Yaesu FT-991a ARDOP Winlink

Yaesu FT-991a ARDOP Winlink 

I assume you have installed the Yaesu com port driver from the Yaesu.com website and you know the com port numbers of your Enhanced port and your Standard port.  I assume you are using a USB cable from the computer to the radio and not an RS-232 cable.  I assume you are not using an external sound card interface such as the SignaLink or Rig Blaster.

If the computer will not set the frequency and mode for Winlink ARDOP, open the ARDOP Winlink Session.  It will take a few seconds for the session window to open and load.  The ARDOP_Win Virtual TNC will also load in another window.  That takes a few more seconds and the ARDOP_Win Virtual TNC will probably start minimized.  

First, open the ARDOP Winlink Session window.  You will know when everything has loaded because the session window will say "Ready to start calling" and the menu items in the top row will no longer be greyed out.  In the ARDOP Winlink Session window (not the TNC window), click on Settings and then click on ARDOP TNC Setup.  An ARDOP Setup window will open.  Set the Capture and Playback devices to your radio CODEC from the drop down menu.  The other default settings are ok.  Click on Update.  The ARDOP Winlink Session window will close and reopen, and you will wait until both the session and TNC windows reload.  That takes about 20 seconds to reload on my computer.  

Second, in the ARDOP Winlink Session window, click on Settings and then click on Radio Setup.  An ARDOP Winlink Settings window will open for you to make a Radio Selection.  Select Radio Mode Yaesu FT-991/A from the drop down window.  Select USB (not USB Digital).  For the Radio Control Port, in the Serial Port to Use drop down menu, select the COM Port number for your Enhanced COM port.  Make sure the Baud rate is set the same as your radio (we will set the radio later in this list of actions, so make a note of your baud rate).  I use 9600 baud, but other rates will work.  Check (put a checkmark in) Enable RTS and Enable DTR boxes.  For PTT Port (Optional), in the Serial Port to Use drop down menu, select FT-991/A.  Click on Update.  The ARDOP Winlink Session window will close and reopen,  and you will wait until both the session and TNC windows reload. 

Third, bring up the ARDOP_Win Vitual TNC window so it is visible.  It probably started minimized; if it is minimized, bring it up.  Click on File, and then click on Virtual TNC Setup and the ARDOP Win TNC Setup window will open.  Make sure your FT-991A CODECs are correct in the Sound Card Capture and Playback Device drop down menus.  The other default settings are ok.  Click on Save to ini File.  If you made changes, the TNC window will close and reopen.

Fourth, in the ARDOP_Win Virtual TNC window, click on File.  If Optional Radio Setup is greyed out, you are done with this window.  If it is not greyed out, click on Optional Radio Setup and verify the settings match those you made in other windows.

Now, close all the Winlink windows and restart Winlink.  This will ensure the changes you made will be recognized by Winlink.

Next, open the ARDOP Winlink Session window.  In the ADROP Winlink Session window click on Channel Selection.  In the HF Channel Selector window click on Update Via Internet and the list will update.  Choose a station, make note of the Callsign and Frequency and then double click on the row for your choice.  The HF Channel Selector window will close and the callsign and Center Freq. you chose will appear in the session window.  If the correct station callsign and frequency does not appear, you have some settings in the FT-991A that need to be changed, which we will do next.

On the FT-991A press the Menu/Setup button.  Check item 29 = 9600 (or the baud rate you selected in Winlink), 31 = 9600 (or the baud rate you selected in Winlink), 33 = Enable, 106 = Rear, 108 = DAKY. 109 = USB.  Press the Menu button to close the menu.

On the FT-991A press the F/M-List button to bring up the F menu.  Set NAR/WIDE to W (wide), set WIDTH to 3200 Hz.  Set MONI to 40 (adjust to comfortable monitoring level when transmitting).  Set DT GAIN = 12 (or to a setting that gives you a slight indication on the ALC METER).

Set Mode to USB (upper sideband), set V/M to VFO-A (as indicated on the top left of the screen).  

Set METER to PO (power out) to monitor your transmit power level when everything is working.

In the ARDOP Winlink Sesion window, click onStart.  The radio will start transmitting.  Check the power out to be sure you are sending a signal.  If you don't hear tones in the monitor and see power out, check all the settings again.

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