Winlink, VARA, Kenwood TS450

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1

Well, I am back. I got FT8 working great with my TS450. Now I’m on to winlink and vara hf. Where can I get some info on setting this up? There is no option for this radio in VARA and everything I have tried doesn’t change channels and transmits continuously. Doesn’t seem right. I can’t connect to anything. I want to be able to send email without an internet connection and do it over my radio. can someone help me out or is that radio not going to work wiht vara?

Channels seem to change on my radio as I change them with vara but I cannot do sound tests. It never keys anything. Totally confused on the purpose of this or how to make it work on this radio.

2

if you have FT8 working, the ‘settings’ are going to be the same for vara hf

soundcard/audio device

cat control COM# and radio definition

PTT method

where you set those items gets a little confusing i’ll admit

for winlink+vara combo, winlink express will have your rig definition selection and your ptt method

in the vara ‘modem’ only the selection of soundcard is needed

(vara only supports RA-BOARD/gpio/cm108 PTT options so winlink express has to do it for you)

now, in your post, the first paragraph says you can’t change channels, then the second says you can change channels but no PTT.

i’ve covered the PTT issue and hopefully the CAT control issue as well but not sure if you have that working or not.

after getting the settings sorted, you’ll ‘start up’ winlink express

in winlink express, you select the session type you want (open session button with drop down menu beside), in this case vara hf

that action will open the vara modem for you (should open in the background) and the session window

good luck

:slight_smile:

kb0wlf

3

Hi Jason,

I have a TS-450 and I use VARAHF with it. In the VARAHF Winlink settings I use this:

For Winlink/Vara HF and FLDIGI Set up

TS-450
Radio Setup
Kenwood Amateur
USB
COM8, 4800-8-2-N, RTS checked & DTR checked (Use Non on other APPS)
PTT Kenwood TS850S 4800
SoundCard - USB Audio CODEC for mic and speakers

See if this works for you.

Daniel - KF0YV

4

Well, I am back. I got FT8 working great with my TS450. Now I’m on to winlink and vara hf. Where can I get some info on setting this up? There is no option for this radio in VARA and everything I have tried doesn’t change channels and transmits continuously. Doesn’t seem right. I can’t connect to anything. I want to be able to send email without an internet connection and do it over my radio. can someone help me out or is that radio not going to work wiht vara?

Channels seem to change on my radio as I change them with vara but I cannot do sound tests. It never keys anything. Totally confused on the purpose of this or how to make it work on this radio.

YES! This seemed to have done the trick! Thank you!

5

Great to hear…I stated the RTS and DTR is checked.

I am currently using it with them not checked.

So play around and see what is best for you.

GL & 73

Daniel - KF0YV