Re: VARA FM never triggers Transmit on Icom ID-800H
On Fri, Aug 30, 2024 at 05:04 AM, Donald Schneider wrote:
By strong voice pattern I mean there are lots of bars at the bottom of the radio screen
On pretty much every VHF / UHF FM transceiver with a LCD display (such as on your ID-800H) the bar-graph indicator only shows output power level on transmit... there isn't any indication of the modulation level.
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Having the 'Listen' (or 'Monitor') box checked in the sound control-panel won't tell you whether transmit audio is actually getting to the radio. To check that, you need to monitor your transmitted signal on a separate receiver. A hand-held VHF / UHF radio is an excellent tool for this purpose.
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Mark - AD7EF?
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Re: VARA FM never triggers Transmit on Icom ID-800H
Good Morning, By strong voice pattern I mean there are lots of bars at the bottom of the radio screen like there is when I key the mike and talk. When I said I hear the tone when I hit the TUNE button I temporarily had the computer speaker turned on instead of the radio.? I also had the listen box checked in the playback part of the sound settings. Just trying to verify that a tone is being sent and what the DRIVER setting changes sound like. Thanks
On Thu, Aug 29, 2024 at 04:55 PM, Donald Schneider wrote:
TUNE button turns on TX and shows a strong voice pattern
What do you mean by "shows a strong voice pattern"?
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Also, you said: "I can listen and hear the tone using my local speaker when using TUNE...". Which speaker are you hearing a tone from... the radio? the computer? Unless you're monitoring your TX signal on a separate radio, you shouldn't hear any tone when you click the Tune button, or when running an Auto Tune or Ping.
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Mark - AD7EF
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Re: VARA FM never triggers Transmit on Icom ID-800H
I never see a count just SENDING that never stops. Thanks
When you click the connect button (power- plug icon) on the Auto Tune screen, do you see a count displayed¡ 1 to 11?
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Mark - AD7EF
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Re: VARA FM never triggers Transmit on Icom ID-800H
On Thu, Aug 29, 2024 at 04:55 PM, Donald Schneider wrote:
TUNE button turns on TX and shows a strong voice pattern
What do you mean by "shows a strong voice pattern"?
?
Also, you said: "I can listen and hear the tone using my local speaker when using TUNE...". Which speaker are you hearing a tone from... the radio? the computer? Unless you're monitoring your TX signal on a separate radio, you shouldn't hear any tone when you click the Tune button, or when running an Auto Tune or Ping.
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Mark - AD7EF
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Re: VARA FM never triggers Transmit on Icom ID-800H
When you click the connect button (power- plug icon) on the Auto Tune screen, do you see a count displayed¡ 1 to 11?
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Mark - AD7EF
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Re: VARA FM never triggers Transmit on Icom ID-800H
Yes both. But the radio is not Transmiting and no voice activity at the bottom of the screen either. 73 NB5C Donal
Did you enter a call sign on the Auto Tune or Ping window?
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Mark - AD7EF
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Re: VARA FM never triggers Transmit on Icom ID-800H
Did you enter a call sign on the Auto Tune or Ping window?
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Mark - AD7EF
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Re: VARA FM never triggers Transmit on Icom ID-800H
OK group.? I have removed and reloaded VARA FM with new settings.? Confirmed since the new one is on the E drive instead of C drive where it always was before. Using just VARA FM....TUNE button turns on TX and shows a strong voice pattern.? AUTOTUNE and Ping do nothing.? 2 different radios with DigiRig and matched cables / Signalink and matched cables. All sound settings confirmed and tested.? I can listen and hear the tone using my local speaker when using TUNE but nothing with Ping or AUTOTUNE. So...next week -I will try my backup PC which is also running Win 10 but I have an archived copy of Win 8.1 Yall enjoy your Labor Day weekend.
When I used auto-tune. I was shocked at how little drive was required to get all ?ACCEPTED.? I read somewhere, probably this group, that while monitoring via a second receiver, each level should be distinctive in its level ,especially the upper levels. I kept backing down until i could hear each level, just as the recommendation to turn down the drive. And voila! It's worked!!
73, you'll get it? KO4L Lloyd
Maybe I missed it but what PC are you running this on?
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Re: VARA FM never triggers Transmit on Icom ID-800H
On Thu, Aug 29, 2024 at 11:21 AM, Donald Schneider wrote:
Can I send a NARROW to them also or only a WIDE.
The NARROW or WIDE setting has no effect on whether another RMS gateway or P2P station responds to 'Auto Tune' or 'Ping' requests.
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During email or chat sessions, VARA FM automatically negotiates the connection between the stations, to the lowest common denominator of the NARROW or WIDE capabilities of either station.
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Mark - AD7EF
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Re: VARA FM never triggers Transmit on Icom ID-800H
Many thanks.? Now most of the stations close have WIDE settings.? Can I send a NARROW to them also or only a WIDE.
On Thu, Aug 29, 2024 at 05:04 AM, Donald Schneider wrote:
When I use "AutoTune" do all the nodes listed in the Channel Select tab of Winlink Session do that function?
Donald;
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Yes! Any station that is already able to serve as a Winlink RMS gateway (on your channel list), or as a P2P station, will respond to 'Auto Tune' or 'Ping' requests.
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Keep in mind, though, that you need to run the 'Auto Tune' or 'Ping' test with a nearby station, to be sure you and the other station can "hear" each other.
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Mark - AD7EF
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Re: VARA FM never triggers Transmit on Icom ID-800H
On Thu, Aug 29, 2024 at 07:45 AM, Lloyd KO4L wrote:
while monitoring via a second receiver, each level should be distinctive in its level ,especially the upper levels
Definitely!!!
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A separate hand-held VHF/UHF radio is an excellent tool for monitoring / diagnosing your VARA FM setup.
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Mark - AD7EF
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Re: DRA-50 with Yaesu FT-857D
Paul,
I'll assume you're considering installing a DRA-45 with a? to give similar compatibility as a DRA-50.
The Yaesu FT-857D has a Mini-DIN-6 female data connector and
requires a male to male Mini-DIN-6 cable to connect a DRA-50 (or
adapted DRA-45) to this radio.? I offer two cable lengths:
The instructions on making VARA FM or HF work with a DRA are
detailed on the website, here is the link:
Unlike VOX derived PTT sound cards - you are free to set the
transmit level with any of the following controls:
1 - The onboard pots (usually R14).
2 - Windows Speaker Level - (doesn't need to be 100%).
3 - The "Drive" level in VARA.
The two DRA's mentioned here do not have VOX, and use "C-Media
Hardware PTT" - which explained in detail here:
Other than setting the receive audio level (using control R12 on
the DRA) the default jumper settings (for digital) should work
fine.? Remember to properly select the RX baud correctly depending
on the radio's mode.? If you're looking for a recommendation - the
DRA-50M is a good choice, but a standard DRA-50 or even the
adapted DRA-45 all have about the same performance and capability.
Hope this helps...
Kevin W3KKC
On 8/29/2024 5:01 AM, Paul Tuttle KD7ISA wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
August 2024: what setup do I need to get an FT-857D going
with a DRA board? What cable? 6 pin Mini DIN to 6 pin mini DIN?
Anything special for Vara FM and HF? I have a DRA-45 (modified
to -50). I could also use a different model as I have several.
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Re: DRA-50 with Yaesu FT-857D
On 8/29/2024 5:01 AM, Paul Tuttle
KD7ISA wrote:
August 2024: what setup do I need to get an FT-857D going
with a DRA board? What cable? 6 pin Mini DIN to 6 pin mini DIN?
Anything special for Vara FM and HF? I have a DRA-45 (modified
to -50). I could also use a different model as I have several.??
_._,_._,_
?
The FT-857 performs very well on VARA, both on HF and VHF, but
you will require different settings/connections to the 6-pin
mini-DIN data port for VHF/FM and HF/SSB operation.
This is the insustry-standard pinout of? the 6-pin mini-DIN data
port:
Note that there are TWO receive audio contacts but only ONE
transmit audio contact.? You will need two different cables and/or
jumper settings,?? and different radio menu settings, ? to use the
two modes (VHF/FM or HF). ?
Note that these discussions refer to "1200 baud" and "9600 baud"
packet -- however these labels also apply to other modes that also
use either low-speed narrow-band data or high-speed wide-band
data.??
The FT-857 has two non-voice modes select-able :?? "DIG" and
"PKT" .??? It is not immediately obvious, but these two modes
really mean? "data modes over HF/SSB ("DIG") and "data modes over
VHF/FM" ("PKT") -- even if you are using non-packet modes.?? These
non-voice modes automatically cut off the radio's front-panel mic
input so that random room noises don't get mixed with your
transmitted data.?
RECEIVE???? For VHF/FM, you must connect the receive line
of the interface to the "9600" receive audio pin. If you use the
"1200" pin, you will not be able to achieve the higher speeds of
VARA-FM. ? For HF, you must connect to the "1200"? Receive Audio
pin of the port.? (The wide-band "9600" pin is only active on FM.)
? The Masters interfaces have a jumper? ("JU-5") to select one or
the other.???
[For convenience, I have connected a single-pole, double-throw
toggle switch to the pins of JU-5, so I can switch between HF/1200
or VHF/9600 instantly, without opening the case.? I have done this
to all my interfaces including SignaLink USB, Yaesu SCU-17, and my
homebrew ones.]
TRANSMIT ? ? The single "Data In" TRANSMIT audio line on
the DIN port is used by both modes, but the signal levels required
are wildly different.? On HF only a few hundred millivolts of TX
audio are required to drive the SSB transmitter to full output. ?
On high-speed VHF, several VOLTS of audio, similar to
TTL-logic-level signals are required.
You make this change? in transmit sensitivity with the FT-857's
menus.?
-?? Menu Item 073 "PKT RATE" changes the transmit sensitivity
between millivolts of audio ("1200" baud) and VOLTS of audio
("9600" baud).
-?? Menu Items 071 and 072 allow you to adjust the transmit audio
level individually for the narrow-band ("1200 baud") mode and the
wide-band ("9600 baud") modes.
Bottom line:? You will have to change radio modes ("DIG" vs
"PKT"), shift a jumper in the interface (or cable), and change a
radio menu setting to shift between HF and VARA-FM modes. ? (In
addition, of course, to starting different versions of the VARA
program.) ?
I have tested and verified that this works, and have been able to
achieve 25,000 bits/sec on VARA-FM FAST with the FT-857 (and it's
little brother the FT-818 "porta-luggie") on 2 meters.
Stephen H. Smith??? wa8lmf (at) aol.com
Skype:??????? WA8LMF
EchoLink:? Node #? 14400? [Think bottom of the 2-meter band]
Home Page:?????????
APRS-over-VARA igates now operating on 30 & 60 meters
??
"Studio B" Ham Shack on Wheels
??
-- APRS over VARA? --
??
?
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Re: VARA FM never triggers Transmit on Icom ID-800H
On Thu, Aug 29, 2024 at 05:04 AM, Donald Schneider wrote:
When I use "AutoTune" do all the nodes listed in the Channel Select tab of Winlink Session do that function?
Donald;
?
Yes! Any station that is already able to serve as a Winlink RMS gateway (on your channel list), or as a P2P station, will respond to 'Auto Tune' or 'Ping' requests.
?
Keep in mind, though, that you need to run the 'Auto Tune' or 'Ping' test with a nearby station, to be sure you and the other station can "hear" each other.
?
Mark - AD7EF
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Re: VARA FM never triggers Transmit on Icom ID-800H
Dell Inspiron 17 3000 laptop running Windows 10. Thank you.
Maybe I missed it but what PC are you running this on?
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Re: VARA FM never triggers Transmit on Icom ID-800H
When I used auto-tune. I was shocked at how little drive was required to get all ?ACCEPTED.? I read somewhere, probably this group, that while monitoring via a second receiver, each level should be distinctive in its level ,especially the upper levels. I kept backing down until i could hear each level, just as the recommendation to turn down the drive. And voila! It's worked!!
73, you'll get it? KO4L Lloyd
Maybe I missed it but what PC are you running this on?
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Re: VARA FM never triggers Transmit on Icom ID-800H
Maybe I missed it but what PC are you running this on?
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Re: VARA FM never triggers Transmit on Icom ID-800H
Donald,
Just remember that for autotune to work, you must be connected to a distant station supporting the intended mode.? As stated in Mark¡¯s instructions.
On Thu, Aug 29, 2024 at 8:04?AM Donald Schneider via <schneid811= [email protected]> wrote: Thank you Mark. I will now use this method to try and get VARA FM to work. When I use "AutoTune" do all the nodes listed in the Channel Select tab of Winlink Session do that function? I can use TUNE but AutoTune has been failing.? Just trying to make sure I am doing Auto Tune correctly. 73
Donald -
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You can fully investigate, and resolve, any of the transmit and receive audio issues (9600bps vs. 1200bps cabling / SignaLink jumpers / radio settings) with just the VARA FM modem software. There's no need to run Winlink Express at this stage of the game. In fact, there's no point in trying to sort out issues of Winlink Express communicating with the VARA FM modem software until you have the modem software 100% operational with your rig-interface device (SignaLink) and transceiver setup.
?
The keys to testing the setup solely with the VARA FM modem software are the 'Auto Tune' and 'Ping' features. 'Auto Tune' is accessed from the VARA FM "Settings -> SoundCard..." window (where the 'Tune' button is found), and 'Ping' can be activated directly from the menus on the VARA FM modem main window. Either feature will allow you establish a brief test connection with either a Winlink VARA FM RMS gateway station, or another station that's set up for VARA FM P2P (Peer to Peer) operation.
?
The 'Auto Tune' feature helps you set your transmit and receive audio levels by sending a series of data bursts, at increasing audio levels, and then displaying a report of your transmit signal quality, as received by the other station, and the quality of the signal you're receiving from the other station. Additionally, if the reports in either direction are sub-optimal, the 'Auto Tune' feature will make recommandations for adjusting the audio levels on you system.
?
Both 'Auto Tune' and 'Ping' require you to enter the complete call sign of the station you're connecting with in the test window.
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Once you are consistently receiving "Approved" messages from either the 'Auto Tune' or 'Ping' tests, you'll be ready to investigate why Winlink Express isn't communicating with the VARA FM modem software. I have some ideas about that.
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Mark - AD7EF
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Re: VARA FM never triggers Transmit on Icom ID-800H
Thank you Mark. I will now use this method to try and get VARA FM to work. When I use "AutoTune" do all the nodes listed in the Channel Select tab of Winlink Session do that function? I can use TUNE but AutoTune has been failing.? Just trying to make sure I am doing Auto Tune correctly. 73
Donald -
?
You can fully investigate, and resolve, any of the transmit and receive audio issues (9600bps vs. 1200bps cabling / SignaLink jumpers / radio settings) with just the VARA FM modem software. There's no need to run Winlink Express at this stage of the game. In fact, there's no point in trying to sort out issues of Winlink Express communicating with the VARA FM modem software until you have the modem software 100% operational with your rig-interface device (SignaLink) and transceiver setup.
?
The keys to testing the setup solely with the VARA FM modem software are the 'Auto Tune' and 'Ping' features. 'Auto Tune' is accessed from the VARA FM "Settings -> SoundCard..." window (where the 'Tune' button is found), and 'Ping' can be activated directly from the menus on the VARA FM modem main window. Either feature will allow you establish a brief test connection with either a Winlink VARA FM RMS gateway station, or another station that's set up for VARA FM P2P (Peer to Peer) operation.
?
The 'Auto Tune' feature helps you set your transmit and receive audio levels by sending a series of data bursts, at increasing audio levels, and then displaying a report of your transmit signal quality, as received by the other station, and the quality of the signal you're receiving from the other station. Additionally, if the reports in either direction are sub-optimal, the 'Auto Tune' feature will make recommandations for adjusting the audio levels on you system.
?
Both 'Auto Tune' and 'Ping' require you to enter the complete call sign of the station you're connecting with in the test window.
?
Once you are consistently receiving "Approved" messages from either the 'Auto Tune' or 'Ping' tests, you'll be ready to investigate why Winlink Express isn't communicating with the VARA FM modem software. I have some ideas about that.
?
Mark - AD7EF
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Re: DRA-50 with Yaesu FT-857D
August 2024: what setup do I need to get an FT-857D going with a DRA board? What cable? 6 pin Mini DIN to 6 pin mini DIN? Anything special for Vara FM and HF? I have a DRA-45 (modified to -50). I could also use a different model as I have several.??
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Mark Davis
Kevin Custer
Lloyd KO4L
Paul Tuttle KD7ISA