June 2017 - Users - lists.chirpmyradio.com

Re: [chirp_users] Copying between the Kenwood F6A and V71A
by Rich Messeder 09 Jun '17

09 Jun '17

On 2017-06-03 13:00:+0000, you wrote: >I'd like to copy between the F6A to the V71A, but CHIRP does not permit saving Kenwood files. With my Baofeng, I can open multiple CHIRP instances or open different files on different tabs, and copy from one to another. > >All I can think of is to have them both connected to the computer at the same time, and copy|paste? Or maybe use csv files? > >I have submitted a feature request to have CHIRP save Kenwood images. Results of following suggestions. Thanks to all for the time to offer suggestions. "you can export the as .csv then change it around then import it back in to the other radio." Yes, this works. It's a lot of steps, but has some advantages. "Kenwood's V71A software imports F6A files." Yep, it does. Had not tried it, but it works. I was puzzled at first, then saw that the Open dialog has a drop list for reading many different file types. I chose the F6, and it worked fine. "Why not open a new "tab", copy from the th-f6a into new tab, then attach V71, read it. Copy from new "tab" into the V71 & save?" This seemed [retty simple, so I gave it a try. My first problem was that I wanted to use just one USB port, and hot swap the cables to each radio. On my system, the F6A cable uses COM 10 and the V71A setup uses COM 8. It seemed to me that CHIRP has a problem when I tried to read the F6A, unplug the USB cable, plug in the V71A, and read it. I didn't go back to check that this is true, or is my mistake. I next used 2 USB ports on a powered hub. Read: MCP-2A V71A 0:43, everything. Wrote it all back in 0:38. Read: CHIRP V71A 1:52, all memories, no extra info. Maybe CHIRP is selecting a lower COM speed? Over a minute longer to read the V71A. The CHIRP F6A tab has a Settings tab; the V71A doesn't. Tom commented on this in a separate post. Tried to read from V71A after copying from F6A tab and pasting to V71A tab. "Hot" paste function in CHIRP, not in MCP-2A. 1. Pasted channels showed up on the V71A with only the fist letter showing. Puzzled ;-) 2. I then could not read again from the V71A. 3. Closed and restarted CHIRP. Read the V71A. 4. Discovered that the V71A //ACTUALLY CONTAINS lower case letters in its memories//. These were copied from the F6A, which permits LC. The V71A does not. The MCP filters F6A during importing to [V71A] 6 letters, and converts LC > UC. The V71A won't display the LC letters, even though CHIRP managed to write them there. I didn't find a CHIRP option to convert names to UC. I think the LC names in the F6A are easier to read than all UC. YMMV. So I'm gonna say the operation was a success, but the patient died ;-) 73 ~R~ NE1EE ARES AEC

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Re: [chirp_users] Kenwood V71A extra config fields
by Rich Messeder 09 Jun '17

09 Jun '17

On 2017-06-03 09:26:-0700, you wrote: >On Sat, Jun 3, 2017 at 5:53 AM, Rich Messeder <NE1EE(a)hotmail.com> wrote: >> After reading the V71A in CHIRP, I looked for the extra configuration fields that I see when I run CHIRP on the Baofeng, but didn't see them. I guess that if CHIRP didn't read them, it won't change them, either, and I can still use the Kenwood MCP to manage those fields? > >Not every radio has the same level of support in Chirp. Some have >extra fields, some have settings support, many just have basic >frequency, name, and tone support. If you want to copy/paste channels >with Chirp, then go back and use MCP for the extra fields, that is >just fine. > >Tom Thanks. 73 ~R~ NE1EE ARES AEC

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Re: [chirp_users] Looking for assistance
by Rich Messeder 08 Jun '17

08 Jun '17

On 2017-06-08 07:50:+0800, you wrote: >Last summer while in China I purchased a Baofeng UV-5R. I found it >difficult to program by the keypad, so I later purchased a programming >cable and have installed Chirp in an effort to program the radio. I have been using this cable for some time, with no problems. Windows 10 Pro x64. Baofeng UV-5RTP, among others. PC03 FTDI Authentic Genuine USB Programming Cable for BaoFeng, Kenwood, Wouxun, AnyTone https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HUB0ONK/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?i… 73 ~R~ NE1EE ARES AEC

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[chirp_users] Puxing PX-888
by Christopher F. Beesley 08 Jun '17

08 Jun '17

Hi guys, Chris G4OUG here. I believe I am a CHIRP member but the CHIRP site won't accept my log-in details. I have emailed someone at CHIRP but havn't had a reply yet. And now to business... Can anybody please explain why the Puxing PX-888 is not supported by CHIRP? On a broader note, I am absolutely fed up of seeing so many people complaining that they need different cables for each of their radios, that the software supplied is next to useless, and in a few cases that CHIRP cannot be used with this or that radio. It is about time that ALL the manufacturers used standard USB interfaces, both hardware (connectors) and software (drivers and protocols). The memory inside the radio should be organised in such a way that a simple spreadsheet such as Excel can be used, the supplied software need only be an example table with a few example records (rows) filled in. Nobody would need any of these stupid serial cables that only work with one radio, and everybody would be able to use tables containing their own programming needs via several versions of Windows, Apple OS's, Linux distros, or whatever, for years to come without any problems. Ok, CHIRP would be redundant. That would be very sad in a lot of ways. But the current state of affairs is intolerable. How about everybody gets together and tells the major manufacturers that we will NOT buy any more of their radios until they implement the programming of them PROPERLY! If I knew how to start such a campaign I'd do it myself, but I am not au fait with Social Media or any of that stuff. Regards, Chris, G4OUG

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[chirp_users] New Daily Build
by Build System 08 Jun '17

08 Jun '17

Greetings, A new daily build of CHIRP is available. This includes changes made directly to the tree yesterday, and may include additional features, bug fixes, and/or bugs. If you are interested in trying it, grab it from the following location: http://trac.chirp.danplanet.com/chirp_daily/daily-20170608 A list of the changes included in this build (since the last daily) follows: Changes for Build #489 [Keith Williamson <hkwilliamson(a)gmail.com>] [vx8] Added Settings support for stock VX-8R radio. Fixes #4881 This patch adds settings support by adding has_settings True in the get_features function, by copying the original _get_aprs_tx_settings function back down to the VX8DRadio class, and by creating a truncated version of that function in the parent VX8Radio class that just gets the settings that are defined for the VX-8R. Also, a _get_settings function for the VX8Radio class was created that calls a subset of functions of the _get_settings function in the VX8DRadio class. The get_features function in the VX8DRadio class has been removed since the one in the VX8Radio class is now the same. [Keith Williamson <hkwilliamson(a)gmail.com>] [vx8] Fix line longer than 79 chars and add missing pad value to seekto format string. Fix #4881

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[chirp_users] New Daily Build
by Build System 07 Jun '17

07 Jun '17

Greetings, A new daily build of CHIRP is available. This includes changes made directly to the tree yesterday, and may include additional features, bug fixes, and/or bugs. If you are interested in trying it, grab it from the following location: http://trac.chirp.danplanet.com/chirp_daily/daily-20170607 A list of the changes included in this build (since the last daily) follows: Changes for Build #487 [Angus Ainslie <angus(a)akkea.ca>] [FT1D] Fix test for backtrack code - issue #4877 [Angus Ainslie <angus(a)akkea.ca>] [FT1D] fix the PEP8 warnings in the backtrack settings - issue #4877 Changes for Build #488 [Keith Williamson <hkwilliamson(a)gmail.com>] [vx8] Mod to radio memory layout to accommodate diffs between models. Fixes #4881 Split the memobj aprs struct into three structs: shorter aprs struct, aprs_msg_macro struct and aprs2 struct. The aprs_msg_macro[] struct and aprs2 struct are parameterized differently in the VX8Radio class and VX8DRadio class _mem_params. Updated all dereferences of memory elements formerly part of the aprs struct that are now part of either the aprs2 struct or the aprs_msg_macro[] struct. There are no behavioral changes to Chirp with this patch. [Keith Williamson <hkwilliamson(a)gmail.com>] [vx8] Simple refactor that moves most VXDRadio class functions to VXRadio parent class. Fixes #4881 This is the first of two groundwork patches for adding Settings support for the VX-8R. This patch produces no change in functionality. [Keith Williamson <hkwilliamson(a)gmail.com>] [vx8] Fix issue with VX-8R download from radio. Fixes #4883 This patch ensures that the functions from the correct radio class are called when downloading from the radio. This is achieved by defining distinct MODELs for the VX-8R, VX-8DR, and VX-8GE and deleting their VARIANTs. This patch is also accompanied (out-of-band) with test image files for each of the radios. [Pavel Milanes (CO7WT) <pavelmc(a)gmail.com>] [PATCH][tk270.py] Increase OEM band edges by 4.0%, fix #4709 Some of this model's variants are in ranges near ham bands but outside them by the OEM stated range, for example from 150 to 174 Mhz, or 148 to 174 Mhz, in the case of the UHF we has the variants in the 450 to 490 Mhz or the 406 to 430 Mhz. I make some characterizations and most of the radios can work safely with a 4% increment of the stated range safely and will allow to work near ham bands. (real range is bigger but we stick to a safe value) Related also to #4789, see this for real edges data measurements. With improvements an corrections suggested on the chirp_devel mailing list [Pavel Milanes (CO7WT) <pavelmc(a)gmail.com>] [tk760.py] Increase OEM band edges by 4.0%, fix #4789 Some of this model's variants are in ranges near ham bands but outside them by the OEM stated range, for example from 150 to 174 Mhz, or 148 to 174 Mhz, in the case of the UHF we has the variants in the 450 to 490 Mhz or the 406 to 430 Mhz. I make some characterizations and most of the radios can work safely with a 4% of the stated range safely and will allow to work near ham bands. (real range is bigger but we stick to a safe value) This patch was based on the discussions about issue #4709 and improvements from the chirp_devel mailing list comments. [Pavel Milanes (CO7WT) <pavelmc(a)gmail.com>] [tk760g.py] Increase OEM band edges by 4.0%, fix #4789 Some of this model's variants are in ranges near ham bands but outside them by the OEM stated range, for example from 150 to 174 Mhz, or 148 to 174 Mhz, in the case of the UHF we has the variants in the 450 to 490 Mhz or the 406 to 430 Mhz. I make some characterizations and most of the radios can work safely with a 4% of the stated range safely and will allow to work near ham bands. (real range is bigger but we stick to a safe value) This patch was based on the discussions about issue #4709 and fixes due to chirp_devel recomendations

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[chirp_users] Multiple radios, multiple cables
by Tom Marinello 06 Jun '17

06 Jun '17

New to the list, but not new to Chirp. Installed CHIRP in 2013 for my Baofeng UV-5R on my W7 PC. Installed the Prolific 3.2.0.0 drivers, programmed the radio with no problems. Lots of good advice on the Yahoo group. Fast forward to 2017. Got a Kenwood TM-281A from a friend for a base station radio. Ordered a programming cable from an eBay vendor. Installed the Kenwood software, plugged in the cable and had no problem reading from and writing to the Kenwood. Not real impressed with Kenwood's programming software. Decided to see if the radio is supported by CHIRP, downloaded the latest daily build and attempted to use CHIRP. Selected "Download from Radio, selected COM4, Kenwood and TM-281, and pressed OK. Nothing happens at all. If I repeat the process, an error is thrown: "An error has occurred. could not open COM4: [Error 5] Access is denied." Did as much RTFM as I knew how to do. Read Beginner's Guide, read FAQ, Noticed the driver had updated to Prolific 3.8.12.0; downgraded to 3.2.0.0. No change. Cable came with some prolific driver installation software. Included is a "Check PL-2303 chip version" utility. Utility reports "This is a PL-2303 XA/HXA chip." I don't know what my next steps are. Any suggestions? /Tom K6IGY

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[chirp_users] Baofeng UV-5RWP
by Patrick Brown 05 Jun '17

05 Jun '17

A friend of mine has some Baofeng UV-5RWP and chirp supports it but he can not get them to program is there a trick to these radios? -- Patrick Brown YCSRT 3213 N7FHB Wilhoit 145.350 Wildflower SYCSRT TEAM Manager http://ycsrt.org T.E.A.M = Together Everyone Accomplishes More

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[chirp_users] Windows 10 Pro x64, Kenwood F6A and V71A
by Rich Messeder 05 Jun '17

05 Jun '17

Just a note to say that this combo works great. Windows 10 Pro x64 Kenwood F6A and V71A, Baofeng UV-5RTP CHIRP, Kenwood MCP (two versions) Tera Grand - Premium USB 2.0 to RS232 Serial DB9 Adapter - Supports Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000, 98, Linux and Mac - Built with FTDI Chipset https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BUZ0K68/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?… HOSA DB9(F) to DIN8(M), 3 ft. COMPUTER SOUND-CARD CABLES. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000068OEQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?… PC03 FTDI Authentic Genuine USB Programming Cable for BaoFeng, Kenwood, Wouxun, AnyTone https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HUB0ONK/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?i… I've been using them for over a year. The FTDI cable works well with Baofeng and Kenwood HTs, and the other cables work w the Kenwood V71A. 73 ~R~ NE1EE ARES AEC

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[chirp_users] Kenwood V71A extra config fields
by Rich Messeder 03 Jun '17

03 Jun '17

After reading the V71A in CHIRP, I looked for the extra configuration fields that I see when I run CHIRP on the Baofeng, but didn't see them. I guess that if CHIRP didn't read them, it won't change them, either, and I can still use the Kenwood MCP to manage those fields? 73 ~R~ NE1EE ARES AEC

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