Beginner’s Corner July 2014

By David Harden, KJ4CMY

This month, let’s take a look at programming software. One of the nice thing about modern radios is that they have microprocessors that handle a lot of the drudgery in setting up your radio. This is especially useful with VHF/UHF radios, where there a lot of simplex frequencies, and a lot of repeaters.

I own two HTs (Handy-talkies). One is a vintage Kenwood THG-71. It was a gift from a friend, and came already programmed. I wanted to change some of the frequencies. Many modern radios have upwards of 200 memory channels. I have over 100 channels filled in each of my HTs. When you purchase an HT, there will be an instruction book that comes with it. It will tell you how to input channels, enter the offset frequencies for repeaters are, and the tone (usually called a PL or CTSS tone) for a repeater. We have discussed where to get this information earlier. It is good to know how to do program your radio manually, but when entering over 100 channels, this becomes very tedious and time consuming.

A Better Way

I found programming software for my TGH-71 on the Internet. It was just a basic program, and lacked some features that I would have liked, but it does the job. I uploaded the frequencies into my computer after downloading the software, and have been able to make changes as needed.

I could not find programming software for my newer Yaesu VX-100 on the web, but a commercial version was available. It was much nicer than the software for my other HT. Adding frequencies is a snap.

Other Ideas

I have been told by the owners of the Chinese radios that it was a good idea NOT to use the manuals. Instead there ia a web site for a program called CHIRP. CHIRP is a free, open-source tool for programming your amateur radio
http://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home. It supports a large number of manufacturers and models, as well as provides a way to interface with multiple data sources and formats. Check it out

Cool web sites for new hams

65 Great Things

http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/cq_great_things.html