Overview
You can use CHIRP software to connect to your radio using a configuration cable that either came with your radio or you ordered separately.
Some radios have different methods of configuration, so depending on your radio, just look up what cable it needs for programming.
You use this interface cable and launch CHIRP, and set it to match whichever radio you have. Then hit “download from radio”. And it will bring up whatever the radio has programmed currently.
When you “upload to radio”, you are saving the configuration to the radio.
Download CHIRP
Go here: https://chirpmyradio.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Download
Chirp is the most general radio programming software that will work for MOST radios. If it’s not on there, it’s because the radio itself has proprietary software for programming. But the idea will be generally the same.
Your initial setup will look like a very simplified excel spreadsheet.
Hooking up your radio
Plug the USB side to the computer, and the 3.5mm audio jack-looking side to the radio.
If you have multiple serial connections to other devices, you may need to verify which one is the radio. Though with multiple radio programming cables all hooked up at the same time might add a bit of a challenge for this.
In your Windows computer, hit the Windows icon in your taskbar, and type “device manager” and look for a section for “Ports (COM & LPT)”. This will list all the serial connectors on the computer.
The part you’re interested in is which com port is your radio. Look for (COM1) or (COM2) or something similar.
Now use that COM port number in your CHIRP software to read from the radio.
Make sure to SAVE this baseline configuration for the future, as you might need to revert back if you make too many changes.
Programming the repeater
In the “Frequency” column, enter the GMRS Channel the repeater is on.
You can find the frequencies here: Access
An example is to set it to: 462.575
Any issues that resort to a change in the frequency or tones will be updated there. An update will be sent out to members so be sure to subscribe!
Then the next column should be “Name”. This is what name you want to show up on your radio to indicate which repeater you are transmitting to, so make it easy to differentiate.
Next is Tone Mode, This depends on whether your repeater uses CTCSS and DCS tones, or just one type. For JUST CTCSS, both Tx and Rx, set it to “TSQL” and under the “Tone Squelch” column, you set your tone. For JUST DCS both Tx and Rx, set Tone Mode to DTCS and the DTCS column to your tone.
If you have different tones for Tx than Rx, you’ll use “Cross” and set your CTCSS tone under the “Tone” column, and your DCS tone under “Rx DTCS”.
For Repeaters You’ll need to be sure you have the “+” under “Duplex”. Along with a 5.0 Mhz “Offset”.
Other settings
For GMRS you’ll want to keep your “Mode” as “FM”
Skip – If you’re scanning, you can “Skip” the channel to speed up the cycle.
Power – Low, Medium, High. You can use any of these. Start with low, if you don’t reach your contact, up the power.
Example
| Frequency | Name | Tone Mode | Tone | Tone Squelch | DTCS | RX DTCS | DTCS Polarity | Cross Mode | Duplex | Offset | Mode | Skip | Power | Comment |
| 462.56200 | RPT1 | Cross | 197.23 | 195 | NN | + | 5.0000 | FM | S | High |
Once you have everything set, you can hit “Radio -> Upload to Radio”
If you have any questions, please let me know!
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