CHIRP

h1. CHIRP

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h2. What is it?

CHIRP is a FREE cross-platform, cross-radio programming tool. It works on Windows and Linux (and MacOSX with a little work). It supports a growing list of radios across several manufacturers and allows transferring of memory contents between them.  The current list of supported models is:{{include(Supported_Radios)}}

Note that not all functionality is supported on all radio models.

Go to the [[Beginners_Guide|beginner's guide]] for a brief overview of basic usage and functionality.

h2. Will this replace the OEM software?

Maybe. CHIRP's focus is to support reading and writing the memory channels of as many radio models as possible. This provides the ability to exchange your programming information between dissimilar radios. It does not focus on supporting every single knob and setting that each radio supports. Doing so would severely limit the amount of developer time available to supporting a wider-range of models.

h2. How do I get it?

Go to the download page

h2. Where can I get a cable?

There are several ways to obtain a cable to program your radio with CHIRP.  Obviously, your manufacturer probably sells a high-quality cable for your radio, although this is generally the most expensive route.

I recommend looking on "eBay":http://www.ebay.com for cables.  I have purchased several cables from various vendors and have never had a problem.  Look for the sellers that are regular merchants, and that have fixed price items and full stores of merchandise.  Here are some recommended common cables:

    * "Yaesu VX-7R cable":http://stores.ebay.com/KAWAMALL-RAD/Other-/_i.html?_nkw=vx7+cable&submit=Search&_fsub=1&_sid=55765193 (works for VX-6R, ICOM IC-Q7A) - $18

    * "Yaesu VX-8R cable":http://stores.ebay.com/KAWAMALL-RAD/Other-/_i.html?_nkw=vx8+cable&submit=Search&_fsub=1&_sid=55765193 - $23

    * "Yaesu FT-7800 cable":http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=yaesu+7800+programming+cable&_sacat=0&_odkw=yaesu+7800+cable&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313 (works for 7900, 8800, 8900, etc) - $14

    * "OPC-478 clone cable":http://stores.ebay.com/KAWAMALL-RAD/Other-/_i.html?_nkw=opc-478&submit=Search&_fsub=1&_sid=55765193 (most ICOM, some Alinco radios) - $14

Check "KawaMall":http://stores.ebay.com/KAWAMALL-RAD and "Valley Enterprises":http://stores.ebay.com/Valley-Enterprises for other options.

h2. Mailing List

Join the CHIRP "mailing list":http://intrepid.danplanet.com/mailman/listinfo/chirp_users for the latest discussions and news about CHIRP.

h2. How can I help?

If you are developer, please join the "developers mailing list":http://intrepid.danplanet.com/mailman/listinfo/chirp_devel and contribute!  If you're not a developer, but are good at breaking things, then please file bugs and submit reports.  If you can write documentation, please volunteer to help with that as well. Many folks have loaned their radios for the purposes of getting support for them added to CHIRP. Please see the [[HonorRoll|Honor Roll]] for that list of people and be sure to thank them if their generosity resulted in support for a model you use!

h2. How can I get my radio supported by CHIRP?

In order to add support for a new radio model to CHIRP, a developer needs to reverse engineer the clone protocol and memory format of the radio.  This can often be done in a relatively short period of time, but requires physical access to the radio itself.  If you're interested in loaning your radio for this process, please use the contact page.