I'd like to look into expanding the CHIRP UV-5R driver to work with the newly released 144/220 models (UV-5RAX and others). I have acquired 2 CHIRP image files from 2 different owners of this model, and there doesn't appear (to me anyway) to be anything in the file that can be used to distinguish if the image came from a 144/440 model or a 144/220 model. I'm pretty sure using the firmware version would be a bad idea.
What I have currently done is to expand the programmable bands to be
rf.valid_bands = [(100000000, 199999999), (200000000, 999999999)]
This makes the VHF/UHF band split at 200 MHz and should be compatible with both radio models and the OEM software. It also allows the user to program all frequencies that the UV-5R is capable of accepting. It will still be up to the user to determine the useability of the frequency entered.
The appropriate changes would also be made to the Work Mode A/B VFO Frequency presets so the correct band will be automatically selected (the VHF/UHF split is currently at 400 MHz).
What I have done works fine on my old BFB231 144/440 model. I'm ready to try it out on some other radios but I thought I'd come here and solicit some feedback before I asked for volunteers to test what I have done.
Thanks, Jim KC9HI