VARA FM on Flex-6700

Ed, K0KC

I am a new user of VARA FM with Winlink Express and I am currently in the process of testing the capabilities of this mode with various rigs. I am currently experimenting with 1200 baud (Narrow) VARA FM, although I would like to move to 9600 (Wide) in the near future. I am using RMS Packet as a gateway and connecting to that gateway with a Kenwood TH-F6 and an older Signalink USB external sound card. My first tests were with RMS Packet and VARA FM interfaced with my Icom IC-9700. I am able to obtain excellent 1200 baud performance with the Icom, but it does not have a 9600 baud output. 1200 baud VARA FM is many times faster than standard 1200 baud packet with this setup.

Thinking ahead to 9600 baud operation, I decided to try interfacing RMS Packet and VARA FM with my Flex-6700 and 2MLDPA 2 meter amplifier. I seem to get performance similar to the IC-9700 when sending a 33K file but when trying to receive the same file (sent from a regular email client), the download is extremely slow and thus this setup is essentially unusable. I have tried both FM and DFM on the Flex-6700. The main reason that I am considering use of the 6700 is the DFM mode which on paper should be suitable for 9600 baud, but I cannot get 1200 baud working satisfactorily yet.

I realize that I will need a newer Signalink USB with its wider bandwidth for 9600 baud.

Are there any settings which I should change in the 6700 such as transmit bandwidth? I really would like to get the 6700 working as I do not want to have to purchase a new 2 meter rig with a 9600 baud output just for 9600 baud VARA FM.

Thanks!

Ed, K0KC