[SMCARA] ICOM 2820 software that works for me.

[Gary Ramon via SMCARA]

All,

Just thought I'd pass this along.  If you need to program a ICOM IC-2820 for free, I've found the latest version of CHIRP ( version 0.4.0 ) works fine for me.  Caveat is that my IC-2820 does not have the DSTAR option (UT-123) installed.  However, I have an ID-880 that has DSTAR built in and this version of chirp has all the right columns to program DSTAR.
The software works fine with the cable I made for the ID-880 terminating to a RS232 DB9 connector, and utilizing an RS232 to USB adapter with the FTDI chipset. Cable is found in the instructionals on the K3HKI website.  I got the adapter from Amazon, http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/189-4180748-1249221?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=b005s72hho
I have been able to use my cable with either radio and used it yesterday (after the chirp download) to program the IC-2820.  The ID-880 is now installed in my car.  Much better than holding a HT!!!

Regards,
Gary Ramon
K3IH