VARA FM Chat Disconnect with a Single Person

I have a VARAC/VARA FM setup and we're trying to build a local network. Currently have 5 people. If I connect to one particular person, we can chat away. If he connects to me, it may last for a minute or two with a beginning S/N and callsign exchange, a line or two of chat and then VarAC disconnects. Sometimes, with the same person, There is a connection but no S/N and callsign exchange and then a disconnect from VarAC in about 30 seconds; He can connect and hold the connection with other people.

If I use VARA FM Autotune to this person, sometime I will get APPROVED numbers and sometimes no connection. Same thing with VARA FM Ping. We're 5 miles apart, both running Anytone 578's with Digirigs and Diamond X50's.

I run a VARA FM Winlink node with great success and VarAC on HF is bullet proof but FM between two of us is kicking my butt.

Any thoughts.......

Mike

N9HEL