Linux OS for programming scanner

[bulldog777]

Is there no software for programming a scanner using the Linux operating system? In advance thanks for the help.

 

[jonwienke]

No, unless you can run a Windows emulator in Linux.

 

[nd5y]

Which scanner?

 

[troymail]

No, unless you can run a Windows emulator in Linux.

That wouldn't be Linux then....

 

[bulldog777]

Linux programming

I was looking at a Whistler, 1065. You would think an OS other than Windows could be used. Do appreciate any thoughts on this or a workaround. I got rid of Windows years ago (to include disks).

 

[jonwienke]

You're pretty much screwed then. I would suggest getting a cheap Windows netbook and using that specifically to program scanners.

 

[jaspence]

The problem with Linux is often with the USB ports, and even an emulator is useless. I know of no scanner software that is linux friendly, and even most two way radios are Windows based. The only linux software I can confirm for radios is Chirp, which runs under Windows also, but it is directed toward several different ham radios.

 

[nd5y]

A couple years ago I installed Uniden Sentinel and Whistler's TRX1 and 2 software on Ubuntu with WINE and they both installed and ran with no problems. I'm not a paid member and don't have the radios so I wasn't able to determine if they would download the database or communicate with the scanner.

I use other Windows software with a USB serial port dongle, including Freescan to program a Uniden BCD396T, all the time on Linux/WINE with no problems.

The main problem people have is their user account not having permission to access serial ports. You fix that by adding the user to the proper group.

 

[jwt873]

There is a version of CHIRP that runs natively in Linux. I've never tried it and don't know if it would work with your Whistler. It might be worth taking a look. https://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Download

 

[jonwienke]

CHIRP does not support any scanners. It focuses on CCRs like the Baofeng and Wouxun.

 

[bulldog777]

Guess I will go with the Windows route. Thanks again for the input all, it is appreciated.

 

[jwt873]

Chirp does support more than the CCR's.

It apparently works with my Icom IC-7000. https://chirp.danplanet.com/issues/551 (I've never used it though). That's what made me think it might work with various scanners...

 

[iMONITOR]

You're pretty much screwed then. I would suggest getting a cheap Windows netbook and using that specifically to program scanners.

+1 You can buy nice Windows desktops/laptops on Ebay for as little as $50.

I like Linux, but I've lost a lot of hair and sleep, trying to run Windows scanner software in virtual machines, emulators, etc.

 

[jaspence]

Chirp

Chirp also works with many Icom, Kenwood, Alinco, and Yaesu radios as well as the Chinese brands.

 

[jonwienke]

Yes, but not any scanners. And it only supports analog radios, no DMR or any other digital formats, and no trunking of any kind.

 

[SCPD]

Wait, wait, wait hold em up fella's ....

You CAN program a scanner on Linux using Comma Separated Value (CSV). Windows aint everywhere. I really love the TRX2 but HATE the software so I contacted whistler tech support and asked if there was another way - Yes they said, and recommended CSV. lubuntu/LXDE support CSV. Try it sometime ....

 

[jonwienke]

You are confusing programming data format with the ability of a software program that can talk to the scanner to run under the OS.

You still need software that will run under the OS to download the data from RR, make any manual edits required, save to a CSV file, and send it to the scanner.