Thanks for the replies! I was aware that ARRL’s LoTW system does not have or recognize VarAC as a discreet mode “YET” but I was under the impression that we could log VarAC contacts into the LoTW system under the general heading of “Digital”, or something like that. I will have to dig a little deeper to make sure I understand how LoTW requires VarAC contacts to be identified and logged. I also know that on the Field Day weekend the bands are in chaos and if you are not engaged in making FD contacts you may as well find something else to do until the contest ends on Sunday afternoon. Even with that in mind, I didn’t want to just assume what might be acceptable operating practice and wanted to reach out to the community to receive some feedback. As I stated in the original post I really do want to introduce some of our club members to VarAC. Some use other digital modes but have been reluctant to adopt VarAC so I was hoping a little nudge would get them over the hump and encourage them to install and give it a try! Thanks again for your comments! Keith KN5G

Thanks for the reply Irad!

Irad, I believe that will be a workable, and welcome solution. The control operator can choose to use or not use the Slot feature, depending on how he/she is using VarAC at the time. Thanks! KN5G

Thanks for the reply. That will be a nice enhancement!

I would second this. The ability to adjust the tones independently of the System Sound Level would be handy.

I'm still pretty new to VarAC but this does seem to happen to me quite a lot. I will have VarAC running while I am doing something else on the computer or in a QSO on the VHF radio and if a Connection comes in the Welcome message is sent and then the Auto, I'm Away Message is queued and begins to send before I can respond to let the connecting operator know that I am indeed available for a QSO. So, maybe a 10 second delay, after the Welcome message is queued before the Auto Away Message is invoked, giving me time to respond before the Auto Away Message is queued up.

Hey Gary, The SDRUno software wants to use the FTdx-3000's COM port CAT control (which is a USB interface) to change frequencies, bands, PTT, etc. on the FT-3000. The VarAC software wants to have control of the FTdx-3000's COM port CAT control also so it can change frequencies, bands, control PTT, etc. Both programs can't have control of the transceiver's COM port at the same time but maybe with the use of OmniRig and a virtual Com port emulator it might be possible to let the two programs share control of the COM port. This is what is happening when I start up HRD and SDRUno. They share control of the radio's com port through Omirig and the virtual com port emulator, somehow. I was being lazy and hoping someone may have already written up a procedure for doing this. 73 Keith