Codeplug Conversion

Converting Codeplug Formats with N0GSG Contact Manager

If your radio is supported by N0GSG Contact Manager, it will be shown on our Supported Radios List as "Supported, conversion required."  Refer to the instructions below to convert from our CS750 or CS800D master file to your radio's codeplug format.

The details of how to use N0GSG and your radio’s CPS are well outside the scope of this document. Please refer to the N0GSG website, CPS or radio user guide, and other documentation, or contact codeplug-request@rats.net for assistance with troublesome codeplug conversions.

For a list of supported radios, see our N0GSG Supported Radios List.

Prerequisites

• N0GSG Contact Manager software and compatible operating system - http://n0gsg.com/contact-manager/

• DMR radio, programming cable, and manufacturer’s Customer Programming Software (CPS)

• RATS DMRVA/HEARS Master Codeplug – from https://rats.net/codeplugs

Terminology

• Source codeplug – the file you downloaded from RATS

• Target codeplug – the file you create specifically for your radio

Step 1: Create a target codeplug

To create a target codeplug, use your CPS to read your radio’s current programming (even if new or empty). This is important to ensure the codeplug contains certain settings  necessary to the proper operation of your radio. Save this file on your computer someplace where you can find it easily.

Step 2: Wipe the target codeplug

Before importing new data, we first need to remove old channels, zones, scan lists, and receive groups from the target codeplug.

Open the file in N0GSG, and then:

• On the Zones tab, use the left and right arrow buttons on the screen to scroll through the list of zones. Delete each zone except for any custom zones you wish to retain. You need to have at least 1 channel, 1 zone, and 1 contact in each codeplug. If you need to delete all zones, you’ll first need to click [+] New Zone and create a new zone called temporary.

• On the Scan Lists tab, use the left and right arrow buttons on the screen to scroll through the receive lists. Delete each except for any custom scan lists you wish to retain. You may need to click [+] New Scan List and create a temporary list.

• On the Rx Groups tab, use the left and right arrow buttons on the screen to scroll through the groups. Delete each except for any custom receive groups you wish to retain. You may need to make a temporary one.

• On the Channels tab, Shift+Click and/or Ctrl+Click to select a range of channels, then right-click and delete all channels, except for custom channels you wish to retain. You will probably be required to keep one channel in the codeplug.

• On the Contacts tab, Shift+Click and/or Ctrl+Click to select a range of contacts, then right-click and delete all contacts, except for custom contacts you wish to retain. You will probably need to keep one contact in the list.

These steps should leave you with a mostly-empty codeplug.  You'll probably have an empty zone, empty scan list, and empty receive group list.  That's fine -- we'll clean that up momentarily.

Step 3: Import the source codeplug and clean up

Still in N0GSG, on the Structural Import tab, leave the default selections checked and click the Import selected structures button.

When the file dialog opens, find the source codeplug you downloaded from RATS and open it. N0GSG will provide a summary of the number of contacts, channels, zones, etc. that have been updated.

If you created a temporary Zone, Scan List, or RX Group, return to the appropriate tab(s) and delete the temporary item.

You can use N0GSG’s built-in editor to make minor revisions to the channels, change the sort order of contacts and channels, and re-order zones. If you want to do any cleanup on the file, it may be easier to do it in N0GSG while you’re here, vs. in the CPS.

Save the file when you’re done making edits and exit N0GSG Contact Manager.

Step 4: Sanity-check the codeplug and load to your radio

Relaunch your radio’s CPS and load the target codeplug. Set your radio ID (from radioid.net) and other preferences. Spot-check a few digital channels in detail to ensure all channel settings carried over. Look for things like APRS/GPS beaconing that might have been toggled on, incorrect time slots, and mismatching contacts. The N0GSG Contact Manager software works extremely well, but occasionally the CPS will have trouble with imported data. When you are satisfied with your codeplug’s accuracy, use your CPS to load it to your radio.

Transferring Data Between Codeplugs in Motorola CPS 2.0

For conversion instructions, see our Motorola Codeplugs page.