Bug #9353
closedRT98 chirp issue, two versions of radio?
100%
Description
I just built up a go-box with the Retevis RT98 2M mobile radio. I installed Chirp (chirp-daily-20210830-installer.exe) on a Win 11 laptop (a supposedly supported model), and using the Retevis supplied programming cable.
Steps taken:
Install chirp
Attach prog cable to laptop & radio
Start chirp
Select "download from radio"
Select correct com port, mfg (Retevis) and model (RT98)
It attempts to download from radio, and it halts, telling me:
"Radio version not in allowed list for Retevis RT98: 000: 49 41 54 2d 37 37 39 56 IAT-779V
008: 01 56 31 30 30 00 00 06 .V100..."
Retevis offers two versions of programming software for this radio, my radio, with serial number starting 1907* programmed fine with v1.01 of Retevis software.
Files
Updated by Jim Unroe about 3 years ago
- Status changed from New to In Progress
- Assignee set to Jim Unroe
- Target version set to chirp-legacy
- Model affected changed from S/N 1907* to RT98V
- Platform changed from Windows to All
Hi Ken,
Thank you for opening this issue. I have sent a message to Retevis to see if they can offer any insight as to why your radio is identifying itself as an AnyTone AT-779V. But I think you have discovered what the difference is between the earlier S/N:1907*********** radios and the newer S/N:20************* radios. Let me work up something for you to test. Hopefully the "identification" returned is the only thing that has been changed between the 2 serial numbers.
Jim KC9HI
Updated by Jim Unroe about 3 years ago
- File retevis_rt98_at-779v.py retevis_rt98_at-779v.py added
Important Note: The current CHIRP support for the Retevis RT98 is based on the v1.02 programming software. We do not know what else besides the identification string was changed in the change from v1.01 to v1.02 so do not make any edits to the first successful download. Immediately save it, unedited, to a CHIRP Radio Images (@.img@) file as a backup. Attach this unedited CHIRP Radio Images (@.img@) file to this issue so I can compare this v1.01 image to my v1.02 images.
Read and understand the above before going any further
I have created a test driver module to test support the Retevis RT98V S/N:1907***********. Since I do not have access to a radio here, you must test it and let me know if it works properly with your radio.
The following explains how to load the test driver module for testing.
1 save the attached "retevis_rt98_at-779v.py" test driver module to a convenient location
Important: left click the file name and then click the "download" link on the following page that loads.
2 open CHIRP
3 click "Help" in the menu bar and enable "Enable Developer Functions"
4 click "File" in the menu bar and select "Load Module" in the list of selections
5 locate and load the file that was saved in step 1
The CHIRP background should now be red. Attempt to download from your radio. If it works (it should), attach the downloaded CHIRP Radio Images (@.img@) file to this issue so I can compare it to a S/N:20************ image.
Note: This test driver module does not permanently change your CHIRP installation. If you close CHIRP and later on need to access your radio, you will have to load this test driver first.
Jim KC9HI
Updated by Ken Hansen about 3 years ago
Jim,
I am struggling to download the linked file - if I click on it, i get taken to a webpage showing the 1375 lines of python code. If I "Save link as" I get a file with HTML all around the python code.
other options? Select all grabs the 1375 line numbers in front of every line of code.
Thanks,
Ken
Updated by Jim Unroe about 3 years ago
- File Download.png Download.png added
Ken Hansen wrote:
Jim,
I am struggling to download the linked file - if I click on it, i get taken to a webpage showing the 1375 lines of python code. If I "Save link as" I get a file with HTML all around the python code.
other options? Select all grabs the 1375 line numbers in front of every line of code.
Thanks,
Ken
Like I stated above in the "Important" note between step 1 and step 2, "click the "download" link on the following page". The "Download" link is located at the top left, directly under my name.
Jim KC9HI
Updated by Ken Hansen about 3 years ago
- File CHIRP RT98 Error.png CHIRP RT98 Error.png added
Jim,
Downloaded the .py file (thanks!), but I ran into the exact same problem - no change.
Start CHIRP, enable Dev mode, load module, background turns red, click radio, download from radio, correct com port, mfg and model, get beta warning, then after i click OK, same error message - see attached screen grab
Thanks,
Ken, N2VIP
Updated by Ken Hansen about 3 years ago
Here is the debug.log file, I hope this helps.
Thanks,
Ken, N2VIP
Updated by Ken Hansen about 3 years ago
It looks like the RT-98 code is looking for a 5 character string (like RT98V), and your change added a seven character string(AT-779V)...
I bet "AT-77" would work (sorry, I just got curious and looked at the file, that's what it looks like to me):
[2021-09-07 16:20:27,459] chirp.ui.mainapp - DEBUG: ver_response =
[2021-09-07 16:20:27,459] chirp.ui.mainapp - DEBUG: 000: 49 41 54 2d 37 37 39 56 IAT-779V
008: 01 56 31 30 30 00 00 06 .V100...
[2021-09-07 16:20:27,459] chirp.ui.mainapp - DEBUG: radio model: 'AT-77' version: 'V100'
[2021-09-07 16:20:27,459] chirp.ui.mainapp - DEBUG: allowed_types = {'AT-779V': ['V100'], 'AT-779U': ['V100'], 'RT98V': ['V100'], 'RT98U': ['V100']}
[2021-09-07 16:20:27,459] chirp.ui.reporting - DEBUG: Reporting exception
Thanks,
Ken, N2VIP
Updated by Jim Unroe about 3 years ago
Ken Hansen wrote:
It looks like the RT-98 code is looking for a 5 character string (like RT98V), and your change added a seven character string(AT-779V)...
I bet "AT-77" would work (sorry, I just got curious and looked at the file, that's what it looks like to me):
[2021-09-07 16:20:27,459] chirp.ui.mainapp - DEBUG: ver_response =
[2021-09-07 16:20:27,459] chirp.ui.mainapp - DEBUG: 000: 49 41 54 2d 37 37 39 56 IAT-779V
008: 01 56 31 30 30 00 00 06 .V100...[2021-09-07 16:20:27,459] chirp.ui.mainapp - DEBUG: radio model: 'AT-77' version: 'V100'
[2021-09-07 16:20:27,459] chirp.ui.mainapp - DEBUG: allowed_types = {'AT-779V': ['V100'], 'AT-779U': ['V100'], 'RT98V': ['V100'], 'RT98U': ['V100']}
[2021-09-07 16:20:27,459] chirp.ui.reporting - DEBUG: Reporting exceptionThanks,
Ken, N2VIP
Ken,
You can give that a try to get a download while I "fix" the issue with the length.
Jim
Updated by Jim Unroe about 3 years ago
- File retevis_rt98_at-779v.py retevis_rt98_at-779v.py added
Here is a revised test driver which accommodates the longer model name length.
Jim
Updated by Ken Hansen about 3 years ago
I will give it a try tonight, thanks!
Ken, N2VIP
Updated by Ken Hansen about 3 years ago
Jim,
It worked fine - I realize you probably don't need it, but I included debug.log for review.
Happy to test further if needed, just let me know if more help needed to fully resolve this issue.
Thanks,
Ken, N2VIP
Updated by Jim Unroe about 3 years ago
Ken Hansen wrote:
Jim,
It worked fine - I realize you probably don't need it, but I included debug.log for review.
Happy to test further if needed, just let me know if more help needed to fully resolve this issue.
Thanks,
Ken, N2VIP
Great. Don't forget to attach an unedited image from your radio. I will need it for testing.
Also, what I/we need to do is to compare the settings of the v1.01 factory software to the v1.02 factory software to see if there are any differences (something on one version but not on the other or different selection choices. Retevis tells me the difference is the v1.01 doesn't support the PMR and FreeNet versions like the v1.02 does. Hopefully that is the only thing.
Don't forget, I need an image from your radio before you mess around and try to edit anything.
Jim
Updated by Ken Hansen about 3 years ago
Jim,
I want to help, but to read the radio, I need to enter developer mode, load the .py file you sent me, and when I read the radio successfully, I don't have the ability to save whatever was loaded (the save options are greyed out)
Right now I can only read the radio in the developer mode.
Updated by Jim Unroe about 3 years ago
- File SaveAs.png SaveAs.png added
Ken Hansen wrote:
Jim,
I want to help, but to read the radio, I need to enter developer mode, load the .py file you sent me, and when I read the radio successfully, I don't have the ability to save whatever was loaded (the save options are greyed out)
Right now I can only read the radio in the developer mode.
That's not the case here. With the test driver loaded and after downloading from the radio I can either File -> Save or File -> Save As. Neither are greyed out. What happens if you use the CTRL-S keyboard shortcut?
Jim
Updated by Jim Unroe about 3 years ago
I see 2 settings that are in the OEM v1.01 software that are not in the OEM v1.02 software.
The first is a "VFO/MR" setting which allows you to choose which mode that you want the radio in when the cloning process is done. Switching to VFO mode was disabled on the S/N:20************* radios. The radio operated in MR mode only. So the [V/M] button on the front panel of the radio is used switch between the display of the channel data by Frequency or Name. Does this work for switching between VFO and MR modes on the S/N:1907*********** radios?
The second is a "Frequency Scan" setting which allows the user to choose between the TimeOut (TO), Carrier Operated (CO) and SEarch (SE) scan types. The User Manual claims that the setting is covered by menu 17 in the radio. This is not the case for a S/N:20************* radio. My guess that this is only true on a S/N:1907*********** radio, right?
Jim KC9HI
Updated by Ken Hansen about 3 years ago
Jim Unroe wrote:
Ken Hansen wrote:
Jim,
I want to help, but to read the radio, I need to enter developer mode, load the .py file you sent me, and when I read the radio successfully, I don't have the ability to save whatever was loaded (the save options are greyed out)
Right now I can only read the radio in the developer mode.
That's not the case here. With the test driver loaded and after downloading from the radio I can either File -> Save or File -> Save As. Neither are greyed out. What happens if you use the CTRL-S keyboard shortcut?
Jim
Jim,
Save and Save as are greyed out, Ctrl-S does nothing.
The attached debug.log file complains about "bandlimitfrequencies" at the very end of the file
Ken
Updated by Ken Hansen about 3 years ago
Jim Unroe wrote:
I see 2 settings that are in the OEM v1.01 software that are not in the OEM v1.02 software.
The first is a "VFO/MR" setting which allows you to choose which mode that you want the radio in when the cloning process is done. Switching to VFO mode was disabled on the S/N:20************* radios. The radio operated in MR mode only. So the [V/M] button on the front panel of the radio is used switch between the display of the channel data by Frequency or Name. Does this work for switching between VFO and MR modes on the S/N:1907*********** radios?
Yes, by quickly pressing the "V/M" button my radio switches between MR and VFO
The second is a "Frequency Scan" setting which allows the user to choose between the TimeOut (TO), Carrier Operated (CO) and SEarch (SE) scan types. The User Manual claims that the setting is covered by menu 17 in the radio. This is not the case for a S/N:20************* radio. My guess that this is only true on a S/N:1907*********** radio, right?
Menu 17 on the radio offers the three choices you mention (TO, CO, SE)
Jim KC9HI
Ken, N2VIP
Updated by Jim Unroe about 3 years ago
Ken Hansen wrote:
Jim Unroe wrote:
Ken Hansen wrote:
Jim,
I want to help, but to read the radio, I need to enter developer mode, load the .py file you sent me, and when I read the radio successfully, I don't have the ability to save whatever was loaded (the save options are greyed out)
Right now I can only read the radio in the developer mode.
That's not the case here. With the test driver loaded and after downloading from the radio I can either File -> Save or File -> Save As. Neither are greyed out. What happens if you use the CTRL-S keyboard shortcut?
Jim
Jim,
Save and Save as are greyed out, Ctrl-S does nothing.
The attached debug.log file complains about "bandlimitfrequencies" at the very end of the file
Ken
This is useful. The radio doesn't appear to have any "Embedded Message" data, or more likely, it has been moved to a different place.
I can probably build an "image" from the debug.log file but it would take a l-o-n-g time. Instead I think I will hack the driver to bypass the "bandlimitfrequencies" check just so we can have an "image" to work with. Hopefully I can hack something up and get it attached to this issue soon.
In the mean time, would you get a screen capture of the Embedded Message panel from your radio? It should help me find the data if it has been moved.
Thanks,
Jim
Updated by Jim Unroe about 3 years ago
Ken,
I think this might work. If it doesn't, include a debug.log file and we will try something else.
Jim
Updated by Ken Hansen about 3 years ago
Jim,
Looks good - attached a few files, hope this helps!
Ken, N2VIP
Updated by Ken Hansen about 3 years ago
- File Embedded Message.png Embedded Message.png added
Embedded Message file
Updated by Ken Hansen about 3 years ago
Sorry, didn't know how to load multiple files in one update
Updated by Jim Unroe about 3 years ago
Ken Hansen wrote:
Embedded Message file
I am looking for the screen capture from the Embedded Message area of the Retevis v1.01 software, not CHIRP. So when it is convenient, would you still get one for me? It reads from the radio to collect the data so the radio will have to be hooked up to the computer before you click the selection or a "Please check the link." error will be seen.
Thanks,
Jim
Updated by Jim Unroe about 3 years ago
Ken Hansen wrote:
Sorry, didn't know how to load multiple files in one update
No problem. If you have multiple files in the future all you need to do is click the Add another file link below the [Browse...] button to ass as many additional [Browse...] buttons as you need.
Thank you very much for the CHIRP Radio Images (*.img) from your radio. I will get to studying it today in order to hopefully reverse engineer a permanent fix for the "Failed to get band limits for RT98: local variable 'bandlimitfrequencies' referenced before assignment" error.
Jim
Updated by Jim Unroe about 3 years ago
- File retevis_rt98_at-779v.py retevis_rt98_at-779v.py added
Ken,
I think I have everything resolved for downloading and uploading from a S/N:1907*********** radio. It took a little longer than I thought it would take because there were quite a bit more places to change than what I was expecting. Give the attached test driver module a try.
In order to finish this project up so it can be formally submitted to be added to CHIRP, you will need to provide 5 separate CHIRP Radio Images (*.img) files. What I need is listed below.
- 3 images with the only difference being that menu 17 is set to each of the SCAN settings: SE, TO and CO.
- 2 images with the only difference being that the [V/M] button is toggled between both modes: VFO and Memory.
Please name the files in a way that I can tell which is which.
Thanks,
Jim
Updated by Ken Hansen about 3 years ago
Jim,
Attached is the Embedded Message Screen grab from the Retevis 1.01 software, as requested.
Thanks,
Ken, N2VIP
Updated by Jim Unroe about 3 years ago
Ken Hansen wrote:
Jim,
Attached is the Embedded Message Screen grab from the Retevis 1.01 software, as requested.
Thanks,
Ken, N2VIP
Hi Ken,
Thanks! I left you some additional "homework" to do. ;-)
Jim KC9HI
Updated by Ken Hansen about 3 years ago
- File Retevis_RT98_Scan_CO.img Retevis_RT98_Scan_CO.img added
Jim,
Here are the five requested files - the three scan files are named in an obvious way, all were downloaded/read in MR mode. The VFO and MR specific downloads are also named in an obvious way.
Thank you for all your work on this Jim - I appreciate your persistence in pushing this issue to completion.
Thanks,
Ken, N2VIP
Updated by Ken Hansen about 3 years ago
- File Retevis_RT98_Scan_SE.img Retevis_RT98_Scan_SE.img added
- File Retevis_RT98_Scan_TO.img Retevis_RT98_Scan_TO.img added
- File Retevis_RT98_VFO.img Retevis_RT98_VFO.img added
- File Retevis_RT98_MR.img Retevis_RT98_MR.img added
Sorry - the rest of the files ;)
Updated by Jim Unroe about 3 years ago
Ken Hansen wrote:
Jim,
Here are the five requested files - the three scan files are named in an obvious way, all were downloaded/read in MR mode. The VFO and MR specific downloads are also named in an obvious way.
Thank you for all your work on this Jim - I appreciate your persistence in pushing this issue to completion.
Thanks,
Ken, N2VIP
Hmmm... all 5 files are identical. It is as if making the selections at the radio was not stored in the radio's memory. Weird.
I wonder what would happen if you made the change(s) using the OEM software? Make the change, upload the change to the radio and then download into CHIRP? Then repeat 4 more times for the remaining settings.
If you want, just try it with the VFO/MR setting of the OEM software to see if that does work. Then if that works, the remaining 3 settings could be tried.
Jim
Updated by Ken Hansen about 3 years ago
Jim,
That's odd. I'll revisit this later today, perhaps the issue is that I didn't shutdown/restart application between reads if the radio (when I went to close the app I had several 'untitled' "grids" in the app, maybe I kept saving the first one?
Also, to be 100% clear, you want me to create the 5 images using CHIRP or the Retevis software?
I'll check the settings page on the Retevis software to see if scan and VFO/MR button value are exposed in their application.
Ken
Jim Unroe wrote:
Ken Hansen wrote:
Jim,
Here are the five requested files - the three scan files are named in an obvious way, all were downloaded/read in MR mode. The VFO and MR specific downloads are also named in an obvious way.
Thank you for all your work on this Jim - I appreciate your persistence in pushing this issue to completion.
Thanks,
Ken, N2VIP
Hmmm... all 5 files are identical. It is as if making the selections at the radio was not stored in the radio's memory. Weird.
I wonder what would happen if you made the change(s) using the OEM software? Make the change, upload the change to the radio and then download into CHIRP? Then repeat 4 more times for the remaining settings.
If you want, just try it with the VFO/MR setting of the OEM software to see if that does work. Then if that works, the remaining 3 settings could be tried.
Jim
Updated by Jim Unroe about 3 years ago
Ken Hansen wrote:
when I went to close the app I had several 'untitled' "grids" in the app, maybe I kept saving the first one?
I'll bet that is the case. That has bit me more than once. I've always expected CHIRP to automatically select any newly created tab. But in reality the previously selected tab remains selected so you have to remember to manually select the tab that you are interested in.
Take your time. I think the mystery has been solved. So just repeat what you did before from the radio's menus and buttons. Just remember to switch between the tabs before saving to a CHIRP "image".
Jim
Updated by Ken Hansen about 3 years ago
- File Retevis_RT98_VFO.img Retevis_RT98_VFO.img added
- File Retevis_RT98_MR.img Retevis_RT98_MR.img added
- File Retevis_RT98_Scan_CO.img Retevis_RT98_Scan_CO.img added
- File Retevis_RT98_Scan_SE.img Retevis_RT98_Scan_SE.img added
- File Retevis_RT98_Scan_TO.img Retevis_RT98_Scan_TO.img added
Jim,
Here are the new files - I closed out of the "grid" between each one after saving it, this should be correct.
I didn't see "scan" or VFO/MR in the current CHIRP interface, I'm guessing you are going to add them for the early version of the radio?
Thanks,
Ken, N2VIP
Updated by Jim Unroe about 3 years ago
Ken Hansen wrote:
I didn't see "scan" or VFO/MR in the current CHIRP interface, I'm guessing you are going to add them for the early version of the radio?
I couldn't add them because I didn't know where in memory the settings were store. This last exercise was to provide me with the data that I needed to reverse engineer those locations and add them to the driver module.
I think I have is all situated, but I just got the call to supper. When I return, I will do some final testing and then attach the result to this issue for your testing and feedback.
Jim
Updated by Jim Unroe about 3 years ago
- File retevis_rt98_at-779v.py retevis_rt98_at-779v.py added
Ken,
I've added the VFO/MR and Scan Revive Method settings for the S/N:1907*********** radios. They won't show for S/N:20************* radios since the newer radios do not support those features (that's too bad because I wish my S/N:20************* radios would switch into VFO mode).
I've tested as much as I can test here with the radios that I have. Test downloads and uploads with your radio. If you run across any problems, let me know what they are and include a debug.log file if applicable. If all seems OK, let me know and I will begin working up an official patch to submit for inclusion into CHIRP.
Jim KC9HI
Updated by Jim Unroe about 3 years ago
Ken,
Have you had a chance to test this latest driver module? I am holding off on submitting a patch until I have favorable feedback from you.
Jim KC9HI
Updated by Ken Hansen about 3 years ago
- File RT98 Freq Out Of Range.png RT98 Freq Out Of Range.png added
- File debug.log debug.log added
Jim,
Bad news - I can read/write from/to the radio fine, but in the grid if I try and add another channel I get an error message (see attached picture).
I was attempting to add a channel with a frequency of 146.700, I never got to specify offset, Tone, name, etc...
I attached a debug.log file
Ken, N2VIP
Updated by Jim Unroe about 3 years ago
Ken Hansen wrote:
Jim,
Bad news - I can read/write from/to the radio fine, but in the grid if I try and add another channel I get an error message (see attached picture).
I was attempting to add a channel with a frequency of 146.700, I never got to specify offset, Tone, name, etc...
I attached a debug.log file
Ken, N2VIP
That's why I needed testing done. Without the older radio, I can't test to see if the correct band limits were being picked up. Apparently they aren't.
I'll try to see what I can figure out.
Jim
Updated by Jim Unroe about 3 years ago
- File retevis_rt98_at-779v.py retevis_rt98_at-779v.py added
Ken, Give this a try when it is convenient.
Thanks,
Jim
Updated by Ken Hansen about 3 years ago
Jim,
Did a brief test today - read and wrote to the radio successfully and added a new channel thru the grid with the last py module you sent, any other specific tests you'd like?
Ken, N2VIP
Updated by Jim Unroe about 3 years ago
- % Done changed from 0 to 90
Ken Hansen wrote:
Jim,
Did a brief test today - read and wrote to the radio successfully and added a new channel thru the grid with the last py module you sent, any other specific tests you'd like?
Ken, N2VIP
Great. The only other thing that would be different would be the VFO/MR switching and SCAN revive methods. They tested OK for me using the images that you provided so I would expect them to work in the radio OK. You can verify this if you get a chance.
Unless I hear something soon from you pointing out a problem, I will try to get a patch submitted this weekend. Thanks for your help with this, Ken.
Jim KC9HI
Updated by Jim Unroe about 3 years ago
- Status changed from In Progress to Resolved
- % Done changed from 90 to 100
As I was creating the patch, I discovered some bugs that affected the S/N:20************* radios. Those bugs have been squashed. I just submitted the patch to be included in CHIRP. Support for the S/N:1907*********** radios will be in the CHIRP daily build following acceptance of the patch.
Jim KC9HI
Updated by Anonymous about 3 years ago
- Status changed from Resolved to Closed
Applied in changeset commit:5c6ef1daacc3.