# Recent VARA FM Connection Issues
**URL:** https://forum.digirig.net/t/recent-vara-fm-connection-issues/5804
**Category:** Uncategorized
**Tags:** software-varafm
**Created:** [March 28, 2025, 5:21pm UTC](https://forum.digirig.net/t/recent-vara-fm-connection-issues/5804 "2025-03-28T17:21:44Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@webmonkey](https://forum.digirig.net/u/webmonkey)
#### Post date: [February 25, 2026, 4:50pm UTC](https://forum.digirig.net/t/recent-vara-fm-connection-issues/5804/21 "2026-02-25T16:50:52Z")
open squelch is best
this gives the best chance for incoming audio to get to the software modem intact
almost any squelch can ‘miss’ the header of the incoming packet and will result in total failure.
(many packet bbs/node/gateway ops have a very short/low TXdelay in hopes of speeding up exchanges. this can cause many user radios to stay squelched too long and miss the header)
volume:
gotcha, since that radio uses the ext speaker jack, try turning the volume up 1/2 way and ‘fine tune’ with the windows sound control panel ‘mic’ slider for the digirig audio device. also making sure ‘enhancements’ are unchecked and agc is off.
good luck
🙂
kb0wlf
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### Author:  [@KG5GJT](https://forum.digirig.net/u/KG5GJT)
#### Post date: [February 25, 2026, 8:06pm UTC](https://forum.digirig.net/t/recent-vara-fm-connection-issues/5804/22 "2026-02-25T20:06:30Z")
Ok I followed the Audio Setting and Troublshooting video from above in this thread. I can hear the weather broadcast comming from my FT-2800M clearly when listening to the radio speaker. When I try and listen with the Digirig plugged in and through my computer speakers its low, has static and distorted, not at all clear. I plugged headphone into my FT2800M and its loud, no static and not distorted at all. I am starting to think the connection cable from Digirig got damaged. If the audio comming through my computer speakers should be clear I will order a new cable from Digirig. Should the audio from the radio, to the Digirig into my computer speakers come out clear?
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### Author:  [@Constrainted](https://forum.digirig.net/u/Constrainted)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2026, 4:10pm UTC](https://forum.digirig.net/t/recent-vara-fm-connection-issues/5804/23 "2026-02-27T16:10:26Z")
> [@KG5GJT](#):
>
> Should the audio from the radio, to the Digirig into my computer speakers come out clear?
In my experience, the received signal quality of the transceiver and transceiver + digirig + computer is the same. I always use usb cables with ferrites, though. If you have a suitable adapter and earphones, you can listen to the output of the digirig audio cable itself.
73 Constrainted
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