The main reason I'd like for the Disconnect Modem button to relinquish ALL control is so I can leave VarAC open to temporarily use the resources in another app, then return to VarAC without losing the Data Stream data.

@irad d OK. I'll change the freq read interval to 4s.

It hasn't failed the entire time Debug was on. I wasn't sure if Debug would self-truncate. I turned Debug off.

I made the change and the problem still exists. Funny how if I turn on Debug, I never see it happen. What's with that? I turn on Debug and 100% of the time Freq Trk starts working immediately. Any downside to leaving Debug on?

I understand. However, as long as debug is enabled, Freq Trk works. When debug is disabled, Freq Trk will stop working at some point. If I enable debug, it immediately starts working again. I will keep trying to capture it not working while debug is enabled. Maybe I should just leave debug enabled ;)

The Freq Trk stopped working again and in the VarAC log status box, it says the below. When I open settings and check Debug, Save and Exit, then Frequency Tracking suddenly starts working again. Something jogs the Freq Trk function when the settings refresh after saving. 15:24:23 - Debug mode disabled 15:24:24 - FREQ Schedule disabled 15:24:24 - Setting away status to true (load) 15:24:24 - Opening com port 15:24:25 - Unable to send CAT command to Com port. Closing port until next try. 15:24:25 - Opening com port 15:24:25 - Unable to send CAT command to Com port. Closing port until next try.

There doesn't seem to be anything to do right now. It's working when I got up this morning. Go figure. Frequency tracking had stopped working at least a couple days ago. I wasn't able to toggle the Freq Trk setting because it was greyed out. I downloaded and installed the new CAT file. Stopped and restarted VarAC, then the Freq Trk option was no longer greyed out, so I toggled it off and back on. Freq Trk still didn't work, but the option wasn't greyed out - I turned Freq Trk off and left VarAC in Beacon all night. I get up to Irad's email with debug instructions. I enable Freq Trk and debug. Cycle VarAC. Now Freq Trk is working and no error about com port. I let debug run a few minutes and the com port seems to Open as it should in the running log. I disabled debug and am letting it run with Freq Trk enabled to see what happens. I have no explanation except that overnight, the VarAC Fairies have fixed it.

Update: I downloaded and installed the latest CAT file, restarted VarAC. At that point the frequency tracking check box was now available to be checked/unchecked. I unchecked and re-checked it. Frequency tracking still didn't work. I noticed in the VarAC Log that there was a message of unable to send command to com port. I unchecked the Frequency tracking box and they error went away. Obviously, the frequency tracking is having trouble sending CAT commands to the com port that is working fine for all other commands. VarAC seems to work fine other than the Frequency Tracking. I hope this helps.

You must work constantly on VarAC. You're like Superman. Thanks

I am not a big logger, but I just upload the VarAC log directly to QRZ and it seems to work.

Thanks. Although I generally don't like the sentiment behind block features, I guess it's nice to have the ability to block uncivil abusers.

That comparison paper was very good, enlightening.

PE4BAS is who I had a long chat with and neither of us saw the other's APRS Beacon. It's a good idea, but needs to be a part of the VarAC Beacon system.

I have PinPoint setup, but rarely hear any APRS beacons. It's not been useful to me. It seems PinPoint is not as sensitive to beacons as VarAC. I have been chatting in VarAC with someone running PinPoint, but never see their beacon and they not see mine. I think this functionality as a built-in feature in VarAC would be more effective, useful.

I use VarAC in the background while working or other tasks. I can quickly Ping/LHR, returning to my foreground tasks. If I want to Beacon more frequently, as when conditions may be changing quickly in the mornings, I restart the Beacon manually or in previously versions, toggled the frequency to reset.

Unless locator info is included in the LHR data, there would have to be some Internet call sign lookup by the app. I'm not necessarily anti-Internet, rather feel that we use the available resources when they are available with the ability to function without. While I can drive my car without AC, I'm going to use it if available.

Thanks for the advice. VarAC seems to be working good on the new radio. 73

All my VarAC CAT matched your settings. I will check and change the other recommended settings. Thanks

@irad d I already know about Ping and use it. I use Ping in LHR together frequently. Just thought they seem to go together, especially for unattended Beacon stations. Thanks

Honestly, I have so many more important things to ignore in daily life that the QSY message is a lightweight concern. I don't even see it. I throughly enjoy VarAC. Trying to manage other's behavior or use is an uphill frustration and slippery slope at the same time.