Bug #2085
closedBF-F8HP programming problem - cannot enter Freq > 259.995mhz
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Description
New Ham, just purchased the radio from Baofengtech via Amazon. I Downloaded the image from the unmodified radio using the BF-F8HP pulldown option and tried to edit it in Chirp, but was unable to set any frequency above 259.995. I can enter any frequency between 130 and 259.995 (much of which is out of the radio's usable range!). I have also tried exporting the image as a csv and editing with libre office or excel, adding the appropriate frequencies, then importing back into Chirp. Weather I copy and paste from another chirp pane, or by importing directly into the blank image from the radio, it fails to bring in the UHF frequencies. I've tried resetting the radio (menu 40), downloading to Chirp again and still get the same errors. 100% reproducible. I note that I cannot find the errors in the attached debug log (or don't know where to look for them). Procedure used, open Chirp, download image from radio, attempt to edit/copy/paste, close Chirp, attach file.
Error message when trying to set or change a frequency to >/= 260mhz: "Error setting memory: Frequency
Error message when copying and pasting from another chirp pane: "Pasted memory
No error when trying to import directly into the same image within chirp, but all the UHF frequencies are greyed out in the import popup dialog and the memories are not populated with them.
Chirp version: CHIRP daily-20141119 (downloaded from this site)
Radio firmware rev N5R-319
Windows 7 pro (64 bit).
"OEM" programming cable purchased from Baofengtech
Many thanks.
Dave
AI6FO
Files
Updated by Jose Martas over 10 years ago
Dave,
I'm so new, I just passed the test today. It so happens that I have the BF-F8HP, from the same place... I had no trouble with Chirp and I'm using an iMac.
You posted your "Radio firmware rev N5R-319". The firmware on my radio reads, "F8HP-1". That might be a good place to start. Maybe, you selected the wrong model BaoFeng when you connected?
I'm REALLY guessing!!! I'm actually only 7 days into this. ...but, I used Chirp and Excel to load frequencies, names, move stuff to different channels, etc. it worked for me.
MAYBE, try connecting again and double check the model you're selecting. Again, I'm new, and, I'm just guessing.
Good luck,
Teddy
Updated by Jose Martas over 10 years ago
- File F8HP New.img F8HP New.img added
Hi Dave,
I'm back again. Sorry, but, I'm new to this site too.
I posted/attached a copy of my .img file. ...before I messed with anything. You're welcome to try this. If you're lucky, maybe the firmware you need is in this file.
Again, Good Luck!
Teddy
Updated by Dave Ruigh over 10 years ago
Ok, I think the problem is solved, but I cannot understand what happened initially that dorked the Chirp image file, nor can I break it again. Thanks to all that replied with suggestions.
After getting nowhere trying to edit frequency ranges and other random fields, I found the Miklor recovery page linked below. That got me on the path to reload an original, unmodified image file. Ya, I overwrote mine, stupidly.
Trying to figure out what the actual firmware rev of my radio was a bit of a mystery, as there seem to be a bunch of different formats for displaying the firmware rev. Baofengtech's site shows things like "BFB238", this site and Chirp mostly show formats like N5R-xxx, and when the radio is powered on while pressing 3, it displays "F8HP-1". Firmware rev of my radio is indeed N5R-319 as viewed in the image file downloaded from the radio and displayed in Chirp using the "Other settings" tab. Verified from the Miklor recovery page for Baofeng radios.
http://www.miklor.com/uv5r/UV5R-Recovery.php/
Quoting from the section just below the instructions labeled "Recovery using CHIRP Software Unknown Firmware Release"
"If FW Message 1 contains "VER",
then Message 2 contains the firmware version
If FW Message 1 does not contain "VER",
then Message 1 contains the firmware version"
In my case, Message 1 does not contain "VER", therefore the firmware rev is N5R-319.
It was the above instructions that led me to the KC9HI CHIRP Recovery page linked from the site above, and prompted me to download the image "BFP3V3 BF-F8HP(factory).img". When uploading this to my radio, I got an error "Image not supported by radio". So I tried another file, called "N5R-30(factory).img" (this was all before Teddy's response with his newer .img file). This uploaded to the radio fine with just a message about some settings not being updated on the "other settings" tab. That did the trick, and now the frequency memories are editable with UHF values.
So in short, and like the instructions everywhere say, make sure you save your image file from a virgin, untouched radio and don't overwrite it! If you do overwrite or otherwise grenade your image file, go to the site above and use the "Recovery using CHIRP Software Firmware N5R-20 / 30" instructions, find the image file on KC9HI's site that sort of matches your radio, and try uploading that. And lastly, don't blame me if your radio turns on and starts transmitting at full power on some first responder emergency frequency netting you a half million dollar fine from the FCC.
Dave
Updated by Jim Unroe over 10 years ago
- Status changed from New to Resolved
Dave,
The Baofeng/Pofung BF-F8HP radio covers the VHF frequencies from 130.000 - 176.000 MHz and the UHF frequencies from 400.000 - 520.000 MHz.
Somehow the byte that CHIRP checks to determine if the radio is a VHF/UHF radio got change so CHIRP thought that you had a VHF/220 radio with the second band being from 220.000 - 260.000 MHz.
I have seen radios come from the factory with this this byte incorrectly set. I have also see users change this byte by messing around with the settings on the "Other" menu in the OEM VIP software.
In any case, I'm glad that you have this issue resolved.
Jim KC9HI
Updated by Bernhard Hailer over 5 years ago
- Status changed from Resolved to Closed
- Model affected changed from BF-F8HP to Baofeng BF-F8HP