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Reviews For: CHIRP

Category: Ham Software/Apps - Other than logging

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Review Summary For : CHIRP
Reviews: 51MSRP: free
Description:
CHIRP is a FREE, open-source, cross-platform, 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.
Product is in production
More Info: http://chirp.danplanet.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00513.8
KJ4DGE Rating: 2020-11-20
In defense of the program Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have been using the program for years. One of the things overlooked is it is constantly being updated not just for new models but bug fixes. With that being said, everyone needs to download the latest version! The next thing is pay attention to the website. It will say out next to the radio model (use XXX model). Especially a Baoefeng variation. Look for your model and if it has brackets next to the model and " use this model" that is what you need to pick when running the program. There are close to 80 variations of Baofeng models listed. All said I would rather have it than not have to hand program a HT.
KT4WO Rating: 2020-02-27
Over 1 year later Time Owned: more than 12 months.
OK..I know I said never again..haha,, but
I got the latest and tried again... 50/50 now.
Seems they have worked some bugs out. Will update
when I try more of my radios.

KT4WO







Well...Last review was about 1.5 years ago. Tried
the latest vers. with FT-857D and a few of my HT's.

More of the same. (corrupt memory's, changed settings,etc.....)

This software gives "Free and Open Source" a bad name.

I am glad it works well for "some", but this is the last try for me.

PS-Don't give me that crap about cables and drivers, read my last review for my answer to that.

KT0DD Rating: 2020-02-26
Works great for me. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I use it to program all my chicom Ht's with no problem. I've only had to buy 1 (expensive) RT Systems kit for my Alinco DR-638 since Chirp doesn't support it. It's never failed me yet and thanks so much to those programmers who work hard to provide this to us free of charge.

73. Todd - KT0DD
AH7I Rating: 2020-02-26
Works FB. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Download, install, program.
Use with my $15 UV5.
K6SDW Rating: 2020-02-26
It works most of the time and price is right Time Owned: more than 12 months.
It has to be almost an impossible task creating software that will work with all the different rigs and HT's out there. As a retired software guy my hats off to the Chirp group. Ya know the universal language of programmers? I can't say it hear....HI HI

Now, I had some Chinese VHF/UHF mobile that Chirp listed as being able to connect to set up this rig....but it never worked and no amount of threats to the radio it would let Chirp interrogate the memory banks. I gave up and programmed the rig by hand, not fun! That rig eventually went on eham.

Now, I have a Baofeng HT and Chirp talks to this HT FB, just follow the directions ....

So again, Chirp is free and it works, but it does have its share of quirks.

73
K9ZIB Rating: 2020-02-25
TOTALLY UNRELIABLE Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Chirp is a pain to work with. Don't waste your time trying to make it work. I got it to function, but with great difficulty and time invested and it's unreliable. Considering the time I wasted to get this mediocre program to work I could have bought several RT Systems Software and at least it works out of the box.

For those of you with nothing but time on your hands, knock yourself out with Chirp. For those of us who are busy productive people, it's a waste of time.
G6IYD Rating: 2018-10-05
Does the job Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have used Chirp on many different radios from cheap Chinese imports to Yaesu and Icom. Seldom had problems (I use Linux) and if I have it has been down to cables. The only one which did really cause me headaches was programming my Icom T-70 HT. This was fixed by buying a genuine RT-Systems USB-29A cable. For those giving negative reviews, buy decent programming cables. Chirp does a superb job for free software.

----------------------
Earlier 4-star review posted by G6IYD on 2016-05-07

I have assorted Baofeng radios, plus Yeasu. No real problems at all with programming memories etc. Had minor problems with my Yaesu FT-8900, but this was largely due to my not inputting the right cloning sequence. It does take a little getting used to, but once you understand how it works it is a breeze to use. There is a lot of online help with this software, and the site by John Miklor will also help with any issues using Chirp with Chinese made radios. I would have given it a 5, but although listed, I have been unable to get it to work with my Icom IC-T70E.
AE2S Rating: 2018-08-13
Good Software when using a good cable Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I had problems with Chirp also in the beginning BUT I looked into the possible problems with my set-up.

First, THROW AWAY THAT CHEAP CHINESE CABLE WITH THE COUNTERFEIT CHIP IN IT!!!

After you spend $15-$20 for a decent cable with an authentic Prolific or FTDI chip everything becomes so easy!!

Second step - download the contents of your radio even if it's empty and save the file.

Third step - Export that file to the CSV format that the software recognizes.

That's it..... That's all you have to do in order to get this FREE software to work!!

The cheap Chinese cables seem to allow you to download from your radio but not upload to it...... Sound familiar??

The Chirp website gives you a list of decent vendors for a good cable..... check them out.

Copy your repeater data into the CSV and upload to your rig!!

Remember, if you make a mistake in your data it's your fault not the software.

I like the software.... it works as it should!! And best of all..... it's free!!!

Steve - AE2S
KC0NVI Rating: 2018-07-07
No Chirpin Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased one of those cheap HT's as well. I installed CHRIP, ordered the cable with the CD, installed it on a windows OS.

Tried to get CHRIP to run, kept giving errors every time. I gave up on even trying to use the software.
G7HZZ Rating: 2017-11-20
Doesn't import data sensibly Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Firtsly, I am not a novice concerning data and databases. But goodness me the way Chirp handles CSV AND the convoluted and sometime garbled explanations of how to get it to import CSVs is a sign that this software needs to be sharpened up significantly.