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Problem with VarAC and SmartSDR

I have been having problems getting VarAC working with my FLex Radio 8400. I am using Windows 11, SmartSDR v3.8.23, VarAC V11.2.0, and VARA HF v4.8.9.

It starts-up with no errors. The CAT feature to change frequencies on the radio works.

The "test" buttons in the VarAC and VARA HF settings dialogs generate no errors. The VARA HF test "keys" the radio (transmits).

When I hit the "Send Beacons" button, VarAC reports that a beacon was transmitted, but nothing happens in SmartSDR. The "Tune" button is also always dimmed.

I checked the logs generated by both VARA HF and VarAC. No errors are generated. It indicates that a Beacon was sent (but it wasn't).

I have DAX enabled.

The VARA HF window some times disappears and then reappears -- I assume it is dying and being restarted ?

I uninstalled VARA HF and VarAC and reinstalled. I have run as administrator.

I thought my router could be causing problems, so I connected an ethernet cable directly between the radio and the computer. That did not help.

SmartSDR works fine with WSJT-X and fldigi.

I have attached some pictures of the setup windows, CAT and DAX windows, etc.

I don't think I am doing anything wrong ? Could it be a bug ?

14 comments

Comments (14)

lsstallcup

Thanks. That fixed it. I guess I was over thinking this. I saw the "TCP Ports" section in Vara HF and assumed I needed to create a SmartSDR TCP port. I also assumed I needed a PTT com port. Oddly enough the "PTT..." menu option disappeared from Vara HF after making these changes.

Thanks again for your patience with me...

NC3Z Gary

Replying to

Yeah, you over thought it a lot. Glad it is now working. Thanks for the screenshots as that made relatively easy work of seeing the issue. Usually the only report we get is "It doesnt work" and we have to guess from there.

NC3Z Gary

I also can not wrap my head around why your settings screen in VARA HF is different than mine. My screen is on the right.

NC3Z Gary

I truly have no idea how you got to this screen, saying that set this to VOX as this is going to cause issues.

NC3Z Gary

Remove these 2 entries at a minimum. There is no need at all for a COM port for VarAC or VARA HF, it is causing issues.

NC3Z Gary

You are using the same port number for 2 different thing, bad results will happen!

lsstallcup

Thanks again for your help. I am not sure what you mean by conflicting ports...

I think maybe the PTT port is the issue ?

I have uninstalled and reinstalled Vara HF and VarAC a few times. I am using the latest versions.

I created the SmartSDR PTT port:

Which I created to match the VARA HF setting:

I had another TCP port to match the vara HF "data" port 8301, but I have now deleted it.

Here are all the current SmartSDR ports defined (some are for WSJT-X and fldigi as indicated by the labels):

NC3Z Gary

You still have conflicting ports you did not clear out, that will be a big issue.

Also your VARA settings window is different than I expected. How about downloading VARA HF again and reinstalling? Something is not right there also.

lsstallcup

Ok thanks for your help. I am only trying to get slice A to work. CAT was using port 8400 and vara HF was using port 8300, but I changed to match your numbers.

I got the "PTT" dialog window from the VARA HF "Settings->PTT..." menu

NC3Z Gary

You have one of your TCP CAT ports set to 8300, the same port as your VARA HF. This will cause big issues. Everything must have seperate ports.

NC3Z Gary

How did you get to this screen?

NC3Z Gary

No need for COM Ports, the SSDR support TCP CAT, much better.

NC3Z Gary

This info is actually posted on the Forum already but will repost here. My settings, but this will show you what you need to set.

NC3Z Gary

I moved this to general discussion as this is not a Bug. I have been using SSDR with VaAC for 3+ years, works well. But I see many items which are misconfigured, and in one case producing a Conflict. Will need to go through these 1 at a time.