With Chirp, you can listen to popular audiobooks for less every day, without a subscription. Download the app and sign up today! CHIRP creates a template from the radio download so it knows how to talk to the radio. If you want to download from one radio and upload those settings to another radio, first download from each radio to a separate “tab” of CHIRP. Then copy/paste from one tab to the other & upload back to the same radio that produced that tab.
Chirp is an open source tool for amateur radio programmers. It stands out for its compatibility with a variety of radio manufacturers and interaction with many different data sources.
Manage a world of radio
Chirp covers a long list of frequencies, as well as different radio types. Another benefit is the possibility of interaction with radio databases found on the Internet
Chirp provides support for a number of different radio brands. Check out their website for the current status; they are always adding more manufacturers. At the moment, they cover the most well known companies, as well as some smaller ones.
The interface is pretty easy to use. Users will note some differences and changes as they attach different radio systems. The broad strokes of the main window will remain straightforward to navigate.
You can query different bases, including RepeaterBook and Radioreference.com and add them to your radio.
If you want to upload data from one radio to another - even if they are different types - you may do so. Saving existing memories from your radios is just as simple.
On top of all this, the program comes free of charge. The company accepts donations, but you are under no obligation to invest anything to enjoy the benefits it brings.
In general, Chirp is more stable than most official software, making it easier for users to tackle their radio operations. However, you may need to deal with some reverse engineering to make the most of the software.
Where can you run this program?
You can run it on Windows, Mac, and Linux. The program is free of charge.
Is there a better alternative?
No. The main competitor of Chirp, RT Systems, is specialized and only runs on certain types of radios. The main selling point of Chirp is its flexibility.
Our take
Chirp represents one of the most versatile programming tools for handy radio operators. Being free for all types of software, it packs quite a punch.
Should you download it?
Yes, if you’re looking for a straightforward program to handle multiple devices, this is a great program. However, if you want more depth and control, you’ll need a more specialized tool.
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This past week, I purchased my first ham radio in 20 years. Researching posts on this multireddit I created of various subreddits dedicated to Ham Radio, I learned a lot about the current state of ham radio and some ways to get back into the hobby. I would like to share the results of programming my new Baofeng UV-5RH on my Mac running OS X Yosemite 10.10.2.
The UV-5RH is a cheap, Chinese made ~$30 2-meter & 70cm ham radio. It seemed like a low risk way to get back into the hobby. Reviews generally say it is an ok radio, especially for a beginner. While certainly no Yaesu VX-6R, it does exactly what I need: getting me on the radio. If it turns out to be a junk radio in the long run or if my interest drops again, I’m only out less than $100.
One of the early tips I read early on is that programming a Baofeng is a frustrating experience. For a geek who takes pride in UX, this concerns me a lot. To counter this, it was suggested that I use a special USB cable to connect the Baofeng to my computer, where the application CHIRP allows for fairly easy programming of the radio.
Of course, it isn’t as simple as buying any Baofeng USB cable. There are apparently many cheap ($8-10) USB cables that use cloned or reverse engineered chipsets. This leads to a lot of driver incompatibility issues, flakey connection issues, etc. I found many blog and forum posts (which I won’t link to) mentioning various drivers to install to work around these problems, but I was not going to settle for that. I don’t have the time and patience to deal with driver issues (that’s why I have a Mac) and I don’t like the thought of downloading drivers from some random web site.
So I researched a bit and came across a genuine FTDI USB cable that can connect to Baofeng radios. Reviews said that no drivers needed to be installed manually for Macs and many versions of Windows, as the OS automatically recognized the cable.
Taking a $20 risk, I bought the cable and was rewarded with a plug and play experience in OS X 10.10.2 Yosemite. My Mac immediately recognized the cable according to the System Report (Apple Menu –> About this Mac –> System Report –> USB) as shown in this screenshot:
Now that I had the correct USB cable, I installed the latest daily build of CHIRP, which according to some posts I read was needed depended on the firmware build installed on the Baofeng UV-5R-2. The daily builds also enable new settings you can program, including setting the Squelch.
When I launch CHIRP, I plug the special USB cable into my Baofeng UV-5R-2. I then select the Radio menu and click on “Download From Radio”:
You are then asked for the basic settings to interface with the radio. Select the Port, which should be a usbserial option or similar (may be named differently depending on what USB cable you use):
And then select the Vendor and Model of the radio you want to sync. In my case, the UV-5R.
Then your Mac will download the memory of the Baofeng right into CHIRP, using what it calls “cloning”:
Since you may be a new ham (or a long absent ham, like me), you probably don’t know what repeaters are in your local area. On that same Radio menu I mentioned above, you can import data from various repeater directories (I use RepeaterBook) right into the Baofeng UV-5R.
Once you are read to upload your configuration changes, it’s a simple click on the Radio menu and selecting “Upload To Radio”. After a moment or two, you’re radio is programmed.
Chirp Driver For Mac
So for ~$50, I have a cheap 2-meter and 70cm radio that so far has been working fairly well even with the stock antenna. After getting used to the clunky menu system, I can hear repeaters as far as ~19 miles away from Manchester, NH, which is rather impressive performance. I’ll probably try to contact someone today and test out the signal strength.
Chirp For Mac Os
I’ve also already ordered a new antenna for the radio for $15, a Nagoya NA-701 that is supposed to help out a bit more with reception. That is arriving today, so I’ll give it a try and report back on it. A good solid antenna will be needed when I go hiking in the mountains this summer. If this turns out to be a decent handheld rig for $75, that will keep my occupied for awhile!
Chirp Program For Mac
Parts List:
Chirp For Mac Osx
Software List:
- KK7DS Python Runtime for OS X
- Latest daily build of CHIRP for OS X.
Updated 2019-06-13: Fixed Amazon links again.
Updated 2017-06-17: Updated Amazon links, added Parts and Software List to bottom of post.