[bars] VarAC with IC-7300

[daniel wiley]

Hi,

Don’t know if this will help, but I had a similar issue when setting up FT8 using WSJX and my Yaesu.  Turns out I needed to download and install a virtual serial port driver that makes the USB look like a Com1 to the computer etc.    Just google VCP drivers and select 1 appropriate for your machine and OS.

Regards,

Dan

From: bars <bars-bounces at w1hh.org> On Behalf Of John Knowles via bars
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2025 1:17 PM
To: 'Ron Zeheb' <rzeheb at yahoo.com>; bars at w1hh.org
Subject: Re: [bars] VarAC with IC-7300

I had the same problem a month or two ago, although I was trying to get my new laptop to talk to my IC-7300 using WSJT-X for FT8 work.  I spent may hours trying to get it to work, watching YouTube videos, reading WSJT-X manual and IC-7300 manual, following AI instructions. Nothing worked until I used an old laptop I had kicking around.  Now it works perfectly.  Something about my new laptop it didn’t like.
John
W1JHK

From: bars <bars-bounces at w1hh.org<mailto:bars-bounces at w1hh.org>> On Behalf Of Ron Zeheb via bars
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2025 12:25 PM
To: bars at w1hh.org<mailto:bars at w1hh.org>
Subject: [bars] VarAC with IC-7300

I am dipping my toes into digital mode for the first time, but having difficulty setting up VarAC with my IC-7300.  It should be easy, but.....

I have VarAC and VARA HF modem downloaded and launched just fine.  My rig is connected to the computer using a USB cable and the computer is running Windows10.
However it appears that the rig and computer are not talking to each other.
When I go to VarAC Settings/Rig Control & VARA Configurations with the COM Port radio button on: the Port pull down menu is blank (no port options are available to select).
Also, when I push the PTT test button on I get an error message in the log that reads, "Object reference not set to an instance of an object."

I have tried two different USB cables, and all three available USB sockets on my computer all with the same result.  I suspect that the issue resides in settings on the IC-7300 but I don't know
which ones or how to set them correctly.

Any help and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
  Ron
  NJ1W

P.S. I have also watched several Youtube videos on this subject but they were not helpful.
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