST radios with no issues.?
I will bet it works fine.
Good luck,?
And please let us know how it turns out.
73,
Dan

Thanks Dan and Charlie.
One radio is a Kenwood TR-7730. It has an injection point for an outboard Tone board, connecting to the Mic audio line after the mic amp and before the Varac modulating diode. Might be an alternate feed point rather than mic.
The other is a Yaesu FT-230R. It has speaker out and of course mic in on the mic jack. It also has an CTCSS encoder input connection after the mic Limiter and amp, ahead of the modulator. So, some options there too.
Creating a PTT signal is not a concern, I have several options in play depending on which soundcard I choose. (Currently have RA-42 and DRA-45 and VOX-10 from Kevin, as well as a Signalink USB.
My main concern is whether these radios have mic audio paths that will provide the necessary freq bandwidth for the Vara FM signal. I understand it may be a case of just hook it up and test. Hmm, sounds kinda like Ham radio, no??
--
VY 73,
Wes AE6ZM

I have had great success using a Signalink connectected to radios this way. I assume the mike connection had some way of controlling the push to talk. More information on the radios in question would be helpful.

Charlie
KM4ZZ

I would imagine so, if it can be set for vox operation.

I have a couple older 2M mobiles, neither of which have CTCSS encoders. I am wondering if they might work with Vara FM in 1200 mode with the soundcard attached thru the mic and speaker connections. Any thoughts
--
VY 73,
Wes AE6ZM

Mark,
Very helpful I'm getting very high speeds now.
john

bob, that was my problem, my audio was to low. had to turn speaker control full up.
now works great
thanks
john

Ticking the "RA Board" button did the trick. Thank you!

John,

I don't have a 71 on digital but do have several 710's and they work great. I have one on a 30 and another on a 45.

Assume you are trying 9600..wideband?

Tell the 71 to use 9600?

In Vara Settings->Vara Setup->FM System->WIDE. And set retries to 3.

Did you tell VARA FM you have a DRA? In Vara Settings->Sound Card->Device Input and Output (it's easy to get confused here and choose the wrong device) Should be listed as a USB PnP Sound Device.

Need to tell VARA what type of PTT to use. Vara Settings->PTT->Choose the radio button for "RA Board". Keep in mind if you more than one RA board detected (I had two at one time) in the previous
section, "Sound Card" can give you a drop down menu where "PTT" is shown to the right of the "Device Output" option is located. I had to select RA Board 1 or RA Board 2.?

See if this helps.
Steven
KC3DSO

I am using a DRA-30 on 1200 baud packet with no problem. Works great! However, when I try VARA FM (in Winlink) it never triggers the transmit of my V71. What am I doing wrong?

yes, that all seems to be the consensus.

I am good at 1200 baud and wide making vary fast connections and transfers,
I just cant get ext data menu 919 , 9600 to work. I think? I have sound level issue.

I have been working on a DB project - will get back to fun stuff? hopefully tomorrow or Friday

thanks again, looks promising
I'd like to get the club - EOC - all switched over to VARA FM, just working out some? issues.
73
john

John,
I don't think there is a "EXT BAUD RATE" setting. Which menu item are you referring to?

If you are referring to menu 919, "EXT DATA SPEED", this setting is what determines which connections on the 6-pin DIN you will be using. For the highest speeds with Vara FM, set this menu item to "9600", then use a cable that is wired for "9600", and in the Vara FM settings, select Wide mode. If you then connect to another station that is set up for Wide mode, you will achieve the highest speeds (about twice the speed as Narrow mode).

-Scott, NS7C

Scott,
Thanks that seems to be the case. It is very fast for us here, with FM wide on the DRA-30 board as is.

I had just wondered about the "EXT BAUD RATE " settings.
Still a mystery? if that effects the throughput.
At the moment I can?only set it to 1200 baud, but I had some recommendations for upping? to 9600, will try when I can get to it.

thanks john