If I'm not mistaken, there was an issue of Microsoft Excel not editing the csv files correctly and when opening such a file up and saving it again, it introduced errors.

Such errors did NOT occur with the use of LibreOffice (or OpenOffice) which is available for Windows, Mac OX-X, and Linux.

OpenOffice download: https://www.openoffice.org/download/ LibreOffice download: https://www.libreoffice.org/download/download/ (currently out of order) LibreOffice download: http://mirror.internode.on.net/pub/libreoffice/stable/7.1.1/

If Microsoft Excel no longer introduces errors, someone please correct me.

73

DR N1EA

On Tue, Mar 23, 2021 at 2:10 AM Eric Oyen via chirp_users chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com wrote:

One good way I have found to edit CsV files is to use a spreadsheet program like Microsoft excel or one of the linux free variants. Simply import as a cSV, do your editing, then export back to a CSV file. Compare the original to the new edited version to make sure the same number of commas are in place on the right lines. BTW, I have already tried this on my windows box using excel and a program specifically designed for the Baofeng radio. So, it should work the same way with chirp as both that program and cHIRP should read or write CSV files in the same way.

DE n7zzt Eric

On Mar 20, 2021, at 11:39 AM, Jim Unroe rock.unroe@gmail.com wrote:

On Sat, Mar 20, 2021 at 1:25 PM Steve Vecchiarelli via chirp_users chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com wrote:

’m trying to import a csv file into CHIRP to upload back to my radio.

Steps I’ve taken:

Connected radio to CHIRP and downloaded the memories to CHIRP Exported memories to a CSV file Added the new frequencies to the CSV file Saved CSV and tried to import back to CHIRP bur getting an unknown file format message

What am I missing?

Thanks for any help!

Steve

KF0CPV

How did you edit the CSV file? What did you change? Did you compare the new CSV file to the original file CSV file using a text editor? Attach both the before and after CSV files to this conversation so that they can be reviewed.

The most common cause of trouble is...

• The data format of a cell was changed.
• The number of commas required at the end of a data row was changed.

Jim KC9HI _______________________________________________ chirp_users mailing list chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com http://intrepid.danplanet.com/mailman/listinfo/chirp_users This message was sent to Eric Oyen at eric.oyen@icloud.com To unsubscribe, send an email to chirp_users-unsubscribe@intrepid.danplanet.com

---

chirp_users mailing list chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com http://intrepid.danplanet.com/mailman/listinfo/chirp_users This message was sent to D.J.J. Ring, Jr. at n1ea@arrl.net To unsubscribe, send an email to chirp_users-unsubscribe@intrepid.danplanet.com

Well from the perspective of a screenreader user, I find editing things much easier to make changes in a spreadsheet program outside of Chirp and import them after the changes were made, so I would call that, the better way. Glenn

----- Original Message ----- From: Nigel A. Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF To: Eric Oyen ; Eric Oyen via chirp_users Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2021 7:45 AM Subject: Re: [chirp_users] I get an "unknown file format" when importing

The best way is not to use CSV files at all. On 23/03/2021 02:08 Eric Oyen via chirp_users chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com wrote:

One good way I have found to edit CsV files is to use a spreadsheet program like Microsoft excel or one of the linux free variants. Simply import as a cSV, do your editing, then export back to a CSV file. Compare the original to the new edited version to make sure the same number of commas are in place on the right lines. BTW, I have already tried this on my windows box using excel and a program specifically designed for the Baofeng radio. So, it should work the same way with chirp as both that program and cHIRP should read or write CSV files in the same way.

DE n7zzt Eric

On Mar 20, 2021, at 11:39 AM, Jim Unroe rock.unroe@gmail.com wrote: On Sat, Mar 20, 2021 at 1:25 PM Steve Vecchiarelli via chirp_users chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com wrote:

’m trying to import a csv file into CHIRP to upload back to my radio.

Steps I’ve taken:

Connected radio to CHIRP and downloaded the memories to CHIRP Exported memories to a CSV file Added the new frequencies to the CSV file Saved CSV and tried to import back to CHIRP bur getting an unknown file format message

What am I missing?

Thanks for any help!

Steve

KF0CPV

How did you edit the CSV file? What did you change? Did you compare the new CSV file to the original file CSV file using a text editor? Attach both the before and after CSV files to this conversation so that they can be reviewed.

The most common cause of trouble is...

- The data format of a cell was changed. - The number of commas required at the end of a data row was changed.

Jim KC9HI _______________________________________________ chirp_users mailing list chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com http://intrepid.danplanet.com/mailman/listinfo/chirp_users This message was sent to Eric Oyen at eric.oyen@icloud.com To unsubscribe, send an email to chirp_users-unsubscribe@intrepid.danplanet.com

_______________________________________________ chirp_users mailing list chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com http://intrepid.danplanet.com/mailman/listinfo/chirp_users This message was sent to Nigel Gunn, W8IFF at nigel@ngunn.net To unsubscribe, send an email to chirp_users-unsubscribe@intrepid.danplanet.com

Nigel A. Gunn, ///shoulders.outwards.resolutions tel +1-937-971-0366 Amateur Radio G8IFF W8IFF and GMRS WRBV701, e-mail nigel@ngunn.net www http://www.ngunn.net

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

_______________________________________________ chirp_users mailing list chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com http://intrepid.danplanet.com/mailman/listinfo/chirp_users This message was sent to Glenn at glennervin@cableone.net To unsubscribe, send an email to chirp_users-unsubscribe@intrepid.danplanet.com

Hey Nigel?

I am going to ask something here, and it might get you irritated, but please understand that it is important and also within the context of this group.

Do you have any kind of visual impairment that negatively impacts your ability to use specific software on whatever platform you choose to use?

I can tell you right now, if you don’t, then you don’t have any real understanding of the problems that me and others on this list (who do) have when it comes to software. Screen readers and braille displays are pretty much a must when you can’t see the screen.

Now, someone suggested the use of Libre office. That’s all fine and good if you are on a Linux OS. Not so useful on either the OS X or windows platforms when a screen reader/braille display is in use.. This means we are limited in what we can (or can’t) use on a given platform at a given time and set of circumstances. The same is true for CHIRP. I can only use it on Linux and no where else.

Also, on the subject of CSV and TSV files, both of those are standardized formats that shouldn’t be presenting any issues. I use the 2010 version of excel and word here on the windows machine as nothing later is supported (it’s windows 7). So far, I have not encounter the issues you spoke of. If MS excel is introducing these types of errors, then they broke something and are violating standardized formats doing so.

Now, as for me, I am totally blind (literally). I have no light perception, so I expect all my tools to work in an expected fashion. If they don’t, then I am in serious trouble. This pretty much means that I have to be very conversant with them and how they work at the software/hardware level.

So, when it comes to CHIRP, I really wish it were fully accessible using braille or screen reader on platforms other than just Linux. Until that happens, I have to keep up on the latest tools (such as more specialized radio programming software that is accessible on windows or OS X), office packages that need to communicate with one another regardless of platform etc. Unfortunately, being totally blind makes that rather more difficult under the best of circumstances. So, unless you have a real understanding of how those of us without sight have to function, then you really don’t have any understanding at all. Oh, and if you *THINK* that wearing a blindfold will help you understand, no it won’t. It’s because, at the end of the day, you will still be able to take it off and use your eyes. Those of us who don’t have that option have to spend longer doing some tasks, use alternative methods to get our info, or even use radio programming software with tools designed to work around the lack of eyesight issue. The chirp package is no exception to this. If I want to use windows to program my radios, I have to use RT systems on that oS platform. I don’t get a choice. On OS X, there are NO accessible packages or methodologies that will allow me to program a radio like my UV5R, or the PK-888, the Retevus H777s, or even my midland g40. Most of these can be handled by Chirp on linux and no where else for me. Now, lets see you try and maintain 3 os platforms, on separate machines, having to know keyboard commands for each screen reader, etc. I can do it because I am cursed with an Eidetic memory. When I say cursed, I mean it. If any changes get made, I have to account for those, etc. that means my head gets full and I have no way to dump those memories. On the plus side, once I pick up something, I never lose it again, ever.

Anyway, enough of my ranting on software, accessibility, etc.

DE n7zzt Eric

On Mar 23, 2021, at 8:37 AM, Glenn K0LNY GlennErvin@cableone.net wrote:

Well from the perspective of a screenreader user, I find editing things much easier to make changes in a spreadsheet program outside of Chirp and import them after the changes were made, so I would call that, the better way. Glenn

----- Original Message ----- From: Nigel A. Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF mailto:nigel@ngunn.net To: Eric Oyen mailto:eric.oyen@icloud.com ; Eric Oyen via chirp_users mailto:chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2021 7:45 AM Subject: Re: [chirp_users] I get an "unknown file format" when importing

The best way is not to use CSV files at all.

...

On 23/03/2021 02:08 Eric Oyen via chirp_users <chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com mailto:chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com> wrote:

One good way I have found to edit CsV files is to use a spreadsheet program like Microsoft excel or one of the linux free variants. Simply import as a cSV, do your editing, then export back to a CSV file. Compare the original to the new edited version to make sure the same number of commas are in place on the right lines. BTW, I have already tried this on my windows box using excel and a program specifically designed for the Baofeng radio. So, it should work the same way with chirp as both that program and cHIRP should read or write CSV files in the same way.

DE n7zzt Eric

...

On Mar 20, 2021, at 11:39 AM, Jim Unroe <rock.unroe@gmail.com mailto:rock.unroe@gmail.com> wrote: On Sat, Mar 20, 2021 at 1:25 PM Steve Vecchiarelli via chirp_users <chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com mailto:chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com> wrote:

...

’m trying to import a csv file into CHIRP to upload back to my radio.

Steps I’ve taken:

Connected radio to CHIRP and downloaded the memories to CHIRP Exported memories to a CSV file Added the new frequencies to the CSV file Saved CSV and tried to import back to CHIRP bur getting an unknown file format message

What am I missing?

Thanks for any help!

Steve

KF0CPV

How did you edit the CSV file? What did you change? Did you compare the new CSV file to the original file CSV file using a text editor? Attach both the before and after CSV files to this conversation so that they can be reviewed.

The most common cause of trouble is...

• The data format of a cell was changed.
• The number of commas required at the end of a data row was changed.

Jim KC9HI _______________________________________________ chirp_users mailing list chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com mailto:chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com http://intrepid.danplanet.com/mailman/listinfo/chirp_users http://intrepid.danplanet.com/mailman/listinfo/chirp_users This message was sent to Eric Oyen at eric.oyen@icloud.com mailto:eric.oyen@icloud.com To unsubscribe, send an email to chirp_users-unsubscribe@intrepid.danplanet.com mailto:chirp_users-unsubscribe@intrepid.danplanet.com

_______________________________________________ chirp_users mailing list chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com http://intrepid.danplanet.com/mailman/listinfo/chirp_users This message was sent to Nigel Gunn, W8IFF at nigel@ngunn.net To unsubscribe, send an email to chirp_users-unsubscribe@intrepid.danplanet.com

Nigel A. Gunn, ///shoulders.outwards.resolutions tel +1-937-971-0366 Amateur Radio G8IFF W8IFF and GMRS WRBV701, e-mail nigel@ngunn.net www http://www.ngunn.net

---

chirp_users mailing list chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com mailto:chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com http://intrepid.danplanet.com/mailman/listinfo/chirp_users http://intrepid.danplanet.com/mailman/listinfo/chirp_users This message was sent to Glenn at glennervin@cableone.net mailto:glennervin@cableone.net To unsubscribe, send an email to chirp_users-unsubscribe@intrepid.danplanet.com mailto:chirp_users-unsubscribe@intrepid.danplanet.com_______________________________________________ chirp_users mailing list chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com mailto:chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com http://intrepid.danplanet.com/mailman/listinfo/chirp_users http://intrepid.danplanet.com/mailman/listinfo/chirp_users This message was sent to Eric Oyen at eric.oyen@icloud.com mailto:eric.oyen@icloud.com To unsubscribe, send an email to chirp_users-unsubscribe@intrepid.danplanet.com mailto:chirp_users-unsubscribe@intrepid.danplanet.com

On 25/03/2021 11:51 Eric Oyen via chirp_users <chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com> wrote:


Hey Nigel?

I am going to ask something here, and it might get you irritated, but please understand that it is important and also within the context of this group.

Do you have any kind of visual impairment that negatively impacts your ability to use specific software on whatever platform you choose to use?

No and neither do most who ask questions on here.

I can tell you right now, if you don’t, then you don’t have any real understanding of the problems that me and others on this list (who do) have when it comes to software. Screen readers and braille displays are pretty much a must when you can’t see the screen.

If you need and special considerations like screen readers and braille displays, it helps if you mention that when asking for assistance.

Now, someone suggested the use of Libre office. That’s all fine and good if you are on a Linux OS. Not so useful on either the OS X or windows platforms when a screen reader/braille display is in use.. This means we are limited in what we can (or can’t) use on a given platform at a given time and set of circumstances. The same is true for CHIRP. I can only use it on Linux and no where else.

Libre Office runs fine on Linux, Apple Mac and Windows. Just download the version that you require.

Also, on the subject of CSV and TSV files, both of those are standardized formats that shouldn’t be presenting any issues. I use the 2010 version of excel and word here on the windows machine as nothing later is supported (it’s windows 7). So far, I have not encounter the issues you spoke of. If MS excel is introducing these types of errors, then they broke something and are violating standardized formats doing so.

The CSV file format is standard but the contents certainly are not. A CSV spreadsheet exported from Chirp has many empty cells in eash row. Excel is known to insert unwanted characters into some of these cells which then stops the spreadsheet being imported back into Chirp. Libre Office and Open Office don't show this problem.

Now, as for me, I am totally blind (literally). I have no light perception, so I expect all my tools to work in an expected fashion. If they don’t, then I am in serious trouble. This pretty much means that I have to be very conversant with them and how they work at the software/hardware level.

So, when it comes to CHIRP, I really wish it were fully accessible using braille or screen reader on platforms other than just Linux. Until that happens, I have to keep up on the latest tools (such as more specialized radio programming software that is accessible on windows or OS X), office packages that need to communicate with one another regardless of platform etc. Unfortunately, being totally blind makes that rather more difficult under the best of circumstances. So, unless you have a real understanding of how those of us without sight have to function, then you really don’t have any understanding at all. Oh, and if you *THINK* that wearing a blindfold will help you understand, no it won’t. It’s because, at the end of the day, you will still be able to take it off and use your eyes. Those of us who don’t have that option have to spend longer doing some tasks, use alternative methods to get our info, or even use radio programming software with tools designed to work around the lack of eyesight issue. The chirp package is no exception to this. If I want to use windows to program my radios, I have to use RT systems on that oS platform. I don’t get a choice. On OS X, there are NO accessible packages or methodologies that will allow me to program a radio like my UV5R, or the PK-888, the Retevus H777s, or even my midland g40. Most of these can be handled by Chirp on linux and no where else for me. Now, lets see you try and maintain 3 os platforms, on separate machines, having to know keyboard commands for each screen reader, etc. I can do it because I am cursed with an Eidetic memory. When I say cursed, I mean it. If any changes get made, I have to account for those, etc. that means my head gets full and I have no way to dump those memories. On the plus side, once I pick up something, I never lose it again, ever.

I suggest you take up the screenreader compatibility with Microsoft and Apple. You've admitted that screenreaders and Linux apps are usable so there's not a problem with Chirp. As for you aiming your frustration at me, My replies are generally helpful to the majority of people. I have no experience of blindness. Apologies if I'm, at times, not as considerate as could be.

Anyway, enough of my ranting on software, accessibility, etc.

DE n7zzt Eric



    > >         On Mar 23, 2021, at 8:37 AM, Glenn K0LNY <GlennErvin@cableone.net mailto:GlennErvin@cableone.net > wrote:

...

    Well from the perspective of a screenreader user, I find editing things much easier to make changes in a spreadsheet program outside of Chirp and import them after the changes were made, so I would call that, the better way.
    Glenn

    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Nigel A. Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF mailto:nigel@ngunn.net
    To: Eric Oyen mailto:eric.oyen@icloud.com  ; Eric Oyen via chirp_users mailto:chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com
    Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2021 7:45 AM
    Subject: Re: [chirp_users] I get an "unknown file format" when importing

    The best way is not to use CSV files at all. 

        > > >             On 23/03/2021 02:08 Eric Oyen via chirp_users <chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com mailto:chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com > wrote: 

...

        One good way I have found to edit CsV files is to use a spreadsheet program like Microsoft excel or one of the linux free variants. Simply import as a cSV, do your editing, then export back to a CSV file. Compare the original to the new edited version to make sure the same number of commas are in place on the right lines. BTW, I have already tried this on my windows box using excel and a program specifically designed for the Baofeng radio. So, it should work the same way with chirp as both that program and cHIRP should read or write CSV files in the same way. 

        DE n7zzt Eric 



            > > > >                 On Mar 20, 2021, at 11:39 AM, Jim Unroe <rock.unroe@gmail.com mailto:rock.unroe@gmail.com > wrote: 

...

            On Sat, Mar 20, 2021 at 1:25 PM Steve Vecchiarelli via chirp_users 
            <chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com mailto:chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com > wrote: 

                > > > > >                     ’m trying to import a csv file into CHIRP to upload back to my radio. 

...

                Steps I’ve taken: 



                Connected radio to CHIRP and downloaded the memories to CHIRP 
                Exported memories to a CSV file 
                Added the new frequencies to the CSV file 
                Saved CSV and tried to import back to CHIRP bur getting an unknown file format message 



                What am I missing? 



                Thanks for any help! 



                Steve 

                KF0CPV 

            > > > >                 How did you edit the CSV file? 

            What did you change? 
            Did you compare the new CSV file to the original file CSV file using a 
            text editor? 
            Attach both the before and after CSV files to this conversation so 
            that they can be reviewed. 

            The most common cause of trouble is... 

            - The data format of a cell was changed. 
            - The number of commas required at the end of a data row was changed. 

            Jim KC9HI 
            _______________________________________________ 
            chirp_users mailing list 
            chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com mailto:chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com  
            http://intrepid.danplanet.com/mailman/listinfo/chirp_users 
            This message was sent to Eric Oyen at eric.oyen@icloud.com mailto:eric.oyen@icloud.com  
            To unsubscribe, send an email to chirp_users-unsubscribe@intrepid.danplanet.com mailto:chirp_users-unsubscribe@intrepid.danplanet.com

        > > > 

        _______________________________________________ chirp_users mailing list chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com mailto:chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com http://intrepid.danplanet.com/mailman/listinfo/chirp_users This message was sent to Nigel Gunn, W8IFF at nigel@ngunn.net mailto:nigel@ngunn.net To unsubscribe, send an email to chirp_users-unsubscribe@intrepid.danplanet.com mailto:chirp_users-unsubscribe@intrepid.danplanet.com  

    > > 

    Nigel A. Gunn, ///shoulders.outwards.resolutions   tel +1-937-971-0366
    Amateur Radio G8IFF W8IFF and GMRS WRBV701, e-mail nigel@ngunn.net mailto:nigel@ngunn.net www http://www.ngunn.net 



    ---------------------------------------------

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> 

_______________________________________________ chirp_users mailing list chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com http://intrepid.danplanet.com/mailman/listinfo/chirp_users This message was sent to Nigel Gunn, W8IFF at nigel@ngunn.net To unsubscribe, send an email to chirp_users-unsubscribe@intrepid.danplanet.com

Nigel A. Gunn, ///shoulders.outwards.resolutions tel +1-937-971-0366 Amateur Radio G8IFF W8IFF and GMRS WRBV701, e-mail nigel@ngunn.net www http://www.ngunn.net