TL;DR
CHIRP is free software that programs most ham radios from a computer instead of the radio's front panel. Download it at chirp.danplanet.com. Connect your radio via programming cable, read the radio's current memory, add channels from repeaterbook.com and this article's frequency list, then write back to the radio. One hour of setup means your radio is ready for emergency use instead of sitting on factory defaults.
Why Program Via CHIRP
Every handheld radio ships with factory defaults. Those defaults are useless for emergency communication. The radio doesn't know your local repeaters, doesn't have the national calling frequencies loaded, and has no NOAA weather channels.
Programming via the radio's front panel — button by button — takes 20-30 minutes per channel and is error-prone. CHIRP lets you program 100+ channels in under an hour from a spreadsheet-style interface, back up your configuration to a file, and share it with family members.
This matters before an emergency. A radio programmed and tested today is a communication tool. A radio you're trying to program during a crisis is a liability.
What You Need
- CHIRP software — free download at chirp.danplanet.com (Windows, Mac, Linux)
- Programming cable — model-specific, $5-15. See the FAQ above for cable selection.
- Your radio — powered on, ideally with a fresh battery or plugged into a charger
- Repeaterbook.com access — to download local repeater data in CHIRP format
Step 1: Install CHIRP and Connect the Radio
Download CHIRP from chirp.danplanet.com. Install normally. On Windows, you may need to install a USB-to-serial driver for your cable — this is usually included with the cable or available from the cable manufacturer's website.
Connect the programming cable to your radio and computer before opening CHIRP. Power the radio on. In Windows Device Manager, confirm the cable appears as a COM port (usually COM3 through COM8).
The read step is critical — CHIRP downloads the radio's current state before making changes. If the read fails, nothing is lost. Fix the connection and try again.
Immediately save this as a backup: File > Save As > name it "[radio model]-backup-[date].img." If anything goes wrong later, you can restore to this state.
Step 2: Download Local Repeaters from RepeaterBook
RepeaterBook maintains the most current database of amateur repeaters in the US and internationally. CHIRP can import directly from RepeaterBook.
Focus on repeaters marked "open" (available to all licensed operators) and "active." Many repeaters listed in databases are inactive or have outdated information — active status is the key filter.
Import 10-15 local repeaters. You don't need all 200 repeaters within 50 miles. You need the 10-15 most reliable ones, especially any designated as ARES/RACES emergency repeaters.
Step 3: Add Essential Frequencies Manually
After importing repeaters, add these channels manually. In CHIRP, right-click on an empty row and select "Insert Row" or simply type into the next empty row.
National calling frequencies (simplex — no repeater needed):
| Channel Name | Frequency | Tone | Duplex | Notes | |---|---|---|---|---| | 2M CALL | 146.520 MHz | None | None (simplex) | National 2m calling frequency | | 70CM CALL | 446.000 MHz | None | None (simplex) | National 70cm calling frequency |
NOAA Weather Radio (receive-only):
| Channel Name | Frequency | Notes | |---|---|---| | NOAA WX1 | 162.400 MHz | Add all 7 — your radio can receive | | NOAA WX2 | 162.425 MHz | | | NOAA WX3 | 162.450 MHz | | | NOAA WX4 | 162.475 MHz | Most common NOAA frequency | | NOAA WX5 | 162.500 MHz | | | NOAA WX6 | 162.525 MHz | | | NOAA WX7 | 162.550 MHz | |
FRS/GMRS (receive, limited transmit for licensed GMRS):
| Channel Name | Frequency | Notes | |---|---|---| | FRS 1 | 462.5625 MHz | Family Radio Service ch. 1 | | FRS 16 | 462.5500 MHz | FRS emergency calling channel |
Marine band (receive-only for amateur radios):
| Channel Name | Frequency | Notes | |---|---|---| | MARINE 16 | 156.800 MHz | International maritime distress and calling |
Your radio may or may not be able to receive marine band frequencies — this depends on the radio's receive range. If it can, program it. If not, skip.
Step 4: Add Your Local ARES/RACES Frequencies
Contact your local Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) group or county emergency management to get their designated emergency frequencies. These vary by region and are not publicly listed in national databases.
To find your local ARES group: arrl.org/ares lists regional contacts. Your local amateur radio club (arrl.org/find-a-club) can also direct you.
Add these frequencies with clear names: "COUNTY EMCOMM," "STATE SIMPLEX EMERG," or whatever your local group uses.
If you can't find this information before an emergency, 146.520 MHz simplex is the default — monitors will direct you from there.
Step 5: Configure Channel Names and Scan Settings
CHIRP allows you to name each channel with a short label displayed on the radio's screen. Good names matter when you're under stress.
- Use all capitals for readability on small displays
- Be specific: "GRDN CY EMRG" beats "REPEATER 1"
- Include the frequency in the name for channels you might need to reference manually: "146.520 S" (S for simplex)
Scan list settings: Most radios support selective scanning — only scanning channels you flag. In CHIRP, the "Skip" column controls this. Set all NOAA channels and less-used channels to skip (they'll still be accessible manually but won't be included in scans). This speeds up scanning across your active channels.
Step 6: Write to the Radio
After writing, verify that your radio displays the channel names you entered. Spot-check two or three channel frequencies on the radio's display against your CHIRP data.
Save your final CHIRP file: File > Save As > "[radio model]-programmed-[date].img." Store this file somewhere you'll find it — email it to yourself, save it on a USB drive, or store it in cloud backup. If you need to reprogram the radio or program an identical second radio, this file lets you do it in minutes.
Tone Squelch (CTCSS/DCS)
Most repeaters require a tone — a subaudible CTCSS tone or DCS code transmitted with your signal — to open the repeater's squelch and allow your voice through. Without the correct tone, the repeater hears you but won't retransmit.
RepeaterBook lists tones for each repeater. CHIRP has a "Tone" column where you enter the CTCSS frequency (typically 67.0 to 254.1 Hz) and a "Tone Mode" column (set to "Tone" for standard CTCSS transmit, or "TSQL" to also squelch your receive by tone).
For emergency communication:
- Set Tone Mode to "Tone" (transmit tone only)
- Enter the correct CTCSS frequency from RepeaterBook
- Leave receive unsquelched so you hear all traffic on the repeater
If a repeater doesn't respond to your transmissions and you've confirmed the frequency is correct, the tone may be wrong or missing. Try transmitting without any tone (Tone Mode: None) — some repeaters have open access, and some operators disable tone requirement.
Programming a Second Radio
Once you have a working CHIRP file, programming an identical second radio takes under 10 minutes. Connect the second radio, read it first (to create a backup), then use File > Open to load your saved CHIRP file, and Upload to Radio.
This is how you quickly prepare family members' radios to match your own. One programming session, then clone it as many times as needed.
Pro Tip
Program family radios identically to yours, then test by calling between them on a local repeater. If family members don't have licenses, program their radios to receive NOAA weather and local repeater traffic — monitoring is legal without a license. They can't transmit legally, but they can receive emergency broadcasts and hear your transmissions.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
What programming cable do I need?
It depends on the radio. Baofeng UV-5R and most Baofeng models use a Kenwood-style 2-pin K1 connector cable ($5-10). Yaesu FT-60R and most Yaesu HTs use a CT-42 or equivalent Yaesu cable. Kenwood radios use Kenwood-compatible cables. Important: buy cables described as CHIRP-compatible — cheap cables with incorrect chipsets cause read/write errors. Baofeng sells official cables that work. Amazon search '[radio model] CHIRP programming cable' to find the right one.
CHIRP says it can't read my radio — what do I do?
First, verify the cable is seated fully at both ends. Second, check that you selected the correct COM port in CHIRP (try each COM port listed). Third, check that no other software (Windows Radio Management, other COM port tools) is using the port. Fourth, if using a USB cable, check Windows Device Manager to confirm the cable's USB-to-serial chip is recognized. Most CHIRP connection failures are wrong COM port selection or incomplete cable connection.
Can I import a CHIRP file someone else made for my area?
Yes. CHIRP files (.img or .csv) are shareable. Many radio clubs and emergency communication groups publish CHIRP files for their area. Import via File > Import. Verify the frequencies in the imported file before transmitting — local repeaters change, and a CHIRP file from two years ago may have outdated tones or frequencies. Always verify against current repeaterbook.com data.