Does Chirp Kill Yaesu Radios??

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thanks for the shout out buddy!

[@michaelflynn8783]

I have heard this for years and its always "somebody I know" or "I heard from this guy" that had their radio bricked by CHIRP You can never find the actual user whose radio got ruined by it. And since I have programmed several Yaesu radios successfully with CHIRP, I personally think its one of those internet rumors that just happen to benefit certain other parties. Also as much as I like Yaesu equipment they do do stupid things with programming cables and SW that make it easy to believe Yaesu or RT would pull a stunt like allowing a rumor to circulate that disparaged CHIRP.

[@jeremylindsley3039]

I have personal experience with Chirp bricking two 8800’s.

[@jaym1301]

I got a used FT-70D with programming cable last December and have been using CHIRP-NEXT to program it all along with no problems. I never use WIRES-X as I have an MMDVM hotspot and just link different reflectors from within the Pi-Star dashboard. It saves me from having to memorize a bunch of numbers to directly enter from the radio. So I don't know if anything happened to its digital serial number, but the radio's far from bricked.

[@nigelgunn_W8IFF]

Used Chirp with numerous Yaesu ( and other) radios. Never had a problem.

[@aestoev]

I use CHIRP with VX-5R and VX-6 with absolutely no issues and quite happy with it. I will never buy another RT Systems product - bought the ADMS-1E for VX-5R years ago with the RS-232 serial cable. Called them asking if I can just buy the USB cable as I no longer had RS-232 port - was told that I need to buy the software again. CHIRP works way better; it is free, and I can easily copy and paste memories between the 3 different HTs that I have.

[@davidp73]

I have programmed three of my Yaesu radios with chirp, ft65r, Ft70d and FTM 7250… all have worked flawlessly

[@aa3konthego]

If the programming software is reaching directly into the radio's memory to program things then yes, there is a risk of getting things messed up. Doesn't matter who published the software.

[@Ian_zlham]

Hi, with regard to Chirp. I have used it on my FT-90r with no problems, to reprogram it many times

[@yaroze]

In regards to chirp on yaesu, is on the C4FM radios, chirp has been known to corrupt the digitsl serial number of the radio, which can cause problems with Wires-X functionality, especially when the radio is used as PDN node. Yaesu does provide free programming software for the C4FM radios that have the Wires-X PDN function, unfortunately it is basic, and windows only. Again, only the C4FM radios are the ones I am aware of, and yaesu's solution is provide the software for free on their website.

[@douglas_kmg365]

I have used chirp with my FT-70 and per the Yaesu FT-70DR - CHIRP Programming guide as of 01Jan20 Chirp only supported am/fm modes and it did not support System Fusion modes. I never saw a problem with digital serial number corruption, I was only unable to select/deselect the "ams" option, or any of the c4FM. Best practice whether Chirp or RT Systems, is to download from the radio, edit than image, then upload.

[@flashover52]

Funny and a bit perplexing. I contacted Yaesu directly about this specific issue. They responded that they DO NOT make nor provide ANY software. None, nada, zip. That was from a regional manager directly. He also told me not to use Chirp because it will brick their radios and to buy RT Systems. I've never had issues with Chirp and six different Yaesu radios; granted none of them have C4FM capability. I have only located Yaesu software for their repeaters as I have a DR-1X. Given I asked about Chirp and that doesn't work for repeaters, I wouldn't have expected the Yaesu guy to inject repeater software but he said they don't make any.

[@jaym1301]

@@flashover52 That regional manager has apparently never heard of the ADMS software freely available for download on Yaesu's website for most of their C4FM radios. I didn't see ADMS listed in the files section of the FTM-500DR but I think you're meant to program it via its SD card. I also don't see it for the FT-991a, but it's there for all of their other current digital radios.

[@setecastron7652]

You can make a DIY programming cable for the Yaesu FT-4 using a cheap Baofeng programming cable. I bought several clones on AliExpress for a couple of bucks a piece (and free shipping). Used the instructions from DK9JC's blog to modify the radio plug end (you basically snip off the longer of the two plugs; just cut between the two plugs) and the KZbin video he references in his post to modify the USB end (you basically verify the correct wiring between GND, RX and TX, modify it if necessary, and add an IN4001 diode as shown in the video to step down the voltage). Literally, took about 10 minutes (mostly spent measuring twice) and cost about $2 (had several of the diodes salvaged from old electronics in my junk drawer). Used it with CHIRP NEXT to program my Yaesu FT-4X and it worked first time. I was amazed. EDIT: On DK9JC's blog, it's the post dated 08.Jan.2019

[@petereverett1455]

I lost 60m from my UK FT817ND (the individual "channels" are stored in special memory channels). Yaesu tech support confirmed it should work on 60m and gave me some suggestions but I could never get the memories back, or write the frequencies into them again. Factory reset didn't fix it. This happened after programming the radio with Chirp, however I've no idea if Chirp caused it or if it was like that before as the radio was second hand. I've modified the jumpers inside the radio so now it's widebanded, but I've lost the restrictions on out of band transmitting everywhere else.

[@socallars3748]

I think you're dead on with the RF in the shack suggestion, it's the most common explanation for erratic behavior from equipment, particularly when it seems to come out of nowhere. One minor change...different coax jumper, new tuner, new switching arrangement, etc., can cause RFI issues to arise. Choke, choke and choke again! I think the foundation of my house is starting to shift from the sheer weight of all the ferrites I've bought... Chirp is great, I use it when possible and doubt it's actually "bricking" anybody's gear. I do recommend RT systems for more complex programming, especially digital radios. I'm happy to shell out $25 for my Anytone radios as it makes programming them so much easier than the provided CPS. My used FT3d came with RT systems, which the company happily transferred to me and works very well.

[@jbammi]

Mike, Many Thanks! I had not discovered widening. Cool beans!! Also the Transceiver menu is interesting. From what i can see there, you could conceivably have 10 sets of setting -- save them into the 10 memory slots, then load them one at a time into TRX #1 or TRX #2, max of 2 at a time - or so it seems from the ui. I have not verified that functionality yet. Thanks again for taking the time to read comments and answering queries and being a mac ham radio mentor/guru. 73 de k1jbd, bammi

[@MoxyDave]

Chirp bricked my Yaesu VX-3. I had to send it back to Yaesu for repair. I had programmed it successfully using Chirp several times before. I have no idea what finally caused Chirp to brick it, but it most certainly did. I still use Chirp for all my cheap Chinese radios. It's a pain in the rear to use different software and mimic the settings in each one, so mostly I just use the cheap Chinese junk now. Pity as Chirp is excellent otherwise.

[@kenedmonds7599]

I had a good time meeting you at Xenia. I get your reference to grammar errors in Ohio. Love your channel! Keep up the good work!

[@bobkopf227]

Hi Mike, wow you’ve really been busy publishing videos good to have you back with another mailbag Monday video.

[@hamradiotube]

Thanks Bob. Fortunately I really enjoy editing, cuz there was a lot of it going on.

[@saul_tea9989]

New here, your channel has great info. You go through a lot of products but rarely go into detail with the products you bring into the discussion.

[@derek45auto23]

CHIRP screwed up my FT-7800 and FT-7900 I did a hard reset and used G4HFQ's software without any issues. I use the Factory YAESU software on my FT-70, and FTM-200. CHIRP worked OK on my KENWOOD TM-281

[@IOSALive]

Ham Radio Tube, I love your channel so much, I just had to subscribe!

[@keithfrost1268]

When I first got my tech I was told not use chirp on Yaesu radios by someone at HRO because it would brick them. so i always checked the chirp compatibility list before buying a radio. I eventually did get an FTM-400, but if Yaesu supported Chirp, I would probably own more of them.

[@duglia]

Does HRO sell RT systems packages?

[@ke8mattj]

The Yaesu/CHIRP thing is interesting. I have issues with CHIRP on my FT3D. I don't program it often, but it required me to do a factory reset in order to fix mine when I was trying to remove a bank I programed for repeaters when I went on vacation.

[@RonanCantwell]

Chirp works really well with my 817ND. It does have some issues with the VX-6 though. It's absolutely fine untill you start using it to make a large number of changes to the Bank assignments. The upload to the radio then fails. The solution is to make a small number of changes at a time and program the radio at reach stage. This is my third VX-6 (lost one, bought another and had a warranty replacement on that) and the same thing happened on all three. All that aside, It's the only handheld radio (and I have a few, cough cough} that i would replace (again) like-for-like as it's absolutely solid and reliable in use.

[@gregsmith5110]

Hey Mike, Greg K8KET here. Belated thanks for the answer about the Yaesu radio + CHIRP = CAT issue? I will try all the suggestions made by you and others in the comment section. I have a Digirig and will try that as well. Also, I got a MacBook!. It's old (2017) but even and old Mac is better than any PC running Windows.

[@RodMurray]

I’ve had zero issues programming my FT-818 ND with CHIRP just like Mike demonstrated.

[@kodyeliason1389]

I have a ft-8900r I have programmed it both with chirp and the RT Systems programs. The only issue I have ever had with chirp is that it put all memories into both vfos. FYI: the left VFO is the only side that is wide receive whereas the right side is just for 2m/70cm

[@MaciejBaur]

I'm using CHIRP for my FT-897D and works fine.

[@ON3STG]

Same here

[@ScottIrwin]

I have a Yaesu FT-1DR that lost its radio ID courtesy of Chirp. I didn’t know there was an issue until I tried to use Wires-X and found the traffic never went beyond the repeater. Cost shipping both ways and an hour of bench time for it to be fixed. While I get its fee, free isn’t always better.

[@ricdonato4328]

I am pleased you are a strong Apple user, continue purchaing as I have much Apple stock it helps me. Also, as I am a former twenty-two plus year Apple user Apple everything Apple only, and eleven-year iPhone only user I switched to Windows and Android. It is a relief being outside away from Apple's walled garden, the Mac and iPhone compromises, and Apple's exclusionary practices. When folks whine about their radio software not running on Mac, please be aware Mac has 8% market share of the world's computers, Windows has considerably more. Programing for 8% of a market truly does not make financial sense.

[@jeffmoore344]

Glad to see the grammar thing is still killing me. I guess I got K-Murdered LOL. Sorry I missed you at Hamvention, hopefully you got my message about drawing Last Blood lol! Great Video, Catch you on the air.

[@markraine9197]

I had an FTM 3100 that I could not get chirp to work on so I had to go with RT systems. However that radio finally burned up putting out a half a watt even after sending it to Yazoo for the issue under warranty and of course now it is no longer under warranty.. KB8QJF

[@whiskey2dna]

I knew I liked you for a reason...Apple all the way 😁👍 73

[@JonathanKayne]

Chirp causing issues with Yaesu radios is a new one for me. I use chirp for all my radios, including my ft-818, ft-857d, ft-65 and ft-4x with zero issues.

[@rayslinky]

I've had the opposite experience, I wrote a FT65 with RT Systems, read it back and found a bunch of crap in it. Regardless, the full/hard radio reset always puts them back.

[@adamtooob]

I have a VX-7R and use CHIRP(-NEXT). Recently the radio started refusing to switch between VFO and Memory mode, or from Sub to Main VFO. I don’t think this was just after programming, but I had recently downloaded/reinstalled and pulled radio configs with both CHIRP and VX Commander, on a new (to me) Surface Go. I did a full reset of the HT and uploaded an older saved config using CHIRP, which made it work again. Feels like something got corrupted, but hard to say whether that was because of the program, or on my PC or in the radio, or on the wire in between. It does scare me a bit that something which can break basic functions is settable by programmer? Seems like it should be “config only”, and not a robust system design if the unit can be bricked by user input (even corrupted input).

[@jbammi]

Never had a problem with Yaesu + Chirp that I can recall, or Chirp with any radio, and i have used a bunch over the years on both Mac and Windows.

[@BenButler1]

No cable needed for the ft5. Can program it with micro sd card

[@GreggK6EGG]

I didn't realize Rumlog controls radios... I'm lame.. I'm going to try it tonight

[@billmckay6014]

I think chirp bricked my VX3R. I was sending a file to radio, the radio froze, screen went blank the radio never booted up again.

[@EldonRichardson-i8r]

Question: can the Yaesu FT-891 be adjusted to get rid of the B band? I only use the A band and would like to get rid of the B band. 73’s W4IOS

[@johnbuckley683]

Used on FT-7900 and FT-897D. No issues.

[@RJ-cf8jq]

Use chirp to program my Yeasu FT-4x with no problem.

[@randymoore2410]

Hamradio deluxe and flrig no longer make changes to the ft 857, 897, or 817. They drop that capability at the request of Yaesu due to damaged rom chips that are no longer available. Yaesu says the memory poking damaged the chips.

[@kg4tri]

I have Linux and 2 Yaesus. I also have RT Systems programming cables. I have installed the latest version of Chirp on my Linux Computer. I got rid of my Spyware and Children's toy years ago so was unable to use any RT Systems software and/or cable. Recently RT Systems has created Linux drivers for their cables and now I can use chirp. Before the Linux drivers you had to run RT systems in a Windows Emulator Like Wine. This is where the problem of bricking radios probably occurred. Any time you run a non Linux compatible software in Linux running wine it will not run perfectly.

[@DB-zp9un]

Anytime I have to update any type of firmware or anything like that, I ALWAYS hold my breath that nothing effs up.. From the manufacturer or 3rd party, ANYONE..

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

My 897D survived.

[@pinoyDXradio]

nice topics for Memorial day! DV1K 73

[@w9awx1]

Chirp seems to be an issue with the digital Yaesu radios. Analog radios, not so much so.

[@Roger_Stenning]

My problem with ST Systems is that they do NOT cater for anyone using Linux. Thus, I'm moving away from Yaesu, and over to Icom instead. At least the SD card can be programmed using the Icom s/w under WINE with no issues at all. 73, G1LIW

[@scottpayne33]

Did you change your name of your youtube channel, or did i slip into a different parallel universe again?

[@hamradiotube]

Lol I like the second answer better! Yes I changed the name back in October I think??

[@scottpayne33]

@hamradiotube thank god I noticed it a while ago but was afraid to say something.

[@jessgypin-ko5ds]

No