Programming help

[cwvandy]

I am purchasing a Yaesu 7900 for my Tundra. I have had a General license for 10 years or so (had to do the Morse code test) but have only used it in the marine environment for a couple dozen regularly used net frequencies. I had a huge ICOM unit on my boat that came pre-programmed from the dealer with all the common ham and SSB frequencies for global sailing. Now that I am have moved over land travel I want the capability of a dual band for my rig and want access to repeater network in the western states (I travel in regularly in Oregon, Washington, Utah, Idaho, CA, Arizona and CO).

I have searched the threads here for how to program the radio (software provided by Yaesu vs CHIRP) and all of it is a bit confusing to me. I use a MAC and wonder if anyone can point me in the right direction for how to program my radio and whether the supplied software or CHIRP is best. Thanks in advance for the help!!

KG6MAE

 

[craig333]

I use the RT systems software. Very easy to use.

 

[cwvandy]

Thanks craig333. I have looked at the RT software and it appears to only work with windows computers. I have a mac so unless I am missing something (which is completely likely in light of my lack of understanding about this stuff) I may have to either do it manually or try and figure out CHIRP. Does anyone know of any dealers that pre-program for noobs like me?

 

[HenryJ]

I highly recommend this software: http://www.g4hfq.co.uk/ftb7900.htm

If you decide to use it and want a code plug copy shoot me a PM. I use the same software for my 8800. I would be happy to send you the programming code plug that I have for mine. It covers my area in Oregon, as well as Idaho and Utah. The focus is on emergency services and I do have UHF as well , but you can sort that out

Oops! Just read "MAC". My suggestions will not be helpful. You might consider picking up a cheap windows laptop for radio programming? I have tons of stuff for wndows, but the Apple stuff is much harder to find , if available at all. That was the push that converted me from Mac to windoze.

 

[wirenut]

I have used CHIRP to program my FT-7800. It works, it's a very basic program but it gets the job done. I have no idea if it works on a MAC. This is the first radio I've ever owned that I've used a computer to program and I've been a HAM for over 22 years. I wanted to put Marine and railroad frequencies into the radio along with lots of alphanumberic memeory tags to help my wife (she's a HAM too.) If I were just programing the radio with normal amateur repeater frequencies I don't see the advantage of the software. It's just not that hard to program any radio after you read the manual and get the hang of it. Unless you want tons of stuff in there I would just program from the front panel.
Do you know anyone in your area with the same radio already programmed for the local frequencies? You could just connect your radio to theirs and clone it.

 

[cwvandy]

Thanks wirenut. Makes a ton of sense. I can get repeater lists and just program myself.

 

[craig333]

I sat down at my computer and had it done in much less time than it would have taken me to do it manually plus I was able to add names, not sure if you can do that manually or not. Maybe if I were younger and didn't have stubby fingers I'd find doing it manually more appealing. The 8800 has pretty darn small buttons.

 

[cwvandy]

A computer would seem to be preferable but it sounds like my options with a mac are either to use CHIRP or do it manually. I'll dive into the manual when it arrives and see what I am dealing with with the 7900.

 

[opg4759]

I use CHRIP as well for my 7800 and 8900. I have had no issues using it with my MacBook Pro. You just need FTDI USB to serial adapter to plug the programing cable into.

 

[prerunner1982]

Used CHIRP as well on my 8800. With CHIRP you can download a list of repeaters for your area from a couple of sites (including radioreference.com and repeaterbook.com), sure beats manually entering all the freqs and offsets and such especially when we are talking about about freqs for a whole region rather than just a locale. Never hurts to know how to manually program though since you never know when you might have to do it on the fly.

I haven't used Yaesu's program as I had previous experience with CHIRP I figured why use something different from one radio to another.

Also as far as manual vs computer programming I like being able to create files for trips that I can load when needed and still have my original file I can default to when I return. Would hate to do that manually anytime I decided to go somewhere.