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I have a Win11 laptop, Winlink Vara HF working fine with a Yaesu FT DX10 via the inboard soundcard.
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I recently bought a new FT991A for use in my sailing boat. I could configure it also for Vara HF (same Vara HF radio settings as for the DX10 except choosing "FT991A" instead of FT DX10. Using correct enhanced com port.
I can make it send on Vara HF,? USB Data, use the tune function to set it to 1/3 ALC, 40W power, CAT works, but when trying to connect to a gateway that usually always works for me via the FT DX10, I can never connect to the gateway. I can see & hear the rig sending its Vara call to the gateway, 15 times in a row before ending, never a return.
Tried many times, different moments of the day.
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For the CAT to work, I have to set the FT991A Function 33 to DISABLE. F071 Data PTT Select to DAKY (as it also is for the FT DX10).
F065 Other Shift (SSB) is set to 1500 Hz (default is 0 for the FT991A but it is 1500 Hz on the FT DX10). (this sets the carrier point in Data mode).
F064 is left a 0 Hz (no similar function on the FT DX10)
F062 Data Mode set to OTHER
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If I set F065 Other Shift (SSB) to 0 Hz then I get a narrow RX signal (like max 800-1000 Hz) on the Vara HF waterfall, pushed to the left, and a very "narrow" RX sound.
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I've tried tweaking most of the relevant functions, to no avail.
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I am under the impression that with the aforementioned settings, I have some kind of frequency offset in USB Data mode.?
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Any ideas or clues?
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Thanks,
Jan
ON3ZTT
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On Sat, Feb 1, 2025 at 4:33?AM Jan De Smet via <jan.de.smet8= [email protected]> wrote: I have a Win11 laptop, Winlink Vara HF working fine with a Yaesu FT DX10 via the inboard soundcard.
?
I recently bought a new FT991A for use in my sailing boat. I could configure it also for Vara HF (same Vara HF radio settings as for the DX10 except choosing "FT991A" instead of FT DX10. Using correct enhanced com port.
I can make it send on Vara HF,? USB Data, use the tune function to set it to 1/3 ALC, 40W power, CAT works, but when trying to connect to a gateway that usually always works for me via the FT DX10, I can never connect to the gateway. I can see & hear the rig sending its Vara call to the gateway, 15 times in a row before ending, never a return.
Tried many times, different moments of the day.
?
For the CAT to work, I have to set the FT991A Function 33 to DISABLE. F071 Data PTT Select to DAKY (as it also is for the FT DX10).
F065 Other Shift (SSB) is set to 1500 Hz (default is 0 for the FT991A but it is 1500 Hz on the FT DX10). (this sets the carrier point in Data mode).
F064 is left a 0 Hz (no similar function on the FT DX10)
F062 Data Mode set to OTHER
?
If I set F065 Other Shift (SSB) to 0 Hz then I get a narrow RX signal (like max 800-1000 Hz) on the Vara HF waterfall, pushed to the left, and a very "narrow" RX sound.
?
I've tried tweaking most of the relevant functions, to no avail.
?
I am under the impression that with the aforementioned settings, I have some kind of frequency offset in USB Data mode.?
?
Any ideas or clues?
I'm normally a BPQ user, but I have tried out Winlink Express with my FTDX10. In both applications the DX10 works fine in USB mode, in fact,I have not used "DATA-U" yet in that radio. It sounds like you are operating the DX10 in "DATA-U" mode and are trying to mirror that in the FT991A. If that's the case, I would try usb mode in the 991A with the dial set to 1500 Hz lower than the VARA center frequency.
73, Lee K5DAT
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Hi Lee,
thanks for your reply. Yes indeed, with the FT DX10 I am using Data-U mode in Winlink-Vara HF. The CAT switches the frequency, to 1.5 kHz below the center frequency. Apparently no issue with other/extra frequency offset in Data-U mode.
On the DX10, when I dial in a frequency in USB mode eg 14300 Mhz, and then switch to Data-U mode, the displayed frequency moves to 14300,7 Mhz.
But on the FT991A, the same happens, regardless of the Other Shift setting (1500 Hz or the default 0 Hz).
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I will try Winlink-Vara HF with the FT991A in USB mode and see how that works connecting to a gateway.
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Will report back.
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Jan
73 DE ON3ZTT
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On 2/1/2025 12:29 PM, Jan De Smet via
groups.io wrote:
Hi Lee,
thanks for your reply. Yes indeed, with the FT DX10 I am
using Data-U mode in Winlink-Vara HF. The CAT switches the
frequency, to 1.5 kHz below the center frequency. Apparently no
issue with other/extra frequency offset in Data-U mode.
On the DX10, when I dial in a frequency in USB mode eg 14300
Mhz, and then switch to Data-U mode, the displayed frequency
moves to 14300,7 Mhz.
But on the FT991A, the same happens, regardless of the Other
Shift setting (1500 Hz or the default 0 Hz).
?
I will try Winlink-Vara HF with the FT991A in USB mode and
see how that works connecting to a gateway.
?
Note that on some (but not all) Yaesus, you can't access the
rear-panel data port in normal USB/LSB modes.? On my FT-857 and
FT-891, the 6-pin mini-DIN "data" port is always live.??? On my
FT-818, you can receive but not TRANSMIT data in the LSB , USB or
FM modes.?? You have to place the radio in "DATA" for any data
mode on USB/LSB (i.e. HF) and in "PACKET"? mode for any data mode
(not just packet) on FM.
[You DO NOT want to insert complex data modes like VARA
into the front-panel MIC jack, where it can? be degraded by uneven
frequency response, speech compressors and processors, deviation
limiters, etc.? You always want to use the rear-panel "DATA" port
if possible.]
Also some (but not all) Yaesus shift the indicated frequency on
the display in the DATA mode to reflect the actual center
frequency of the transmitted signal, rather than the suppressed
carrier frequency as has been universal with hams on USB/LSB
voice. ? The "carrier" frequency has NOT changed, just the way it
is displayed.?? The amount of this indicated frequency shift is
changeable in one of the many menu options in radios have have it.
??
[Note that the? FCC/ITU/military/commercial? convention is to
specify the CENTER of an SSB voice channel rather than the
suppressed carrier frequency as hams do. I have always thought
this was ridiculously ambiguous since the "center" of an SSB
channel will depend on the filter passband response of a given
radio.]
Confusion reigns because most hams quote the indicated "dial
frequency" (suppressed carrier frequency) on USB/LSB when
referring to data modes. They fail to realize that the actual RF
energy being transmitted is actually hundreds to thousands of Hz
higher than the suppressed carrier "dial" frequency, depending on
the audio tone frequencies involved.??? VARA is centered on 1500
Hz audio tones. RTTY is customarily centered around 2100 Hz. CW
around 700 Hz. Etc.
??? Then various CAT schemes attempt to be more "user-friendly" by
calculating and displaying the actual RF transmit frequency,
rather than the zero-beat USB carrier frequency.? This will vary
by mode.?
Yaesu has been very inconsistent in these distinctions over many
models.
Stephen H. Smith??? wa8lmf (at) aol.com
Skype:??????? WA8LMF
EchoLink:? Node #? 14400? [Think bottom of the 2-meter band]
Home Page:?????????
New? 30 Meter?? APRS-over VARA? Frequency
As of 1 Jan 2025.?? Details Here:
????
- APRS over VARA? --
??
"Studio B" Ham Shack on Wheels
??
-
?
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I ditto the USB mode. All of my Yaesu rigs (991A, 891, 1200, DX10, etc.) all use just USB. No digital.
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I can send a setup guide if you need one.
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Steven
KC3DSO
kc3dso@...
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On 2/1/2025 1:21 PM, Steven, KC3DSO via
groups.io wrote:
I ditto the USB mode. All of my Yaesu rigs (991A, 891, 1200,
DX10, etc.) all use just USB. No digital.
?
I can send a setup guide if you need one.
?
Steven
KC3DSO
_._,_._,_
?Do they all enable the rear-panel data port in USB mode???? (I
know the 891 does, but I am not familiar with the others.)
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I wonder if you have a setup guide for an Icom IC-718 with signalink.
On 2/1/2025 1:21 PM, Steven, KC3DSO via
groups.io wrote:
I ditto the USB mode. All of my Yaesu rigs (991A, 891, 1200,
DX10, etc.) all use just USB. No digital.
?
I can send a setup guide if you need one.
?
Steven
KC3DSO
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On 2/1/2025 1:21 PM, Steven, KC3DSO via
wrote:
I ditto the USB mode. All of my Yaesu rigs (991A, 891, 1200,
DX10, etc.) all use just USB. No digital.
?
I can send a setup guide if you need one.
?
Steven
KC3DSO
_._,_._,_
?Do they all enable the rear-panel data port in USB mode???? (I
know the 891 does, but I am not familiar with the others.) ? Fyi, in SSB mode, i.e. USB or LSB, the FTDX10 defaults to MIC for "SSB MOD SOURCE", but REAR can be selected. Then if "REAR SELECT" is left at the default of DATA, the rear panel data port is in play. If instead USB is selected for REAR SELECT, the internal sound chip is used. When the REAR SELECT is DATA, the RPTT setting of DAKY means the PTT pin on the data port is used for PTT. However, if REAR SELECT is USB, the RPTT setting of DAKY means PTT is expected via CAT command. Much of what is stated above cannot be found in the manual, LOL.
I don't own any of those other models, so I'll have to defer to Steven on those.
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FT-991A settingsThe Parametric EQ (MIC-EQ)settings will give you a nice clean voice signal with some punch, I leave my MIC-EQ on.
The P-Parametric or Processor Parametric is used to get that little extra punch to get through leave ?off till needed.
These PTT Digital settings will let your digital programs key your Rig using just the USB cable & without using DIGITAL VOX
With the standard mike that came with the radio, in the F M-LIST, MIC GAIN=23, PROCESSOR-40, TONE=1
VOICE SETTINGS
PARAMETRIC EQ (MIC-EQ)
MIC GAIN=40
MENU #
119=500
120=9
121=8
122=1000
123=7
124=8
125=2000
126=5
VOICE SETTINGS
P-PARAMETRIC
PROCESSOR=40
MENU #
127=4
128=100
129=10
130=3
131=700
132=-3
133=7
134=3200
135=10
136=2
DIGITAL & PTT
SETTINGS
MENU #
28=GPS1
31=38400
60=DTR
62=OTHER
70=REAR
71=DTR
72-USB
74=MIC
106-MIC
108=DTR
109-USB
Marvin L. Penepent
KF5MLP
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Dear OM's,
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I solved my problem!?First I checked with my FT DX10 which prequencies I had to dial to receive DWD RTTY Weather. The center frequency is 4.583 kHz. To start receiving it correctly on SeaTTY both in USB and Data-U I have to dial the prescribed 1.5 kHz below that center frequency.
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When I check this on the FT991A, for Data-U I had to tune to 4.583 kHz exactly (not - 1.5kHz) while via USB I had to dial in on 4.581,5 Khz (- 1.5 kHz).
So there is an affset in Data-U mode.
I then set Function 064 Other Display to 1500 Hz (instead of the 0 Hz default). Now also on data-U I have to dial 4.581,5 kHz. perfectly consistent.
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And with this setting, in vara Winlink, when the CAT sets the chosen gateway frequency to (center freq) - 1.5Khz of the center frequency, I could immediately make contact with the gateway. This change was necessary as the CAT tunes to center freq - 1.5 kHz. (without this change in Function 064 I would have had to dial the frequency manually (without the - 1.5 kHz offset).
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I'm really satisfied! Now I have consistency between my FT DX10 and the FT991A.
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My relevant settings on the FT991A:
Transceiver mode: Data-U
F 032 Cat rate 38.400 baud (also in the Vara HF radio settings)
F 033 Cat RTS: Disable
F062 Data mode: Other
F064 1500 Hz
F065 1500 Hz
F066 Data Low cut: OFF
F068 Data High Cut 3000 Hz
F071 Data PTT select: DAKY
F072 USB
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73 DE ON3ZTT
Jan
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Steven, KC3DSO
SMILEY kz4zk