Re: [chirp_users] CHIRP 0.1.8b8

ImportError: No module named serial

Yep, the problem is that you're missing some supporting packages that aren't part of chirp, but that are used by it. The easiest thing might be to follow the install instructions for D-RATS that pertain to your Linux distro. Don't actually install D-RATS, but install all of the same packages before you try running chirp. The instructions are here:

http://d-rats.danplanet.com/wiki/InstallPage

Just scroll down to the Linux section...