DB-20G now on Chirp

[GrouserPad]

I figured I would let everyone know, I updated Chirp tonight and saw the Radioddity DB20G is now on the supported radios list. Which Im sure means the other brands of this same radio likely work with it as well. Consider this a friendly heads up. I think we all prefer Chirp over most all oem software. 

[WRNC421]

On 6/7/2025 at 10:48 AM, UncleYoda said:

Update2: Added another fake channel (.725 simplex on 46) with split DCS (773N, 1N) and this one does generate the error.  And, tried a couple more combinations... doesn't appear to be related to frequency, just DCS split.

Working just fine for me (see attached). Care to share a screen capture of the error? You can also submit a bug report using the Help menu. 

[UncleYoda]

11 minutes ago, WRYS709 said:

PS: Why did you select this clunky "let's vote on each response" style of dialogue for this issue?!?  I find it distracting, annoying and downright unhelpful for reading a commentary on these issues!

I gave you an upvote for that.

 

I have done more testing but I get the impression that no one here would care.  And I don't see a pattern.

[UncleYoda]

14 minutes ago, WRNC421 said:

Working just fine for me (see attached). Care to share a screen capture of the error? You can also submit a bug report using the Help menu.

OK, but it doesn't work for me!  There's not much to see on a screen capture - the lines are blank except for the channel number higlighted in red.  I looked at Dan's requirements for submitting an issue and I don't agree and will not be doing that.

 

[RoadApple]

53 minutes ago, UncleYoda said:

By quirky I meant how it works, such as keys to press (CTRL-BKSP instead of DEL), and that it tries to anticipate what to put in some columns based on what you enter in others, and that it doesn't show RX DCS when tones are same, and so forth.

Got it. Thanks for that clarification of "quirky".  Admittedly, I have not used many of the CTRL key sequence shortcuts so that may be why I've not experienced the same issues.

[GrouserPad]

47 minutes ago, WRYS709 said:

Technically speaking some radios' CPS software is still required to be able to change certain non-Channel oriented settings that are not covered in Chirp and hence in those situations, I prefer the OEM CPS software for sure!

PS: Why did you select this clunky "let's vote on each response" style of dialogue for this issue?!?  I find it distracting, annoying and downright unhelpful for reading a commentary on these issues!

Vote on each response? Please explain. I'm not sure I follow. I didn't think I put a voting poll above the thread?  I saw the up down carrot on the left of each post. If that is something I added to this thread it was totally by accident.

[UncleYoda]

2 minutes ago, GrouserPad said:

Vote on each response?

Sort by vote is default for Technical Discussion section.  And it resets to that every time you open the topic.

[GrouserPad]

3 minutes ago, UncleYoda said:

Sort by vote is default for Technical Discussion section.  And it resets to that every time you open the topic.

Oh interesting, I've been using the forum for awhile and never realized this. Maybe I should have posted this thread somewhere else. My apologies.

[WRYS709]

1 hour ago, GrouserPad said:

Vote on each response? Please explain. I'm not sure I follow. I didn't think I put a voting poll above the thread?  I saw the up down carrot on the left of each post. If that is something I added to this thread it was totally by accident.

Yeah: it is from the format you chose to use for your original post. I suspected it was inadvertent!

its a true PITA!

I avoid most of the threads that use this style, but I am committed to following up on DB20-G support.

[UncleYoda]

I reset ch 22 and 38 to TONE and TSQL and that worked.  And then set to fake DCS values, which worked.  And then put the original DCS values back and it's still reading correctly.  So, it's OK for now but I can't be sure it won't reoccur because it did occur on new channels I added for testing.

[WRYS709]

On 6/7/2025 at 4:11 PM, UncleYoda said:

I mentioned one thing, regarding ch. 8-14, that might be different (don't know yet).  

Chirp has been instrumental in helping “unlock” certain GMRS radios that come from the factory locked down to satisfy FCC requirements. The Baofeng UV-5X(G) comes to mind. 

Since the DB20-G has an easy procedure from day one to “open” it using its keypad, using Chirp to enable transmission on Channels 8-14 is superfluous. 

[UncleYoda]

1 hour ago, WRYS709 said:

using Chirp to enable transmission on Channels 8-14 is superfluous. 

No it ain't!  (if it works)  You can keep all your other GMRS channels and (maybe) use those for something else, including the standard GMRS channels.

[WRYS709]

22 minutes ago, UncleYoda said:

No it ain't!  (if it works)  You can keep all your other GMRS channels and (maybe) use those for something else, including the standard GMRS channels.

It is not clear to me what point of mine you are disagreeing with here. 

I have previously linked to  a “GMRS” codeplug for DB20-G use consistent with Part 95E rules after “opening” the DB20-G. 

Transmission on Channels 8-14 on a mini-mobile is NOT consistent with Part 95E. 

[UncleYoda]

29 minutes ago, WRYS709 said:

It is not clear to me what point of mine you are disagreeing with here.

The part I quoted. (that should have been obvious)

[WRYS709]

44 minutes ago, UncleYoda said:

The part I quoted. (that should have been obvious)

It was not obvious because my statement is factually correct and yours is, at best, irrelevant!

Your making a statement about “features” of the DB20-G in Chirp that you admit you have not even tested!

But whether it works or not in Chirp, transmission on Channels 8-14 has been available on the “opened” DB20-G since Day One!

No need for testing in Chirp!

Furthermore, IMHO, transmitting on Channels 8-14 at 20 watts and/or Wideband FM, is morally reprehensible!

The ONLY time one should be doing that, if at all; is if they heard a weak signal on Channels 8-14 requesting EMERGENCY help!

[UncleYoda]

1 hour ago, WRYS709 said:

It was not obvious because my statement is factually correct and yours is, at best, irrelevant!

Only in your mind.

Quote

Your making a statement about “features” of the DB20-G in Chirp that you admit you have not even tested!

I was commenting on the setting being available in the software.  It's there, that's it.  I will test it when I feel confident again in Chirp not messing the radio up.

Quote

transmission on Channels 8-14 has been available on the “opened” DB20-G since Day One!

You still don't understand that this is different than fully open.  Fully opening makes it a non-compliant radio.  Just putting in other GMRS frequencies at the appropriate power level does not.   But you can't seem to grasp the difference so I'm done with this.

 

[WRYS709]

9 hours ago, UncleYoda said:

Only in your mind.

And in the mind of the developer of the DB20-G driver for Chirp, too! 

3 hours ago, WRNC421 said:

I just tested this to confirm, with the radio in GMRS mode, it doesn't matter what you do in Chirp to channels 8-14. I turned off TX disable. I changed power level, also tried changing the TX frequency to that of Chan 1 (462.5625). The radio refuses to TX on those channel numbers. It's locked in firmware and Chirp doesn't allow you to bypass it. ofc if you change the radio mode out of GMRS then you can do what you want. 

 

[tcp2525]

10 hours ago, WRUU653 said:

It works on a Mac.

What the hell is a Mac, and why would anyone really want one?

[tcp2525]

10 hours ago, UncleYoda said:

Chirp is quirky for DOS/Windows users.  Be sure to read the online help page.

It's definitely worth exactly what you paid for it. Why would anyone complain about free software?