UNDER CONTRUCTION
Yaesu FT 897D for Winlink Express 1.5.43.0
It is understood that Winlink Vara HF and FM are already downloaded onto the PC intended for Winlink use.
Radio Settings – there are only three radio menu items that you should need to possibly adjust.
Menu Item #19 CAT Rate (4800bps is Yaesu Default) – Change to 9600 bps or leave alone.
Menu Item #20 CAT/LIN/TUNE (CAT is Yaesu Default) – Leave alone if on CAT, otherwise change to CAT
Menu Item #85 TUNER/ATAS (Off is Yaesu Default) Leave alone if OFF, otherwise change to OFF and go back and double check that Menu Item #20 is still in CAT. If not, make it CAT.
Open the “Settings” tab on the Winlink Express 1.5.43.0 page.
Open the Winlink Express Set Up link.
Enter your call sign.
Enter Password.
Enter Password recovery email address.
Enter your Grid Square
Enter your Winlink registration key (If you paid for the upgrade. ((Higher speed.))
Enter all of your contact information (right side)
Recalculate HF Path should be at 30 (default?)
Set your Log retention and Delete status to your liking
And check the boxes you need below that. (I have box 2&3 checked only)
Click “Update”.
Next: Open a Session (open Session) to open the session page. The Dashboard should also start up but may be in the bottom Task bar, click it to open)
A “Vara Winlink Session” page will open up with your call sign.
Open the settings tab.
Click on “Vara TNC Setup”
Vara Setup will open.
Should read 127.0.0.1 in first box (Host name) , 8300 in the second box (TNC command port)
Session bandwidth: 2300
DO NOT enable 2750 Hz channels
Vara Modem location: C:|VARA\Vara.exe
then check the box stating: Automatically launch Vara TNC when session is opened.,
Click “Update”.
Open the settings tab again.
Click on “Radio Setup”
Select radio model.
Antenna selection is “default”
If your using an Icom, include the Icom address (ie: the IC-7300 is 94)
Click on the “USB Digital” circle.
Radio control port:
Serial Port to use: Use the Com port the Device manager assigned to your DigiRig.
Baud (rate) Use the same Baud rate your radio uses. FT897D, menu #019 three choices. I use 9600.
Make sure radio and Vara show the same rate.
Don't check RTS or DTR
PTT Port
Serial Port to use pick Y8x7. Baud Rate should be grayed out with the same baud rate above.
Click “Update”.
(next page)
If Vara HF v4.4.9 is not open, open the “Vara HF v4.4.9” window.
Open “Settings”
Open “Vara Setup.
TCP Ports should show 8300 7 8301 leave these as they are.
Enter your call sign and a registration key if you have one.
Check the first two boxes, skip #3 and check box #4, all others are left blank.
Retries: I used 10 times. You may want more or less. (select 1-30)
Click “Close”.
Open “Settings”
Open “SoundCard”.
This is dependent on your computer or tablet you're using.
Device Output: I use Microphone (2USB-PnP Sound Device)
Device Input: I use Speakers (2-2USB-PnP Sound Device)
Drive Level:
I set mine on -10dB. Set yours so that the ALC meter on your radio shows between 50-75% of full scale.
Click “Close”.
You may find that you may have to try the different Input and Output devices, but watch your “VU meter on the Vara HF v4.4.9 window. When it starts moving, it is set so the computer is hearing the radio.
Each computer is different so you may or may not have to configure the Sound Settings of your PC.