Baofeng Programming the Baofeng UV-S9 to repeaters

[desmobob]

For manual programming, I followed directions from this and other sources and successfully programmed my UV-S9 to operate with a local repeater. The problem is when I attempt to program for another one...

I've started with an empty channel, programmed as per instructions in VRO mode, then saved. Anytime I do this, the other repeater channels' menu options also get changed; specifically, the R-CTS and T-CTS numbers and offset information.

I'm SO close to getting the little Baofeng functional, it's killing me.

Thanks for any help or suggestions,
Bob
KD2TTM

PS- I have an Alinco DJ-MD5T on the way which I hope is easier to program (or that I can program with CHIRP on my Mac computer using the USB cable that comes with the radio?).

 

[chief21]

I've started with an empty channel, programmed as per instructions in VRO mode, then saved. Anytime I do this, the other repeater channels' menu options also get changed; specifically, the R-CTS and T-CTS numbers and offset information.

Before you begin to program another repeater, you need to first save the VFO settings into a new memory channel. Once saved, you can return to the VFO and enter the settings for the new repeater, which you would then save into a different memory channel (and so on). Think of the VFO as a scratch pad and the memories as the finished products.

And, by the way, if you're programming ham repeaters, you probably don't need the R-CTS tones... carrier squelch will do fine for receive.

Your new Alinco will use a specific CPS program that will probably be easier than chirp - but I think it works only on a PC (as do most of these programs).

 

[desmobob]

Before you begin to program another repeater, you need to first save the VFO settings into a new memory channel. Once saved, you can return to the VFO and enter the settings for the new repeater, which you would then save into a different memory channel (and so on). Think of the VFO as a scratch pad and the memories as the finished products.

And, by the way, if you're programming ham repeaters, you probably don't need the R-CTS tones... carrier squelch will do fine for receive.

Your new Alinco will use a specific CPS program that will probably be easier than chirp.

Thanks for helping, chief21. I know the Internet is probably flooded with people asking for Baofeng programming help and ham radio folks are probably sick of it by now!

Back to the problem: I am saving each repeater's info to a separate open channel. I pick a channel, delete/clear it, enter VFO mode, enter the repeater frequency, enter all the appropriate menu settings, then save it as that channel (either one that was unused or one I deleted when starting the process). I'm using the information from Repeaterbook.com to get the settings for the repeaters.

After it is memorized to the channel, I can turn the radio off then back on, go to that channel and see that all the settings are correct. When I do all of this again to program another channel, it changes the settings I had entered for the other repeater channels (only the T-CTS, R-CTS and offset settings). Frustrating!

 

[chief21]

After it is memorized to the channel, I can turn the radio off then back on, go to that channel and see that all the settings are correct. When I do all of this again to program another channel, it changes the settings I had entered for the other repeater channels (only the T-CTS, R-CTS and offset settings). Frustrating!

It sounds as if you might be accidentally over-writing the previous memory channel. I don't recall the exact process, but the general sequence would be something like this... select VFO / set frequencies, tones, etc / save to memory #1; select VFO / set frequencies, tones, etc / save to memory #2; select VFO / set frequencies, tones, etc / save to memory #3; etc., etc.
You mention that you're clearing a channel before you write to it... Not sure that I remember doing that. I think that you should be able to just select a new memory number and write directly to that number. But for me it's been a long time so you might need to research the correct process online.
I do, however, clearly recall that programming a Baofeng radio from the keypad was a real pain! Get a programming cable and use Chirp... much easier!

 

[desmobob]

I'm clearing a channel to be absolutely sure there is no settings data associated with it (one of the instructional pages I found emphasized that you shouldn't try to over-write, but use a clear channel. I also tried saving to unused channels. I was absolutely sure to save the settings to individual channels. That was the reason I even turned the radio off, then back on to be sure the process was complete on one channel before I started programming a different one.

Well, hopefully, it's all moot as I have a FTDI programming cable on the way and CHIRP installed on my MacBook, ready to go. I also found out that the new Alinco DJ-MD5T that I have en route has no manual programming instructions and, though it comes with a programming cable, the Alinco software is for a PC only and the radio is not supported by CHIRP.

Thanks again for your help. I appreciate it!

Bob

 

[kny2xb]

Desmobob;

I believe that CHIRP usually supports only analog rigs, not digital ones,
I could be wrong on that one

There are PDFs of the basic and the advanced manuals for the DJ-MD5T
on the Remtronix website

Alinco DJ-MD5T

Alinco DJ-MD5, Dual Band VHF/UHF DMR HT Transceiver, FCC/ IC Part 90 certified

www.remtronix.com

Go to the downloads tab

The operation manual has the manual programming steps

The user manual is basics, setup, safety, specs, legal blah-blah, etc

I hope that this helps you out

73
Greg
Clearwater, FL

 

[desmobob]

Desmobob;

I believe that CHIRP usually supports only analog rigs, not digital ones,
I could be wrong on that one

There are PDFs of the basic and the advanced manuals for the DJ-MD5T
on the Remtronix website

Alinco DJ-MD5T

Alinco DJ-MD5, Dual Band VHF/UHF DMR HT Transceiver, FCC/ IC Part 90 certified

www.remtronix.com

Go to the downloads tab

The operation manual has the manual programming steps

The user manual is basics, setup, safety, specs, legal blah-blah, etc

I hope that this helps you out

73
Greg
Clearwater, FL

The folks at REMtronix (Alinco distributors) also told me CHIRP doesn't support DMR radios, so I believe you are correct. They neglected to mention the on-line operation manual though... thank you very much for pointing that out!

Thanks again,
Bob

 

[desmobob]

I received my FTDI programming cable from Mirkit and easily programmed the UV-S9. Also, it seems that my previous problem was non-existent. When I view the menu settings for the repeater frequency, my settings are correct as added and saved. When I view the menu settings on the repeater channel, things are whacky. So, I was OK all along!

The new Alinco looks like a quality item. I'll start the manual programming of my analog stuff tonight.

Thanks again for all the help,
Bob