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Bug #11832

open

Number of channels and Settings menu

Added by Bernardo de La Tour 3 months ago. Updated 12 days ago.

Status:
New
Priority:
Normal
Assignee:
-
Category:
-
Target version:
-
Start date:
02/14/2025
Due date:
% Done:

0%

Estimated time:
Chirp Version:
next
Model affected:
Retevis RB626
Platform:
MacOS
Debug Log:
I read the instructions above:
Yes

Description

I received this new radio today from factory and dowloaded the information using CHIRP.

I expected to see 16 channels and not 32 as it shows on the file. I also expected to see something in the Settings menu, but it’s empty.


Files

config.txt (1.72 KB) config.txt Bernardo de La Tour, 02/14/2025 12:53 PM
Retevis_RB626_20250214.img (981 Bytes) Retevis_RB626_20250214.img Bernardo de La Tour, 02/14/2025 12:53 PM
macos_system_info.txt (3.6 KB) macos_system_info.txt Bernardo de La Tour, 02/14/2025 12:53 PM
debug_log.txt (50.9 KB) debug_log.txt Bernardo de La Tour, 02/14/2025 12:53 PM
config.txt (3.41 KB) config.txt Bernardo de La Tour, 03/31/2025 10:21 AM
Retevis_RB626_20250331.img (981 Bytes) Retevis_RB626_20250331.img Bernardo de La Tour, 03/31/2025 10:21 AM
macos_system_info.txt (1.14 KB) macos_system_info.txt Bernardo de La Tour, 03/31/2025 10:21 AM
debug_log.txt (21 KB) debug_log.txt Bernardo de La Tour, 03/31/2025 10:21 AM
retevis_rt21 - rb626 settings.py (81.8 KB) retevis_rt21 - rb626 settings.py Jim Unroe, 04/02/2025 12:01 PM
PastedGraphic-1.png (832 KB) PastedGraphic-1.png Bernardo de La Tour, 05/08/2025 08:49 AM
Actions #2

Updated by Jim Unroe 3 months ago

I did the support for the RB26 model (USA version) using a radio supplied by Retevis. Retevis didn't supply me RB626 model (EU version) like they normally do so I didn't do the support for it.

But to investigate I downloaded the latest RB626 programming software from the Retevis website. After installing it, I loaded the RB626 "codeplug" file that was included with the programming software. The Retevis programming software displays the same 32 memory rows as those that are displayed in CHIRP after loading the RB626 image that is available in the CHIRP repository.

According to a table on the HFUnderground's Business Radio page (reproduced below) it appears that the first 16 memory rows are made up from the default frequencies that are included with the Motorola CLS1410 4-channel radio.

Motorola CLS1410 (CLS1110 is the 1-channel version)

Default Channels Frequencies

    Channel 1 - 464.5500 MHz 67.0 Hz PL [Frequency 2, Code 1]
    Channel 2 - 467.9250 MHz 67.0 Hz PL [Frequency 8, Code 1]
    Channel 3 - 467.8500 MHz 67.0 Hz PL [Frequency 5, Code 1]
    Channel 4 - 467.8750 MHz 67.0 Hz PL [Frequency 6, Code 1] 

These 4 channels are repeated 4 times to populate the first 16 memory rows. Each group of 4 memory rows utilizes a different CTCSS tone.

Memory rows 17-32 appear to be populated with the 16 analog PMR frequencies.

From what I am able to to tell after this quick investigation is that CHIRP is replicating how the programing software that Retevis supplies for the RB626 works. My conclusion, as far as I can tell without a physical radio, is that CHIRP is correct for supporting 32 memory rows for the RB626.

Updated by Bernardo de La Tour about 2 months ago

[Uploaded from CHIRP next-20250328]

The Settings menu is empty.

Actions #4

Updated by Jim Unroe about 2 months ago

Here is a test driver module that "turn on" most of the settings. I don't have this model so there is no way that I can test this myself. It will require testing by owners of this model. So please test and provide feedback.

To test this module, follow the instructions here: LoadingTestModules

@Bernardo de La Tour, since you have previously done development for this model, would you consider testing this driver module, making any necessary updates and submitting a PR to have these changes included in the CHIRP build?

One thing that especially needs testing is the Channel Number selection. It is currently set to allow selection the channels based on the value of "_upper" (30 for the RB26, 32 for the RB626) however the factory CPS only allows the RB626 to choose channels 1-16. I don't know if this is a limitation of the radio or a bug in the factory CPS.

I also noticed that this setting should also include an "OFF" selection. But this seems to be a change that is needed for other models besides the RB626, so it should probably handed in a different ticket.

Actions #5

Updated by Bernardo de La Tour 13 days ago

Hi Jim,
I have news regarding Issue 11832 and successful testing of your test module.
What’s the best way to update the issue? I don’t know what “submitting a PR” means ;-)
Thks,
Bernardo

On Apr 2, 2025, at 16:11, Jim Unroe redmine@chirpmyradio.com wrote:

Actions #6

Updated by Bernardo de La Tour 12 days ago

Hello Jim,
You asked me to test the module below to unlock the settings of the RB626 and I did. It seems to work well, except for the below:

Missing: QT/DQT Tail Mode is missing from the CHIRP settings menu.

Note 1: "CH Group" - I don’t know what it is for, I do not think it’s needed. It has options “Normal” or “PMR”. Either choice on CPS doe not affect the RB626.
My understanding is that the RB626 has a hardware limitation of 16 channels. I am not sure what the other 16 channels (17 to 32) are meant for on Retevis’ CPS, but the radio WILL NOT go passed channel 16.

Note 2: "Channel Number” - I also think this feature is not needed or has no use. I noticed that if I leave the radio on channel 2 and download to Retevis’ CPS the field will read “Channel Number 2”, or if I leave the radio on channel 1 and download than the field will show “Channel Number 1”. The other way around is not true, if I leave the field on channel 10 for example and push to the radio, the radio will not turn on on channel 10. So I really don’t know what this is for.

Hope this helps. Would be great to have your module in production for the next CHIRP issue since I am able to perfectly program the radio and settings as it is now with the test module.

Kind regards and thank you for all your help.

Bernardo

On Apr 2, 2025, at 16:11, Jim Unroe redmine@chirpmyradio.com wrote:

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