DigiRig Mobile FT857D CAT via MIC input doesn't work on VARA HF

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1

Recently installed new DigiRig Mobile with FT857D cables. Have an FC-30 tuner installed, that requires using the rear CAT jack. Wired and tested an adapter similar to IZ0INX mod to send RX D, TX D and GND through the MIC input using and RJ45 plug with FT857D MENU MODE 59 (MIC SEL) set to CAT and an 8-pin DIN plug to receive the DigiRig CAT cable.

Eveything works fine using WSJT-X in FT8 mode. Worked CO8LY from Atlanta on 20M this evening:

ADIF Export
<adif_ver:5>3.1.1
<created_timestamp:15>20250204 022333
<programid:6>WSJT-X
<programversion:5>2.6.1
<eoh>
<call:5>CO8LY <gridsquare:4>FL20 <mode:3>FT8 <rst_sent:3>+00 <rst_rcvd:3>-17 <qso_date:8>20250204 <time_on:6>021445 <qso_date_off:8>20250204 <time_off:6>021545 <band:3>20m <freq:9>14.075150 <station_callsign:5>KO4WX <my_gridsquare:6>EM73UT <tx_pwr:2>10 <comment:14>First FT8 QSO! <operator:4>Mike <eor>

So I know I have the DigiRig to FT857D wired correctly.

Following the Config Instructions for Yaesu FT-857 and Winlink, Installed Winlink Express and VARA HF (unpaid for now), and configured, then did Open Session per instructions. The FT857D immediately goes into transmit with NO ALC. If I close VARA HF, the radio stays in transmit and the only way I can kill it is to shut the rig off.

Wondering if there is something wrong I’ve done in the config, but I think I have it set up correctly. At least I know the hardware and Windoze 11 configs are right since I can do FT8. Here is the log from RMS Express of the most recent Open Session attempt. This doesn’t look right, but I know nothing about troubleshooting Winlink/VARA HF…

2025/02/04 00:09:07 1.7.21.0 PTT Off.  PTTport = FT-857
2025/02/04 00:09:07 1.7.21.0 bin->Radio 00,00,00,00,88  (PTT off)
2025/02/04 00:09:08 1.7.21.0 Vara HF WL2K *** Launching VARA TNC
2025/02/04 00:09:09 1.7.21.0 Vara HF WL2K *** Successfully connected to VARA TNC at 127.0.0.1 port 8300
2025/02/04 00:09:11 1.7.21.0 Vara HF WL2K *** Maximum signal bandwidth is set to 2300 Hz.
2025/02/04 00:09:11 1.7.21.0 Initializing radio for Vara session.
2025/02/04 00:09:11 1.7.21.0 Radio model = Yaesu FT-857, PTT port = FT-857
2025/02/04 00:09:11 1.7.21.0 Digital data mode = False, Internal soundcard = False
2025/02/04 00:09:11 1.7.21.0 PTT Off.  PTTport = FT-857
2025/02/04 00:09:11 1.7.21.0 bin->Radio 00,00,00,00,88  (PTT off)
2025/02/04 00:09:11 1.7.21.0 Successfully opened radio control port COM3
2025/02/04 00:09:11 1.7.21.0 Save radio state.  Model = Yaesu FT-857
2025/02/04 00:09:11 1.7.21.0 Save audio mux setting
2025/02/04 00:09:11 1.7.21.0 Finished saving radio state
2025/02/04 00:09:11 1.7.21.0 Set radio dial frequency = 3589.500
2025/02/04 00:09:11 1.7.21.0 hybrid->Radio 01,00,00,00,07  (Select upper sideband non-digital)
2025/02/04 00:09:11 1.7.21.0 hybrid->Radio 00,00,00,00,82  (Turn off split)
2025/02/04 00:09:11 1.7.21.0 hybrid->Radio 00,35,89,50,01  (Set frequency)
2025/02/04 00:09:11 1.7.21.0 Set data MOD connector to ACC (external modulation)
2025/02/04 00:09:11 1.7.21.0 Vara HF WL2K *** Using Yaesu FT-857, COM3, 4800 baud
2025/02/04 00:09:11 1.7.21.0 Vara HF WL2K *** Ready
2025/02/04 00:09:52 1.7.21.0 Vara HF WL2K *** Closing
2025/02/04 00:09:55 1.7.21.0 PTT Off.  PTTport = FT-857
2025/02/04 00:09:55 1.7.21.0 bin->Radio 00,00,00,00,88  (PTT off)
2025/02/04 00:09:55 1.7.21.0 Restore radio state.  Model = Yaesu FT-857
2025/02/04 00:09:55 1.7.21.0 Finished restoring radio state
2025/02/04 00:09:55 1.7.21.0 Successfully closed radio control port COM3
2025/02/04 00:59:46 1.7.21.0 ----  Winlink Express is closing  ----

and here is the VARA.INI contents:


[Soundcard]
Input Device Name=DigiRig_In (USB Audio Device)
Output Device Name=DigiRig_Out (USB Audio Device)
ALC Drive Level=-5
RA-Board Device Path=
Channel=0
[PTT]
Rig=52
PTTPort=COM1
CATPort=COM1
Baud=4800
Pin=1
RTS=0
DTR=0
Via=3
Icom Address=
[Setup]
Registration Code=
Registration Code 1=
Registration Code 2=
Registration Code 3=
Callsign Licence 0=
Callsign Licence 1=
Callsign Licence 2=
Callsign Licence 3=
WaterFall=1
TCP Command Port=8300
Retries=15
View=1
CW ID=0
RA-Board PTT=0
Compatibility=0
Updates=1
ATU=0
Encryption=0
Password encryption=MyPass
Enable KISS=0
KISS Port=8100
[Monitor]
Monitor Mode=0
[Log]
Log Caption=Log*
Enable SysLog=0
SysLog Host=localhost
SysLog UDP Port=514
CommandsLog=0
SysLog Station Name=
[Position]
Top Position=6900
Left Position=14325

Appreciate any help for a wayward ham… Thanks!

73 DE MIKE, KO4WX

2

That is great you have WSJT-X working.

PTT and CAT port probably need to be set the same in Vara/Winlink as in the WSJT-X, but you have not posted the WSJT-X settings. Vara.ini CAT and PTT are both set to COM1. Connection log shows that COM3 is involved for Serial. I am sure you are very close.

73 Constrainted

3

Thanks for the reply! I found a post: Yaesu FT857D digrig Vara HF, that pointed me in the right direction. I needed to set up the PTT on the PTT Port setting. I had it on the Radio Control Port. WSJT-X apparently doesn’t have the same distinction… This configuration seems to work, as it’s not leaving the radio turned on and is pulling the current VFO frequency. Here is my VARA HF Radio Setup Now:
Screenshot 2025-02-04 094429 copy.pdf (33.0 KB)

Cheers!

4

Congratulations and thanks for reporting your success.

73 Constrainted