VARA FM won't transmit

,
1

I’m new to Digirig - bought the gizmo and cables last week. This isn’t my first Winlink rodeo (I run VARA HF on my 7300) but after following good recommendations for proper set-up and configuration, I still cannot get VARA FM to take my FT-818 into transmit. Thanks for any help…

2

which gizmo did you get?
digirig mobile - L/R/C/T/A
digirig 891
digirig lite

knowing your way around the winlink/vara pairing speeds up the troubleshooting :slight_smile: , have you double checked your desired ptt method in the varaFM program?
vara fm can use ra-board/cm108/gpio as well as CAT/CI-V, comport (rts for compatible digirig products) and VOX

good luck
:slight_smile:
kb0wlf

3

Thanks, Chris. Nice QRZ page, nice bike, and apparently knowledgeable response. I got the - Digirig Mobile-Logic Levels Config. You raise a good question, though. I tried Cat, Com, and RA-board with no joy. I haven’t tried Vox. Should I? I’ve not found directions for the FT-818 that seem specific to VARA FM. For example, one guideline for the FT-8xx said “Do not forget to use digi mode,” which makes me think they’re focused upon VARA HF. But I tried it anyway. Still no joy. Your thoughts?

4

I’m a bit further along now. Using COM11 w/RTS the rig keys when I hit START in VARA FM. There’s no audio on the signal, though. Still hunting.

5

ok, so for the digirig mobile devices, the RTS line is ‘split’ off the onboard serial/comport.

what happens is the RTS line is present on the audio + ptt cable but not the serial/remote control/cat/ci-v cable.

this means users need to look at their remote control settings and make sure flow control is off or none
also any check boxes or settings that have ‘power’ to rts.

otherwise, when the remote control functions start, it toggles the rts line for flow control which sets off the PTT on the radio.

now, i don’t have an 817 anymore (think it’s the same cmd set for 818) but i used CAT for ptt.

i do remember the ‘digital’ mode setting somewhere in the radio menu.

i know i’m just passing the buck but this video might be of help:

UPDATE: i watched that video, not bad but only the last setting was really relevant for VARA FM (like you said, not vara for hf work)

i’ll dig around my old winlink express/vara installs and see if i can remember anything.

good luck
:slight_smile:
kb0wlf

6

Thanks again for the input. Most sources focused upon VARA HF utility, but between them, the digirig forum, the FT-818 manual, and trial-and-error, I’m able to handshake with the local FM gateway. Take-aways for 818 users with Digirig are the following:

  • PTT for VARA FM needs to be COM11 w/RTS
  • Must be in VFO B
  • Must be in PKT mode
  • Menu #40 (packet rate) must be set to 9600

73 de N9CJT

7

sweet
thanks for posting your results.

yes, i’m not familiar with the cable set you have but it does make a diff which pin is active 1200 vs 9600 if you have the 6 pin packet cable as opposed to the acc din cable

(i should have asked that because that does ‘switch’ where the radio gets audio as well as ptt method)

vfo b requirement is certainly a ‘gotcha’. probably goes with the 6 pin din vs the acc din

:slight_smile:
kb0wlf