If it is a TYT UV88 or Retevis RT85 clone, Chirp will work. Also, the QRZ package ships with the RTS programming software which is very good.
It would be nice to see some help from the community or the companies like Gigaparts for guys that are disabled and can't get on the roof. Its all the expensive stuff like meters and connectors, cable pig tails and power strips etc that kill the budget. Right now your junk box is treasure to people who are just getting into radio. You need much more than a radio to build a shack. Joining a club or going to Hamfest swap meets doesn't help a shut in. I saw that "helping hands" in Texas I believe. That's an awesome concept to see 'Elmers" who can get out and help those who can't climb a roof or tree or needs a hand setting up a be radio. One other thing, of you are be sitting on used gear it would be awesome to see more of it offered in good be faith to folks who could use be a trustworthy setup. Guys hold one to unused stuff like they are gold sand when they do sell the prices are absurd! Take care friends and remember to treasure good health and family and friends because you never know when it could be gone.
Issue resolved. Once your application has been approved QRZ sends you a code to enter at checkout in Gigaparts so they ship to whatever address you setup with Gigaparts.
"We need more programs to encouraged (sic )the young people to get into ham radio " NEW hams, not necessarily YOUNG hams.
Hello all! This is my first post on QRZ. I wanted to thank QRZ and Gigaparts for making this happen. I just got my Technician license so I applied for the QRZ-1 and got it in pretty short order! This little radio seems like a perfect starter, just a little more polished than a UV5R. I wanted to share my experience with the ZXP-PROG-10 programming cable from Gigaparts. This cable comes with a mini CD straight out of the '90s, with a little panda on it, presumably with the drivers needed to use the cable. I have not had a disc drive in my PC for probably 10 years now, nor do I own any computers with one, so I was torn between laughter and annoyance. There is no driver download available from Gigaparts, and though RT Systems does have driver downloads on their website, I tried installing their large driver pack (USBComDrivers21.exe) and Windows still would not recognize the cable. I tried UV-88 cable drivers, Prolific PL23xx drivers, pretty much whatever I could find for the other clones of this radio. Nothing worked. I called RT Systems and they said it's not their cable, so they don't have drivers for it. I called Gigaparts, who were receptive to my problem but said I was the first of many callers to describe this issue. They were not even aware they were sending out a mini CD with the programming cable. My saving grace was a recently-uploaded video from RT Systems on YouTube, where they show how to program the QRZ-1 with their CPS. They show Device Manager with the device called "USB-SERIAL CH340". I quickly did a Google search for this device and found a driver download via Sparkfun. I downloaded the Windows drivers in a ZIP format, extracted the ZIP file, and told Device Manager to use the unzipped folder for the driver, and what do you know! Windows loaded up the drivers without a fuss, and I was able to read my radio into the RT Systems CPS. You can find the drivers here: https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/how-to-install-ch340-drivers/all#drivers-if-you-need-them I don't know if Windows 10 was supposed to install a generic CH340 driver and my host firewall setup was inhibiting the automatic driver download, or what the problem was. It is possible. But, if anyone else is having this issue, I wanted to make sure I shared the link to the drivers so you can program your shiny new radio! Thanks again to QRZ for this generous offer, and I look forward to using this little guy out and about! Take care everyone.
What you are doing is the best side of Amature radio. I began this hobby in 1978 and had several ELMER's . Some gave their time and experence. Others gave equipment. I saw an add for A Viking high frequency filter, called the man about it and asked him to save it till Friday. He sent it that day and arrived Wednesday. I sent the payment Friday. Boy those days are gone , I miss them. AA7BQ hold on to your convictions , 73.
I just got my Technician license just before the time window of this program started. I did recently buy my first mobile and HT radio. I guess my timing was off again but great to see that there are programs like this starting up.
The PDF version of my No Nonsense Technician Class License Study Guide is free by going to https://www.kb6nu.com/study-guides. To take the test for free, find a Laurel VEC test session, and if you don't have one in your area, there are online test sessions available. Finally, the ARRL says that they'll pay the one-time $35 application fee for new license candidates younger than 18-years old for tests administered under the ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (ARRL VEC) program.
Excellent Program to get new hams on the air. When the new hams get on the air I'm sure there will be plenty of Elmers to help them out.
