Connection Issues using Ubuntu (and derivatives)¶

These are not CHIRP issues; they are operating system (Linux, Ubuntu) issues. If these notes do not help, get Ubuntu help either through a search or using the Ubuntu support sites.

Symptom with a USB connection¶

1. Click Radio then Download from Radio at the top menu bar; a window appears with Port, Vendor and Model
2. Click Port and from the pull-down list pick the USB option. Usually that is at the bottom of the list with a name like /dev/ttyUSB0
3. An error window appears with words like An error has occurred.
4. Below the error words is something like Permission denied

Symptom with a serial (RS232) connection¶

1. Click Radio then Download from Radio at the top menu bar; a window appears with Port, Vendor and Model
2. Click Port and from the pull-down list pick the serial port (TTY) with a name like /dev/ttyS0. If you have more than one physical serial port (uncommon these days), it may be ttyS1, etc.
3. An error window appears with words like An error has occured.
4. Below the error words is something like Permission denied

Solution¶

The most common cause is that the user(s) do not have permission to use the serial connection. Permission must be established for the user. There is much more on this common issue in Linux or Ubuntu wikis and support websites.

1. Start a terminal session.
2. Enter this this command into the terminal session: sudo gpasswd --add ${USER} dialout
3. Logout and login again on any sessions you want to see the new group.
4. After executing the command, check that it worked with: groups ${USER}
5. The user name will be followed by a list that includes dialout. Being in the dialout group means permission is granted for the TTY set that includes serial and USB connections.