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New Model #9734

closed

Add support for the BTECH FRS-B1

Added by Jim Unroe almost 3 years ago. Updated over 2 years ago.

Status:
Closed
Priority:
Normal
Assignee:
Category:
-
Target version:
Start date:
02/01/2022
Due date:
% Done:

100%

Estimated time:
Equipment Loan/Gift Offered:
Yes
I read the instructions above:

Description

Baofeng Tech provided a sample BTECH FRS-B1 to be used for development.

Jim KC9HI


Files

Updated by Aaron Blankenship over 2 years ago

(I'm not a dev)

You can get the "official" software on BTECH page:
https://baofengtech.com/product/frs-b1/
https://baofengtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/frs-b1-v1-cps.zip

BTECH software isn't fully updated for this radio either but it does expose some of the new settings, such as "WX #" channels (preset to NOAA Rx only). It also enforces USA Fed compliance by limiting the settings you can change. "Side key" setting appears to do nothing? "Beep" only controls if the radio beeps for orange button (flashlight) short press. Long press of orange button is monitor. Orange button cannot be configured.

CHIRP daily-20220408 will import 16 channels via BF-888 profile, but not the other 8 (15-22) channels that allow transmit. The WX channels do not show up either.

Actions #2

Updated by Aaron Blankenship over 2 years ago

Notes from attempting to use CHIRP to configure FRS-B1 via BF-888 profile:

High/Low voltage inhibit transmit settings appear to be swapped. Not sure which is correct since I can't test this. The mysterious side key settings appears in both software but of course doesn't exist as a physical button on the FRS-B1.

The power limit lock that makes these compliant with FRS regulations is built into the programing software, not the firmware of FRS-B1. This matches some people's "theory" that the programing+operator of a radio is what makes it compliant with Fed regulations, not the hardware itself. This "theory" is not universally shared by all operators.

I saw no issues using the BF-888 profile to program one of these radios, and they work fine with my older units via the DCS code that I like to use. I do not recommend using CHIRP for programming FRS-B1 unless you know how to test that there are no problems caused.

Actions #3

Updated by Aaron Blankenship over 2 years ago

Opps, I found the BTECH profiles in CHIRP for FRS-B1.
This fixes my report of backwards inhibit settings.

Actions #4

Updated by Jim Unroe over 2 years ago

  • Status changed from In Progress to Closed
  • % Done changed from 0 to 100

Aaron Blankenship wrote:

Opps, I found the BTECH profiles in CHIRP for FRS-B1.
This fixes my report of backwards inhibit settings.

Yeah... this issue should have been closed a couple of months ago. It now will be.

Jim KC9HI

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