73Link Troubleshooting

Likely cause

Microphone level and VOX sensitivity are separate. The level meter can move even when speech does not remain above the VOX activation threshold long enough to start transmitting.

1. Confirm that you joined the intended channel and that it is not busy.
2. Select VOX and verify that VOX monitoring is active.
3. Lower the VOX activation threshold slightly; do not simply raise microphone volume.
4. Speak briefly before the first important word so the activation delay can complete.
5. If you changed microphones, restart VOX monitoring so it opens the selected device.

Likely cause

The microphone input is too high. A meter pinned at 100% can flatten loud speech, producing harsh or broken audio even when the network connection is healthy.

1. Reduce the 73Link microphone level to approximately 75–85%.
2. Speak at normal distance and volume while watching the meter.
3. Aim for healthy green movement with headroom on loud words; avoid keeping every segment filled.
4. Use the Audio Test channel and listen to the playback.
5. If clipping remains, reduce the Windows microphone input level or disable microphone boost.

• Confirm the correct speaker/output device is selected in 73Link.
• Raise Speaker Level and check the Windows volume mixer.
• Make sure 73Link and the channel are not muted.
• Verify that you joined the same channel as the transmitting user.
• Reconnect after changing the output device.

• Join a channel before attempting to transmit.
• Wait for the current transmitter to release the channel.
• Confirm the server connection is active and your username appears under Online Users.
• Disconnect and rejoin once if the membership indicator is stale.
• If the problem repeats, report the channel name and approximate time.

• Check Network & Server Status for an outage.
• Confirm the computer has internet access and its date and time are correct.
• Temporarily disconnect a VPN to test whether its route or filtering is involved.
• Allow 73Link through Windows Firewall when prompted.
• Restart 73Link before restarting the computer or network equipment.

The local computer can display its saved image immediately. Other users need the synchronized server copy.

• Edit and save the avatar again on the original computer.
• Confirm 73Link reports that the photo synchronized successfully.
• Keep the client online long enough for the upload to finish.
• Restart the other client or wait up to five minutes for its avatar cache to refresh.

• Choose the correct COM port and baud rate, then use Refresh if the port is missing.
• Select the method required by the interface: Serial Bytes, RTS, DTR, CAT, or external controller.
• Use Manual Test and confirm both PTT ON and PTT OFF at the radio before going live.
• Close other programs that may already own the COM port.
• Check the gateway log for a port, command, or connection error.

• Download Android and Windows beta clients only from the official 73link.net Downloads page.
• Android may ask you to allow installation from your browser or file manager because the APK is not yet distributed through Google Play.
• Windows SmartScreen or antivirus software may warn because the beta installer is not yet code-signed.
• Review the warning and continue only when the file came directly from 73link.net; do not disable antivirus protection globally.
• If you prefer not to install an unsigned beta, use the 73Link web app.