I found the problem. Shame I could not report this earlier, because after I post a bug, I have no access to it to add more details, or to report I found the issue. In this case, I discovered that the VARA system itself had a problem with the sound card. It must have reported this problem back to VarAC (and I had no ieda it could do that) and as result, VarAC did not switch on the transmitter. But it DID do it in Settings, obviousely overriding any errors from the VARA HF program. So problem resolved. Thanks, Bart

And the INI file: --- #VarAC ini file [DEBUG] DebugMode=ON [RIG_COM_CONFIGS] ControlMethod=COMPORT TCPHost=127.0.0.1 TCPPort=60000 ComPort=COM3 BaudRate=4800 DataBits=8 StopBits=2 Parity=None DTR=H RTS=H PortWaitTimeMs=100 RigPTT=Yaesu FT-100 RigFreqControl=Yaesu FT-100 [RIG_CONTROL] RigPTTControlType=DTR_RTS RigFreqControlType=CAT RigCatFreqRead=OFF RigCatFreqReadIntervalSeconds=2 SafetyPTTOffEveryMinute=OFF PTTDisableAfterFreqChangeSeconds=0 FrequencyOffsetHZ=0 ActiveAntennaTunerFreqChange=OFF UsbMode=USB FrequencySchedule=OFF FrequencyScheduleCustomFilePath= FrequencyListCustomFilePath= LastFrequency=0 LastFrequencyLoadUponStartup=OFF [RIG_OMNIRIG_CONFIG] Rig=1 VFO=A+B [RIG_FLRIG_CONFIG] FlrigHost=localhost FlrigPort=12345 [DTR_RTS] ComPort=COM3 Type=DTR [VARAHF_CONFIG] VaraModemType=VaraHF VarahfLaunchDelaySeconds=5 VarahfMainPath=C:\VARA\VARA.exe VarahfMainPort=8300 VarahfMainHost=127.0.0.1 VarahfEnableKissInterface=ON VarahfMainKissPort=8100 VarahfMonitorPath= VarahfMonitorPort=8350 VarahfLaunchOnModemConnect=ON [MY_INFO] Mycall=ZL4FOX MycallPrefix= MycallSuffix= MyName=Bart MyQTH=Ettrick MyLocator=RE44OO MyRIG=FT-100 MyPower=50 MyAntenna=Inverted V MyAge= MyProfession= MyHobbies= MyRecentConnections=F4GOP, [CANNED_MESSAGES] CannedMsgWelcome= CannedName1=MY INFO CannedMsg1=//n//n//n CannedName2=RIG CannedMsg2=My working conditions://n//n CannedName3=73s CannedMsg3=73's and all the best!//nDE Disconnecting... CannedName4=QSO Truck CannedMsg4=//n|^^^^^^^^^^^\||____//n| VarAC QSO |||""'|""\__,_//n| _____________ l||__|__|__|)//n...|(@)@)"""""""**|(@)(@)**|(@) CannedName5=Thumb CannedMsg5=//n...../ )//n.....' ///n---' (_____//n......... ((__)//n..... ((__)//n....... -'((__)//n--.___((_) CannedName6= CannedMsg6= CannedName7= CannedMsg7= CannedName8= CannedMsg8= CannedName9= CannedMsg9= CannedName10= CannedMsg10= CannedName11= CannedMsg11= CannedName12= CannedMsg12= [QSO] AlertTagsCustomFilePath= DigipeatVia= SendIsTyping=ON ImAway=OFF UnattendedLinks=ON LoadDatastreamHistory=ON AutoAway=OFF LoadBroadcastsHistory=ON AutoAcceptVerboseSNR=OFF SuppressIsTypingInLowSNR=ON DisablePTT=OFF AutoAwayMinutes=10 AutoLogQSO=ON CallsignsBlockList= AllowNonHamRadioCallsigns=ON AllowIncomingPings=ON AllowInfoRequest=ON AllowAutoQSY=ON AllowAutoQSYBandSkip=OFF ShowNoCatQSYPopup=ON MycallBroadcastIntervalMinutes=10 AutoSendSNReport=ON AllowLastHeardPeeking=ON IdleTimeDisconnectMinutes=5 IncomingConnectionRequestAlert=ON CqSlotWaitTimeSeconds=300 SkipCqSlotSelector=OFF SlotStepHz=750 LocatorsDistanceUnit=MI LastHeardTimeDiffView=ON AutoQSYFrequencyListCustomFilePath= [APPEARANCE] DataStreamFontSize=9 DataStreamBackgroundColor=LightCyan DataStreamMyFontColor=DarkRed DataStreamHisFontColor=DarkBlue DataStreamInfoColor=Black NewMessageFontSize=10 NewMessageFontColor=Black NewMessageBackgroundColor=White DarkMode=OFF ApplicationMainScreenBackgroundColor=White ApplicationMainScreenFontColor=Black BeaconCQBackgroundColor=White BeaconCQFontSize=8 SpellCheck=OFF ScreenPositionX=300 ScreenPositionY=145 AppSizeX=880 AppSizeY=607 BroadcastAreaSplitterDistance=77 ReplaceZeroDigitWithZeroSlash=OFF MailBoxFontSize=9 DataStreamTabularView=ON AdvancedModeUI=OFF [OTHER] LinuxCompatibleMode=OFF CheckForUpdates=ON [DATA_RETENTIONS] VarACLogFileRotationSizeBytes=1000000 [VARAC_CLUSTER] ClusterEnabled=OFF PTTLock=OFF InstanceNumber=1 CountersRefreshRateSec=60 [BEACON] BeaconIntervalMinutes=15 LoadLastHeardHistory=ON [SOUND] MuteAllSounds=OFF PlayIsTypingSound=ON PlayFrequencyChangeSound=ON PlayCQCallSound=ON PlayQSYInvitationSound=ON PlayIncomingChatMessageSound=ON PlayOutgoingChatMessageSound=ON PlayIncomingBroadcastSound=ON PlayVMailRelayNotificationSound=ON PlayIncomingConnectionRequest=ON PlayGestures=ON PlayAlertTags=ON PlayConnectedToStation=ON NarrateIncomingMessages=OFF NarrateAlertsAndNotifications=ON NarrateBeacons=OFF NarrateCQs=ON NarrateBroadcasts=ON NarratePersona=Male [QSO_LOGGING] ADIFLogPath=C:\VarAC\VarAC_qso_log.adi LoggerApp=NONE LoggerAppIP= LoggerAppPort= AdifSubMode=VARA HF LoadHistoryUponConnection=ON PSKReporterUpload=OFF PSKReporterCustomLink=&timerange=21600&showsnr=1&showlines=1 PSKReporterSelfReport=ON DxClusterEnabled=OFF DxClusterHost=ve7cc.net DxClusterPort=7373 DxClusterUsername= DxClusterPassword= [FILE_TRANSFER] IncomingFilesDir=C:\VarAC\ OutgoingFilesDir=C:\VarAC\ IncomingFilesSizeLimit=5000 [VMAIL] SendRelayNotifications=ON AllowParking=ON AllowPathFinder=ON

* The problem is with the rights it does not seem to have for the C:\VARAC directory. I tried to make the directory afterwards accesable for everybody, but it does not help. I can only run VARAC if I select "Run as Administrator". Then it works. ... I tried several times to attach the files, but the system will not allow it. I will have to dump it into this comment raw. --- 15/12/2023 03:07:02 - Starting VarAC (V8.4.4) 15/12/2023 03:07:02 - OS: Microsoft Windows NT 6.2.9200.0 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Debug mode enabled 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Loading COM Port configuration from ini file 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Loading Cat Commands configuration from ini file 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Loading Rig Control Commands from ini file 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Loading OmniRig configuration from ini file 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Loading DTR_RTS Port configuration from ini file 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Loading VARA modem configuration from ini file 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Loading My Info file 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - FREQ Schedule off 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Loading parking schedule 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Loading alert tags 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - VarAC current screen position: Position X:100 Position Y:100 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Screen 0 working area: Left:0 Right:1920 Top:0 Bottom:1080 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Unattended links enabled 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Setting unattended links ON (load) 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Locating Misc configuration from ini file 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Enabling CAT frequency read 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Enabling VMail relay notification engine 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Refreshing mailbox counters. 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - DB: SELECT folder_id as folder_id, count(*) as cnt FROM vmail WHERE is_deleted = false GROUP BY folder_id UNION ALL SELECT 0 as folder_id, count(*) as cnt FROM vmail WHERE folder_id = 1 AND read_status = false AND is_deleted = false; 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - DB: SELECT count(*) as waiting_relay_notifications from vmail_relay_notification where is_deleted = 0 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - DB: SELECT count(*) as waiting_alerts from alert where is_deleted = 0 and read_status = 0 and folder_id = 1 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Change splitter distance:77 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Advanced Mode UI disabled 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - End of Load_configuration 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Opening DB connection 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - DB: CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS parameter (parameter_id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY,parameter_name TEXT NOT NULL,parameter_value TEXT NOT NULL) 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - DB: SELECT parameter_value as parameter_value FROM parameter WHERE parameter_id = 1 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Current VarAC DB version: 8 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Resetting last activity time (Reason: Moving app on screen) 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Setting form position to: X=100 Y=100 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Change splitter distance:77 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Resetting last activity time (Reason: VARAHF connect) 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Starting button_connect_varahf_Click 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Running VARA modems 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Starting Run_varahf_modems 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - Starting main VARA Modem 15/12/2023 03:07:03 - End of Run_varahf_modems 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - Connecting VARA Main Modem Command interface... 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - Connecting VARA Main Modem data stream... 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - Connecting VARA Main Modem KISS Command interface... 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - Connected to VARA modem 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - Starting command_stream_listener_thread 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - Starting kiss_stream_listener_thread 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - Starting write_command_stream_log 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - Writing event to command stream log 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - End of write_command_stream_log 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - Setting Bandwith to 500Hz 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - Setting VARA Modem CHAT ON 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - Starting write_command_stream_log 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - Writing event to command stream log 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - End of write_command_stream_log 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - Setting VARA Modem LISTEN ON 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - Starting write_command_stream_log 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - Writing event to command stream log 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - End of write_command_stream_log 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - Setting VARA Modem LISTEN CQ 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - Starting write_command_stream_log 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - Writing event to command stream log 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - End of write_command_stream_log 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - checking VARA version 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - Starting write_command_stream_log 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - Writing event to command stream log 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - End of write_command_stream_log 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - Setting VARA Modem MYCALL 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - Starting write_command_stream_log 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - Writing event to command stream log 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - End of write_command_stream_log 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - Starting data_stream_listener_thread 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - End of button_connect_varahf_Click 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - DB: SELECT cqframe_time, cqframe_type_id, frequency, bandwidth, from_callsign, snr, slot FROM cqframe WHERE cqframe_time > datetime('now', '-12 hours') ORDER BY cqframe_time asc 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - DB: SELECT guid, broadcast_time, frequency, from_callsign, to_callsign, via_callsign, broadcast_message, snr FROM broadcast WHERE broadcast_time > datetime('now', 'utc', '-24 hours') ORDER BY broadcast_time asc 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - DB: SELECT guid, datastream_entry_type_id, qso_guid, callsign, entry, file_path, chat_id, reply_on_chat_id, creation_time FROM datastream WHERE creation_time > datetime('now', 'utc', '-24 hours') ORDER BY creation_time asc 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - VarAC base directory: C:\VarAC\ 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - Resetting last activity time (Reason: Application start) 15/12/2023 03:07:08 - Form activated 15/12/2023 03:07:09 - Cat command (HEX): 0000000003 15/12/2023 03:07:09 - Checking for VarAC update. 15/12/2023 03:07:09 - Starting write_command_stream_log 15/12/2023 03:07:09 - Writing event to command stream log 15/12/2023 03:07:09 - End of write_command_stream_log 15/12/2023 03:07:09 - Starting write_command_stream_log 15/12/2023 03:07:09 - Writing event to command stream log 15/12/2023 03:07:09 - Writing event to command stream log 15/12/2023 03:07:09 - Writing event to command stream log 15/12/2023 03:07:09 - VERSION in command stream log. Reading VARA version 15/12/2023 03:07:09 - VARA version: VARA HF v4.8.0 15/12/2023 03:07:09 - Writing event to command stream log 15/12/2023 03:07:09 - Writing event to command stream log 15/12/2023 03:07:09 - Writing event to command stream log 15/12/2023 03:07:09 - End of write_command_stream_log 15/12/2023 03:07:09 - Latest version start 15/12/2023 03:07:09 - Opening com port 15/12/2023 03:07:09 - Writing to com port 15/12/2023 03:07:09 - CAT cmd result: 15/12/2023 03:07:09 - CAT result after echo stripping: 15/12/2023 03:07:11 - Cat command (HEX): 0000000003 15/12/2023 03:07:11 - Writing to com port 15/12/2023 03:07:11 - CAT cmd result: 15/12/2023 03:07:11 - CAT result after echo stripping: 15/12/2023 03:07:13 - Update file content downloaded successfully: 8.4.4|https://www.varac-hamradio.com/download 15/12/2023 03:07:13 - Cat command (HEX): 0000000003 15/12/2023 03:07:13 - Writing to com port 15/12/2023 03:07:13 - CAT cmd result: 15/12/2023 03:07:13 - CAT result after echo stripping: 15/12/2023 03:07:13 - Starting write_command_stream_log 15/12/2023 03:07:13 - Starting write_command_stream_log 15/12/2023 03:07:13 - Writing event to command stream log 15/12/2023 03:07:13 - End of write_command_stream_log 15/12/2023 03:07:13 - Writing event to command stream log 15/12/2023 03:07:13 - End of write_command_stream_log 15/12/2023 03:07:13 - Starting write_command_stream_log 15/12/2023 03:07:13 - TUNE in command stream log. Reading VARA modem tune level 15/12/2023 03:07:13 - Writing event to command stream log 15/12/2023 03:07:13 - End of write_command_stream_log 15/12/2023 03:07:15 - Cat command (HEX): 0000000003 15/12/2023 03:07:15 - Writing to com port 15/12/2023 03:07:15 - CAT cmd result: 15/12/2023 03:07:15 - CAT result after echo stripping: 15/12/2023 03:07:17 - Cat command (HEX): 0000000003 15/12/2023 03:07:17 - Writing to com port 15/12/2023 03:07:17 - CAT cmd result: 15/12/2023 03:07:17 - CAT result after echo stripping: 15/12/2023 03:07:19 - Cat command (HEX): 0000000003 15/12/2023 03:07:19 - Writing to com port 15/12/2023 03:07:19 - CAT cmd result: 15/12/2023 03:07:19 - CAT result after echo stripping: 15/12/2023 03:07:21 - Cat command (HEX): 0000000003 15/12/2023 03:07:21 - Writing to com port 15/12/2023 03:07:21 - CAT cmd result: 15/12/2023 03:07:21 - CAT result after echo stripping: 15/12/2023 03:07:23 - Cat command (HEX): 0000000003 15/12/2023 03:07:23 - Writing to com port 15/12/2023 03:07:24 - CAT cmd result: 15/12/2023 03:07:24 - CAT result after echo stripping: 15/12/2023 03:07:26 - Cat command (HEX): 0000000003 15/12/2023 03:07:26 - Writing to com port 15/12/2023 03:07:26 - CAT cmd result: 15/12/2023 03:07:26 - CAT result after echo stripping: 15/12/2023 03:07:27 - Shutting down VarAC... 15/12/2023 03:07:27 - Exiting - Kiling VARA modem instances 15/12/2023 03:07:27 - Exiting - Killing main command stream thread 15/12/2023 03:07:27 - Exiting - Killing main data stream thread 15/12/2023 03:07:27 - Exiting - Killing message queue thread 15/12/2023 03:07:27 - Exiting - Killing mailbox outbox thread 15/12/2023 03:07:27 - Exiting - Killing Beacon thread 15/12/2023 03:07:27 - Exiting - Killing cat frequency read thread 15/12/2023 03:07:27 - Exiting - Killing Gestures form thread 15/12/2023 03:07:27 - Exiting - Closing main command stream connection 15/12/2023 03:07:27 - Exiting - Closing main KISS command stream connection 15/12/2023 03:07:27 - Exiting - Closing main data stream connection 15/12/2023 03:07:27 - Exiting - Closing monitor command stream connection 15/12/2023 03:07:27 - Exiting - Closing monitor data stream connection 15/12/2023 03:07:27 - Closing VarAC 15/12/2023 03:07:28 - Thread was being aborted. at System.Threading.Thread.SleepInternal(Int32 millisecondsTimeout) at System.Threading.Thread.Sleep(Int32 millisecondsTimeout) at VarAC.VarAC.b__836_5() aa