CHIRP

Handheld; Specification: 6 Bands:1) 136-180MHz(RX/TX)2) 200-260MHz(RX/TX)3) 350-400MHz(RX/TX)4) 400-520MHz(RX/TX)5) 108-136MHz (AM RX) - Air Band Receive Only6) 66-108MHz (FM RX)- FM RADIOFeatures:1. Support GPS positioning information2. Support Smartphone APP programming via bluetooth3.50 sets of CTCSS, 105 sets of DCS4. Transmission time out5. Voice encryption (frequency hopping function)6. 8 steps: 2.5k, 5k, 6.25k,...

Hello, I am the manufacturer for radtel rt-490 ham radio, I would like to send sample to make CHIRP compatible. I am first time to use this website and don't know how to process next.
anybody want to help me?

Hi Guys CHIRPBOI here.

I would love to see somebody come forward for this radio.
Kevin the owner below has many more models that may need support and nhe is interested in getting this going.
So far the RADTEL works well for me but CHIRP support would mean the world. I love CHIRP and use it almost weekly.
This radio interestingly enough picks up AM from the airport down the street and has more memory than the usual baofeng.

I would love to be able to "quick program" with CHIRP! Anybody???
Thank you very much to Bernhard for his kind help and advice and thank you to any DEVS that may come forward.

As for the "popularity" of this radio...
I think Chinese users and Pacific are more familiar with this brand than US based hams,
but as ALIBABA and ALIEXPRESS come forward you will see more and more RADTEL radios for sure.
The owners / managers at Radtel are friendly and responsive.

I hope this helps any US based members and future customers of RADTEL understand their radios.

A few things I noted about RADTEL RT-490:

• As of today 02/14/2022 the RT490 is NOT supported by CHIRP and attempting to program radio with WOUXUN, ABBREE, or other configs has not worked
• Please post here to notify DEVS that you own this radio and that you are interested in CHIRP support
• Anybody who succesfully programs this radio with any different manufacturer config please let us know here
• RADTEL as a brand is actively seeking to obtain CHIRP support for their radios
• CHIRP was notified of recent interest in this radio
• Radio can be bought via ALIexpress or Radtel's website
• China made with decent quality
• AM works / picking up local exec Airport etc
• Fair priced although more $$$ than Baofeng UV
• Cool color display
• Bluetooth works well but it is not like having CHIRP

PS: I do not work for CHIRP or Radtel. I just like the radio and its price...

kevin xie wrote:

Hello, I am the manufacturer for radtel rt-490 ham radio, I would like to send sample to make CHIRP compatible. I am first time to use this website and don't know how to process next.
anybody want to help me?

Hi Kevin... Hopefully somebody comes forward soon.
Maybe leave your full info for those who are seeking direct contact with you as a manufacturer.

All the best CHRIPboi

Bernhard Hailer wrote:

Handheld; Specification: 6 Bands:1) 136-180MHz(RX/TX)2) 200-260MHz(RX/TX)3) 350-400MHz(RX/TX)4) 400-520MHz(RX/TX)5) 108-136MHz (AM RX) - Air Band Receive Only6) 66-108MHz (FM RX)- FM RADIOFeatures:1. Support GPS positioning information2. Support Smartphone APP programming via bluetooth3.50 sets of CTCSS, 105 sets of DCS4. Transmission time out5. Voice encryption (frequency hopping function)6. 8 steps: 2.5k, 5k, 6.25k,...

Thank you for your help Bernhard... I know you are busy but thanks again!

there is many review for radtel rt-490 here https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003028392011.html
also in the near future I would like make CHIRP compatible with our new model RT-830 here https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003606671789.html
please contact me directly via email kevin@radtel.com.cn or whatsapp: +8615860705619
software to download in website www.radtels.com

Hello,

I already communicated this to the ML but I have started working on a driver for this radio family.

Current status:

• Download: 100%
• Upload: 0%
• Memory structure: 95%
• GUI Get/Set Memory Channels: 90%
• GUI Get/Set Memory Channels extra: 90%
• GUI Get/Set Memory Channels encryption: 99% (blocked because I fail adding RadioSettingValueString in channel extra GUI, no errors, no debug, just nothing appears, help wanted)
• GUI Get/Set Settings (basic): 0%
• GUI Get/Set Settings (adv): 0%
• GUI Get/Set Settings (workmodes a/b): 0%
• GUI Get/Set Settings (DTMF): 65%
• GUI Get/Set Settings (ANICODES): 0%
• GUI Get/Set Settings (custom anichannel names): 0%
• GUI Get/Set Settings (custom channel names): 0%
• GUI Get/Set Settings (custom side keys): 0%

Hidden features unlock:

• Remote kill switch (enable/disable, kill & revive dtmf)

As I am very new to this hobby I have now serious difficulties to progress and any help is welcome. I can provide/share driver and images usable in Chirp for debugging.

Contacts: email or @angelof9:matrix.org

Cheers

Hello,

The drivers is finished from my point of view and I need some testers.
I was able to tackle most bugs with the help of one very kind Chirp user but we need more feedback.
At this moment the driver passed all automated Chirp tests.
Please contact me if you are able to test.

Kind Regards,
Ao9

. @angelof9:matrix.org wrote:

Hello,
...
Please contact me if you are able to test.

I am Linux Chirp user with one of these radios collecting dust on my desk. Currently I have the Chirp daily build install via the package manager. Let me know what I need to do to get a Linux Chirp binary to test with?

Hello Ao9!

I have a clone of the RT-490 (Socotran FB-8629) and am ready to test. Have been able to program with Multiband, but it is hard to use...

Thanks!
Chris

Forgot to say, Windows user...

A09, I would love to test for you as I have the Jianpai 8800 Plus and Windows computer. Please let me know if this is possible. I have tried all radios and none would work.

Thanks
KI5UHR

Count me in for testing.

Socotran JC-8629

. @angelof9:matrix.org wrote:

Hello,

The drivers is finished from my point of view and I need some testers.
I was able to tackle most bugs with the help of one very kind Chirp user but we need more feedback.
At this moment the driver passed all automated Chirp tests.
Please contact me if you are able to test.

Kind Regards,
Ao9

Count me in for testing.
BORISTONE 8RS， Clone JJCC - 8629，I have installed and tested the write frequency software and Bluetooth software of JJCC-8629, which are compatible with borglstone 8RS

i have Jianpai 8800 Plus
Count me in for testing
Carlos Palma

The driver is almost ready and I plan to push it for official review and merge in the next days.

Hi,

I have two Jianpai 8800 Plus handhelds and will be happy to be a tester.

Cheers,

Patch submitted to the mailing list.

Typo fixed for Jianpai, no impact on driver submission.

The driver supports:

• Radtel RT-490,
• MMLradio 8629,
• JJCC 8629,
• Socotran JC8629,
• Socotran FB8629,
• Jianpai 8800 Plus,
• Boristone 8RS,
• Abbree AR869,
• HamGeek HG590.

1-Page summary of Encryption Test Scenarios attached

The Radtel RT-490 and other clones support using standard CTCSS and DCS tone codes that can somewhat restrict communication to those on the Channel/Frequency that are using the identical CTCSS or DCS code. The RT-490s have a feature that can discover a frequency's codes in use and thus provide the ability to join the conversation. Menu27, Menu28 for SCAN DCS, CTCSS. CTCSS and DCS usage are well documented in the User Guide for the RT490 and other similar radios.

A feature unique to the RT-490 and clones is "Search/Seek". The radio side keys can be set to use option "Search" seek (Long Press PF2 to activate, then press P1 to cycle thru the Bands (UHF, VHF, 200, etc). If Search/Seek finds an active frequency in the band and also discovers a CTCSS or DCS code in use then the radio can save that as a saved memory for future use.

Which brings us to the RT-490's "Menu08 VOICEPRI" with it's 4 selections ENCRY1,..2,..3,..4. This is another encryption option that in many respects operates like a custom privacy code. In fact, when you use VOICEPRI for a saved memory, and select one of the 4 Encrys, you can then create a custom tone code to work with the selected Encry. For the custom code to work, you must enable it in Properties, Other. When you do that the RT-490 will write that code to Menu5, Menu7 R-DCS, T-DCS. This was very confusing, so the development team has added tips and guidance in the sections that require custom entries. Lead developer Ao9 also fixed instances where leaving a required entry blank could cause an error.

The attached 1-page flyer summarizes the different scenarios we staged to make sure that VOICEPRI and Learn Codes work correctly and error Free. The test consisted of 3 radios - Radtel RT-490, MML8629 and generic Baofeng UV-5R. We used the UV5r to see if any of the possible encryption or code settings would truly make the conversation private. Short answer is no. A radio with no encryption tuned in can hear both sides of an encrypted conversation...BUT they cannot talk to the encrypted radios and the encrypted radios cannot talk to the unencrypted radio (the Bao).

. @angelof9:matrix.org wrote:

RT-490 Driver patch has been submitted.

For those that cannot wait here are the steps to use the driver with the official daily Chirp:

• Start Chirp
• Check "Enable Developer Functions" in "Help" menu
• In "File" menu use "Load module" to load the RT-490 driver
• Plug your radio
• Download from your radio
• Have fun

Download Info: Click on file 'RT-490.py' and the file text will open on display. Notice the small link at the very top that says'Download'. Click 'Download' and windows will begin the download. This file is the RT-490 driver module that Chirp will Load.

Good afternoon.
I checked your driver and the daily version with HamGeek HG-580 (analog Radtel RT-490 without BT and GPS), the range was successfully opened, channels and all settings were successfully recorded.
100-999MHz TX-RX OK, but from 660-720MHz the radio is frozen on TX.
Thank you very much.

Anton Kormiltsev wrote:

Good afternoon.
I checked your driver and the daily version with HamGeek HG-580 (analog Radtel RT-490 without BT and GPS), the range was successfully opened, channels and all settings were successfully recorded.
100-999MHz TX-RX OK, but from 660-720MHz the radio is frozen on TX.
Thank you very much.

Well hmm, thank you for the feedback :)
I see you are playing with experimental features, honestly I cannot test myself because I don't have the correct instruments to measure limits... So on this topic any help is welcome.

Anton Kormiltsev wrote:

Good afternoon.
I checked your driver and the daily version with HamGeek HG-580 (analog Radtel RT-490 without BT and GPS), the range was successfully opened, channels and all settings were successfully recorded.
100-999MHz TX-RX OK, but from 660-720MHz the radio is frozen on TX.
Thank you very much.

Does the factory programming software program working 660-720 MHz channels? If yes, then program a working channel with the factory programming software and then program a non-working channel right next to it using CHIRP. Attach a CHIRP Radio Images (*.img) file that contains these 2 channels so it can be examined. Don't forget to mention which channel # is factory and which channel # is CHIRP.

Jim KC9HI

The RT-490 supports to 520mhz. If you want to test for unsupported bands, in VFO mode enter a band start like 400.000 and press scan.When then the radio reaches end of band it will start over within the same band. It will not jump to the next higher band.

Sorry im newbie =)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SJmIhI5J4Y

Work after opening the range.

. @angelof9:matrix.org wrote:

RT-490 Driver patch has been submitted.

[RT-490] New driver for Radtel RT-490 and 8 other clones (Fix issue #9665)

The driver supports:

• Radtel RT-490,
• MMLradio 8629,
• JJCC 8629,
• Socotran JC8629,
• Socotran FB8629,
• Jianpai 8629,
• Boristone 8RS,
• Abbree AR869,
• HamGeek HG590.

Support ALL official software features.

Plus these new features:

• FM preset
• Channel memory preset
• Killswitch setup (+ can revive killed radios)
• Bands settings for 4 bands ranges + tx on/off
• Fixed issue of radio being corrupted with official software with custom (channel/ani) names
• Included basic help for custom features
• Clarified Group/Team GPS Discovery setup (Good for team of up to 10 radios)
• Supports Voice Privacy Learn Code function (managed in Memory, Properties, Other)
• Disable radio identification string verification (good to recover from a bad state)

For those that cannot wait here are the steps to use the driver with the official daily Chirp:

• Start Chirp
• Check "Enable Developer Functions" in "Help" menu
• In "File" menu use "Load module" to load the RT-490 driver
• Plug your radio
• Download from your radio
• Have fun

Hi Angelo,

Followed your instructions, and received an "Unable to load module: invalid syntax (rt490.py, line 1)" when attempting to load the file.
Check the with Python and the syntax looks normal, with no errors.
Do you have any suggestions?

73

Attila VE3YO

Attila Jantsek wrote:

Hi Angelo,

Followed your instructions, and received an "Unable to load module: invalid syntax (rt490.py, line 1)" when attempting to load the file.
Check the with Python and the syntax looks normal, with no errors.
Do you have any suggestions?

73

Attila VE3YO

It sounds like you made the mistake of right-clicking the driver link and choosing “Save link as…”. This downloads the web page that you would download the driver from. Instead you must left-click the link, wait for the download page to load, then finally click the “download” link near the top of the page that loaded.

Plus, I think this support has already been added to CHIRP so you can just upgrade to the latest CHIRP daily build and eliminate the need to download and use this temporary driver module.

Jim KC9HI

Good day my friends.
Please help - The radio with open range but can`t record channel with offset.
Screens attached.

Anton Kormiltsev wrote:

Good day my friends.
Please help - The radio with open range but can`t record channel with offset.
Screens attached.

https://www.imagevenue.com/ME14VFGD
https://www.imagevenue.com/ME14VFGF

Anton, you can restrict the frequencies in the experimental Band controls, however you cannot have the RT-490 go beyond the frequencies that are supported by its transceiver. You can discover the band width limits by using the scan function. For instance, using VFO mode, key in a starting frequency for the band you are trying to discover. For instance, key 108.000000 (this is the VHF band for Aircraft) and then begin the scan. Once the radio reaches the transceiver limit (this case it was 136.00000), it will loop back to 108.000000 and start the scan over within that band. I did this for all bands during the testing of this feature. I found some frequencies that were additional to those advertised (like 200 to 260 instead of 220 to 260). The "Bands" setting will allow you to indicate bands that are out of range of the transceiver, but firmware restrictions will show the out-of-limit error. So based on my test scans in each band, these are the band limits to use and as such you should see no errors.

108 to 136
136 to 180
200 to 260
350 to 399
400 to 520

The Final Driver as posted in this thread is still required. As of today, May 24 it has not yet been incorporated into production Chirp.

Download Instruction Short Version:

1 - At the top of this thead where the attachments are listed, Click on file 'RT-490.py'
2 - RT-490.py will open and appear as text on display.
3 - Notice the small link at the very top of the open file that says 'Download'. Click 'Download' and MS Windows will begin the download.
4 - This file is the RT-490 driver module that Chirp will Load. View it if you like, but be aware some text editors may corrupt it.
5 - Start Chirp, turn on 'Developer Functions' under Help
6 - 'Load Module' under File and point to the RT-490.py file just downloaded.

I received my MMLRadio JC-8629 yesterday, and I'm trying out the RT-490.py. So far, it works great (but I don't know enough about the radio itself yet). Congratulations to all involved in making this device CHIRPable! Big-Win for All!!

Now, question: Is there a proper forum or group on which to compare notes and ask questions? For example, what does SEEK do, how-to & use-cases for Custom Channel Names, Mem Channel Privacy Codes, what's to be heard on 350 Mhz band, and "why do I hear a telephone dialtone at 132.0025?"

Many thanks again to Herbert & everyone involved.

Herbert Smith wrote:

Anton, you can restrict the frequencies in the experimental Band controls, however you cannot have the RT-490 go beyond the frequencies that are supported by its transceiver. You can discover the band width limits by using the scan function. For instance, using VFO mode, key in a starting frequency for the band you are trying to discover. For instance, key 108.000000 (this is the VHF band for Aircraft) and then begin the scan. Once the radio reaches the transceiver limit (this case it was 136.00000), it will loop back to 108.000000 and start the scan over within that band. I did this for all bands during the testing of this feature. I found some frequencies that were additional to those advertised (like 200 to 260 instead of 220 to 260). The "Bands" setting will allow you to indicate bands that are out of range of the transceiver, but firmware restrictions will show the out-of-limit error. So based on my test scans in each band, these are the band limits to use and as such you should see no errors.

108 to 136
136 to 180
200 to 260
350 to 399
400 to 520

Dear Herbert, the radio transmits perfectly on the open range from 100 to 999 MHz, I personally checked it.
Only at 660-725 MHz it freezes.
The problem is that there is no way to record a channel with a repeater offset, as I indicated in the screenshots.

https://www.imagevenue.com/ME14VFGD
https://www.imagevenue.com/ME14VFGF

I meant frequencies of 200-299 MHz.
The radio transmits to them perfectly without errors, but it is impossible to record an offset of +41 for a frequency of 255.550.
I was surprised that the radio really works on the 100-999 MHz range, but does not want to record frequency offsets for channels.
Please try to bypass this limitation.
The same problem is in the neighboring topic with Baofeng UV-5R-III, it can open and work at 200-299 MHz, but the offset is also not recorded in the channels(
Thank you very much for your work)

I hope it's ok for me to post this here: I created a new Facebook group for RT-490 users. You are all invited. https://www.facebook.com/groups/570949897923326/?ref=share_group_link

Is it intentional that the above plug-in does not read or write device settings?

It does read and write settings. Where are you seeing it not?

My settings tab is entirely blank. Not a single character is displayed, much less any data from the radio.

Frequencies all read and write OK.

Andy B wrote:

My settings tab is entirely blank. Not a single character is displayed, much less any data from the radio.

Frequencies all read and write OK.

This would typically be an indication that your radio has one or more settings that are invalid/out-of-range.

Jim KC9HI

I read the radio just add it came from the factory, before anything was changed, so I could have a factory default backup. What could be out of range?

Andy B wrote:

I read the radio just add it came from the factory, before anything was changed, so I could have a factory default backup. What could be out of range?

This is a new driver. It could have a bug. Also it is not uncommon for a bit to be flipped from the factory that causes issues. Again this is a new driver. Confirming this is the issue would be simple to do if the “image” was made available for a developer to examine.

Jim KC9HI

Thank You Jim KC9HI!!!

Patrick Larkin wrote:

I'll try uploading the JJCC factory software here.

Please DO NOT attach the manufacturer's software to the issue. Even if you think the software is freely available via download elsewhere, that does not mean you can legally distribute it yourself. Posting it here also opens up the CHIRP website and community to potential action by owners of that software. If it is downloadable somewhere, feel free to post a link but DO NOT attach it to the issue.

Thanks,
Jim KC9HI

25Updated by Herbert Smith about 1 month ago
Comment
. @angelof9:matrix.org wrote:

RT-490 Driver patch has been submitted.

For those that cannot wait here are the steps to use the driver with the official daily Chirp:
Start Chirp
Check "Enable Developer Functions" in "Help" menu
In "File" menu use "Load module" to load the RT-490 driver
Plug your radio
Download from your radio
Have fun
Download Info: Click on file 'RT-490.py' and the file text will open on display. Notice the small link at the very top that says'Download'. Click 'Download' and windows will begin the download. This file is the RT-490 driver module that Chirp will Load.

Jim Unroe wrote:

Patrick Larkin wrote:

I'll try uploading the JJCC factory software here.

Please DO NOT attach the manufacturer's software to the issue. Even if you think the software is freely available via download elsewhere, that does not mean you can legally distribute it yourself. Posting it here also opens up the CHIRP website and community to potential action by owners of that software. If it is downloadable somewhere, feel free to post a link but DO NOT attach it to the issue.

Thanks,
Jim KC9HI

My apologies. Here's the link:
https://rugbyradiosuk.com/collections/programming-software-downloads/products/download-programming-software-for-jc8629-v1-5-2-2022-english

Sorry for the delay.
I am back, just give me few days to catch up with all the messages and last bug fixes.

I used the attached driver on the nightly from last night on a brand new Jianpai 8800 just now and it works as expected for setting channels, no issues. I have not tested the other settings selections.

How does one use the 'Driver Patch'?

Andy B wrote:

How does one use the 'Driver Patch'?

It was explained in duplicate notes @#53@, @#54@ and @#55@ above.

[duplicates removed, it#s now #53.) - edited by Bernhard, AE6YN]

Jim KC9HI

I only see instructions for the '.py' file, nothing for the '.patch' file.

Please ignore the "file.patch", it is for developers and means to be merged in Chirp source code.

Thank you!

Andy B wrote:

I only see instructions for the '.py' file, nothing for the '.patch' file.

The '.patch' file if for if you have a CHIRP development system with Mercurial. The '.py' file is what you want.

Jim KC9HI

Herbert Smith K15VGT wrote: Posting Error #54 duplicate Text Removed

When is the public version coming?

Follow these steps to change language on the RT-490 or clones:

1) Install the most recent production daily Chirp
2) Download the file RT-490.py (the link to that file is at the top of this thread)
3) Plug in your programming cable
4) Run Chirp
5) Under Help on the top menu, "Enable Developer Functions"
6) Under File "Load Module" and browse to the downloaded file "RT-490.py"
7) Read from your radio
8) Under top Menu "View" "Change Language" and select English
9) Write Radio (if errors, check that you cable is in tight)
That usually works! Good Luck.

From what I saw, this language option in Chirp, only changes the language of the Chirp and not of the radio Firmware. Not how it changed on the radio due to a programming error.

Claudio Muniz wrote:

From what I saw, this language option in Chirp, only changes the language of the Chirp and not of the radio Firmware. Not how it changed on the radio due to a programming error.

Correct (but I doubt that it was change due to a program error).

You should be able to set it back by uploading the "backup" image that you made immediately after the first successful download. If you didn't make a backup, then it would seem to me, after reading RT-490 User Manual, that all you have to do would be to access the radio's menu 18 (LANGUAGE) and set it back to English. Sure it won't be easy with the radio set to Chinese, but it should still be doable.

Jim KC9HI

Claudio Muniz wrote:

In menu 18, the English language option no longer appears. Before, only the English language appeared, now only Chinese appears, there is no way to choose, the option is unique, see the photo. How to change it?

I don't have an RT-490 yet, but typically these radio's menus only show the selected choice. You have to put the menu into edit mode which then allows you you to "arrow" through all of the possible choices. Menu 18 should have 2 choices: English and Chinese.

For example in your picture, the top line is the menu name, Language. The bottom line is the currently selected language, Chinese.

For the fun of it, what happens when you upload Andy B's "factory" image to your radio? Don't forget to first download from your radio and then save the newly created tab to a *.img file to create a backup of your radio's current state.

Thanks,
Jim KC9HI

Well the language issue is weird.
On my Radtel there is only english, and no second language.

Press 'Menu' (below P1) and select Option 18 by scrolling with the arrow Up/Down keys, by turning the 'Channel Knob', or by simply pressing "1" - "8" on the KeyPad.

Then Press 'Menu' again (below P1) to activate the Language Option, and again use the arrow Up/Down keys or 'Channel Knob' to scroll through all available options.

When the desired language option is selected, Press 'Menu' (below P1) once more to confirm then press 'Exit' (under P2).

Note: My MMLRadio version had two language options, English and Chinese, but my Jianpai version has only English available.

In the photo provided previsouly, it appears that the 'Radio' is in English while the 'Menu' is in Chinese - which is baffling!

Andy B wrote:

Press 'Menu' (below P1) and select Option 18 by scrolling with the arrow Up/Down keys, by turning the 'Channel Knob', or by simply pressing "1" - "8" on the KeyPad.

Then Press 'Menu' again (below P1) to activate the Language Option, and again use the arrow Up/Down keys or 'Channel Knob' to scroll through all available options.

When the desired language option is selected, Press 'Menu' (below P1) once more to confirm then press 'Exit' (under P2).

Note: My MMLRadio version had two language options, English and Chinese, but my Jianpai version has only English available.

In the photo provided previsouly, it appears that the 'Radio' is in English while the 'Menu' is in Chinese - which is baffling!

Andy B,

Would you attach 2 CHIRP image files, the only difference between them being the Language selection (one set to Engilsh and the other set to Chinese)? Thanks.

Jim KC9HI

I am so sorry, I already returned the MMLRadio version and replaced it with the Jianpai version instead - much better case!

Andy B wrote:

I am so sorry, I already returned the MMLRadio version and replaced it with the Jianpai version instead - much better case!

OK. Thanks.

Jim

Richard Fluharty wrote:

Welp... that's it for me. Back to the factory software.
Guess this'll never get released

Refer to post #32 for this issue.

Would you attach 2 CHIRP image files, the only difference between them being the Language selection (one set to Engilsh and the other set to Chinese)? Thanks.

Jim KC9HI

Jim,
I was going to do this from my MMLRadio, but alas, English is the only language available on option 18.

Patrick Larkin wrote:

Would you attach 2 CHIRP image files, the only difference between them being the Language selection (one set to Engilsh and the other set to Chinese)? Thanks.

Jim KC9HI

Jim,
I was going to do this from my MMLRadio, but alas, English is the only language available on option 18.

OK. That sort of makes sense since the OEM software doesn't have a setting for choosing the Language.

If anyone else has a model variant that does include multiple choices for Language (English/Chinese/etc), it would be very useful to have CHIRP images taken from the radio while set to the various choices.

Jim KC9HI

Claudio Muniz wrote:

Good afternoon, reprogramming the radio Radtel RT-490 by the usb cable (Chirp), at the time of rewriting, an error occurred at the end of the recording, I tried again and it still didn't work. The problem is that the language is only Chinese and the English language has disappeared as shown in the photo below. I already reset the radio and nothing to return the language to English, any tips that can solve this problem? Grateful.

Maybe in the process of writing frequency, you inadvertently touched a certain value, so the value changes. In fact, the English interface can be changed by writing frequency software, but I don't know the specific value. The value on the English interface is 0, and that on the Chinese interface is 1

Hongguang Yang wrote:

Claudio Muniz wrote:

Good afternoon, reprogramming the radio Radtel RT-490 by the usb cable (Chirp), at the time of rewriting, an error occurred at the end of the recording, I tried again and it still didn't work. The problem is that the language is only Chinese and the English language has disappeared as shown in the photo below. I already reset the radio and nothing to return the language to English, any tips that can solve this problem? Grateful.

Maybe in the process of writing frequency, you inadvertently touched a certain value, so the value changes. In fact, the English interface can be changed by writing frequency software, but I don't know the specific value. The value on the English interface is 0, and that on the Chinese interface is 1

According to a review on Amazon, this can happen when using the some of the Bluetooth programming applications that are available to program these radios. The following is a quote from that review.

"Do not download the Bluetooth programming APP from MMLRADIO. If you do, it comes up in Chinese and there doesn't seem to be a way to switch it to English. It's the same programming APP as for the Radtel RT-490, which is easy to find on the internet with a search."

However, if you are lucky enough to capture a CHIRP Radio Images (*.img) from your radio before this happens, you should be able to upload this "image" back to your radio to restore it back to its earlier state. Making a "factory" CHIRP image is the first thing I plan on doing once I get my JC-8629 (which is the first thing I do with all new radios that I acquire).

Jim KC9HI

Can someone pleae update the 'patch' to allow 12 character channel names? Currently I am only able to use 10 characters for channel names, and the OE software, and the radio, both support 12 characters for each channel name. Thank You!

Hongguang Yang wrote:

First, as before, after loading the RT-490.py module. After downloading it from the Boristone 8RS, I found that the original Settings menu had gone blank. I rewrote the IMG file from the original backup to restore the Settings page,

I would have taken a look at the debug.log file to find out which setting was out-of-range and why. That way the driver could have been updated to support this condition. Once whatever setting it was becomes out-of-range again, the Settings page will become blank again.

If you happen to have a saved "image" with the "blank Settings page" condition, please load it into CHIRP, verify that the Settings tab is blank, then close CHIRP. Now you can look at the debug.log to investigate the issue. Or get the "image" and debug.log to me and I will investigate it.

Jim KC9HI

Andy B wrote:

Can someone pleae update the 'patch' to allow 12 character channel names? Currently I am only able to use 10 characters for channel names, and the OE software, and the radio, both support 12 characters for each channel name. Thank You!

It looks to me like the experimental driver module attached to this issue is coded to support 12 character channel names. I just used it to store a 12 character name into a CHIRP Radio Images (*.img) for my JC-8629.

Jim KC9HI

just ordered the jp 8800 version. hopig to test with the py file here.

Hi very fine business,
but when I expand upper band limit from 520 to 525 Mhz and want to enter a frequency with 523 Mhz an erroe message appears "frequency out of supported range"
is there a simple workaround?
tnx

Hi very fine business,
but when I expand upper band limit from 520 to 525 Mhz and want to enter a frequency with 523 Mhz an erroe message appears "frequency out of supported range"
is there a simple workaround?
tnx

No more interest on this? Isn't incorporated into Chirp yet.

No more interest on this? Isn't incorporated into Chirp yet.

Richard Fluharty wrote:

No more interest on this? Isn't incorporated into Chirp yet.

Yeah,I also noticed, this radio biggest thing since UV5R. Not relying on this yet, the original program is stable although lacking updates.Plus a lot of people are bricking the radios playing with different software firmware trying to do magic with it. Constantly blocking people crying about bricking the radio on our user group on Telegram.

It seems in the driver, the set of characters available for channel names is limited. Lowercase and some special characters are disabled.
BTW. If necessary, I have RT490 and I can join testing the driver.

Yeah, I guess it's never gonna happen. I'm calling vaporware.

Just wanted to add that I was able to get CHIRP working with this radio over bluetooth on MacOS using a python module called "ble-serial"

Use ble-scan to find the radio. For me it was F127A995-CDF1-4588-60D8-D4ADA1F83BED
Then use ble-serial -d <GUID> to start the serial session. It creates a /tmp/ttyBLE device, which then CHIP connects to.

Jake B wrote in #note-100:

Just wanted to add that I was able to get CHIRP working with this radio over bluetooth on MacOS using a python module called "ble-serial"

Use ble-scan to find the radio. For me it was F127A995-CDF1-4588-60D8-D4ADA1F83BED
Then use ble-serial -d <GUID> to start the serial session. It creates a /tmp/ttyBLE device, which then CHIRP connects to.

Hello
I just installed today's Chirp update, unfortunately the new version won't load the rt490.py module.
What happened ?

Włodzimierz Chodor wrote in #note-102:

Hello
I just installed today's Chirp update, unfortunately the new version won't load the rt490.py module.
What happened ?

The driver was written for the for the original Python 2 version of CHIRP and has not been updated to run on the new Python 3 version (currently called CHIRP-next). Is should still run the last build of the last build of the classing version (22021217).

You will just have to keep both versions of CHIRP available for cases like this. It is simple to do (and what I've been doing since the first of the year). I just upgraded my CHIRP-next to the 20230321 build released today and have my shortcut to launch my 20221217 legacy CHIRP build that should never change.

Jim KC9HI

Darryl Pogue,

I just tried this on my Jianpai 8800 and it worked flawlessly. I can now use CHIRP Next. You are the man.

Do you or anyone else know if a driver for the Radtel RT-69 is available, This radio is a 6 band with Air band and the Wouxun KG-UV8D will read memories and write them but it thinks it is not a 220 radio.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Terry
KI5UHR
73

if someone needs original soft for new ver abbree ar-f8 in this post https://chirp.danplanet.com/issues/10582

Is someone planning to submit this rt490 driver to chirp? If so, please see Developers.

Note that I just did a quick check and it fails a lot of the automated tests required to be included in chirp and those will need to be fixed before it can be included. Also a warning for anyone that is using this already - the test failures mean it is buggy and may cause you problems.

This DRIVE is working very well.
SOCOTRAN FB8629
Thanks team.

This DRIVE is working very well.
SOCOTRAN FB8629 = Radtel 490
Thanks team.

Mário Cerejo wrote in #note-113:

This DRIVE is working very well.
SOCOTRAN FB8629 = Radtel 490
Thanks team.

This is included in the driver for a long time :D

Sorry, the box I must have seen somewhere else, however Ruyage UV9D looks to me like the exact same radio as radtel RT-490. Also the price was exactly the same. On the other hand, the abbree ar-f8 looks to me slightly different about the LCD content, right?

Wito Krasnal wrote in #note-116:

Sorry, the box I must have seen somewhere else, however Ruyage UV9D looks to me like the exact same radio as radtel RT-490. Also the price was exactly the same. On the other hand, the abbree ar-f8 looks to me slightly different about the LCD content, right?

The one thing that I found with with the mml_jc8810.py driver for the RT-470 and similar radios is that each type of number of menus differ (with with 50, some with 56, etc) and some common settings between radio models have different settings choices (the PF Keys for example). So for that driver I have worked close with each model's owner (RT-470, RT-470L, HI-8811, UV-A37, A36Plus, etc) to make sure there is a selection available that matches each variation. I am finding it is becoming harder to go by what the radio looks like externally as I have usually done in the past.

correction: spaces are allowed and written by the CHIRP driver. no lowercase letters, no punctuation marks, no braces etc.

Jim Unroe wrote in #note-117:

Wito Krasnal wrote in #note-116:

Sorry, the box I must have seen somewhere else, however Ruyage UV9D looks to me like the exact same radio as radtel RT-490. Also the price was exactly the same. On the other hand, the abbree ar-f8 looks to me slightly different about the LCD content, right?

The one thing that I found with with the mml_jc8810.py driver for the RT-470 and similar radios is that each type of number of menus differ (with with 50, some with 56, etc) and some common settings between radio models have different settings choices (the PF Keys for example). So for that driver I have worked close with each model's owner (RT-470, RT-470L, HI-8811, UV-A37, A36Plus, etc) to make sure there is a selection available that matches each variation. I am finding it is becoming harder to go by what the radio looks like externally as I have usually done in the past.

There are at least two versions of hardware to this radio: 1.00 and 2.00, and since the firmware is upgradeable, there are at least two (or more) firmware versions: 1.00 and 1.03. There are of course two general versions: with GPS & BT, and without.

driver refuses some frequencies on the channel datasheet of course

new issue. i have chirp next v 20231108, but its lost support for the module 2023-07-07passes_automated_tests_updated_licence.py.

When opening a saved img for this radio, there are no memory entries, the numbered colums are red with each location with a !

ie !1, !2 !3 and background on each is red.

i still have older versions of next, and prior one i have that is working ok is 20231031. so something has got broken between this range.

Jim, I was thinking you were going to pick up and submit this one with the new license. Was I supposed to do that? My apologies if so, but let me know if I still need to.

Dan Smith wrote in #note-126:

Jim, I was thinking you were going to pick up and submit this one with the new license. Was I supposed to do that? My apologies if so, but let me know if I still need to.

I guess I misunderstood. I thought the driver was submitted before and was not accepted because of the license. I though once the license was updated, . @angelof9:matrix.org was going to submit it. I can do it. I'm working at trying to finish up 3 other drivers in order to get them submitted this weekend.

Ah, no I think you're right. But yeah, if you don't mind picking it up that'd be cool. Let me know if you need me to. I've got no way to test it for real and as far as I know, you have every radio ever made in your possession :)

Sirs. It's great that the driver is finally integrated, but please make it accept lowercase letters and variety of special characters, just like the radio itself, and the OEM software, both accept them.

Wito Krasnal wrote in #note-130:

Sirs. It's great that the driver is finally integrated, but please make it accept lowercase letters and variety of special characters, just like the radio itself, and the OEM software, both accept them.

This ticket has been closed. Please open a new ticket to request bug fixes and/or features.

just downloaded this new (20231125) build of Chirp thats refered to supporting the radtel 490 series, but trying to open existing img, not supported error, jianpai 8800 plus.

loading the py mod then img, has red line numbers as mentioned last week.
empty memories and red line numbers on left with ! marks.

interesting dev,
so i reloaded my backup img to radio in older chirp with pymod.
in todys 2511 chirp, i read the radio ok as jianpai 8800 plus
saved new img and closed.

reladed new chirp, opened image ok and uploaded ok

issue closed again, but awareness needed for others when this fails on first use.

Please create a new issue and attach your image that doesn't work, if you can reproduce the problem. We'll discuss anything else about this radio in a new ticket.

Jim Unroe wrote in #note-131:

Wito Krasnal wrote in #note-130:

Sirs. It's great that the driver is finally integrated, but please make it accept lowercase letters and variety of special characters, just like the radio itself, and the OEM software, both accept them.

This ticket has been closed. Please open a new ticket to request bug fixes and/or features.

please read the #118 entry above. this issue has been mentioned by me before in #118, but apparently nobody noticed.

Wito Krasnal wrote in #note-135:

Jim Unroe wrote in #note-131:

Wito Krasnal wrote in #note-130:

Sirs. It's great that the driver is finally integrated, but please make it accept lowercase letters and variety of special characters, just like the radio itself, and the OEM software, both accept them.

This ticket has been closed. Please open a new ticket to request bug fixes and/or features.

please read the #118 entry above. this issue has been mentioned by me before in #118, but apparently nobody noticed.

Wito Krasnal wrote in #note-135:

Jim Unroe wrote in #note-131:

Wito Krasnal wrote in #note-130:

Sirs. It's great that the driver is finally integrated, but please make it accept lowercase letters and variety of special characters, just like the radio itself, and the OEM software, both accept them.

This ticket has been closed. Please open a new ticket to request bug fixes and/or features.

please read the #118 entry above. this issue has been mentioned by me before in #118, but apparently nobody noticed.

Open a ticket. List the valid characters. Thanks.