CHIRP � A first look

“If you own an ICOM D-STAR radio, you know how hard it is to
program through the faceplate. And if you are a Linux user, you
know that your options are either use the faceplate or borrow a
Windows machine (or fire up a VM) and plunk down $60 for the
software and cable to program them with. Until now that is. Enter
CHIRP.

“CHIRP is a cross-platform, cross-radio programming tool
specifically focusing on ICOM D-STAR radios, although there seems
to be nothing preventing you from using it with non-D-STAR rigs.
This is new software (currently at version 0.1.9), so let’s look at
the highlights.

“The single biggest plus of this software is that it runs on
Linux. This might make it unique in the realms of radio software. I
am still seeking programming software for any radio that runs on
Linux, so the fact that CHIRP does is a major feather in its cap.
It is also cross platform, currently supporting Windows with Mac
coming soon. This is a huge plus, especially for those of us in
Emergency Communications.”

Complete
Story