Without this software and cable, the Yaesu VX-6R radio can look pretty intimidating to a novice Hamer. This software makes it simple to program the radio and is 'smart' enough to prefill some of the entries. Setting up repeater frequencies is simple. RT Systems Inc. Offers radio programming software for Yaesu amateur radios, Yaesu programming software, Radio Programming Software and more! The ADMS-VX5 software allows you to program memory channels and menu settings of the radio. ADMS-VX5 works with authentic versions of this radio worldwide including the VX-5R and VX-5E. Click here for more Information. Available for Windows or Mac. Make selection during checkout. Kenwood KPG-158D RSS Programming Software. Yaesu Vertex VX2100/2200 Programming Software. Kenwood KPG-159DN FPU (v1.05) Programming Software. Kenwood KPG29D Programming Software. Kenwood KPG 92D RSS Programming Software. Kenwood KPG-101D RSS Programming Software. Icom CS-M330 CPS (R1.01) Programming Software. May 10, 2013 The only radio programming software I can find for the VX-7 is CHIRP, which is an open source program available in Windows, Linux, and Mac OS versions, and RT Systems which is a paid product only available for Windows.
CHIRP is a free, open-source tool for programming your amateur radio. It supports a large number of manufacturers and models, as well as provides a way to interface with multiple data sources and formats.
To get started:
Download CHIRP for your platform
Check out the 'How_To_Get_Help' page, and the rest of the Documentation.
Join the mailing list!
Be sure to review the FAQ.
In case you ran into a problem with Chirp:
Before you open a new ticket, you might want to consult the documentation. On the right side of this web page, you will find some links to the Wiki. It contains good input for many re-occuring issues.
Also, please perform a search through all open and closed issues. Maybe someone else had the same problem before, and a solution is already available.
If your problem is about how to use Chirp with an already supported radio, then you should ask that question in the mailing list.
Once you have looked through the Wiki and searched all open/closed issues, you can open a new ticket (did you ask on the mailing list?). There, you may file a bug report, request a new feature, or request the implementation of a new radio. Please be detailed and follow the instructions in 'How To Report Issues'.
If you are a vendor and want to have your radio supported by chirp, please see InformationForVendors
Supported Radio Models¶
Abbree
AR-F3 (use Baofeng UV-82III)
AR-F8 (use Wouxun KG-UV8D)
Alinco
DJ-175T
DJ-596T
DJ-G7EG
DR-03T
DR-06T
DR-135T
DR-235T
DR-435T
Ansoko
A-5R
A-8S
AnyTone
AT-778UV
AT-5888UV
OBLTR-8R
TERMN-8R
Arcshell
AR-5
AR-6
AR-7 (use Radtel T18)
Baiston
BST-2100 (use Baofeng BF-888)
Baofeng/Pofung
997-S (Foscam Digital Technologies) (use UV-5R)
B-580T (use UV-5R)
BF-666S/777S/888S
BF-9100 (use BF/T1)
BF-A58, BF-A58S
BF-C2 (use BF-888S)
BF-E500S (use UV-5R)
BF-F8, F8+ (use UV-5R)
BF-F8+III (use Radioddity UV-5RX3)
BF-F8HP (3 power levels)
BF-F9 (use UV-5R)
BF-F9V2+ (use BF-F8HP)
BF-F11 (use UV-5R)
BF-R3 (use Radioddity UV-5RX3)
BF-T1
BF-UV9R+HP (use UV-82WP)
BF-UV10R (use BF-F8HP 3 power levels)
BF-UVF10 (use BF-A58S)
BF-UVB2+ (use UV-5R)
BF-V9 (use BF-888)
BF-V85 (use UV-B5)
F-11 (use UV-B5)
FF-12P (use UV-5R)
GT-1 (use BF-888S)
GT-3, GT-3 MK II (use UV-B5)
GT-3TP (use BF-F8HP)
GT-3WP
GT-5 (use UV-82)
GT-5TP (use UV-82HP)
Mini (use BF-T1)
UV-3R
UV-5R and variants (2 power levels)
UV-5R V2+, UV-5R2 (use UV-5R)
UV-5R+ (use BF-F8HP)
UV-5R++ (use UV-5R)
UV-5R7W (use BF-F8HP)
UV-5RA, UV-5RA+, UV-5RAX, UV-5RAX+ (use UV-5R)
UV-5RB (use UV-5R)
UV-5RC, UV-5RC, UV-5RCX+ (use UV-5R)
UV-5RD (use UV-5R)
UV-5RE, UV-5RE+ (use UV-5R)
UV-5RG, RK, RQ, RS, RT, RU (use UV-5R)
UV-5RHP (use BF-F8HP)
UV-5RIII (use Radioddity UV-5RX3)
UV-5RTP (use BF-F8HP)
UV-5RWP (use UV-82WP)
UV-5RX3 (use Radioddity UV-5RX3)
UV-5S, 5X (use UV-5R)
UV-5XP
UV-6
UV-6R
UV-8R (use UV-82HP)
UV-9R/9R PLUS/9R ERA
UV-9S (use Radioddity UV-5RX3)
UV-9X+ (use UV-82HP)
UV-59T (use Radioddity UV-5RX3)
UV-82/82C/82L/82X
UV-82HP/82DX/82HX (3 power levels)
UV-82III
UV-82T (use Radioddity UV-82X3)
UV-82WP
UV-82X3 (use Radioddity UV-82X3)
UV-920 (use UV-5R)
UV-B2 (use UV-82)
UV-B2+, B3+ (use UV-5R)
UV-B5, B6
UV-S9/S9T (use Radioddity UV-5RX3)
UV-X9 (use UV-82HP)
Baojie
BJ-218 (Variant of Luiton LT-725uv)
BJ-9900
BJ-UV55
Boblov
X3+
BTech
GMRS-50X1
GMRS-V1
MURS-V1
UV-2501
UV-2501+220
UV-25X2
UV-25X4
UV-5001
UV-50X2
UV-50X3
UV-5X3
CRT
Micron UV (Variant of Anytone AT-778UV)
eSYNiC
ESY-88 (Variant of Baofeng BF-888s)
Feidaxin
FD-150A
FD-160A
FD-268A, B
FD-288A, B
FD-450A
FD-460A, UH
Greaval
GV-8S
GV-9S
Hesenate
BJ-218 (Variant of Luiton LT-725uv)
HT-5RX3 (use Radioddity UV-5RX3)
HT-U222 (use Retevis RT22)
HobbyPCB
RS-UV3
Icom
IC-80AD
IC-91, IC-92AD
IC-208H
IC-746
IC-910H
IC-2100H
IC-2200H
IC-2300H
IC-2720H
IC-2730A
IC-2820H
IC-7000
IC-7100
IC-7200
IC-E90
IC-P7
IC-Q7A
IC-T70
IC-T7H
IC-T8A
IC-T90
IC-V82, IC-U82
IC-V86
IC-W32A, E
ID-31A
ID-51, ID-51+
ID-80H
ID-800H
ID-880H
ID-RPx000V/RP2x
Intek
HR-2040 (use Anytone AT-5888UB)
KT-980HP (Variant of Baofeng UV-5R)
Jetstream
JT220M
JT270M, MH
JT2705M (Variant of Waccom Mini 8900)
Juentai
JT-6188 Mini (Variant of QYT KT8900)
JT-6188 Plus (Variant of Waccom Mini 8900)
Kenwood
TH-D7, TH-D7G
TH-D72
TH-F6
TH-F7
TH-G71
TH-K2
TK-260/270/272/278
TK-260G/270G/272G/278G
TK-360/370/372/378
TK-360G/370G/372G/378G/388G
TK-760/762/768
TK-760G/762G/768G
TK-860/862/868
TK-860G/862G/868G
TK-7102/8102/7108/8108
TK-2180/3180/7180/8180
TM-271
TM-281
TM-471
TM-D700
TM-D710, TM-D710G
TM-G707
TM-V7
TM-V71
TS-480HX/SAT
TS-590S/SG
TS-850
TS-2000
KYD
IP-620
NC-630A
Leadzm
LE-C2 (Variant of Baofeng BF-C2)
Leixen
VV-898, VV-898S, VV-898E
Luiton
LT-316 (Variant of Retevis RT22)
LT-580 VHF, UHF
LT-588UV (Variant of QYT KT8900)
LT-725UV
LT-898UV (Variant of Leixen VV-898)
Midland
DBR2500 (Variant of Anytone AT-778UV)
MTC
UV-5R-3
NKTech
UV-7RX (use Retevis RT6)
Plant-Tours
MT-700
Pofung
(see Baofeng)
Polmar
DB-50M (use Anytone AT-5888UV)
Powerwerx
DB-750X (use Anytone AT-5888UV)
Puxing
PX-2R (UHF)
PX-777
PX-888K
QYT
KT980+ (same as KT-8900D)
KT7900D
KT8900 (same as KT-8900)
KT8900R
KT8900D
KT-UV980 (Variant of Waccom Mini 8900)
R&L Electronics
UV-5R 3 band (use Radioddity UV-5RX3)
Radioddity
DB25 (Variant of QYT KT8900D)
GA-2S
GA-5S
GA-510
QB25
R2
UV-5R EX
UV-5RX3
UV-82X3
Radtel
RT-10 (use Retevis RT22)
T18
Retevis
H-777 (use Baofeng BF-888)
RT1
RT5 with 2 power levels (use Baofeng UV-5R)
RT5 with 3 power levels (variant of Baofeng BF-F8HP)
RT-5R, RT-5RV (Variants of Baofeng UV-5R)
RT6
RT21
RT22
RT23
RT24
RT26
RT95 (Variant of Anytone AT-778UV)
RT-B6 (use Baofeng UV-B5)
Rugged Radios
RH5R, RH5R-V2 (use Baofeng UV-5R)
RH5X (Variant of Baofeng BF-A58)
Sainsonic
GT-890 (Variant of QYT KT8900)
Standard Horizon
(see Yaesu)
Surecom
KT8900D (Variant of QYT KT7900D)
Tacklife
MTR01 (use Radioddity R2)
TIDRADIO
BF-F8TD (use BF-F8HP)
TDXone
TD-Q8A
Tenway
TW-325
UV-5R Pro
TID
TD-M8
Tonfa
UV-985 (use Baofeng UV-5R)
TYT
TH-350
TH-7800
TH-9000 (each 144, 220, 440)
TH-9800
TH-UV3R, TH-UV3R-25
TH-UV8000D/E
TH-UVF1
TH-UVF8D
Vero
UV-E5, UV-E5 MK II (use UV-5R)
Vertex Standard
(see Yaesu)
Waccom
MINI-8900
WLN
KD-C1 (Variant of Retevis RT22)
Wouxun
KG-816/818
KG-UVD1P/UV2D/UV3D
KG-UV6D/UV6X
KG-UV7D (use KG-UV6)
KG-UV8D
KG-UV8D Plus
KG-UV8E
KG-UV8T
KG-UV9D Plus
KG-UVD1P
Yaesu
FT-1D
FT-2D
FT-3D
FT-4VR
FT-4XE, R
FT-25R
FT-50R
FT-60R
FT-65E, R
FT-70D
FT-90R
FT-450D
FT-817/ND
FT-818/ND
FT-857/D
FT-897
FT-1500M
FT-1802M
FT-2800M
FT-1900R/2900M
FT-7100M
FT-7800/7900
FT-8100
FT-8800
FT-8900
FTM-350
FTM-3200D
VX-2R
VX-3R
VX-5R
VX-6, 6R
VX-7R
VX-8, 8R, 8D, 8G
VX-170
VXA-700
Zastone
BJ-218 (Variant of Luiton LT-725uv)
MP-300 (Variant of QYT KT8900)
MP-380 (use QYT KT8900D)
MP-800 (use TYT TH-9800)
ZT-V8, V8A, V8A+ (use Baofeng UV-R5)
ZT-X6 (Variant of Retevis RT22)
Note that not all functionality is supported on all radio models. Not all models and variants are listed here. For a more complete view of everything supported, as well as which features are supported for which model, take a look at overview of supported features for the latest build.
Note that radios marked as 'variant' are supported via a Aliasing_for_radio_clones feature.
Other Data Sources¶
File Formats
Comma Separated Values (.csv)
Comma Separated Values generated by RT Systems (.csv)
EVE for Yaesu VX-5 (.eve)
Kenwood HMK format (.hmk)
Kenwood commercial ITM format (.itm)
Icom Data Files (.icf)
ARRL TravelPlus (.tpe)
VX5 Commander Files (.vx5)
VX7 Commander Files (.vx7)
Internet
Guide to programming cables
Cable Buying Advice
Radio Specific Information
Baofeng
Icom Radios
Kenwood Radios
Yaesu Radios
This page is a collection of user submitted information on radio programming cables. If you have corrections or additions to this page, please submit them to me, or ask for edit privileges. I much prefer this information to be user-maintained and contributed! Note: as this is user-submitted content, the recommendations and opinions here are not necessarily shared by Dan and other primary CHiRP contributors.
Cable Buying Advice¶
In some cases, the manufacturer of your radio produces the highest quality cable for programming. However, these are usually the most expensive and are not always the most convenient (because of a lack of USB, etc). The exception to this are the very low cost USB cables that come with many Chinese radios that use a counterfeit Prolific USB to serial chip that has a number of driver problems with recent versions of Microsoft Windows. These cables generally work ok with Linux.
Third party cables are available for most radios with a range of costs and quality. The low cost cables use counterfeit Prolific USB chips. If you use Microsoft Windows, finding the right driver and keeping it working can be quite a chore. Saving $10-15 on a cable might cost you a good bit of time and frustration trying to get it all to work.
Cables that use only a 9-pin serial connection take a lot of guesswork out of the equation. With such a cable, you can choose your own (or try many) USB adapters to get a working setup. In reality, this is a much safer option as you only have to find a solid USB adapter once, and you can use it with many cables. The KeySpan USA-19HS is a very solid USB adapter that has many benefits and is not sold under another name, nor does it use a variety of chips as do many other cables. Anything with a REALhttps://celestialaspen.weebly.com/mac-bring-same-app-windows.html. Prolific or FTDI chip should be fine as well.
Yaesu Vx 5r Programming Software
How to figure out which cable to buy¶
Recommendations for purchasing a USB radio programming cable:
Avoid USB programming cables that appear to be based on the Prolific PL-2303 USB chip. This is the chip that has been cloned/counterfeited in the Chinese cables. The early clones were fairly unreliable. Because of the counterfeiting, Prolific has taken the step of making their newest drivers attempt to detect the counterfeit chips and refuse to work with them. Recent versions of Microsoft Windows (7 and later) will automatically update to the latest Prolific driver. This can make a cable stop working at some point after it is installed. <br /> Look at the driver instructions for references to PL-2303. Also another clue is that there will be many different drivers listed to try if one doesn't work.
Cables based on the FTDI USB chip are recommended. FTDI makes a high quality USB to serial chip that has a good, working driver built in to many operating systems. The FTDI chip can add $10-15 to the cost of a USB programming cable, but will save time and frustration with driver issues. Look for cables that specifically mention FTDI. Another clue is that the cables are advertised to work with Windows 7 64-bit. Some of the 3rd party cable manufacturers, such as BlueMax49ers and Valley Enterprises, have switched to using only the FTDI chip after having too many problems with the Prolific clones.
RT Systems cables are not recommended for use with CHiRP. While RT Systems sells high quality USB programming cables that are based on the FTDI chip, these cables may or may not work with CHiRP and any other software that except the cable to show up as a generic serial (COM) port. The RT Systems cables use a custom ID. With some work it is possible to get the RT Systems cable to show up as a generic serial devices, see FTDI OEM Cables.
Note: For some radios such as Yaesu, the RT Systems cable and software are sold alongside the radio as if they were made by the manufacturer rather than a 3rd party. A number of ham radio dealers don't make it easy to distinguish that the software and cable are actually from a 3rd party.
If you can't tell what chip the cable uses, look for a different cable.
There are a few reputable manufacturers of 3rd party cables that are known to be high-quality in the community. If you're looking for a cable, check the following: Large app caches on mac.
BlueMax49ers on eBay (Mark is a regular supporter of CHIRP)
Making your own cables¶
It is possible to build your own radio programming cable. Most radios use a serial interface for programming, however the voltage levels used varies. RS-232 Serial ports used voltage variations of up to -15Vdc to +15Vdc which was good for older equipment and long cable runs. Modern low voltage electronics tends to use signalling levels of 0-5Vdc, or 0-3.3Vdc. Be sure you know what voltage levels your radio expects before connecting anything. RS-232 voltage levels can damage your radio if it is expecting to see a max of 3.3Vdc or 5Vdc. Older radios with built-in TNCs or those otherwise designed to connect directly to a computer use RS-232 voltages. However these radios are becoming more and more rare. Most modern radios have a low voltage port connected directly to the radio's microcontroller for cloning and memory programming. Research 'voltage level converters' for how to convert between the different types of signalling.
USB Serial cables that provide RS-232 ports usually include both a USB to low-voltage serial chip and a level converter. However, bare USB to serial adapters are available that provide 0-5Vdc or 0-3.3Vdc signalling from a number of companies targeted at microcontroller programmming and other do-it-yourself hobby/electronics activities. Building a USB programming cable for your radio can be as easy as selecting the appropriate USB adapter with the right voltage for your radio and soldering on the proper cable.
There is quite a bit of information available on building cables for most radios on the internet. Instructions with schematics can often be found in the mailing lists, Yahoo, Google (or other) Group, forums that are specifically for the users of each radio. Some of the plans have been linked below in the radio specific section.
Alinco Radios¶
All (to my knowledge) Alinco radios use a three-pin 1/8' plug with a TTL converter in the 9-pin housing. This is identical to the Icom OPC-478 cable.
Baofeng¶
UV-3R¶
The UV-3R uses a Prolific USB-to-serial chip, but users report that in Windows, you must use drivers from http://409shop.com. It works out of the box on Linux. The PLUS model of the UV-3R uses a Kenwood/Wouxun cable (same as the UV-5R) instead of the original single plug cable used by the UV-3R and UV-3R Mark II. All models (thus far) of the UV-3R use the same software.
Build your own cable:
UV-4X¶
The UV-4X is a rebadged UV-3R Mark II and uses the single connector cable. The radios themselves are made by Vero Telecom
UV-5R¶
The UV-5R is made by TYT, uses a Kenwood/Wouxun cable, and does not use the same protocol as the UV-3R models.
Build your own cable:
Icom Radios¶
The following links are outdated, and we haven't yet found replacements for them; the Highfieldfs Amateur Radio Club in Cardiff UK is now at http://highfields-arc.com, but apparently their cable pages are gone. Instructions for building your own OPC-478 / OPC-552 / CI-V cables can be found here: http://highfields-arc.co.uk/constructors/other/opc478.htm Circuits are shown for both an RS-232 version with a level-converter as well as a USB version using an inexpensive USB module.
VHF/UHF Mobiles¶
Nearly all of these radios use an OPC-478 (or similar) cable, which plugs into the speaker jack of the radio. The housing of the 9-pin connector has TTL conversion logic, which can be home-built but it is typically easier to buy one pre-made. Note that some of the mobile D-STAR radios can also use their data connection for programming, which uses RS-232 signalling and requires no conversion hardware. Models that can do this include the IC-2820H, ID-880H, and ID-80.
IC-91AD, IC-92AD, ID-1¶
Rsvp rapid serial visual presentation. These radios operate in 'live' mode and require a full-duplex RS-232 serial cable connection. For the IC-91AD, the OPC-1529 cable is used (and can be easily built).
The 92AD uses a moisture-proof custom bayonet connection at the top of the radio, which is only available from Icom (OPC-1799) and only with their RS-92 programming software. Note that the OPC-1797 adapter cable will not allow you to use an OPC-478 programming cable with this radio.
The ID-1 is programmed via its integrated USB connection.
IC-Q7A¶
For some reason, this radio doesn't use the standard three-conductor plug on the OPC-478. The cable for the Yaesu VX-7 actually works perfectly though.
Kenwood Radios¶
TH-F6A, TH-K2A¶
These radios use a two-pronged cable that plugs into the microphone and speaker jacks simultaneously. Note: many Chinese radios such as the Wouxun, and Baofeng UV-5R use the same two prong cable as these Kenwoods.
Build your own cables:
Miklor Site's Baofeng DIY (The UV-5R cable will work for these Kenwood)
TH-D7, TH-D7A, TH-D7Ag¶
These radios use a three-pin 3/32' plug directly wired to an RS-232 port (easily home-built).
TM-D700¶
This radio uses a regular serial cable (Female-Female) to the 9-pin connector on the front of the radio.
TM-D710, TM-V71A¶
This radio uses a RS-232 cable (officially, PG-5G) directly cabled to a eight-pin Mini-DIN connector marked 'PC' on the back of the radio. No level converter is required, so this can be easily home-made with the right connectors.
Yaesu Radios¶
Note: A number of ham radio dealers sell the RT System's software and alongside the radios. This gives the false impression that the software and cable are from Yaesu rather than a 3rd party which is a bit misleading. Some RT System's cables such will NOT work with CHiRP under Windows or Mac OS without some additional driver or chip configuration. See FTDI OEM Cables. Therefore, RT System's cables aren't recommend for use with CHiRP.
VX-2R, VX-3R, VX-5R, VX-6R, VX-7R, FT-60R¶
These handhelds use the same type of cable, which is a four-pin TRRS connector and a TTL voltage converter in the 9-pin housing.
VX-8R, VX-8DR¶
The VX-8R and VX-8DR both use a moisture-proof multi-pin screw-on connector at the top of the housing. It is recommended that you find a third-party programming cable for this radio. This radio expects 3.3Vdc signalling. Using a 5Vdc adapter could possibly damage the radio. Note the VX-8G radio with the built-in GPS, uses an entirely different serial connection, see below
NOTE: RT System's cable will NOT work with CHiRP under Windows or Mac OS without some additional driver or chip configuration. See FTDI OEM Cables.
Build your own:
VK4GOL's instructions. Uses FTDI modules to build a serial cable.
VX-8 Connectors: RT Systems sells a DIY cable with the correct proprietary end for the VX-8 without the USB serial adapter for a very reasonable price. Note: it is not waterproof or moisture resistant, like
VX-8GR¶
The VX-8GR uses a three-conductor 3/32' plug directly to an RS-232 port. This is the same cable that Kenwood APRS radios use for the GPS connection, and almost the same as the Icom OPC-1529 type data cable, except that a null modem adapter must be used to switch the TX and RX pins.
FT-7800, FT-7900, FT-8800, FT-8900¶
These radios use a 6-pin mini-DIN plug and a TTL converter in the 9-pin housing.
FT-4, FT-65¶
These radios use the Yaesu SCU-35 cable. It is a USB-to-serial cable with a Prolific PL2303 USB-to-serial ship. It is supported by the unmodified drivers USB in Windows and Linux. The cable uses 3.3 V voltage levels and is a two-wire cable, with GND on one wire and TxD and RxD wired together on the other wire. It plugs into the radio's 'MIC' jack using a 2.5mm TRS plug.
Wouxun Radios¶
The KG-UVD1P and KG-UV2D, KG-UV3D, KG-UV6D radios use the same cable as the Kenwood TH-F6A and TH-K2A listed above. The connection consists of a 3.5 mm and a 2.5 mm 3-conductor phone plug (TRS). It is a 5 Volt (TTL) serial interface, with Ground and TXD (fKrom Radio) on the sleeve and ring of the 2.5mm connector. RXD (to radio)is on the sleeve of the 3.5 mm plug.
Build your own:
Yaesu Vx 5 Manual Download
Miklor Site's Baofeng DIY (The Wouxun uses the same cable as the Baofeng UV-5R)