Programming Retevis RA87 with software

[WSEW433]

I have the RA87 and have used both Chirp and the Retevis software to program.  From everything I am looking at it sure seems to be programmed correctly, but still not working.

Is anyone willing to send me their programming image file to compare?

 

Thanks

[WSEW433]

Not connecting to repeaters and nobody can hear me, and I can't hear anyone.

Trust me, it's not working.

[SteveShannon]

23 minutes ago, WSEW433 said:

Not connecting to repeaters and nobody can hear me, and I can't hear anyone.

Trust me, it's not working.

It’s not a matter of trust.  You haven’t explained what functionality isn’t working.  An overly generalized statement of “it’s not working” doesn’t really describe the problem.

Is your radio actually transmitting?
If you get rid of all receive tones, do you hear other people? 
Seeing other people’s configuration files might not do much for you because they are operating in different locations with different repeaters, but you could provide details about the repeater you’re attempting to activate and post your file.

[WSEW433]

I asked if someone was willing to share an image file with me, if you are not willing to that's fine.  It's not just repeaters, regular channels are not working either.

 

[SteveShannon]

4 minutes ago, WSEW433 said:

I asked if someone was willing to share an image file with me, if you are not willing to that's fine.  It's not just repeaters, regular channels are not working either.

 

I don’t have an image file to share with you but I and others here are willing to look at your file to see if we can spot something wrong with it, but receiving more details from you would help us help you.  There are a lot of smart folks here who have experience with common radio problems.  Asking for an image file reduces the chances that someone will be able to help to the set of people who have RA-87 radios, whereas sharing your file opens it up to the set of people who can read.

[CoffeeTime]

Here is a working example for my RA87.        I hope this helps you somehow.

 

Best Regards!

 

 

SILVERADO MOBILE 04182025 Ham .img

[WSEW433]

27 minutes ago, CoffeeTime said:

Here is a working example for my RA87.        I hope this helps you somehow.

 

Best Regards!

 

 

SILVERADO MOBILE 04182025 Ham .img 9.12 kB · 3 downloads

Thank you!

[WRUU653]

Having someone else’s file unless they are programming the same repeaters will give you an idea of what things look like but won’t be exactly the same as what you need. It would certainly be more helpful if you gave some more info to the problem and shared a screen shot of your chirp file to help diagnose what’s happening. It could be quite a number of things. 

[WSEW433]

22 hours ago, WRUU653 said:

Having someone else’s file unless they are programming the same repeaters will give you an idea of what things look like but won’t be exactly the same as what you need. It would certainly be more helpful if you gave some more info to the problem and shared a screen shot of your chirp file to help diagnose what’s happening. It could be quite a number of things. 

It was never just about the repeaters.  I know what I needed to fix the problem, I have been using radios almost 40 years.  I am good now.  Luckily one person was actually willing to provide the assistance I asked for.

[WSEW433]

23 hours ago, CoffeeTime said:

Here is a working example for my RA87.        I hope this helps you somehow.

 

Best Regards!

 

 

SILVERADO MOBILE 04182025 Ham .img 9.12 kB · 7 downloads

Good to go now!  Thanks for the assist.

[SteveShannon]

2 hours ago, WSEW433 said:

It was never just about the repeaters.  I know what I needed to fix the problem, I have been using radios almost 40 years.  I am good now.  Luckily one person was actually willing to provide the assistance I asked for.

So how about telling the rest of us what the problem was so the members of the forum can learn as well?

[WRUU653]

Seems he wants help when he wants it but isn’t interested in giving it. The snarky “40 years using radios” yet ask for help that won’t reveal any info on what he did wrong that might be helpful for others is telling. As much as I hate the term (I feel it’s over used), what we have here is a bonafide Sad Ham. 
Some people are gatekeepers and just take. Oh well. 
 

[HHD1]

On 5/7/2025 at 8:46 AM, Socalgmrs said:

WOW 40 years in radio!!!!!       Every one gather around some dude has been in radios for 40years.  Omg.   Grab a chair.  Skooch in.  Quiet he may speak soon.  Haha

but you purchased a retivis, (-1) you couldnt program a pre programmed gmrs radio (-2)  and you wouldn’t except help from others. (-3) You wouldnt describe the problem or any solutions you may have tried.  You just wanted to be spoon feed in the exact way you demanded.  You actually sound like a modern 20 year old kid.  

This is why it's good to have Socal around.  Eventually he get's a NOOB that deserves it.

[WRYS709]

You guys just love to come together and Bully someone!

[HHD1]

What I saw was someone asking for help, then getting irate and cocky with those trying to help.  And for a change it was actually enjoyable to see SoCal go off on someone.

[Jaay]

3 hours ago, WRYS709 said:

You guys just love to come together and Bully someone!

Those who Bully, receive it in return X10 !

[Jaay]

On 5/20/2025 at 3:53 PM, HHD1 said:

What I saw was someone asking for help, then getting irate and cocky with those trying to help.  And for a change it was actually enjoyable to see SoCal go off on someone.

He's been a Jerk for so long, with his smarmy know-it-all attitude and poor advice for new operators, that it was about time  he got his ass chewed !

[TimberWolf958]

I am trying to program a new Retevis RA87. I have tried to use both the Retevis software and CHIRP. I am having trouble with both, so I have two different questions. First, using the Reetvis software, How do you program in non GMRS frequencies for monitoring only ?   Second, using CHIRP, I am getting an error when I try to download from the radio. I get the error "Radio Identification Failed"  I am using the cable that came with the radio, I have the correct COM port set, I have the correct Vender & Model set. ??

[WRUU653]

I may not be much help as I am using a Mac with Chirp but here is what I can say... I use the Blue cable that came with the radio. It needs to be plugged into the top port on the back for data. Remember that you need to program both the right and left side and to save a CSV file for both sides if you program them differently. You will only be able to program frequencies in the UHF band as that is what the radio is capable of. Of course make sure the radio is on. I hope something here was helpful.

Below is what my connection looks like via Chirp.

Edit: P.S. my most often made mistake is not having the right cable plugged into the computer. Sounds silly but when you have a bunch of them it's easy to miss and if you try to communicate to the radio with the wrong cable remember to close out of the communicate with radio window before plugging in the proper cable and then open the window or it wont see the cable you just plugged in. Good luck. 

[CoffeeTime]

I do not use the Retevis cable and instead use an aftermarket (Mirkit universal set) cable and Chirp. 

Nevertheless,  if I am remembering correctly, you might also need to download the Retevis Driver in addition to the Retevis Software -- offered on the Retevis Website on the RA87 page. I expect that the driver is for the cable. 

Once you get the cable working, you should be able to use either programming software. 

Best Regards!