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Winlink Log in Problem
5
All of a sudden when I open up winlink express i get a message that states "The password you specified for K7NWF on the site Properties screen does not match what the Winlink sytem expects . I have been using the system for several weeks untill today. I requested my password be sent to my recovery email address, which they did, and the password i use is the same one that they show, however it states it's incorrect. Any help would be appreciated! Norm - K7NWF
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I am attempting to setup VARA HF with my Windows Laptop, ICOM M803 Marine SSB connected with a DigirRig Mobile sound card device. I have very good luck with Pactor modem on the same HF Winlink RMS stations. My first try with the VARA HF and my Digirig yielded good PTT and I did transmit Winlink emails fine. I DID NOT successfully accomplish Rig Control and the radio gave me a "High SWR" which I never get with my Pactor setup. 1: What in the setup of VARA HF could cause High SWR with the same antenna and tuner setup I use with Pactor? 2: I have not messed with radio controls yet in VARA program as I do not know what to use yet. Any help would be appreciated. Harley KK7HMS
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VarAC and logging
5
Good morning. I am new to the group. Just started using VarAC and have a question. I normally use N3FJP logging software, however, I cannot get it to work with VarAC. Are there any users out there that use N3FJP with VarAC and could help with me set up settings. I am missing an entry somewhere, not sure where to look. Thanks in advance for your help. de K7NWF
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VARAC VARA and VARA FM Configuration changes
2
#varac
#VARAFM
I've used VarAC on HF so I'm familiar with the ops. I'm working with a local group to use VarAC FM for EmComm support. This is my first time setting up VarAC for FM/VHF. I'm familiar with using both VARA (HF) and VARA FM with Winlink. Question I have has to do with VARA vs. VARA FM setups in VarAC; including use of two different radios - in my case IC-7610/9700. I can go into setup and make the linking mods for the appropriate VARA (HF or FM) and the CAT configs. I'm OK with that. But it seems like I have to make that change any time I want to change from HF to VHF FM. Is there a way to save configurations (like in WSJT-X) so I can change the mode from HF <-> FM easily? Thanks, Bruce KN4GDX
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VARA FM running on raspberry pi
I recently obtained a Raspberry PI 5 as a gift from my wife. I have seen a lot of folks trying to get VARA and VARA FM running on a Raspberry PI. VARA and VARA FM and RMS Express are all Windows applications so why not run them on Windows 11 arm64 - A version of windows meant to run on the ARM64 platform. Seems like a simple solution. The problem seemed to be getting Windows 11 and running on the pi. It was simple - very simple. There are a lot of folks with a lot of ideas about how to that. I stumbled onto the one that really works well. Very simple although time consuming at first. A simple one line command is all it takes to get started: git clone https://github.com/Botspot/bvm ~/bvm help A word of warning - this only works on the raspberry pi !!! I have the entire RMS Express / VARA suite running on my raspberry pi 5, talking to a DRA-30 and , because I am frugal, a Baofeng UV-8W5R. Windows 11 is running in a virtual machine on Linux so the Linux functionality is there along with a rather peppy instance of windows 11. The only thing I use Window 11 for is RMS Express and the VARA suite. I also have UZ7HO soundmodem running as well so both packet and VARA FM running. I can run the other Linux application like the FLDIGI suite with no problem. It was fun exercise
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Petition: Encourage ARRL to add VARA support in LOTW
Good evening. VaraC has gained popularity and growth. Please consider signing the following petition to encourage the ARRL to add support in LOTW. https://chng.it/SCb995cQMC
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VarAC wants to use VARA as the mode, but LoTW and eQSL won't take that. What mode should I use? Packet? Thanks and 73, Andrew K8AKC
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I¡¯m running the VARA-FM Modem on a windows 10 machine with a DigiRig interface. The audio level shown in the VU meter hovers right at the Green/Red portion of the meter. I have the windows microphone level set for 1, (one). All of the other windows sound elements are turned off for the microphone. I went to the SiliconeLabs website and downloaded and installed the newest driver for the DigiRig. The new driver for the DigiRig device shows up in the COM Port under device manager but the Audio Device for the DigiRig shows a Microsoft driver dated 2019. I can¡¯t seem to find a way to lower the audio signal coming from the DigiRig to the computer and VARA-FM Modem. When I set the Windows sound options so that I can listen to the audio input it sounds like white noise. The VARA-FM Modem works and I can connect and send and receive messages through WinLink running a VARA-FM WinLink session. The incoming audio from the remote WinLink gateway drives the audio into the Red area of the VU meter but the program still decodes the incoming tones without a problem. I¡¯m wondering if anyone else has seen this issue and found a remedy for it, or have any suggestions where to look for a solution. Thanks, KN5G Keith
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I downloaded the latest version today and installed it on my MacBook Air running Crossover. Winlink Express runs fine on this set up. When I start VARA, I get a quick screen of the dials then it goes away. Anyone have any luck getting it to run on a Mac? Jim W8BS
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Outlook.com email
5
Has anyone been able to get the email gateway working using a outlook.com email address? I have one and I have not been able to get it working in varac v11. I use IMAP in my main email programs but I know the POP and SMTP listing for outlook. I think it might be because the Outlook SMTP settings use STARTTLC which I'm guessing isn't supported in varav.
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I have been able to get VARA HF to work consistently on my Dx10. I'm comfortable with most aspects of the program. However, I've been trying for weeks to get VARA FM to work on my FT991a. I've read a dozen whitepapers, posts, and watched several videos--many with contradictory advice. Yes, I know the 991a cannot do Wide (9600 bps) connections without building a special cable. I went down that rabbit hole but gave up as nothing was working. I decided to just get the Narrow mode working as it can (in theory) be done with just a USB cable. I've programmed the 991a for years with a good USB cable, so I don't think that's the issue. The VHF/UHF JPole antenna on this rig works great as I can simplex for 20 miles or more. Yes, unlike VARA HF, I know I have to set the frequency manually and use another radio to monitor what the FT991 is transmitting. However, the sound of the VARA FM query is different than what I'm used to hearing on VARA HF. When I try to connect, the 991a transmits several times but the Narrow station does not respond. I know it's a good station because I occasionally hear other stations connecting, shaking hands, and completing a message session. When I try "Ping" the VARA reports: NO SIGNAL. I thought I had it working when I connected Peer-to-peer with another ham about 5 miles away. That worked consistently, but I can't get the local KE7ARH-11 station to connect. It's the only Narrow station within range (12 km). I would greatly appreciate any advice. I work with the local ARES Emergency Management team and we plan to use my HF station to retransmit Winlink messages gathered from local neighborhoods which don't have HF capability. I have done that successfully several times, but the VARA FM link to local stations is not. I hate to give up on something this important given the 50+ hours I've put into trying to get this to work. Why so important? Our ARES team wants to be able to gather Winlink wellness messages from the surrounding neighborhoods and send them peer-to-peer to my HF system to be retransmitted over VARA HF. I would really appreciate any help you experts can supply. Thanks
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What is the appropriate PTT configuration for a IC-208H using Digirig mobile with VARA FM? Tks and 73, Rick
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VARA FM "Soundcard Input Device missing in action !"
5
I have VARA HF working consistently on my Yaesu Dx10 to send Winlink messages. I've been able to fine-tune the sound card settings and learned a lot about VARA in the process so I'm familiar with VARA. Several folks on my ARES team want me to support VARA FM so I'll need to get my Yaesu FT991a which supports VHF/UHF. I installed and set up VARA FM and PTT works. I'm using a separate HT that can monitor the frequency. I'm sticking to the NARROW mode (1200 baud) and frequencies because of the known issues with 9600 baud on the 991a. I manually set the 991a to the right frequency as CAT does not work to set the frequency as in VARA HF. When I Start the connection, I can see the radio transmit and I can hear the signal on the HT. All I hear on the HT is a squeal--no typical analog handshaking. The VARA log reports "Soundcard Output Device missing in action !" (and Input Device). I think the Soundcard setting in VARA FM are set to the right Windows 11 ports. I made sure these ports have any audio enhancements turned off (just as in VARA HF). Before I invest more time and money in this radio, I would like to know how others have solved this problem. Thanks
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Hi all, I've consistently been having an issue with VARA HF resetting my radio's (IC-7100) Data mod to ACC no matter how may times I set it to USB. I'm running Win 10 and VARA HF 4.8.7. A fellow club member has reported the same with his IC-7300. This issue persists across reinstalls of VARA, the radio USB drivers and the entire Winlink platform. Has anyone else had this issue? If yes, have you been able to fix it? TIA! VK4MPB (Praj)
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VARA-HF doesn't control IC-7610 on new laptop
9
I'm trying to set up a new laptop for remote emergency comms using Winlink with VARA HF. I've run the same configuration in Windows 10 on my home station laptop for several years, first with an IC 7300 and recently with an IC-7610. I've installed the latest versions of Winlink, VARA HF, WSJT-X, etc. on the new Win10 laptop and carefully checked that all xcvr and computer setings are the same. When I transfer the USB cable to the new computer, everything, including FT8 on WSJT-X, works as on the home station laptop EXCEPT - the VARA HF does not communicate with the 7610. The audio input does appear to come through ok on the VARA screen meters, but when I try to Open a Winlink VARA HF session, the transceiver does not change to the Winlink frequency and nothing happens when I try to Start the connection or change to a different channel. Since WSJT-X works ok, it appears that the VARA "Device in" and "Device out" settings - which are identical to those on the station computer - must not be working correctly. I tried using a different USB port on both machines, and the VARA Soundcard Setup "Device input" and "Device output" names change appropriately, but the new laptop still won't control the rig. I removed and re-installed VARA on the new laptop but, even after checking and re-entering all settings, VARA still won't communicate with the xcvr. I'll appreciate any suggestions about what to try next! 73 es Aloha, Tom AH6KW
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Optimizing VARA FM and an ID-4100 with a Digirig
4
After a few false starts, I got this setup working following instructions here: https://www.delcoares.org/blog/2023/03/setup-and-using-winlink-express-with-vara-fm-modem-on-icom-4100-go-kit-connected-with-digirig Make sure you read the part about PTT settings. I missed that part initially and couldn't get the ID-4100 to key with PTT set to VOX. Now I'm looking to optimize my throughput but I'm not quite sure how to do that. Below are some excerpts from my VARA log (both HF and FM - the HF part was for RX comparison): ============================================== 2025-03-20 16:38:52 Connecting to KG4MPU-10... 1/10 2025-03-20 16:38:54 Connected to KG4MPU-10 2025-03-20 16:39:23 KG4MPU-10 disconnected TX: 97 Bytes (Max: 566 bps) RX: 2764 Bytes (Max: 7087 bps) Session Time: 00:29 ============================================== 2025-03-21 09:34:39 Connecting to KG4MPU-10... 1/10 2025-03-21 09:34:42 Connected to KG4MPU-10 2025-03-21 09:35:44 KG4MPU-10 disconnected TX: 2858 Bytes (Max: 566 bps) RX: 120 Bytes (Max: 566 bps) ============================================== 2025-03-21 09:29:35 Connecting to K4HVF... 1/15 2025-03-21 09:29:46 Connected to K4HVF VARA HF v4.8.9 2025-03-21 09:32:42 K4HVF Average S/N: 1.3 dB 2025-03-21 09:32:42 Disconnected TX: 93 Bytes (Max: 41 bps) RX: 3068 Bytes (Max: 922 bps) Session Time: 02:56 Is it normal that VARA FM doesn't record S/N? We are literally across the street from each other so I am not sure if part of it is that we're saturating the other's front end or not. I do have at least one entry in the VARAHF log where HF Rx is 2682 bps. While that file doesn't record frequency, it does record S/N and 2682 bps was with an 8.2 dB S/N. So band conditions have to be just right to get 1/3 the throughput on HF that I get on VHF. It was probably also a SHARES HF frequency where there's just not a lot of noise. Is there anything I can do to optimize my VARA FM setup so I get a better throughput on my end? Regards, Joel, W4JBB
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Is the gateway you are trying VARA FM compatible? Are you trying VARA FM WIDE or NARROW?
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Linux installation
17
Hi, I was wondering about the status of Vara for Linux usage. Is it available for Linux at this time, and if so, can you direct me to install instructions? Thanks for your time, Neil N4NAC Sent with Proton Mail secure email.
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VARA HF not connecting in excellent conditions
4
Hello, since about Wednesday I seem to be unable to connect to any winlink RMS using VARA HF. I can hear the initial "CQ" packet (connection request or whatever it is), swift response from the RMS, then a longer FSK packet sent from my VARA, then some relatively short response from RMS and starting from that moment I can see and hear only my station repeating REQ (it flashes in VARA panel when it is being transmitted) and after about 5 retries the connection fails on timeout. Is it possible to see in some debug mode what do actually the two stations talk about during the initial phase? Not knowing what is going on is frustrating. I have tried a number of RMS on 40 and 80 meters, both in the afternoon and in the evening. Their signal is strong without QSB and in the headphones it sounds "normal". Thank you, Jindra
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Error: "received data stream not correct format"
I have successfully (and consistently) been able to send Winlink messages via VARA HF now that my DX10 and new antenna are in place. But, once the message is sent, WinLink turns around and tries to receive a message but returns the aforementioned error. Ideas? Bill KJ7BIH Redmond ARES Extra/VE
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Sat 8:39am
Sat 8:39am