1. Mastering Your Handheld Radio
Programming by keypad and computer
David Fisher, kd5cdd

2. Programming software Manufacturers’ specific software
May have to purchase
Many have free downloads
After market software
- must purchase per radio
Chirp - free
Both of these allow for transfer between many different radios by different manufacturers

3. Kenwood TH-D7

4. Wouxun KG-UV6X

5. Radio Shack HTX-404

6. Standard Horizon HX370S

7. What you need to start programming
Radio specific manuals
A list of frequencies, preferably with locations : Mega – Link, Upper Rio FM Society, club repeaters, etc
Maps of repeaters
If computer: computer, software and cables
OR a good friend who has all of this.

8. Mega – Link Map

9. Two methods of programming
Keypad
Slower but the only way on some older radios
Necessary when in the field and no computer
New rptr, PL change, frequency change …
Computer
Some radios are only computer programmable
Much faster to enter data
Easier to edit and add or delete frequencies

10. Sample Software

12. Two modes to access data
VFO = variable frequency oscillator
Usually used for keypad entries
Once entered data can be saved to a memory channel
Memory mode
Saved data can be retrieved quickly
Usually lists frequencies/names

13. Required Data Repeater
Repeater data
Receiver frequency – MHz
Transmitter frequency or offset direction, +
Offset amount – 600 KHz, usually use defaults
Access code type – tone, CTCSS, DCS, etc
Access code value – 100 hz
Name, not usable on all radios

14. Required data simplex
Simplex usually refers to setting the radios to the same Rx and Tx frequency, i.e. no tone, no offset.
Harder, same data as repeater depending how complicated you want to set up the contact, generally used on HF. Using different Rx and Tx is referred to as a split

15. Offset direction and frequency
Repeater offset is usually given as plus or minus
The default VHF offset is 600 KHz and the UHF offset is 5 MHz
Plus offset means that the HT’s transmit frequency is greater than its receive frequency by the offset frequency – Rx = , Tx =
Minus offset means that the HT’s transmit frequency is less than its receive frequency by the offset frequency – Rx = , Tx =

16. Keypad Method Parameter Key Sequence Band?: VHF/UHF VFO Mode: Rx Freq:
Offset: +,-,0 OR Tx freq
Offset Freq: Defaults VHF=600 kHz, UHF=5 MHz
Access Type Activate: None,T, CTCSS, DCS
Access Freq/Code:
Memory Store:
Power
Name

17. Example, TH-D7A Parameter Key Sequence Band?: VHF/UHF [A/B]; [F],[A/B]
VFO Mode: [VFO]
Rx Freq: [ENTER], key in digits
Offset Direction: +,-,off OR Tx freq [F], [MHz]
Offset Freq: Defaults VHF=600 kHz, UHF=5 MHz [F],[5],[UP]/[DWN],[OK]
Access Type Activate: None,T, CTCSS [F],[1] / [F],[3]
Access Freq/Code: [F],[2],[UP]/[DWN],[OK]
[F],[3],[UP]/[DWN],[OK]
Memory Store: [F],[MR],[UP]/[DWN],[OK

18. Computer Hookup USB driver installed, if needed
Radio programming software installed
Radio programming cable connected
Start software
Turn on radio
Try downloading
May need to select a com port if there is a connection error, use computers device manager to find/change com port assignment

19. Continue Computer
If radio connection is made and the editor opens, download the current contents of the radio
Save the contents to a file
Edit the contents, e.g. add, delete, or modify, save the file or
Open a file into the editor that you want to upload
Upload to the radio

20. Programming Efficiency
Frequency ordered
Name ordered - alphabetical
Region ordered – NW, Central, ….
Group by repeater-net – mega-link, upper rio,etc
By club
Meaningful names – ML---, UR---, Cuba, etc
Sorting names by this method groups names
Some combination – by freq then by name

21. Other buttons and menu options
There are many other key options or menu selections on most radios.
They can be used to configure the radio
Power
Scan groups
Moving data from VFO to memory and back
Grouping data
Display setting, band selection
Etc.

22. Wouxun Sample

23. Wouxun Optional Functions

24. Basic Procedure for Programming
Chirp
Beginners Guide
Before you begin
Basic Procedure for Programming
Step 1: Download contents from the radio
Step 2: Make changes
Step 3: Upload changes back to the radio
Other Operations
Exporting To A Generic File
Importing From Another File

25. CHIRP Radio Radio PC PC Live Clone Export Save Export .img “Chirp”
Modify
auto
Upload
Modify
and
Upload
Download
Download PC PC
Export
Save
Export
.img
“Chirp”
“Chirp”
.icf
.csv
.csv .
Editor
e.g., Excel, Notepad
Save edited file
.csv

26. CHIRP
Download
image
Radio
Import PC
Upload
Radio

27. Chirp Export of TH – D7

28. Some Links http://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Download

29. The End
Demos?