Weird problem: Wouxun KG-UV8D & CHIRP

[Sconnick]

Hey all,

I have a weird issue with a KG-UV8D and CHIRP programming - or maybe its the OEM software. Here goes...

I have been programming these inexpensive Chinese radios for a few years now. I've learned enough to understand driver issues, cable issues, and all sorts of other stuff. This problem is unique to the UV8D. I downloaded an image of a new UV8D in CHIRP yesterday, and loaded in all the frequencies that I wanted to add. Uploaded back to the radio with no problem. I fired it up and tested a few frequencies - all worked perfectly well - as expected - until I got to a frequency using DCS. No good. Wouldn't break squelch on receive and wouldn't break the squelch on other radios when transmitting.

I opened up the CHIRP file and double checked settings and everything was correct. Out of curiosity (frustration?), I downloaded the image of the radio into the UV8D OEM software and discovered that all of the DCS codes had been inverted. I corrected them in the OEM software and sent them back to the radio. This time, the radio works as advertised. However, now when I try to download the image into CHIRP (my preferred editor), it gives me an error on each of those channels that employ DCS.

Any thoughts before I reach out to CHIRP?

Thanks in advance!

Sean

 

[riccom]

Check to see in the dcs if it is i or n (inverted or. Normal)

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[Sconnick]

That's the problem. None of my DCS codes should be inverted. Every last one is just "normal."

In CHIRP, they're all normal.

When I upload to the radio, they become inverted for some reason. If I open them in the OEM software, they show as - for example - "DI023" instead of "DN023." I can fix them in the OEM software, but then I can't download from the radio back into CHIRP.

 

[Sconnick]

I should add that I've done this countless times with variants of the UV-5R (gone from CHIRP to the OEM VIP software and back) and nothing has ever twisted my DCS codes around.

 

[riccom]

Have you proggramed the dcs to just xmit and see if it hits a repeater by chance?

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[Sconnick]

I don't have any readily accessible DCS repeaters here - all use standard CTCSS. I do have other radios on my desk, though, programmed through CHIRP that function as advertised. That is to say, I can have a pair of UV-5Rs programmed the same way and they talk to each other fine. CHIRP sends "normal" DCS codes to the radio when programming and everything works. However, programming the UV8D the same way, the DCS code becomes inverted and won't open the squelch on xmit or receive.

 

[riccom]

Sounds like a issue software wise, could be some coding in the software.
Hit the chirp boards they can also help troubleshoot this.
Have you also tried another wouxon radio by chance

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[Sconnick]

The only thing I haven't tried is another Wouxun radio, but the fact that it can be fixed with the OEM software and then just not read correctly by CHIRP makes me think software as well... I'll try the CHIRP boards, too. Thanks!

 

[riccom]

How long ago did you download the software if more then a month try the new daily built

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[Sconnick]

Most recent build. I think it was 1/15 or 1/17....

EDIT: 1/15/2017 is the most recent build that I'm using.

 

[Sconnick]

UPDATE: I'm going back and forth with Dan and the folks at CHIRP trying to get to the bottom of this one... I'll post a resolution if and when we find one, in the event that anyone is experiencing the same issue.

 

[N0UUS]

chirp and KG-UV8D

I have had the same issues. It didn't used ot be an issue with Chirp. But now, if I load to radio, it alters the ctcss area. The Mikor software shows the corruption when you upload to PC using that. Using Mikor's everything programs fine. Would love to use Chirp and the RR files, but then have to go in and modify each channel.