CHIRP Ham Radio Programming

Software

Mike Willden
KG7IGS
El Presidente, SPARC
 http://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/
chirp/wiki/Home
Supported File Formats
• Comma Separated Values (.csv)
• Comma Separated Values generated by RT Systems
(.csv)
• EVE for Yaesu VX-5 (.eve)
• Kenwood HMK format (.hmk)
• Kenwood commercial ITM format (.itm)
• Icom Data Files (.icf)
• ARRL TravelPlus (.tpe)
• VX5 Commander Files (.vx5)
• VX7 Commander Files (.vx7)
 Supported Radio Models

• AnyTone • BF-666S/777S/888S • IC-208H

• Also includes the GT- • IC-2200H • Kenwood • PX-2R (UHF) • VX-170 (in daily
AT-5888UV • PX-777 builds)
Also includes the 1 • IC-91/92AD • TH-D7A/G
• BF-F8HP (in daily • • • VX-2R
Intek HR-2040 • IC-V/U82 TH-D72 Retevis
Also includes the builds) • • VX-3R
TH-F6A • H-777 (use Baofeng
Polmar DB-50M Also includes the BF- • ID-RPx000V/RP2x • VX-5R
A58 • IC-2100H • TH-F7E BF-888)
Also includes the • RT-B6 (use Baofeng • VX-6R
Powerwerx DB-750 Also includes the BF- • IC-2720H • TH-G71A
F9V2+ • TH-K2 UV-B5) • VX-7R
• Alinco • IC-T70 •
Also includes the GT-
• IC-T7H • TK-260/270/272/278 • Sainsonic VX-8R
• DR-03T 3TP • • Wouxun
Also includes the UV- • IC-T8A • TK- AP510 20141215
• DR-06T 260G/270G/272G/27 firmware (in daily • KG-
• DR135T 5RTP • IC-Q7A builds)
Also includes the UV- • 8G UVD1P/UV2D/UV3D
• DR235T 5R7W IC-W32A • TK-360/370/372/378 • TYT • KG-UV6D/UV6X
• DR435T • IC-746 • •
• Baojie • IC-7200
TK-760/762/768 • TH-UV3R KG-UV8D
• DJ596T • TK-760G/762G/768G • TH-UVF1
• BJ-UV55 • IC-7000
• DJ175T • TK-860/862/868 • TH-9000 (in daily
• BJ-9900 (in daily • ID-31A
• Baofeng/Pofung builds) • TK-860G/862G/868G builds)
• ID-51A • • TH-9800 (in daily
• F-11 (in daily builds) • Feidaxin TK-
• UV-3R • (in daily builds) FD-
• Intek 7102/8102/7108/810 builds)
• UV-5R and variants 150A • KT-980HP (in daily 8 • Yaesu
(in daily builds) builds) • TM-271A • FT-1D (in daily builds)
• FD-160A
• UV-6 (in daily builds) • • Jetstream • TM-281A • FT-60R
FD-268A
• UV-82/82L/82X (in • • JT220M • TM-D700 • FT-90R
FD-268B
daily builds) • JT270M (in daily • TM-D710 • FT-817/ND
Also includes the GT- • FD-288A
builds) • TM-G707 •
5 • FD-288B FT-857/D
• TM-V7A • FT-897
• UV-82C (in daily • FD-450A
• TM-V71A • FT-1802M
builds) • FD-460A
• • KYD • FT-2800M
UV- • Icom
82HP/82DX/82HX (in • • NC-630A • FT-1900R/2900M (in
IC-80AD
daily builds)
• IC-2820H • Leixen daily builds)
• UV-B5/B6 • VV-898 (in daily • FT-7800R/7900R
Also includes the BF- • ID-800H
builds) • FT-8800R
V85 • ID-880H •
• Puxing FT-8900R
• FTM-350R
 Required Hardware
• You’ll need a PC, MAC, or Ubuntu Linux based
PC to run CHIRP
• You’ll also need a USB programming cable.
They are branded with several names, but are
generally all cross compatible:
• Verify the USB
programming PC Setup
cable is
connected, the
driver is
working, and
the device
shows up in
device manager
(indicating
which serial
port you need
to look for it on:
In this case
COM4)
 Beginners Guide
• Note that .csv and .chirp files
may also be opened and edited
directly, but you will not be able
to upload directly from those file
types to any of the radios.
– You must always download from a
radio (or open an image of it) first
and then Import the contents of
your CSV or .chirp file into chirp
before uploading.
 Before you begin…
• Before you begin to use CHIRP with your radio,
it is important to understand the two different
modes of operation. Each radio falls into one
of two categories:
Chirp Interface
Upon importing from a programmed radio you’ll see:
Most radios have 127 presets:
 Basic Procedure for
Programming
Step 1: Download contents from the radio

 Start CHIRP and Click the Radio menu and

choose “Download From Radio”.
 There will be a series of prompts
Basic Procedure for
Programming
Step 1: Download contents from the radio

1. Select the serial port you intend to use

from the drop down menu
2. Select the correct Vendor and (if
necessary) the appropriate Model
3. Click OK to start the download process.
I. Clone-mode radios will display a progress
bar indicating how much of the image has
been downloaded.
II. Live-mode radios will immediately jump
to the memory editor and begin to
populate it with memories as they are
downloaded from the radio.
 Note about
Common Errors:
• Unable To Communicate:
Check that radio is powered
on and USB connector is firmly
seated
• Incorrect ‘Model’ selected, go
back and select a different
model number
• Incorrect Firmware: This
means you cannot make a
direct clone of two radios, but
will have to import from the
source radio, then copy values
over to the destination radio.
• Unsupported Firmware: Your
radio isn’t supported at this
time. Double check the list of
supported radios, request
support from CHIRP
 Note about Yaesu Radios
• There are series of additional steps that must be followed in order
for Yaesu radios to be properly cloned:
• The above process is still accurate, but keep in mind the following:
– Download Default Configuration: The radio should already be in clone-
mode before clicking the OK button to initiate the download.
– After clicking the OK button, you should press the button on your
radio that initiates the clone transmission. This is usually indicated on
the screen by Clone TX or similar.
– Upload Configuration Changes: Like the download procedure, the
upload procedure must follow a particular sequence. Make sure that
your radio is already in clone mode and it is already waiting for an
incoming clone transmission. This is usually indicated on the screen by
Clone Wait or Clone RX.
 Basic Procedure for Programming
=
• Cloning process has completed!
• Step 2: Make changes
• Once you have the radio contents displayed in the memory editor, you can
proceed to make your changes. This may include manual edits or
importing memories from other sources. If you are using a clone-mode
radio, you may wish to save a .img file of your radio asa “before and after”
you make your changes. Live mode radio users will have their changes
immediately take effect in the radio and do not need to proceed to Step 3.
• Step 3: Upload changes back to the radio (For clone-mode radios only!)
• Once you have made all the edits you need to make, you should upload
your image back to the radio. With your image open, go to the Radio
menu and choose Upload To Radio. The Vendor and Model are already
known, so all you need to do is choose a serial port.
 Other Operations
Exporting To A Generic File
• If you wish to save memories from an existing radio out to a generic file that can
be imported into other radios or edited by hand, use the Export function in the
menu.
• Start CHIRP and download a temporary image from your source radio
• Use the “Export” function and choose a .csv or .chirp file format to save your
radio's contents
• Choose some or all of the memories to export

Importing From Another File

• If you have an image from another radio (even another type), you can import that
into an image or live-mode radio using the Import function in the menu.
• Start CHIRP and download a temporary image of your target radio
• Use the Import function to choose a source file (CSV, CHIRP, .img, or .icf)
• Choose some or all of the memories to import
• Upload the changed image back to your target radio
 Understanding CHIRP’s Columns
• The meaning of each column in
the channel editor: In most cases,
the default value for a column
can be used if you don't know
what the meaning of the column
is.

• Users unfamiliar with

programming radios are
encouraged to:
– Enable Hide Unused Fields
mode in the View menu.
– Also, enabling Smart Tone
Modes in the same location can
be rather helpful for reducing
confusion.
Memory Tab
 Loc
This is the location or "channel number" of the
memory. The range of values in this field are
defined by your radio.
 Frequency
• This defines the receive frequency of the
channel in Megahertz. If Duplex is set to None
(no repeater offset) then it is also the transmit
frequency of the channel.
 Name
• This is the alphanumeric label for the memory, as
displayed on the front panel. The length and valid
characters are defined by what the radio is
capable of supporting, but generally is limited to
7 characters, and generally can only be set using
software:
 Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System
(CTCSS)
• In telecommunications, Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System or CTCSS is a circuit that is used to reduce the
annoyance of listening to other users on a shared two-way radio communications channel. It is sometimes
referred to as tone squelch or sub-channel since it has the effect of creating multiple virtual channels which are all
using the same radio frequency. It does this by superimposing an extra audio tone over the voice transmission on
a channel which can be heard by the radio circuitry but not by the human ear. Where more than one group of
users is on the same radio frequency (called co-channel users), CTCSS circuitry mutes those users who are using a
different CTCSS tone or no CTCSS.

• Radios in a professional two-way radio system using CTCSS always transmit their own tone code whenever the
transmit button is pressed (the tone is transmitted at a low level simultaneously with the voice). This is called
CTCSS encoding and continuously superimposes any one of 32, or as many as 50 (depending on which "standard"
is used) precise, very low distortion, low-pitched audio tones on the transmitted signal, ranging from 67 to 257 Hz.
The tones are usually referred to as sub-audible tones. In USA licensed systems, Federal Communications
Commission rules require CTCSS users on shared channels to disable their receiver's CTCSS to check if co-channel
users are talking before transmitting.??

• As a simple example, suppose a two-way radio frequency is shared by a pizza delivery service and a landscape
maintenance service. Conventional radios without CTCSS would hear all transmissions from both groups. The
landscapers would have to listen to the pizza shop. The pizza shop would have to hear about landscape customer
complaints. If both installed CTCSS, units from each group would only hear radios from their own group. This is
supposed to reduce missed messages and the distraction of unnecessary radio chatter. Note that in the example
above there are only two co-channel users. In dense two-way radio environments a large number of groups may
be present on a single radio channel. A disadvantage of using CTCSS in shared frequencies is that since users
cannot hear transmissions from other groups, they may assume that the frequency is open when it is not and
transmit simultaneously with another user, thus accidentally overriding or interfering with the other group's
transmission. For example, in the above situation a landscaper might be communicating with another landscaper.
Meanwhile, a pizza delivery driver—not hearing any transmissions—assumes that the frequency is clear and calls
his dispatch office. Depending on several factors (locations, power, etc.), the two simultaneous transmissions
could easily interfere with each other—resulting in one or both not being clearly understood. The more separate
groups that share a single frequency and the more frequently that they transmit, the more likely that this
accidental interference will occur. Radios with a "Busy Channel Lockout" feature will prevent transmitting in this
case.
 Tone Mode
• This sets the mode used to transmit or receive squelch tones (or related selective-
calling technologies). The following explains what the options mean:
– (None): No tone or code is transmitted, receive squelch is open or carrier-triggered.
– Tone: A single CTCSS tone is transmitted, receive squelch is open or carrier-triggered. The tone
used is that which is set in the Tone column.
– TSQL: A single CTCSS tone is transmitted, receive squelch is tone-coded to the same tone. The
tone used is that which is set in the ToneSql column.
– DTCS: A single DTCS/DCS code is transmitted, receive squelch is digitally tone-coded to the
same code. The code used is that which is set in the DTCS Code column.
– Cross: A complex arrangement of squelch technologies is in use. See the definition of the
Cross Mode column for details.
 Tone
• This sets the CTCSS tone to be transmitted if
the Tone Mode is set to Tone.
 ToneSql
• This sets the CTCSS tone to be transmitted and
used for receiver squelch if the Tone Mode is
set to TSQL.
 DTCS Code
• This sets the DTCS code to be transmitted and
used for receiver squelch if the Tone Mode is
set to DTCS. In Cross mode it has additional
meanings
 DTCS Rx Code
• This sets the DTCS code to be used for receiver
squelch (if the radio supports this capability)
and Tone Mode is set to Cross (see description
of Cross Mode for more details).
 DTCS Pol
• This sets the DTCS polarity of the transmitted code and
the code used for the receive squelch any time DTCS is
used for transmit or receive squelch. The first character
pertains to the transmit polarity and the second
pertains to receive polarity. The corresponding
character is N for normal or R for reversed (aka
"inverted") polarity.
•
Cross Mode
This field controls the squelch behavior of the channel when the Tone Mode is set to Cross. Each value consists of two technologies separated by an
arrow (->). The value to the left of the arrow controls the selective-call method used on transmit, while the one to the right of the arrow controls the
receive squelch. The possible values are:
– Tone: CTCSS tones are used. Transmit tone is taken from the Tone column, receive tone from the ToneSql column.
– DTCS: DTCS/DCS codes are used. Transmit code is taken from the DTCS Code column, receive code from the DTCS Rx Code column.
– <blank>: Indicates that no method is used for this, either transmit or receive.

• The Cross Mode field allows addressing more commercial modes of squelch operation, such as using different tones or codes for transmit and
receive. For example:
– Tone->Tone: This means use the Tone value for transmit tone, and the ToneSql value for receive squelch
– Tone->DTCS: This means use the Tone value for transmit tone, and the DTCS Rx Code value for receive squelch
– DTCS->Tone: This means use the DTCS Code value for transmit code, and the ToneSql value for receive squelch
– ->Tone: This means do not transmit a Tone or DTCS Code, but use the ToneSql value for receive squelch
– ->DTCS: This means do not transmit a Tone or DTCS Code, but use the DTCS Rx Code value for receive squelch
– DTCS->: This means use the DTCS Code value for transmit code, and receive squelch is open or carrier-triggered
– DTCS->DTCS: This means use the DTCS Code value for transmit code, and the DTCS Rx Code value for receive squelch
 Duplex
• This sets the duplex mode of the channel. If set to (None) then the transmit and
receive frequencies are the same. If set to either +* or *- (plus or minus) then the
transmit frequency will be either above or below (respectively) the receive
frequency by the value of the Offset field.
• If the duplex is set to split then the Offset field should contain the absolute
transmit frequency to be used (if the radio supports this capability).
• If the duplex is set to off then transmission on this channel will be disabled (which
is required if you intend to listen to channels outside the FCC allocated amateur
band, such as public safety channels in the 155MHZ range).
• Note that for simplex channels, this should be set to (None) and repeater channels
should have this set to either +,-, or split.
 Offset
• This sets the amount of difference between the transmit and
receive frequencies used for the channel if Duplex is not (None) or
off (in which case it is ignored).
• If the Duplex is set to a shift direction, then the Offset field should
be set to the amount (in Megahertz) above or below the receive
frequency to shift to find the transmit frequency.
• If Duplex is set to split then the Offset field should be set to an
absolute transmit frequency.
 Mode
• This controls the transmit and receive mode of the channel. The following
lists the common values and their meanings:
– FM: "Wide" FM for two-way communications (i.e. 5 kHz deviation)
– NFM: "Narrow" FM for two-way communications (i.e. 2.5 kHz deviation)
– WFM: "Wide" FM for broadcast communications (i.e. ~100 kHz deviation)
– AM: "Narrow" AM for two-way communications (i.e. aircraft band in the US)
– DV: Icom's digital D-STAR mode
 Tune Step
• The tuning step used to channelize the receive
frequency.
 Power
• Used to select which power level the radio transmits on
(Low/High or Low/Medium/High)
– Actual power varies by radio but cold be 1w/5w or 1w/4w/7w
– If your radio is capable of transmitting on non-licensed bands,
make sure you do not exceed the legal transmit power levels of
those bands!
 Skip
• The scan skip mode for the channel. The
values and their meanings are:
• S: Skip this channel during scan
• P: This channel is a priority
 Understanding the “Settings” Tab Sub-Menus
Settings Menu: Basic Settings
• I like to use certain of
these basic settings,
allowing me to view
both the name and
frequency of a
channel I’m on when
using a two channel
display for example.
• Carrier Squelch Level-
• Battery Saver-
• Timeout timer-
 Settings Menu: Advanced Settings
• It is highly advisable to uncheck
“RESET menu” so that you
cannot inadvertently wipe your
radio from the keypad.
• Dual Watch allows your radio to
listen to Channel A and B at the
same time; make sure both
channels aren’t set to the same
frequency if this is enabled.
• FM Radio should be enabled,
allowing you to listen to FM
stations between 87.1 to 107.9
MHz FM.
– VOX Sensitivity- Voice-On
Switching should not be used
with HAM radios.
– Dual Watch- Allows the radio
to “listen” to two channels
simultaneously, such as the
receive AND transmit
frequencies of a repeater
Settings Menu: Advanced Settings
• Scan Resume –
– Busy Channel
Lockout:
– Squelch Tail
Eliminate:
– STE Repeater
Delay:
 Settings Menu: Other Settings
• Set VHF/UHF limits to FCC
Values:
– For 2m:
• 144 – 148 MHZ
– For 70cm:
• 420 to 450 MHz

• The international versions of

some radios operate outside
of these ranges, such as the
Baofeng:
– Are advertised to operate from
136-172MHZ and 400-520MHZ.
– Major No-No to use
“international” band allocations
within the USA!
– The one possible exception is if
you program your radio to
“receive only” on the local public
safety/Marine frequencies in the
150-170MHZ range.
Settings Menu: Work Mode Settings
 Settings Menu: FM Radio Preset
• I like to have my FM
Radio Preset to
102.7MHz, KSL
News Radio since I
primarily keep
radios on hand for
emergencies. .
 Settings Menu: DTMF Settings
• In case you are using
a repeater that is
tied to the local
telephone system…
 Services Settings

• This is where
you can adjust
the Squelch
levels on
certain radios,
which is very
useful for
improving
performance in
RF-noisy
environments
 Fixing poor squelch levels on
Baofeng radios
• The slightest whisper of a modem, router or
switch still opens up the squelch, whatever
the setting. But thanks to the efforts of the
CHIRP development team, you can now
change this.
 Adjusting Squelch
CHIRP will let you decide when the
squelch opens up – either when
receiving a tiny noisy signal, or when a
repeater around the corner starts
transmitting.
As you can see you can set a personal
threshold for every individual squelch
level (1-9), and enter different settings
for VHF and UHF.
The higher the number, the more
signal you need to open up the
squelch.
RepeaterBook.com
 SPARC 70cm REPEATER – SLC Airport
– 448.050 MHZ (Tx)
– Negative Offset (443.050 MHz Rx)
– 100Hz Tone (to open the squelch on the receiver)

• ~50 Watts Effective Isentropic Radiated Power

(EIRP)
• ~15-20 miles line of sight with a flexible whip
antenna and a 7 watt handheld transceiver
DCARC Repeaters – Antelope Island
• 70cm
– 447.200 MHZ (Tx)
– Negative Offset (442.200 MHz Rx)
– No PL tone
• 2m
– 147.040 MHZ (Tx)
– Positive Offset of 600kHz (147.640 MHz Rx)
– 123Hz PL Tone
 Ogden ARC – Mount Ogden
• 70cm
– 448.600 MHZ (Tx)
– Negative Offset (443.600 MHz Rx)
– 123Hz PL tone
• 2m
– 146.900 MHZ (Tx)
– Negative Offset of 600kHz (146.300 MHz Rx)
– 123Hz PL Tone
 Intermountain Intertie
• There are many repeaters out there, but the “Intermountain Intertie” is a repeater
network running from southern Idaho/Wyoming (Montanna/Colorado) down into
northern Arizona/Nevada (sometimes into California). Using this repeater network
requires you to select the repeater you are nearest, but it is an amazingly effective
way to communicate long range without an HF radio.
• When using networked repeaters such as this, please be courteous of others that
may be wanting to use the system, frequently leaving time for breaks, and limiting
QSOs to no more than 10 minutes during the heavier usage times - and it is
uncouth to monopolize the system at any time. Keep in mind that it takes a good
portion of a second for all of the various links to 'turn around' so be sure to pause
for several seconds when you allow for breaks, and key up for about a second
before you say your first word.
• This system is extensive, and using it is sufficiently involved that I won’t go into it
here, but know that it is out there! If you are so inclined, dial it up and just listen
in. You can learn a LOT about radio just from listening.

• http://utahvhfs.org/snowlink.html
 Intertie Map
• This is a simplified
map of Utah
coverage:
Happy Chirping!