Windows USB Drivers for VARA and DRA-50 on Yaesu FT-991A
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On Tue, Sep 17, 2024, 17:46 Grant Rostig KI5VLA via <=[email protected]> wrote:
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开云体育Jose Alberto Nieto Ros <nietoros@...> ??EA4HVK he is the author source for softwre. ??? GOOD UTUBE SETUP AND USE ??MANY OTHERS FOR VARA LICENSE INFO IN VARA SETUP PAGE. RUNS FASTER WITH LICENSE. ? NOEL MORTIER W9NMM ? ? From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
On Behalf Of Grant Rostig KI5VLA via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 2:01 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [VARA-MODEM] Windows USB Drivers for VARA and DRA-50 on Yaesu FT-991A ? Hi All, ? I spent 45 minutes looking for a website that sells VARA HF and can't find it.? I don't know who wrote the software, or if there is documentation, or if there is a book. ? Actually I don't even know what it is beyond a communication protocol. ? Does anyone know? ? 73 Grant Rostig |
开云体育Grant, I see others have answered your questions on where to find the software and instructions. Once you get your software set up, contact me and I will send you an Excel file showing the FT-991A menu settings that I use to get VARA-HF to work. It also will show settings for VARA-FM and VARA C. Be patient. It is a great way to communicate. I just went through this learning curve over the last 6 months. Once you get it working, let's try to use it to contact each other. Cheers,? Howard KO6ATE Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S8+, an AT&T 5G Evolution capable smartphone -------- Original message -------- From: "Grant Rostig KI5VLA via groups.io" <grant.groups.io@...> Date: 9/17/24 14:46 (GMT-08:00) Subject: Re: [VARA-MODEM] Windows USB Drivers for VARA and DRA-50 on Yaesu FT-991A Hi All,
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I spent 45 minutes looking for a website that sells VARA HF and can't find it.? I don't know who wrote the software, or if there is documentation, or if there is a book.
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Actually I don't even know what it is beyond a communication protocol.
?
Does anyone know?
?
73
Grant Rostig
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开云体育As Bob said, I use Winlink with good results Howard KO6ATE Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S8+, an AT&T 5G Evolution capable smartphone -------- Original message -------- From: "Grant Rostig KI5VLA via groups.io" <grant.groups.io@...> Date: 9/17/24 14:46 (GMT-08:00) Subject: Re: [VARA-MODEM] Windows USB Drivers for VARA and DRA-50 on Yaesu FT-991A Hi All,
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I spent 45 minutes looking for a website that sells VARA HF and can't find it.? I don't know who wrote the software, or if there is documentation, or if there is a book.
?
Actually I don't even know what it is beyond a communication protocol.
?
Does anyone know?
?
73
Grant Rostig
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开云体育And as Marvin said, from the USB port on my laptop to the data connector on the back of the FT-991A. No extra equipment needed. No special cable.? Howard KO6ATE Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S8+, an AT&T 5G Evolution capable smartphone -------- Original message -------- From: "Howard via groups.io" <hjohns1224@...> Date: 9/17/24 16:43 (GMT-08:00) Subject: Re: [VARA-MODEM] Windows USB Drivers for VARA and DRA-50 on Yaesu FT-991A As Bob said, I use Winlink with good results Howard KO6ATE Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S8+, an AT&T 5G Evolution capable smartphone -------- Original message -------- From: "Grant Rostig KI5VLA via groups.io" <grant.groups.io@...> Date: 9/17/24 14:46 (GMT-08:00) Subject: Re: [VARA-MODEM] Windows USB Drivers for VARA and DRA-50 on Yaesu FT-991A Hi All,
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I spent 45 minutes looking for a website that sells VARA HF and can't find it.? I don't know who wrote the software, or if there is documentation, or if there is a book.
?
Actually I don't even know what it is beyond a communication protocol.
?
Does anyone know?
?
73
Grant Rostig
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On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 02:46 PM, Grant Rostig KI5VLA wrote:
I want to start out by saying you don't have to buy the VARA HF (software radio-modem) program. A fully-functional (but moderately speed-limited) copy of VARA HF can be downloaded and used, for free, from the developer, Jose Nieto Ros, at . The latest version of the VARA HF program is also available from the download page on the Winlink website, at .?
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What is it?... VARA HF is a Windows program that works in conjunction with "rig-interface device" (USB sound-card, and PTT) hardware, to implement a software radio-modem that can be used for digital communications between similarly-equipped HF radio stations. Many popular HF transceivers have built-in "rig-interface device" functionality. If the transceiver doesn't have this functionality, an external rig-interface device, such as the Tigertronics "SignaLink USB", a "digiRig Mobile" device, or a Masters Communications DRA- series device, can meet this need.
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The VARA HF radio-modem program is optimized for the operation using SSB modulation, and compensating for the signal-quality "impairments" that result from the propagation effects and distances inherent in HF operation. A separate "VARA FM" version is optimized for Frequency Modulation, and the signal-quality characteristics common to FM operation on VHF/UHF bands.
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VARA HF software, when used with a rig-interface device, is functionally equivalent to having a (very expensive) stand-alone PACTOR modem. VARA FM, used with a rig-interface device, is functionally equivalent to (but much faster than) using a standalone "Packet" TNC (Terminal Node Controller)
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Once you've installed the VARA HF and/or VARA FM program, you have the option of paying for a software registration key. One registration key will apply to multiple installations of either (or both) programs. Applying the registration key will approximately double the maximum possible throughput for either VARA HF or VARA FM, and enables a few additional features on the VARA FM program.
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With a registration key (i.e licensed), VARA HF can achieve throughputs comparable to what's possible with a PACTOR 3 radio modem. New PACTOR modems (available only from the German manufacturer SCS) cost more than $1000. Unregistered VARA HF offers half that speed, which is much higher than offered with any other HF "software radio-modem" technology supported by the Winlink Express radio-email client program.
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Maximum throughput for unregistered (unlicensed) VARA FM, in 'WIDE' mode under optimum conditions, is about 11kbps. This is more than 30 times faster than the best throughput achievable using "Packet" technology. And, VARA FM continues to offer high throughputs under conditions where packet is unusable. Under optimum conditions, registered VARA FM has approximately double the maximum throughput of unregistered VARA FM.
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Mark - AD7EF
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On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 07:03 PM, Marvin Penepent wrote: (regarding using the built-in FT-991(A) built-in USB rig-interface system)
And you will not notice the difference in any speed. Marvin -
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That's true for all HF digital modes, including VARA HF.?
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It's probably also true for VARA FM operation, on VHF/UHF bands, on typical radio circuits in good to very good conditions.
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However, Stephen WA8LMF has it right... the transmit audio bandwidth of the built-in USB rig-interface system on FT-991(A) isn't sufficient for full-throughput VARA FM WIDE operation.
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If you want to be able to achieve 22kbps or better throughput on registered (licensed) VARA FM WIDE sessions over optimum links, using the FT-991(A), this is only possible with an external rig-interface device, through the mini-DIN6 connector on the back of the radio.
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Suitable external rig-interface devices include the Masters Communications DRA- series devices, a SignaLink USB device (new model, with black transformers), or a digiRig Mobile device.
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Mark - AD7EF |
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Hi Grant, Following the suggestions of the others, get your COM port drivers loaded from Yaesu, and Winklink loaded. Once you get those COM ports working, and the software running, use the attached EXCEL file to make the menu settings for VARA HF. Here is the Excel file that I use to record the menu settings for various operating modes with my FT991A. Take a look at it, and let me know if? you have any questions. Since I have multiple antennas, I make sure I am connected to the right one for the band I intend to use. I also use these settings that I change from the screen menu: Set MODE to USB Set RF PWR to 25 To run Winlink/VARA HF session: Open Winlink, click on MESSAGE, then NEW MESSAGE. Compose e-mail message and post to outbox. Select VARA HF/Winlink, then open session. Click on CHANNEL SELECTION and pick best option. Click on CHANNEL SELECT. Click START. OK, let's see how close all this gets you to up and running. Get back to me with results or questions and I will do whatever I can to get ya going. Cheers, Howard KO6ATE On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 2:46?PM Grant Rostig KI5VLA via <=[email protected]> wrote:
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NOEL MORTIER W9NMM
Grant Rostig KI5VLA
Luis Morales
Howard
Lloyd KO4L
Mark Davis
Paul Tuttle KD7ISA