Re: Two hosed Baofengs
Is this the correct one?
-= Gary =-
On Tue, Jun 11, 2024 at 16:09 Dan Smith dsmith@danplanet.com wrote:
Gary, you emailed the "list owner" address and not the list itself ( users@lists.chirpmyradio.com). Please re-send to the proper destination (or open a bug, which sounds more appropriate).
--Dan
On Jun 11, 2024, at 12:42 PM, Gary gary.barth@gmail.com wrote:
I have two ‘Fengs, a GT-5R and a BF-F9 V2+. I have programmed both
successfully several times, and decided to add another local repeater to both lists. I have included a screen shot of the last attempt on the BF-F9. I had just updated your software, and added the W3EPE repeater to the list (which correctly shows every entry), saved and uploaded it to the radio.
After disconnecting from Chirp, I attempted to access the repeater
(which is very close), and it failed. So I went into the radio menu, and went to item #25 Offset. It was set to 000.000. Supposed to be -5.0Mhz. So I manually set in on the keypad and exited. Tried the repeater again - no joy. Checked the offset - 000.000. Decided to try the offset itself - 444.375. No repeater, offset reset to 0.
Checked several other freqs on the list - list says there is one, radio
shows 0. Uh-oh! Grabbed my GT-5R, and downloaded it to Chirp. Then disconnected and tried several repeaters. All worked. Used the radio menu, and the offsets were there. So I added the new repeater to that list and uploaded the list to the radio. Now none of the repeaters work, and manually checking the radio, all offsets have been reset to 0. They’re correct on the Chirp list, but the radio (neither radio) doesn’t receive the offset data, for some reason. AND - I can no longer manually set the offset from the radio keyboard. As soon as I exit the menu the offset returns to 0. Both radios are now like this. I reset the BF-F9 twice and tried reprogramming it, with no success.
Any idea what’s happening here? Chirp was working until the last update,
and now I can’t even manually set these offsets…
TIA,<IMG_0067.jpg>
-= Gary =-
On Jun 11, 2024, at 12:42 PM, Gary gary.barth@gmail.com wrote:
I have two ‘Fengs, a GT-5R and a BF-F9 V2+. I have programmed both
successfully several times, and decided to add another local repeater to both lists. I have included a screen shot of the last attempt on the BF-F9. I had just updated your software, and added the W3EPE repeater to the list (which correctly shows every entry), saved and uploaded it to the radio.
After disconnecting from Chirp, I attempted to access the repeater
(which is very close), and it failed. So I went into the radio menu, and went to item #25 Offset. It was set to 000.000. Supposed to be -5.0Mhz. So I manually set in on the keypad and exited. Tried the repeater again - no joy. Checked the offset - 000.000. Decided to try the offset itself - 444.375. No repeater, offset reset to 0.
Checked several other freqs on the list - list says there is one, radio
shows 0. Uh-oh! Grabbed my GT-5R, and downloaded it to Chirp. Then disconnected and tried several repeaters. All worked. Used the radio menu, and the offsets were there. So I added the new repeater to that list and uploaded the list to the radio. Now none of the repeaters work, and manually checking the radio, all offsets have been reset to 0. They’re correct on the Chirp list, but the radio (neither radio) doesn’t receive the offset data, for some reason. AND - I can no longer manually set the offset from the radio keyboard. As soon as I exit the menu the offset returns to 0. Both radios are now like this. I reset the BF-F9 twice and tried reprogramming it, with no success.
Any idea what’s happening here? Chirp was working until the last update,
and now I can’t even manually set these offsets…
TIA,<IMG_0067.jpg>
-= Gary =-
CHIRP is working fine. You just don't yet understand how these radios work.
These radios do not use or store 'offsets' for programmed channels. Repeaters use 2 frequencies. In input frequency that it listens to and an output frequency that it transmits on. In your example...
Repeater input frequency: 449.375 Repeater output frequency: 444.375
Then for anyone to access the repeater, their radio has to use the same frequencies in the opposite role...
User input frequency: 444.375 User output frequency: 449.375
That's it. No offset or shift direction required.
So when a memory channel is programmed in your radio via the keypad or by using programming software from Baofeng or CHIRP, the radio is sent the RX frequency and the TX frequency.
Because using the 444.375+ shorthand is a convenient way for hams to convey the frequency pair used by the repeater, CHIRP allows the user to enter it using this notation. But then in the background CHIRP that the 3 pieces of info (RX frequency, shift direction and offset) to calculate the actual TX frequency and stores that in the 'image' file because that is what the radio uses to operate in MR (channel) mode.
It is for this reason that menu 25 (SFT-D) and menu 26 (OFFSET) have no purpose and do not function in MR mode. This is also why whenever the TX frequency and RX frequency of a programmed channel are not the same (as would be the case for a repeater, odd-split, cross-band or TX disabled channel), the upper status display area shows a "+-" symbol.
If you set the MDF (Memory Display Format) of the currently selected display line to FREQ, you will see the RX frequency in the display. Then if you tap the [*] key to put the radio into "reverse" mode (or press the PTT button to transmit), you will see the display change to the TX frequency. Tapping the [*] key a second time (or releasing the PTT button) will return the display back to the RX frequency.
It is only in VFO (frequency) mode that the SFT-D and OFFSET menus have a purpose and function. It is only in this mode that the individual "+" and "-" symbols will be seen.
To find out what menus do not function in MR mode, consult my detailed menu reference for the BF-F8HP. https://www.miklor.com/COM/UV_MenuDef.php
Jim KC9HI
After much deliberation, I have to ask an honest question: what is the purpose of Chirp? To be fair, all I have been using it for is my 2 Baofengs. I have a Wouxun KG-Q10H, but use its own programming software so far because Chirp hasn’t picked it up yet. But if hooking up my ‘Fengs to Chirp does nothing more than populate a channel list with freqs, or change the messages, maybe you can explain what Chirp really does, what it’s useful for. What are memories for if they can’t be programmed with Chirp? Why are the other settings there?
It seems to me that, at least with Baofengs, Chirp is only useful for loading the radio with a list of downloaded repeaters…after that, each channel has to be manually “tuned” in VFO mode in order to process the tone and split, at least. The memory list is just there for look-up. Am I missing something here?
And the radios themselves seem to forget, or change even the manual settings. I have no idea on how to make individual frequency settings stay after programming them. In Memory mode, in VFO mode, nothing stays as it was set.
I guess it’s time to throw these junkers in the trash and actually spend some $$ on a real radio.
73, -= N4YVN =-
-----Original Message----- From: Jim Unroe via Users users@lists.chirpmyradio.com Sent: June 11, 2024 19:45 To: CHIRP users list users@lists.chirpmyradio.com Cc: Jim Unroe rock.unroe@gmail.com Subject: [users] Re: Two hosed Baofengs
On Jun 11, 2024, at 12:42 PM, Gary gary.barth@gmail.com wrote:
I have two ‘Fengs, a GT-5R and a BF-F9 V2+. I have programmed both
successfully several times, and decided to add another local repeater to both lists. I have included a screen shot of the last attempt on the BF-F9. I had just updated your software, and added the W3EPE repeater to the list (which correctly shows every entry), saved and uploaded it to the radio.
After disconnecting from Chirp, I attempted to access the repeater
(which is very close), and it failed. So I went into the radio menu, and went to item #25 Offset. It was set to 000.000. Supposed to be -5.0Mhz. So I manually set in on the keypad and exited. Tried the repeater again - no joy. Checked the offset - 000.000. Decided to try the offset itself - 444.375. No repeater, offset reset to 0.
Checked several other freqs on the list - list says there is one, radio
shows 0. Uh-oh! Grabbed my GT-5R, and downloaded it to Chirp. Then disconnected and tried several repeaters. All worked. Used the radio menu, and the offsets were there. So I added the new repeater to that list and uploaded the list to the radio. Now none of the repeaters work, and manually checking the radio, all offsets have been reset to 0. They’re correct on the Chirp list, but the radio (neither radio) doesn’t receive the offset data, for some reason. AND - I can no longer manually set the offset from the radio keyboard. As soon as I exit the menu the offset returns to 0. Both radios are now like this. I reset the BF-F9 twice and tried reprogramming it, with no success.
Any idea what’s happening here? Chirp was working until the last update,
and now I can’t even manually set these offsets…
TIA,<IMG_0067.jpg>
-= Gary =-
CHIRP is working fine. You just don't yet understand how these radios work.
These radios do not use or store 'offsets' for programmed channels. Repeaters use 2 frequencies. In input frequency that it listens to and an output frequency that it transmits on. In your example...
Repeater input frequency: 449.375 Repeater output frequency: 444.375
Then for anyone to access the repeater, their radio has to use the same frequencies in the opposite role...
User input frequency: 444.375 User output frequency: 449.375
That's it. No offset or shift direction required.
So when a memory channel is programmed in your radio via the keypad or by using programming software from Baofeng or CHIRP, the radio is sent the RX frequency and the TX frequency.
Because using the 444.375+ shorthand is a convenient way for hams to convey the frequency pair used by the repeater, CHIRP allows the user to enter it using this notation. But then in the background CHIRP that the 3 pieces of info (RX frequency, shift direction and offset) to calculate the actual TX frequency and stores that in the 'image' file because that is what the radio uses to operate in MR (channel) mode.
It is for this reason that menu 25 (SFT-D) and menu 26 (OFFSET) have no purpose and do not function in MR mode. This is also why whenever the TX frequency and RX frequency of a programmed channel are not the same (as would be the case for a repeater, odd-split, cross-band or TX disabled channel), the upper status display area shows a "+-" symbol.
If you set the MDF (Memory Display Format) of the currently selected display line to FREQ, you will see the RX frequency in the display. Then if you tap the [*] key to put the radio into "reverse" mode (or press the PTT button to transmit), you will see the display change to the TX frequency. Tapping the [*] key a second time (or releasing the PTT button) will return the display back to the RX frequency.
It is only in VFO (frequency) mode that the SFT-D and OFFSET menus have a purpose and function. It is only in this mode that the individual "+" and "-" symbols will be seen.
To find out what menus do not function in MR mode, consult my detailed menu reference for the BF-F8HP. https://www.miklor.com/COM/UV_MenuDef.php
Jim KC9HI _______________________________________________ Users mailing list users@lists.chirpmyradio.com https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/postorius/lists/users.lists.chirpmyradio.com To unsubscribe, send an email to users-leave@lists.chirpmyradio.com To report this email as off-topic, please email users-owner@lists.chirpmyradio.com List archives: https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/hyperkitty/list/users@lists.chirpmyradio.com/
I've used Chirp for a number of years to program my Yaesu FT60 and a Baofeng UV5R for the Boston Marathon. The Marathon requires a complex set of 20 or more channels, with alphanumeric labels, and this changes somewhat every year. It would be an utter nightmare to program all of these channels by hand even for the FT60. As for the Baofeng? Fuggeddabouddit.
So for this use case, Chirp is indispensable. The developers have my complete gratitude.
I am also, sadly, using RT Systems' commercial programmer for a Yaesu FTM6000R for the same event, because Chirp doesn't support it. Since I'm not yet retired, I don't have the free time that would be needed to reverse-engineer the serial protocol and bring up a Chirp module for this radio. But I do have hopes it will some day be supported.
Steve N1XNX
On Wed, Jun 19, 2024 at 10:36 AM Gary via Users < users@lists.chirpmyradio.com> wrote:
After much deliberation, I have to ask an honest question: what is the purpose of Chirp? To be fair, all I have been using it for is my 2 Baofengs. I have a Wouxun KG-Q10H, but use its own programming software so far because Chirp hasn’t picked it up yet. But if hooking up my ‘Fengs to Chirp does nothing more than populate a channel list with freqs, or change the messages, maybe you can explain what Chirp really does, what it’s useful for. What are memories for if they can’t be programmed with Chirp? Why are the other settings there?
It seems to me that, at least with Baofengs, Chirp is only useful for loading the radio with a list of downloaded repeaters…after that, each channel has to be manually “tuned” in VFO mode in order to process the tone and split, at least. The memory list is just there for look-up. Am I missing something here?
And the radios themselves seem to forget, or change even the manual settings. I have no idea on how to make individual frequency settings stay after programming them. In Memory mode, in VFO mode, nothing stays as it was set.
I guess it’s time to throw these junkers in the trash and actually spend some $$ on a real radio.
73, -= N4YVN =-
-----Original Message----- From: Jim Unroe via Users users@lists.chirpmyradio.com Sent: June 11, 2024 19:45 To: CHIRP users list users@lists.chirpmyradio.com Cc: Jim Unroe rock.unroe@gmail.com Subject: [users] Re: Two hosed Baofengs
On Jun 11, 2024, at 12:42 PM, Gary gary.barth@gmail.com wrote:
I have two ‘Fengs, a GT-5R and a BF-F9 V2+. I have programmed both
successfully several times, and decided to add another local repeater to both lists. I have included a screen shot of the last attempt on the BF-F9. I had just updated your software, and added the W3EPE repeater to the list (which correctly shows every entry), saved and uploaded it to the radio.
After disconnecting from Chirp, I attempted to access the repeater
(which is very close), and it failed. So I went into the radio menu, and went to item #25 Offset. It was set to 000.000. Supposed to be -5.0Mhz. So I manually set in on the keypad and exited. Tried the repeater again - no joy. Checked the offset - 000.000. Decided to try the offset itself - 444.375. No repeater, offset reset to 0.
Checked several other freqs on the list - list says there is one, radio
shows 0. Uh-oh! Grabbed my GT-5R, and downloaded it to Chirp. Then disconnected and tried several repeaters. All worked. Used the radio menu, and the offsets were there. So I added the new repeater to that list and uploaded the list to the radio. Now none of the repeaters work, and manually checking the radio, all offsets have been reset to 0. They’re correct on the Chirp list, but the radio (neither radio) doesn’t receive the offset data, for some reason. AND - I can no longer manually set the offset from the radio keyboard. As soon as I exit the menu the offset returns to 0. Both radios are now like this. I reset the BF-F9 twice and tried reprogramming it, with no success.
Any idea what’s happening here? Chirp was working until the last update,
and now I can’t even manually set these offsets…
TIA,<IMG_0067.jpg>
-= Gary =-
CHIRP is working fine. You just don't yet understand how these radios work.
These radios do not use or store 'offsets' for programmed channels. Repeaters use 2 frequencies. In input frequency that it listens to and an output frequency that it transmits on. In your example...
Repeater input frequency: 449.375 Repeater output frequency: 444.375
Then for anyone to access the repeater, their radio has to use the same frequencies in the opposite role...
User input frequency: 444.375 User output frequency: 449.375
That's it. No offset or shift direction required.
So when a memory channel is programmed in your radio via the keypad or by using programming software from Baofeng or CHIRP, the radio is sent the RX frequency and the TX frequency.
Because using the 444.375+ shorthand is a convenient way for hams to convey the frequency pair used by the repeater, CHIRP allows the user to enter it using this notation. But then in the background CHIRP that the 3 pieces of info (RX frequency, shift direction and offset) to calculate the actual TX frequency and stores that in the 'image' file because that is what the radio uses to operate in MR (channel) mode.
It is for this reason that menu 25 (SFT-D) and menu 26 (OFFSET) have no purpose and do not function in MR mode. This is also why whenever the TX frequency and RX frequency of a programmed channel are not the same (as would be the case for a repeater, odd-split, cross-band or TX disabled channel), the upper status display area shows a "+-" symbol.
If you set the MDF (Memory Display Format) of the currently selected display line to FREQ, you will see the RX frequency in the display. Then if you tap the [*] key to put the radio into "reverse" mode (or press the PTT button to transmit), you will see the display change to the TX frequency. Tapping the [*] key a second time (or releasing the PTT button) will return the display back to the RX frequency.
It is only in VFO (frequency) mode that the SFT-D and OFFSET menus have a purpose and function. It is only in this mode that the individual "+" and "-" symbols will be seen.
To find out what menus do not function in MR mode, consult my detailed menu reference for the BF-F8HP. https://www.miklor.com/COM/UV_MenuDef.php
Jim KC9HI _______________________________________________ Users mailing list users@lists.chirpmyradio.com https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/postorius/lists/users.lists.chirpmyradio.com To unsubscribe, send an email to users-leave@lists.chirpmyradio.com To report this email as off-topic, please email users-owner@lists.chirpmyradio.com List archives:
https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/hyperkitty/list/users@lists.chirpmyradio.com/ _______________________________________________ Users mailing list users@lists.chirpmyradio.com https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/postorius/lists/users.lists.chirpmyradio.com To unsubscribe, send an email to users-leave@lists.chirpmyradio.com To report this email as off-topic, please email users-owner@lists.chirpmyradio.com List archives: https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/hyperkitty/list/users@lists.chirpmyradio.com/
Chirp allows programming RX freq, TX freq, shift (+-), and tone for repeaters then when uploaded it saves all the required data. This is done in a spreadsheet format so it is easily done by channel (and also allows adding a text name for display if you choose). Different radios require a slightly different format of the data entered.
Baofeng does not use ARS so both frequencies must be entered in the proper sequence when doing so manually. Most other brands use ARS so the shift (+-) may not even be required.
Doing manual programming of a Baofeng is a multi step process for each channel programmed, so quickly becomes an odious task when programming more than one channel. Chirp removes the many repeated keyboard strokes and allows entering the data and reviewing it on screen then a single upload programs all the memory channels at once.
To me, chirp is a lifesaver on all my radios that it supports.
To Steve, N1XNX I think that chirp now has at least a beta driver for the FTM-6000 radio. I had submitted a request when I got mine just after they were released and recently got notice that the beta driver was available. I also have the RTSystems programming software for it.
Jeff KI7GJG
On Wed, Jun 19, 2024 at 9:35 AM Gary via Users users@lists.chirpmyradio.com wrote:
After much deliberation, I have to ask an honest question: what is the purpose of Chirp? To be fair, all I have been using it for is my 2 Baofengs. I have a Wouxun KG-Q10H, but use its own programming software so far because Chirp hasn’t picked it up yet. But if hooking up my ‘Fengs to Chirp does nothing more than populate a channel list with freqs, or change the messages, maybe you can explain what Chirp really does, what it’s useful for. What are memories for if they can’t be programmed with Chirp? Why are the other settings there?
It seems to me that, at least with Baofengs, Chirp is only useful for loading the radio with a list of downloaded repeaters…after that, each channel has to be manually “tuned” in VFO mode in order to process the tone and split, at least. The memory list is just there for look-up. Am I missing something here?
And the radios themselves seem to forget, or change even the manual settings. I have no idea on how to make individual frequency settings stay after programming them. In Memory mode, in VFO mode, nothing stays as it was set.
I guess it’s time to throw these junkers in the trash and actually spend some $$ on a real radio.
73, -= N4YVN =-
-----Original Message----- From: Jim Unroe via Users users@lists.chirpmyradio.com Sent: June 11, 2024 19:45 To: CHIRP users list users@lists.chirpmyradio.com Cc: Jim Unroe rock.unroe@gmail.com Subject: [users] Re: Two hosed Baofengs
On Jun 11, 2024, at 12:42 PM, Gary gary.barth@gmail.com wrote:
I have two ‘Fengs, a GT-5R and a BF-F9 V2+. I have programmed both
successfully several times, and decided to add another local repeater to both lists. I have included a screen shot of the last attempt on the BF-F9. I had just updated your software, and added the W3EPE repeater to the list (which correctly shows every entry), saved and uploaded it to the radio.
After disconnecting from Chirp, I attempted to access the repeater
(which is very close), and it failed. So I went into the radio menu, and went to item #25 Offset. It was set to 000.000. Supposed to be -5.0Mhz. So I manually set in on the keypad and exited. Tried the repeater again - no joy. Checked the offset - 000.000. Decided to try the offset itself - 444.375. No repeater, offset reset to 0.
Checked several other freqs on the list - list says there is one, radio
shows 0. Uh-oh! Grabbed my GT-5R, and downloaded it to Chirp. Then disconnected and tried several repeaters. All worked. Used the radio menu, and the offsets were there. So I added the new repeater to that list and uploaded the list to the radio. Now none of the repeaters work, and manually checking the radio, all offsets have been reset to 0. They’re correct on the Chirp list, but the radio (neither radio) doesn’t receive the offset data, for some reason. AND - I can no longer manually set the offset from the radio keyboard. As soon as I exit the menu the offset returns to 0. Both radios are now like this. I reset the BF-F9 twice and tried reprogramming it, with no success.
Any idea what’s happening here? Chirp was working until the last update,
and now I can’t even manually set these offsets…
TIA,<IMG_0067.jpg>
-= Gary =-
CHIRP is working fine. You just don't yet understand how these radios work.
These radios do not use or store 'offsets' for programmed channels. Repeaters use 2 frequencies. In input frequency that it listens to and an output frequency that it transmits on. In your example...
Repeater input frequency: 449.375 Repeater output frequency: 444.375
Then for anyone to access the repeater, their radio has to use the same frequencies in the opposite role...
User input frequency: 444.375 User output frequency: 449.375
That's it. No offset or shift direction required.
So when a memory channel is programmed in your radio via the keypad or by using programming software from Baofeng or CHIRP, the radio is sent the RX frequency and the TX frequency.
Because using the 444.375+ shorthand is a convenient way for hams to convey the frequency pair used by the repeater, CHIRP allows the user to enter it using this notation. But then in the background CHIRP that the 3 pieces of info (RX frequency, shift direction and offset) to calculate the actual TX frequency and stores that in the 'image' file because that is what the radio uses to operate in MR (channel) mode.
It is for this reason that menu 25 (SFT-D) and menu 26 (OFFSET) have no purpose and do not function in MR mode. This is also why whenever the TX frequency and RX frequency of a programmed channel are not the same (as would be the case for a repeater, odd-split, cross-band or TX disabled channel), the upper status display area shows a "+-" symbol.
If you set the MDF (Memory Display Format) of the currently selected display line to FREQ, you will see the RX frequency in the display. Then if you tap the [*] key to put the radio into "reverse" mode (or press the PTT button to transmit), you will see the display change to the TX frequency. Tapping the [*] key a second time (or releasing the PTT button) will return the display back to the RX frequency.
It is only in VFO (frequency) mode that the SFT-D and OFFSET menus have a purpose and function. It is only in this mode that the individual "+" and "-" symbols will be seen.
To find out what menus do not function in MR mode, consult my detailed menu reference for the BF-F8HP. https://www.miklor.com/COM/UV_MenuDef.php
Jim KC9HI _______________________________________________ Users mailing list users@lists.chirpmyradio.com https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/postorius/lists/users.lists.chirpmyradio.com To unsubscribe, send an email to users-leave@lists.chirpmyradio.com To report this email as off-topic, please email users-owner@lists.chirpmyradio.com List archives:
https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/hyperkitty/list/users@lists.chirpmyradio.com/ _______________________________________________ Users mailing list users@lists.chirpmyradio.com https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/postorius/lists/users.lists.chirpmyradio.com To unsubscribe, send an email to users-leave@lists.chirpmyradio.com To report this email as off-topic, please email users-owner@lists.chirpmyradio.com List archives: https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/hyperkitty/list/users@lists.chirpmyradio.com/
On 19.6.2024. 16:16, Gary via Users wrote:
After much deliberation, I have to ask an honest question: what is the purpose of Chirp?
It is much easier to initially program radio using Chirp. All you have to do is to find list of frequencies you need and with some copy and paste prepare them for the radio.
It also helps if you want to add new programed frequencies or even rearrange existing or reconfigure radio.
And you may have more radios, maybe even different models or brands. Setting them all up manually is really tedious. Chirp makes it done in few clicks.
Gary,
I'm not sure what's going on with your particular setup, but CHIRP allows countless thousands of happy users to successfully program their radios from a wide variety of manufacturers.
Jim's response to your earlier email described how Baofengs operate inside the radio, and how CHIRP takes the users inputs from its spreadsheet interface and properly populates the radio.
If you take your GT-5R and read its current contents into CHIRP, are the channels explained directly or not?
If you save that data off to your HD, then create a brand new setup, importing from repeaterbook or manually entering several repeater frequencies into CHIRP then writing them to the radio, do they display/work as you expect in the radio?
Assuming your radio is properly programmed, the average Baofeng has decent range (handful of miles) to a repeater when the HT is on the OEM antenna. If you upgrade to a better antenna (say a SignalStik or a Diamond/Nagoya antenna) you should have better luck hitting repeaters a bit further out compared to the OEM antenna.
In my experience, Baofengs are good for nearby repeaters and allstar nodes, but quite challenging to use simplex (no repeater) in an urban area (I learned this at a recent parade where the team decided to try 2m simplex, and I couldn't hear most of the stations along the parade from my parade route location).
Other, major brand, HTs will undoubtedly perform better, but most HTs come with antennas designed to fit in the box, not to maximize the performance of the radio in the box.
Good luck,
Ken, N2VIP
On Jun 19, 2024, at 09:36, Gary via Users users@lists.chirpmyradio.com wrote:
After much deliberation, I have to ask an honest question: what is the purpose of Chirp? To be fair, all I have been using it for is my 2 Baofengs. I have a Wouxun KG-Q10H, but use its own programming software so far because Chirp hasn’t picked it up yet. But if hooking up my ‘Fengs to Chirp does nothing more than populate a channel list with freqs, or change the messages, maybe you can explain what Chirp really does, what it’s useful for. What are memories for if they can’t be programmed with Chirp? Why are the other settings there?
It seems to me that, at least with Baofengs, Chirp is only useful for loading the radio with a list of downloaded repeaters…after that, each channel has to be manually “tuned” in VFO mode in order to process the tone and split, at least. The memory list is just there for look-up. Am I missing something here?
And the radios themselves seem to forget, or change even the manual settings. I have no idea on how to make individual frequency settings stay after programming them. In Memory mode, in VFO mode, nothing stays as it was set.
I guess it’s time to throw these junkers in the trash and actually spend some $$ on a real radio.
73, -= N4YVN =-
I have religiously used CHIRP on my HTs (all Baofeng (5-watt, 8-watt, and 10-watt)) since I got my Technician license in May 2018 at the age of 68. I got my General in July and my Extra in October. I also got my Volunteer Examiner certification in October. After my HTs, I bought a 25-watt Lexien "mobile" as my base station and then moved up to a 50-watt BTECH UV-50X2 mobile. There are features in some of these radios that can, for all intents and purposes, only be accessed with CHIRP. It's the greatest!
73s,
Christopher Knowles, WD1E
On 6/20/2024 11:58 AM, Ken Hansen via Users wrote:
Gary,
I'm not sure what's going on with your particular setup, but CHIRP allows countless thousands of happy users to successfully program their radios from a wide variety of manufacturers.
Jim's response to your earlier email described how Baofengs operate inside the radio, and how CHIRP takes the users inputs from its spreadsheet interface and properly populates the radio.
If you take your GT-5R and read its current contents into CHIRP, are the channels explained directly or not?
If you save that data off to your HD, then create a brand new setup, importing from repeaterbook or manually entering several repeater frequencies into CHIRP then writing them to the radio, do they display/work as you expect in the radio?
Assuming your radio is properly programmed, the average Baofeng has decent range (handful of miles) to a repeater when the HT is on the OEM antenna. If you upgrade to a better antenna (say a SignalStik or a Diamond/Nagoya antenna) you should have better luck hitting repeaters a bit further out compared to the OEM antenna.
In my experience, Baofengs are good for nearby repeaters and allstar nodes, but quite challenging to use simplex (no repeater) in an urban area (I learned this at a recent parade where the team decided to try 2m simplex, and I couldn't hear most of the stations along the parade from my parade route location).
Other, major brand, HTs will undoubtedly perform better, but most HTs come with antennas designed to fit in the box, not to maximize the performance of the radio in the box.
Good luck,
Ken, N2VIP
On Jun 19, 2024, at 09:36, Gary via Users users@lists.chirpmyradio.com wrote:
After much deliberation, I have to ask an honest question: what is the purpose of Chirp? To be fair, all I have been using it for is my 2 Baofengs. I have a Wouxun KG-Q10H, but use its own programming software so far because Chirp hasn’t picked it up yet. But if hooking up my ‘Fengs to Chirp does nothing more than populate a channel list with freqs, or change the messages, maybe you can explain what Chirp really does, what it’s useful for. What are memories for if they can’t be programmed with Chirp? Why are the other settings there?
It seems to me that, at least with Baofengs, Chirp is only useful for loading the radio with a list of downloaded repeaters…after that, each channel has to be manually “tuned” in VFO mode in order to process the tone and split, at least. The memory list is just there for look-up. Am I missing something here?
And the radios themselves seem to forget, or change even the manual settings. I have no idea on how to make individual frequency settings stay after programming them. In Memory mode, in VFO mode, nothing stays as it was set.
I guess it’s time to throw these junkers in the trash and actually spend some $$ on a real radio.
73, -= N4YVN =-
Users mailing list users@lists.chirpmyradio.com https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/postorius/lists/users.lists.chirpmyradio.com To unsubscribe, send an email to users-leave@lists.chirpmyradio.com To report this email as off-topic, please email users-owner@lists.chirpmyradio.com List archives: https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/hyperkitty/list/users@lists.chirpmyradio.com/
P.S. Since I started, I just cut and pasted my stations from my previous radio to my new one. Then I continued to add new stations. Then the "Settings" were either addressed by the template from the radio or explained in the manual. WD1E
-------- Forwarded Message -------- Subject: Re: [users] Re: Two hosed Baofengs Date: Thu, 20 Jun 2024 12:49:37 -0400 From: Christopher Knowles cknowles@tiac.net To: users@lists.chirpmyradio.com
I have religiously used CHIRP on my HTs (all Baofeng (5-watt, 8-watt, and 10-watt)) since I got my Technician license in May 2018 at the age of 68. I got my General in July and my Extra in October. I also got my Volunteer Examiner certification in October. After my HTs, I bought a 25-watt Lexien "mobile" as my base station and then moved up to a 50-watt BTECH UV-50X2 mobile. There are features in some of these radios that can, for all intents and purposes, only be accessed with CHIRP. It's the greatest!
73s,
Christopher Knowles, WD1E
On 6/20/2024 11:58 AM, Ken Hansen via Users wrote:
Gary,
I'm not sure what's going on with your particular setup, but CHIRP allows countless thousands of happy users to successfully program their radios from a wide variety of manufacturers.
Jim's response to your earlier email described how Baofengs operate inside the radio, and how CHIRP takes the users inputs from its spreadsheet interface and properly populates the radio.
If you take your GT-5R and read its current contents into CHIRP, are the channels explained directly or not?
If you save that data off to your HD, then create a brand new setup, importing from repeaterbook or manually entering several repeater frequencies into CHIRP then writing them to the radio, do they display/work as you expect in the radio?
Assuming your radio is properly programmed, the average Baofeng has decent range (handful of miles) to a repeater when the HT is on the OEM antenna. If you upgrade to a better antenna (say a SignalStik or a Diamond/Nagoya antenna) you should have better luck hitting repeaters a bit further out compared to the OEM antenna.
In my experience, Baofengs are good for nearby repeaters and allstar nodes, but quite challenging to use simplex (no repeater) in an urban area (I learned this at a recent parade where the team decided to try 2m simplex, and I couldn't hear most of the stations along the parade from my parade route location).
Other, major brand, HTs will undoubtedly perform better, but most HTs come with antennas designed to fit in the box, not to maximize the performance of the radio in the box.
Good luck,
Ken, N2VIP
On Jun 19, 2024, at 09:36, Gary via Users users@lists.chirpmyradio.com wrote:
After much deliberation, I have to ask an honest question: what is the purpose of Chirp? To be fair, all I have been using it for is my 2 Baofengs. I have a Wouxun KG-Q10H, but use its own programming software so far because Chirp hasn’t picked it up yet. But if hooking up my ‘Fengs to Chirp does nothing more than populate a channel list with freqs, or change the messages, maybe you can explain what Chirp really does, what it’s useful for. What are memories for if they can’t be programmed with Chirp? Why are the other settings there?
It seems to me that, at least with Baofengs, Chirp is only useful for loading the radio with a list of downloaded repeaters…after that, each channel has to be manually “tuned” in VFO mode in order to process the tone and split, at least. The memory list is just there for look-up. Am I missing something here?
And the radios themselves seem to forget, or change even the manual settings. I have no idea on how to make individual frequency settings stay after programming them. In Memory mode, in VFO mode, nothing stays as it was set.
I guess it’s time to throw these junkers in the trash and actually spend some $$ on a real radio.
73, -= N4YVN =-
Users mailing list users@lists.chirpmyradio.com https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/postorius/lists/users.lists.chirpmyradio.com To unsubscribe, send an email to users-leave@lists.chirpmyradio.com To report this email as off-topic, please email users-owner@lists.chirpmyradio.com List archives: https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/hyperkitty/list/users@lists.chirpmyradio.com/
Are you using a cut rate programming cable? Following the power/plug sequence. Four radios, two Baofeng HTs. CHIRP on PC and Linux on Chromebook. No problems.
On Thu, Jun 20, 2024, 9:51 AM Christopher Knowles via Users < users@lists.chirpmyradio.com> wrote:
I have religiously used CHIRP on my HTs (all Baofeng (5-watt,8-watt, and 10-watt)) since I got my Technician license in May 2018 at the age of 68. I got my General in July and my Extra in October. I also got my Volunteer Examiner certification in October. After my HTs, I bought a 25-watt Lexien "mobile" as my base station and then moved up to a 50-watt BTECH UV-50X2 mobile. There are features in some of these radios that can, for all intents and purposes, only be accessed with CHIRP. It's the greatest!
73s, Christopher Knowles, WD1EOn 6/20/2024 11:58 AM, Ken Hansen via Users wrote:
Gary,
I'm not sure what's going on with your particular setup, but CHIRP
allows countless thousands of happy users to successfully program their radios from a wide variety of manufacturers.
Jim's response to your earlier email described how Baofengs operate
inside the radio, and how CHIRP takes the users inputs from its spreadsheet interface and properly populates the radio.
If you take your GT-5R and read its current contents into CHIRP, are the
channels explained directly or not?
If you save that data off to your HD, then create a brand new setup,
importing from repeaterbook or manually entering several repeater frequencies into CHIRP then writing them to the radio, do they display/work as you expect in the radio?
Assuming your radio is properly programmed, the average Baofeng has
decent range (handful of miles) to a repeater when the HT is on the OEM antenna. If you upgrade to a better antenna (say a SignalStik or a Diamond/Nagoya antenna) you should have better luck hitting repeaters a bit further out compared to the OEM antenna.
In my experience, Baofengs are good for nearby repeaters and allstar
nodes, but quite challenging to use simplex (no repeater) in an urban area (I learned this at a recent parade where the team decided to try 2m simplex, and I couldn't hear most of the stations along the parade from my parade route location).
Other, major brand, HTs will undoubtedly perform better, but most HTs
come with antennas designed to fit in the box, not to maximize the performance of the radio in the box.
Good luck,
Ken, N2VIP
On Jun 19, 2024, at 09:36, Gary via Users users@lists.chirpmyradio.com
wrote:
After much deliberation, I have to ask an honest question: what is the purpose of Chirp? To be fair, all I have been using it for is my 2 Baofengs. I have a Wouxun KG-Q10H, but use its own programming software
so
far because Chirp hasn’t picked it up yet. But if hooking up my ‘Fengs
to
Chirp does nothing more than populate a channel list with freqs, or
change
the messages, maybe you can explain what Chirp really does, what it’s useful for. What are memories for if they can’t be programmed with
Chirp?
Why are the other settings there?
It seems to me that, at least with Baofengs, Chirp is only useful for loading the radio with a list of downloaded repeaters…after that, each channel has to be manually “tuned” in VFO mode in order to process the
tone
and split, at least. The memory list is just there for look-up. Am I missing something here?
And the radios themselves seem to forget, or change even the manual settings. I have no idea on how to make individual frequency settings
stay
after programming them. In Memory mode, in VFO mode, nothing stays as it was set.
I guess it’s time to throw these junkers in the trash and actually spend some $$ on a real radio.
73, -= N4YVN =-
Users mailing list users@lists.chirpmyradio.com
https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/postorius/lists/users.lists.chirpmyradio.com
To unsubscribe, send an email to users-leave@lists.chirpmyradio.com To report this email as off-topic, please email
users-owner@lists.chirpmyradio.com
List archives:
https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/hyperkitty/list/users@lists.chirpmyradio.com/
-- Christopher Allan Knowles, MPA P.O. Box 4632 Vineyard Haven, MA 02568
Please find my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-knowles-99aba51a/
Staff Sergeant, United States Air Force, 1970 - 1974
Call Sign: WD1E - Amateur Extra Class Accredited Volunteer Examiner (VE)
Users mailing list users@lists.chirpmyradio.com https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/postorius/lists/users.lists.chirpmyradio.com To unsubscribe, send an email to users-leave@lists.chirpmyradio.com To report this email as off-topic, please email users-owner@lists.chirpmyradio.com List archives: https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/hyperkitty/list/users@lists.chirpmyradio.com/
I've had very good luck with cables from bluemax49ers - he has his own website and sells on eBay. His prices may look high, but remember the prices include s/h.
Ken
On Jun 20, 2024, at 19:13, Ron Barbish via Users users@lists.chirpmyradio.com wrote:
Are you using a cut rate programming cable? Following the power/plug sequence. Four radios, two Baofeng HTs. CHIRP on PC and Linux on Chromebook. No problems.
On Thu, Jun 20, 2024, 9:51 AM Christopher Knowles via Users < users@lists.chirpmyradio.com> wrote:
I have religiously used CHIRP on my HTs (all Baofeng (5-watt,8-watt, and 10-watt)) since I got my Technician license in May 2018 at the age of 68. I got my General in July and my Extra in October. I also got my Volunteer Examiner certification in October. After my HTs, I bought a 25-watt Lexien "mobile" as my base station and then moved up to a 50-watt BTECH UV-50X2 mobile. There are features in some of these radios that can, for all intents and purposes, only be accessed with CHIRP. It's the greatest!
73s, Christopher Knowles, WD1EOn 6/20/2024 11:58 AM, Ken Hansen via Users wrote: Gary,
I'm not sure what's going on with your particular setup, but CHIRP
allows countless thousands of happy users to successfully program their radios from a wide variety of manufacturers.
Jim's response to your earlier email described how Baofengs operate
inside the radio, and how CHIRP takes the users inputs from its spreadsheet interface and properly populates the radio.
If you take your GT-5R and read its current contents into CHIRP, are the
channels explained directly or not?
If you save that data off to your HD, then create a brand new setup,
importing from repeaterbook or manually entering several repeater frequencies into CHIRP then writing them to the radio, do they display/work as you expect in the radio?
Assuming your radio is properly programmed, the average Baofeng has
decent range (handful of miles) to a repeater when the HT is on the OEM antenna. If you upgrade to a better antenna (say a SignalStik or a Diamond/Nagoya antenna) you should have better luck hitting repeaters a bit further out compared to the OEM antenna.
In my experience, Baofengs are good for nearby repeaters and allstar
nodes, but quite challenging to use simplex (no repeater) in an urban area (I learned this at a recent parade where the team decided to try 2m simplex, and I couldn't hear most of the stations along the parade from my parade route location).
Other, major brand, HTs will undoubtedly perform better, but most HTs
come with antennas designed to fit in the box, not to maximize the performance of the radio in the box.
Good luck,
Ken, N2VIP
On Jun 19, 2024, at 09:36, Gary via Users users@lists.chirpmyradio.com
wrote:
After much deliberation, I have to ask an honest question: what is the purpose of Chirp? To be fair, all I have been using it for is my 2 Baofengs. I have a Wouxun KG-Q10H, but use its own programming software
so
far because Chirp hasn’t picked it up yet. But if hooking up my ‘Fengs
to
Chirp does nothing more than populate a channel list with freqs, or
change
the messages, maybe you can explain what Chirp really does, what it’s useful for. What are memories for if they can’t be programmed with
Chirp?
Why are the other settings there?
It seems to me that, at least with Baofengs, Chirp is only useful for loading the radio with a list of downloaded repeaters…after that, each channel has to be manually “tuned” in VFO mode in order to process the
tone
and split, at least. The memory list is just there for look-up. Am I missing something here?
And the radios themselves seem to forget, or change even the manual settings. I have no idea on how to make individual frequency settings
stay
after programming them. In Memory mode, in VFO mode, nothing stays as it was set.
I guess it’s time to throw these junkers in the trash and actually spend some $$ on a real radio.
73, -= N4YVN =-
Users mailing list users@lists.chirpmyradio.com
https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/postorius/lists/users.lists.chirpmyradio.com
To unsubscribe, send an email to users-leave@lists.chirpmyradio.com To report this email as off-topic, please email
users-owner@lists.chirpmyradio.com
List archives:
https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/hyperkitty/list/users@lists.chirpmyradio.com/
-- Christopher Allan Knowles, MPA P.O. Box 4632 Vineyard Haven, MA 02568
Please find my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-knowles-99aba51a/
Staff Sergeant, United States Air Force, 1970 - 1974
Call Sign: WD1E - Amateur Extra Class Accredited Volunteer Examiner (VE)
Users mailing list users@lists.chirpmyradio.com https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/postorius/lists/users.lists.chirpmyradio.com To unsubscribe, send an email to users-leave@lists.chirpmyradio.com To report this email as off-topic, please email users-owner@lists.chirpmyradio.com List archives: https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/hyperkitty/list/users@lists.chirpmyradio.com/
Users mailing list users@lists.chirpmyradio.com https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/postorius/lists/users.lists.chirpmyradio.com To unsubscribe, send an email to users-leave@lists.chirpmyradio.com To report this email as off-topic, please email users-owner@lists.chirpmyradio.com List archives: https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/hyperkitty/list/users@lists.chirpmyradio.com/
More experiences forthcoming, but here is the cable I have been using for my other ‘Feng and my Wouxun, with no problems so far. This cable came with recommendations from several other hams, so please let me know if my choice was wrong. I’ll be posting my results after resetting the 5, and doing all of the programming on the latest version of Chirp.
-= Gary =-
On Thu, Jun 20, 2024 at 20:15 Ron Barbish via Users < users@lists.chirpmyradio.com> wrote:
Are you using a cut rate programming cable? Following the power/plug sequence. Four radios, two Baofeng HTs. CHIRP on PC and Linux on Chromebook. No problems.
On Thu, Jun 20, 2024, 9:51 AM Christopher Knowles via Users < users@lists.chirpmyradio.com> wrote:
I have religiously used CHIRP on my HTs (all Baofeng (5-watt,8-watt, and 10-watt)) since I got my Technician license in May 2018 at the age of 68. I got my General in July and my Extra in October. I also got my Volunteer Examiner certification in October. After my HTs, I bought a 25-watt Lexien "mobile" as my base station and then moved up to a 50-watt BTECH UV-50X2 mobile. There are features in some of these radios that can, for all intents and purposes, only be accessed with CHIRP. It's the greatest!
73s, Christopher Knowles, WD1EOn 6/20/2024 11:58 AM, Ken Hansen via Users wrote:
Gary,
I'm not sure what's going on with your particular setup, but CHIRP
allows countless thousands of happy users to successfully program their radios from a wide variety of manufacturers.
Jim's response to your earlier email described how Baofengs operate
inside the radio, and how CHIRP takes the users inputs from its
spreadsheet
interface and properly populates the radio.
If you take your GT-5R and read its current contents into CHIRP, are
the
channels explained directly or not?
If you save that data off to your HD, then create a brand new setup,
importing from repeaterbook or manually entering several repeater frequencies into CHIRP then writing them to the radio, do they
display/work
as you expect in the radio?
Assuming your radio is properly programmed, the average Baofeng has
decent range (handful of miles) to a repeater when the HT is on the OEM antenna. If you upgrade to a better antenna (say a SignalStik or a Diamond/Nagoya antenna) you should have better luck hitting repeaters a
bit
further out compared to the OEM antenna.
In my experience, Baofengs are good for nearby repeaters and allstar
nodes, but quite challenging to use simplex (no repeater) in an urban
area
(I learned this at a recent parade where the team decided to try 2m simplex, and I couldn't hear most of the stations along the parade from
my
parade route location).
Other, major brand, HTs will undoubtedly perform better, but most HTs
come with antennas designed to fit in the box, not to maximize the performance of the radio in the box.
Good luck,
Ken, N2VIP
On Jun 19, 2024, at 09:36, Gary via Users <
users@lists.chirpmyradio.com>
wrote:
After much deliberation, I have to ask an honest question: what is the purpose of Chirp? To be fair, all I have been using it for is my 2 Baofengs. I have a Wouxun KG-Q10H, but use its own programming
software
so
far because Chirp hasn’t picked it up yet. But if hooking up my ‘Fengs
to
Chirp does nothing more than populate a channel list with freqs, or
change
the messages, maybe you can explain what Chirp really does, what it’s useful for. What are memories for if they can’t be programmed with
Chirp?
Why are the other settings there?
It seems to me that, at least with Baofengs, Chirp is only useful for loading the radio with a list of downloaded repeaters…after that, each channel has to be manually “tuned” in VFO mode in order to process the
tone
and split, at least. The memory list is just there for look-up. Am I missing something here?
And the radios themselves seem to forget, or change even the manual settings. I have no idea on how to make individual frequency settings
stay
after programming them. In Memory mode, in VFO mode, nothing stays as
it
was set.
I guess it’s time to throw these junkers in the trash and actually
spend
some $$ on a real radio.
73, -= N4YVN =-
Users mailing list users@lists.chirpmyradio.com
https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/postorius/lists/users.lists.chirpmyradio.com
To unsubscribe, send an email to users-leave@lists.chirpmyradio.com To report this email as off-topic, please email
users-owner@lists.chirpmyradio.com
List archives:
https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/hyperkitty/list/users@lists.chirpmyradio.com/
-- Christopher Allan Knowles, MPA P.O. Box 4632 Vineyard Haven, MA 02568
Please find my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-knowles-99aba51a/
Staff Sergeant, United States Air Force, 1970 - 1974
Call Sign: WD1E - Amateur Extra Class Accredited Volunteer Examiner (VE)
Users mailing list users@lists.chirpmyradio.com
https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/postorius/lists/users.lists.chirpmyradio.com
To unsubscribe, send an email to users-leave@lists.chirpmyradio.com To report this email as off-topic, please email users-owner@lists.chirpmyradio.com List archives:
https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/hyperkitty/list/users@lists.chirpmyradio.com/ _______________________________________________ Users mailing list users@lists.chirpmyradio.com https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/postorius/lists/users.lists.chirpmyradio.com To unsubscribe, send an email to users-leave@lists.chirpmyradio.com To report this email as off-topic, please email users-owner@lists.chirpmyradio.com List archives: https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/hyperkitty/list/users@lists.chirpmyradio.com/
Jim, Do you have/know of a document similar like your "Detailed menu reference for the BF-F8HP" for the Wouxun KG-UV950P/KG-UV980P radio?
Thanks,
Eric You don’t see psychotic coming Religion is for people who are afraid of hell, spirituality is for people who have already been there. (Lakota Nation) Recognize: You will never change something you are willing to tolerate.
_______________________________________________
To find out what menus do not function in MR mode, consult my detailed menu reference for the BF-F8HP. https://www.miklor.com/COM/UV_MenuDef.php
Jim KC9HI _______________________________________________ Users mailing list users@lists.chirpmyradio.com https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/postorius/lists/users.lists.chirpmyradio.com To unsubscribe, send an email to users-leave@lists.chirpmyradio.com To report this email as off-topic, please email users-owner@lists.chirpmyradio.com List archives: https://lists.chirpmyradio.com/hyperkitty/list/users@lists.chirpmyradio.com/
participants (9)
-
Christopher Knowles -
Eric -
Gary -
Jeffrey Vian -
Jim Unroe -
Ken Hansen -
Pedja YT9TP -
Ron Barbish -
Stephen Hersey