Re: No Power Out with Winlink Express and VARA using an IC-7200

Codec selected in vara soundcard settings?

Re: My VRWS (VARA Radio Web Services) server has released! #digitalham #varac #varachat

KJ7QQG

Eclipse says it's using JavaSE-17 to build the .jar. There is no later version available.

Re: How Make Premium Vara FM Work

Brian,

There are two separate challenges here.

1. VARA FM "Premium" implies that there is a license key which unlocks the higher speed levels (Level 3 and up). Without the license key the sending station tops out at Level 2, regardless whether it is set to NARROW or WIDE.?

2. NARROW (1200) and WIDE (9600) refer to the available hardware audio path. VARA FM adjusts the signal to 2.4kHz for NAROOW and 5.8kHz for WIDE. With a key WIDE is only about 2 times faster as NARROW. SOunds like a lot at first glance, but due to the over head (ACK, NACK, etc.) it only makes a somewhat noticeable difference when sending files bigger than 50kB.

For WIDE to work
- your radio needs to support WIDE and be set to 9600 in the menu (though some radios support both by default)
- your Digirig needs to be wired for WIDE (9600)
- and your cable between the radio and the Digirig needs to be wired for WIDE (9600)?
The reason for that is that many radios use a different pin for 9600 (WIDE) communications than for 1200 (NARROW) on the digital port.

You want to avoid using NARROW (1200) hardware settings with VARA FM WIDE. That would amount to sabotaging your own signal, because VARA FM would try to squeeze a 5.8kHz signal through a 2.4kHz hardware audio path.

If you have purchased the 1200 (NARROW) Digirig and cable, then set your radio to 1200 and use VARA FM in NARROW.
The difference in speed between licensed VARA FM NARROW and WIDE is marginal in real world applications, such as Winlink.
The more effective upgrade is a VARA license key.

Also, I recommend using the VARA FM Ping feature over AutoTune to set audio levels.?

Hope this helps.

73 de Oliver K6OLI

Re: My VRWS (VARA Radio Web Services) server has released! #digitalham #varac #varachat

KJ7QQG

#6096

This is what I can for my java version on my development computer.

└─$ java -version

Picked up _JAVA_OPTIONS: -Dawt.useSystemAAFontSettings=on -Dswing.aatext=true

openjdk version "17.0.8-ea" 2023-07-18

OpenJDK Runtime Environment (build 17.0.8-ea+6-Debian-2)

OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM (build 17.0.8-ea+6-Debian-2, mixed mode, sharing)

This is what I get on a fresh install of Linux, where?all I had to do was install java-common to get the server to run:

openjdk version "17.0.6" 2023-01-17

OpenJDK Runtime Environment (build 17.0.6+10-Debian-1)

OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM (build 17.0.6+10-Debian-1, mixed mode, sharing)

I don't know why java-common installs the JDK, but it works.

Re: My VRWS (VARA Radio Web Services) server has released! #digitalham #varac #varachat

KJ7QQG

#6095

If you connect using 2300 Hz, you can go as fast as 7040 bps! That lets you do a complete DuckDuckGo search in about 20 seconds.

Re: My VRWS (VARA Radio Web Services) server has released! #digitalham #varac #varachat

KJ7QQG

#6094

At the moment, yes. I'm using JDK 17 to develop the app. Since that's the latest version of the JDK (that's not beta) I would assume the latest version of the JRE would be able to run it too? I have no idea how these different java versions work or JDK vs JRE.

Re: Winlink, this is KZ7Q

#6093

I'll add two more to Brian's excellent list.

First is the VA Winlink Wednesday net that operates every Wednesday. Net Control is KN4LQN and the webpage is at:  -- no Telnet.

Second is the NTX Winlink Wednesday net that operates twice a month. Net Control is KF5VO and the webpage is at:  -- any mode.

Getting up to speed is not too difficult. Some familiarity with the ICS forms can be helpful, but good directions are provided by the net control operators. If you want to learn to use Winlink, I strongly encourage you to participate in Winlink Wednesday because the reps with the software will be very helpful.

Have fun and 73...

-- 
David Thompson, AG7TX
Jack of All Trades
Master of None

No Power Out with Winlink Express and VARA using an IC-7200

k6whp

#6092

I had everything set up -- or so I thought -- and actually connecting and sending but after subscribing to VARA (and I don't believe this is the cause), attempts to connect have resulted in rig control but no power out. I have verified the rig transmits in SSB mode and have adjutsed the VARA tune slide to no avail.

Appreciate suggestions.
--
William, k6whp

K3 CAT partially working

#6091

Hi Group

I'm struggling in getting my K3 up and running with VARA.

The PTT is keyed and the audio is provided via the USB soundcard (MicroHam) but the frequency is not set.
The CAT commands in the log are looking reasonable:

2023/06/25 09:55:19 1.7.7.0 Initializing radio and setting frequency.? Radio model = Elecraft K3

2023/06/25 09:55:19 1.7.7.0 Radio->ascii FA00007056500;

2023/06/25 09:55:19 1.7.7.0 Radio->ascii FR0;

2023/06/25 09:55:19 1.7.7.0 Radio->ascii RT0;

2023/06/25 09:55:19 1.7.7.0 Radio->ascii XT0;

2023/06/25 09:55:19 1.7.7.0 Radio->ascii MD6;

2023/06/25 09:55:20 1.7.7.0 Radio->ascii DT0;

2023/06/25 09:55:20 1.7.7.0 Set radio internal soundcard = True

Baudrate matches the K3 - I'see the LEDs flickering on the interface, but there is no reaction of the K3?!

Any suggestions what's going wrong?

73

Dietmar, DL2SBA

Re: How Make Premium Vara FM Work

#6090

Brian,

I’ve gotten a Digirig to work with VaraFM Wide using that cable, but I’m using an Icom 2720H.?

Re: My VRWS (VARA Radio Web Services) server has released! #digitalham #varac #varachat

#6089

This is very cool stuff!? My IC-9700 supports 23cm and is supposed to have FAST DD mode to link stations together via a 128Kbs connection meaning you could use internet over that connection as well - but you need multiple IC-9700 to do this.? This uses standard VARA functionality OTA and doesn't require any sort of other protocols.? I'm excited about this - I imagine speeds are no better than a 300 baud modem, but heck for basic web data this is a game changer!

Re: My VRWS (VARA Radio Web Services) server has released! #digitalham #varac #varachat

#6088

Java SE 17 Archive Downloads

WARNING: These older versions of the JDK are provided to help developers debug issues in older systems. They are not updated with the latest security patches and are not recommended for use in production.

So this is what you are using. This is where your supplied link lands.

?

--

73 de w8nsi Jim
ts-480, ft-857, 75m loop. efhw [40-10], 4btv
ft-818nd, mfj efhw [40-10] for portable
registered Winlink and Vara-modem user

Re: How Make Premium Vara FM Work

#6087

Maby someone who has the digirig and your transmitter can help. I have ft 991a and dra-50.

Noel

Show quoted text

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of KZ7Q Brian Johanson via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2023 8:27 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [VARA-MODEM] How Make Premium Vara FM Work

Hi Noel, 

Thanks so much for your response. This is the DigiRig that I have.  When I bought it I chose Logic Levels: default. And this is the cable I am using. 

Re: My VRWS (VARA Radio Web Services) server has released! #digitalham #varac #varachat

#6086

I installed what was presented as the most current java. According to the people that should know , <http://www.java.com> , my install of JRE v1.8.9_371 is the most current.

Are you talking about the JDK version number? We should not have to install the Java Development Kit to run apps.

I just checked the link you provided. YOU are using the JDK 17.
Regular users do not typically install the development kit, but instead the Java Runtime Environment.

Is JRE and JDK same?

?

JDK is for development purpose whereas JRE is for running the java programs. JDK and JRE both contains JVM so that we can run our java program. JVM is the heart of java programming language and provides platform independence.

So you are saying we must install the full Java Development Kit to run your program?

--

73 de w8nsi Jim
ts-480, ft-857, 75m loop. efhw [40-10], 4btv
ft-818nd, mfj efhw [40-10] for portable
registered Winlink and Vara-modem user

Re: Winlink HF (and FT8) don’t send

#6085

开云体育

Interesting you got that to work.? I found with my USB-connected Elecraft, that I had to set the PTT port to the SAME COM port, not the radio name, as you show below:

Com5 38400 rts dtr

PTT port

991A 38400

?

My settings:

On my K4 (or K3, it works the same way), I have the PTT signal tied to the COM port RTS line, thus checking the Enable RTS for the PTT Port.

?

73,

-- Dave New

Show quoted text

On 2023-06-26 22:00, Greg K5KYR wrote:

VARA Setup
127.0.0.1

8300

Session bandwidth 2300

C:\VARA\Vara.exe

Chk TNC

Chk show VARA

?

VARA WinLink setup

991A

USB

Com5 38400 rts dtr

PTT port

991A 38400

?

Greg K5KYR?

?

On Jun 26, 2023, at 8:31 PM, Gary Lamunion via groups.io <W8GLL8@...> wrote:

Yeasu 991A and Dell windows machine running Windows 10. Computer has sound card set as Codec and I have a time sync program running. Both programs will connect to the radio and do things like change frequencies. Both will indicate that they are transmitting and the Tx and Rx lights on rig light up. But nothing happens. WInlink will never connect to a station and FT8 never makes contact either. I have watched You tube till I'm blue in the face. Radio set up for WInlink (menu #, value): 31-38400, 32-100, 33-enable, 62-others, 63-1000, 64-1500, 65-1500, 66-off, 68-off, 70-rear, 71-rts, 72-usb, 73-15. Radio filters off, nar/wide=wide, width=3000, mode=Data-U.
USB cable is a brand new Triplite with RF chokes. I even switch cables in case I got a bad one.
Getting very frustrated. Any help or ideas are appreciated?

Re: How Make Premium Vara FM Work

#6084

Hi Noel, 

Thanks so much for your response. This is the DigiRig that I have.  When I bought it I chose Logic Levels: default. And this is the cable I am using. 

Re: How Make Premium Vara FM Work

#6083

The data pin on 9600 may be different than 1200 in the radio  it is in yaesu ftm 400

Noel

Show quoted text

On Jun 29, 2023, at 8:05 PM, KZ7Q Brian Johanson via groups.io <kz7qham@...> wrote:

?Hi Everyone, 

I finally got Winlink to work, but I'm still having trouble with the Vara FM premium license. When switched to 9600 baud on my FT-7900r, I always get a "No Signal" result. When I am using the1200 baud rate system, I only need 3 db., and I will get an "Approved" notice. I can have it set to Wide on the radio and Vara FM, but the 9600 baud rate will not work. I am using the mobile DigiRig. The sound settings are the same on the computer as they are on 1200 baud.  I have renamed the DigiRig  audio settings so that this is easy to figure out. One interesting thing to note is that I can have the radio on Wide or Narrow on 1200 baud, and it will still go through. I have not idea where to go from here, any feedback would be appreciated, thank you. 

How Make Premium Vara FM Work

#6082

Hi Everyone, 

I finally got Winlink to work, but I'm still having trouble with the Vara FM premium license. When switched to 9600 baud on my FT-7900r, I always get a "No Signal" result. When I am using the1200 baud rate system, I only need 3 db., and I will get an "Approved" notice. I can have it set to Wide on the radio and Vara FM, but the 9600 baud rate will not work. I am using the mobile DigiRig. The sound settings are the same on the computer as they are on 1200 baud.  I have renamed the DigiRig  audio settings so that this is easy to figure out. One interesting thing to note is that I can have the radio on Wide or Narrow on 1200 baud, and it will still go through. I have not idea where to go from here, any feedback would be appreciated, thank you.

Re: Disabling SSID / extension -T appeared

#6081

Thank you, SM6AYM, I now see that I had mistakenly opened my sessions as "Vara FM Radio-only" rather than as "Vara FM Winlink". Opening the correct session mode solves my problem. I also learned about the "Radio-only" mode at /g/Winlink/message/348

Re: Disabling SSID / extension -T appeared

#6080

-T is automatically inserted to inform the RMS-station that the connection is Radio Only, that is correct. It can not be disabled.

73/Torbjorn/SM6AYM