Long-time user of Digirig with WSJT-X, just got the DR-891. Got PTT working by selecting CAT instead of RTS.
When trying to set the power slider (using Tune button), the power must be set about halfway up and gives a very high ALC reading, lowering it just makes ALC bar disappear and the radio stops transmitting.
Not sure if this is an issue with the settings on WSJT-X, the radio, or with the DR-891 itself.
Did you get a successful CAT test? From what you describe it sounds like you are relying on DR-891’s backup PTT option by VOX and when the level is reduced it doesn’t trigger.
It’s a possibility. If you look at the device manager you’ll see there are two COM ports that pop up when you plug in your FT-891. Try both.
Both COM ports seem to trigger the PTT. I can transmit, I’ve made many contacts, but the ALC is extremely high.
I discovered that if I move the Pwr slider all the way down, then trigger the PTT with the Tune button, it will transmit. Then as I move the slider up, I reach a point where I can’t move it down past about halfway without the transmit cutting out. Very strange behavior.
I reconnected the old digirig and it works just fine (different COM ports, but it works as normal). Maybe it’s the device?
This issue was not reported before. Hopefully other FT-891/DR-891 users can chime in. Maybe there is some transceiver setting that makes the difference.
I’ll record and post a short video so you can see it. I may try a swap if I can’t figure it out
nm - I had Mode set in WSJT-X to USB instead of Data/Pkt, now it works perfectly. Thanks to Greg KC3SMW and Ron NY3J for spotting the issue!
OK, not perfectly. It still cuts out, but at least I can attenuate to a reasonable level. Strange, I didn’t see this with the other digirig.
Was wondering if anyone has the settings for Winlink nailed down yet…Im setup for WSJT-X just not Winlink. I believe Im also having an ALC issue with the DR-891 but still tinkering with it…
I tinkered with it enough to figure out what my individual settings are for my DR-891 for Winlink…Thanks anyway. FT5DR w/ Digirig, FTM-400XDR w/ Digirig, FTM-500DR w/ Digirig, FT-891 w/ Digirig 891…make sure that you make separate profiles in your sound settings as well as change your port settings in VARA HF and in Winlink settings a couple of numbers away cause otherwise youll end up with port conflicts and it wont work also use the same port number in Winlink and VARA HF and pretty much use setup for a signalink as a guide for Mic and Speaker settings. This is for the DR-891 The settings above a few posts up in the picture minus changing my com port to my Digirig works perfectly for WSJT-X setup and make sure you make a new profile for that if you have several devices. In Winlink (tested but not confirmed yet) Use USB Digital, Serial Port to use will probably be your lowest port in your device manager settings for the Digirig. Mine was 6. Baud rate youll have to set in the radio as well as on the computer and mine is set at 9600. RTS also set in radio as well as computer. FT-891 for Serial Port to use. and hopefully without to much monkeying around it will work.
Cheers,
Trevor Matney
Trevor,
Thank you for the update and suggestions.
Just wanted to add that apps often support command line parameters for the separate configs. For example you can have multiple WSJT-X configurations each with own icon and you can even run them at the same time. The command line will look something like:
wsjtx\bin\wsjtx.exe --rig-name=icom
wsjtx\bin\wsjtx.exe --rig-name=xiegu
Also easiest and most reliable way to determine Digirig’s COM port is by looking at the device manager and checking which entry appears/disappears when you plug/unplug Digirig.
