Nice, I have I love it. The rx filters and IF shift control are excellent in dialing in frequencies when close to other traffic. I did have to send mine in for repair as the internal USB connection failed. Suggestion: add several snap on chokes to your USB cable tying computer to 991A to help protect that input from possible RF and surges. Mine is still under the 3 year warranty but it cost me $80 to ship and a month of waiting time. BTW, I highly recommend RT Systems software if you don't already have it.
I've used Winlink in the distant past, I was using my Elecraft KX3 but now I'm setting up my Yaesu FT991A and your video is a great help sir. I'll send you a message as soon as I am set up. For now, i need to get my HF antenna finished, I have way to much coax left over need to trim off for good operation. I am also going to try a VHF link as well since we have it available up here in North Pole. Keep warm, and a Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. 73 de AD7VV
That particular video shows winlink with ARDOP. After some additional experience, I now recommend connecting with VARA HF. I’ve put out a video on using it. I look forward to your message. 73 de Tom, ND3N
@@ND3N I’m in the process of trying to get the full version of VARA HF … I have the free (limited) version but their system payment node is down??? For now I’ll watch your video, I’ve printed out the commands for the FT991A you posted, and when I’ve completed the video I’ll try to get it set up once I get off work and access to my radio. Thank you Tom, we wish you and your family a wonderful thanksgiving weekend and pray that God will protect you, your family, and richly bless you all. 73 Mike AD7VV
Hey Tom, loved the video since it's radio specific. After looking at your other vids list, I'm subscribing & have a number to watch! Unfortunately I wasn't able to get Ardop working yet. Although the virtual TNC was going through the motions, my radio is not transmitting, so that narrows it down a bit. Checked the ports & all settings again, baud/CAT rates match, etc. Probably something simple, but dang if I can't find it! BTW, I've had other winlink modes functional in the past, just haven't used it recently & was playing with VARA. Anyways, great job with the detail. Mark K4MTM Edit: Got it working! Had to make a few changes that goes against what you did, so I guess there's more than one way to get 'em working! Here's what I did; --- In Virtual TNC Optional Radio Settings, removed all settings --- In Winlink Session Radio Setup, filled in all sections Did a successful send & receive, AND the CAT channel controller worked as it should. Hope that helps others if there's a similar issue.
Great video. I have it all set up but keep trying all channels not busy and it keep getting a failure to connect after several transmitted cycles. Rechecked my setting and all are same as recommended. Guess I’ll keep trying 😢 Edit: connected to several now after a awhile calling, so progress but disconnects after a minute with no data sent. Of course after last edit it worked. Lol only an hour to send an email but, but it worked so there’s that. Keep up great videos Tom!
Thank you for all of the work you put into your videos! I have a question. How do you save you save the menu settings on the 991A? There is a lot of difference between best voice, and digital settings. One could spend quite a bit of time swapping between voice and and winlink transmissions. Thanks in advance!
When you’re using SSB voice modes, you’ll use the DSP menu items related to that mode. When you use the data modes (USB-D or Data-U, I forget the label) you use the data associated DSP menu settings. My 991A is currently being repurposed into a go-box for POTA activities.
Hi Tom, having success with Ardop after playing a bit with the settings. Email sent to my next node in a 340km distance, but my reply hasn't received yet.Trying later to collect my reply. Great job with the radio specific videos. Also run my wsjt-x with HRD and grid tracker after your settings. Hopefully the menu settings didn't conflict too much with wsjt-x. Thank you very much.Vy 73 de DK2SP
Fantastic. You might want to try VARA HF instead of ARDOP. I have a video on the VARA HF setup and I can almost guarantee once you try it, you won’t go back
Hi Tom, After downloading the driver into my laptop, I am only finding one listing for Silicon Labs. The standard and enhanced drivers you show on your computer are not found on my device manager. Do I need to have the computer and radio connected to each other before I see enhanced and standard drivers show up in device manager? Thank you! Bill, KC3RMV
This is a great video. Request: Due to my location VARA HF is required for me. I have been searching for ever(weeks & month) for setting up my 991A with nothing that is specific for VARA HF. The detail for this video leads me to believe you could provide the perfect missing video for 991A and VARA HF Greg K5KYR
Hello, I have it all setup and everything looks good except it doesn't key the radio. You can see it trying to send the packet till it retrys out, but the radio never keys at all.
With all the programs running, check your audio settings on your computer and make sure your TNC is connected to your codec, then check the audio settings on your TNC for the codecs. Also check your PTT settings on the rig
@@ND3N Thank you. I will take a look but I believe that I have already watched it. I have used your very helpful videos for settings for the Yaesu FT-991A including settings for Winlink and VARA HF. I have heard that there are different settings for VARA FM and am wondering about those settings specifically.
I have the "991a" sending Vara P2P and Vara HF running fine with the internal sound card. There are certain configuration settings that were needed. Have you been able to get Packet Winlink running with the internal sound card?
@@ND3N I'm trying (probably too hard) to get Packet Winlink working on VHF with the FT-991A. I actually had it working several months ago, but something got changed and I haven't been able to pin it down yet. There's little clues all over the internet and TH-cam, but nothing definitive. I'd love to see a comprehensive setup (andtroubleshooting) video for Packet Winlink VHF / FT-991A / internal sound card with a USB cord. In any case, thanks for the great videos!
I tried to do a video about VARA FM and WinLink over VHF. Unfortunately, the closest station to me was 56 miles away and I couldn't hit it with my system. Go ahead and download the VARA FM program and start it, just like you do with VARA HF. Then use the Channel Selector to see what is in your area. 73 de Tom, ND3N
I have a FT-991 on order. Thank you very much for this thorough tutorial!
Nice, I have I love it. The rx filters and IF shift control are excellent in dialing in frequencies when close to other traffic. I did have to send mine in for repair as the internal USB connection failed. Suggestion: add several snap on chokes to your USB cable tying computer to 991A to help protect that input from possible RF and surges. Mine is still under the 3 year warranty but it cost me $80 to ship and a month of waiting time. BTW, I highly recommend RT Systems software if you don't already have it.
You'll love this wonderful rig .... "shack in a box" is so true ...
Really appreciate this video… I use an FT991a in my RV, and I am occasionally outside cell coverage. I’m excited to try this!
Glad it was helpful!
I've used Winlink in the distant past, I was using my Elecraft KX3 but now I'm setting up my Yaesu FT991A and your video is a great help sir. I'll send you a message as soon as I am set up. For now, i need to get my HF antenna finished, I have way to much coax left over need to trim off for good operation. I am also going to try a VHF link as well since we have it available up here in North Pole. Keep warm, and a Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. 73 de AD7VV
That particular video shows winlink with ARDOP. After some additional experience, I now recommend connecting with VARA HF. I’ve put out a video on using it. I look forward to your message. 73 de Tom, ND3N
@@ND3N thank you Tom, I'll check out the Vara HF video sir. Mike
@@ND3N I’m in the process of trying to get the full version of VARA HF … I have the free (limited) version but their system payment node is down??? For now I’ll watch your video, I’ve printed out the commands for the FT991A you posted, and when I’ve completed the video I’ll try to get it set up once I get off work and access to my radio. Thank you Tom, we wish you and your family a wonderful thanksgiving weekend and pray that God will protect you, your family, and richly bless you all. 73 Mike AD7VV
Hey Tom, loved the video since it's radio specific. After looking at your other vids list, I'm subscribing & have a number to watch! Unfortunately I wasn't able to get Ardop working yet. Although the virtual TNC was going through the motions, my radio is not transmitting, so that narrows it down a bit. Checked the ports & all settings again, baud/CAT rates match, etc. Probably something simple, but dang if I can't find it! BTW, I've had other winlink modes functional in the past, just haven't used it recently & was playing with VARA. Anyways, great job with the detail.
Mark K4MTM
Edit: Got it working! Had to make a few changes that goes against what you did, so I guess there's more than one way to get 'em working! Here's what I did;
--- In Virtual TNC Optional Radio Settings, removed all settings
--- In Winlink Session Radio Setup, filled in all sections
Did a successful send & receive, AND the CAT channel controller worked as it should. Hope that helps others if there's a similar issue.
Great video. I have it all set up but keep trying all channels not busy and it keep getting a failure to connect after several transmitted cycles. Rechecked my setting and all are same as recommended. Guess I’ll keep trying 😢
Edit: connected to several now after a awhile calling, so progress but disconnects after a minute with no data sent.
Of course after last edit it worked. Lol only an hour to send an email but, but it worked so there’s that. Keep up great videos Tom!
Is that 25$ one time or every year?
Thank you for all of the work you put into your videos! I have a question. How do you save you save the menu settings on the 991A? There is a lot of difference between best voice, and digital settings. One could spend quite a bit of time swapping between voice and and winlink transmissions. Thanks in advance!
When you’re using SSB voice modes, you’ll use the DSP menu items related to that mode. When you use the data modes (USB-D or Data-U, I forget the label) you use the data associated DSP menu settings. My 991A is currently being repurposed into a go-box for POTA activities.
(11:42) Can I ask what power supply your using?
For that video I was using an Astron Solid State 50 amp power supply. You can get away with a 30 amp one, though.
😎👍🏾
Hi Tom, having success with Ardop after playing a bit with the settings. Email sent to my next node in a 340km distance, but my reply hasn't received yet.Trying later to collect my reply. Great job with the radio specific videos. Also run my wsjt-x with HRD and grid tracker after your settings. Hopefully the menu settings didn't conflict too much with wsjt-x. Thank you very much.Vy 73 de DK2SP
Fantastic. You might want to try VARA HF instead of ARDOP. I have a video on the VARA HF setup and I can almost guarantee once you try it, you won’t go back
Hi Tom, After downloading the driver into my laptop, I am only finding one listing for Silicon Labs. The standard and enhanced drivers you show on your computer are not found on my device manager. Do I need to have the computer and radio connected to each other before I see enhanced and standard drivers show up in device manager?
Thank you! Bill, KC3RMV
As soon as you connect your computer to the 991A, you should see the drivers populate on your device manager.
This is a great video.
Request: Due to my location VARA HF is required for me. I have been searching for ever(weeks & month) for setting up my 991A with nothing that is specific for VARA HF. The detail for this video leads me to believe you could provide the perfect missing video for 991A and VARA HF
Greg K5KYR
Greg, if you know VARA, the 991A settings should be the same. And a VARA follow up vid is already in the works.
73 de Tom, ND3N
Hello, I have it all setup and everything looks good except it doesn't key the radio. You can see it trying to send the packet till it retrys out, but the radio never keys at all.
With all the programs running, check your audio settings on your computer and make sure your TNC is connected to your codec, then check the audio settings on your TNC for the codecs. Also check your PTT settings on the rig
Do you happen to have a video for the FT-991A with all of the settings needed for Winlink and VARA FM ?
I have a video that does that, but away from my shack right now. Will send you the link Tuesday morning. 73 de Tom, N D3N
Try this one.... th-cam.com/video/WPR5HD9cCxM/w-d-xo.html
@@ND3N Thank you. I will take a look but I believe that I have already watched it. I have used your very helpful videos for settings for the Yaesu FT-991A including settings for Winlink and VARA HF. I have heard that there are different settings for VARA FM and am wondering about those settings specifically.
I have no issue sending WinLink messages with rms but when I try to send Vara hf p2p no tones are generated. Are settings the same for both?
I’ve never tried p2p, though they should be the same.
Thank you for another great video. AI5HV
I have the "991a" sending Vara P2P and Vara HF running fine with the internal sound card. There are certain configuration settings that were needed. Have you been able to get Packet Winlink running with the internal sound card?
Not yet, but I will get to it..
@@ND3N I'm trying (probably too hard) to get Packet Winlink working on VHF with the FT-991A. I actually had it working several months ago, but something got changed and I haven't been able to pin it down yet. There's little clues all over the internet and TH-cam, but nothing definitive. I'd love to see a comprehensive setup (andtroubleshooting) video for Packet Winlink VHF / FT-991A / internal sound card with a USB cord. In any case, thanks for the great videos!
Are there local VHF nodes/frequencies to do winlink over that you’re aware of? I’m slowly diving into this and am local to you, also with a 991A
I tried to do a video about VARA FM and WinLink over VHF. Unfortunately, the closest station to me was 56 miles away and I couldn't hit it with my system. Go ahead and download the VARA FM program and start it, just like you do with VARA HF. Then use the Channel Selector to see what is in your area. 73 de Tom, ND3N
Another great video! This is next on my list to try. I wouldn't be able to get there without your help. My internet Elmer. :) Thank you. W1RCY
Merci Tom pour cette excellente démonstration. 73/F8MGW
Hi Tom great show very informative thanks de 2e0ree
Glad you enjoyed it - 73