Now that you have your Winlink Express working, it's time to use available mode like VARA FM to connect to an existing Winlink VARA FM Gateway or use VARA CHAT to chat with other Winlink stations on VHF or even on HF.
Step 1. Download the VARA FM app . . https://mega.nz/file/eaASwI6J#2Nro96BSkG91jGhrwo5OrAyfBnzCa2zJKz0SvN_MEcQ . . . Click Download and save it on your download folder.
Step 2. Also download the VARA CHAT app . . https://mega.nz/file/SWJ2XBpZ#Py2BHs4P1B_xnMTayNjeDrXcAy6YdGWmykulsEsRIPo . . . Click Download and save it on your download folder.
Step 3. Create the following folders in your C drive. Creating this folder will make it easy to support users. You may also create more than one folder (VARAFM2) and (VARAFM3) for other applications.
Step 3. Go to your Download folder and Run (VARA FM v4.2.8 setup.zip). Click Next on following Installation window and Browse to the correct folder, Create a Desktop Icon and Click Install.
Step 4. Click Finish and the VARAFM application will run.
Step 5. Click on Settings then VARA Setup.
Step 6. Command TCP Port 8300 (default), FM System use Narrow if Unregistered and Wide if Registered and with 9600 baud rate connection to radio. Digipeater is available if registered, use (Callsign-8). Make sure you put your Callsign even though if without a Registration Key.
Step 7. Click on Settings > PTT. If using the CM108 or CM119 chip choose RA-Board. If using Signalink or VOX type of Interface choose VOX.
Step 8. Click on Settings > Soundcard. Choose the Device Input (USB PnP Sound Device) and Device Output (USB PnP Sound Device). PTT dropdown is RA-Board-1. Click on Tune to test if PTT is working. Your Radio should TX and send a Test Tone.
Step 8. Test if it can connect to another VARA FM station or Gateway. Preliminary settings to check. 1. USB Sound Output Setting to 50%. 2. USB Sound Input Setting to 10%. If Sound Input is coming from the Speaker Output of Radio, make sure the Volume is set at a minimum setting. Start at 3 o'clock. Audio Input Gauge should be at least 12 to 1 o'clock.
Step 9. Use Autotune to test if sound setting is good or need adjustment. The Test will provide information if sound output or sound input needs adjustment. The test may give a false positive result particularly when the signal from each station is not strong.
Step 10. Use PING to test connection between stations.
The next How To presentation to check is (How to Setup Vara FM to work with Winlink Express.)
Congratulations you now have completed the installation of the VARA FM soundmodem! If in case you need additional information or help, please send me an email (dw1irf@winlinkph.org) or directly send a text via FB Messenger (ensiong gubat) or call at 145.22 Mhz simplex or 448.260 Mhz pl 127.3