VARAC has massive potential for EMCOMM but the reality is that Winlink is what a lot of ham EMCOMM groups are going to use as their software of choice no matter what. Mostly because it has the integrated ICS forms and has nodes all over the world. If Winlink could be integrated with VARAC so they can run side-by-side better, then we would have the best of both worlds. I can run them separately by setting up an additional instance of VARA FM in another directory, but there is no way to gatekeep which program is going to do what. For example both of them could try to RX or TX at the same time. Maybe too tall of an order I don't know, I'm not a programmer. Keep up the good work. Bob NU7L

The FTM400 comes with a USB to radio interface cable but it is not for digital modes. It is for programming memories or Wires-X. He will still need an external sound interface. I didn't assume he had one.

The FTM-400 does not support digital modes like VARA or Packet natively. You will need an external sound card like a SignalLink or RigBlaster along with the proper cabling to make it work. Bob NU7L

Are the sound card settings and drive level in VARA HF set correctly? If you use the TUNE button in VARA HF does the radio transmit?

This is how I have my FT897 working with VaraAC. Using a RigBlaster Advantage for the sound interface. Not using OmniRig, using the latest CAT file from VaraAC. I have the CAT setting enabled and at 38400 in the radio. The frequency control works on my configuration. Regards - Bob NU7L