I have been using my Radioddity now for some years and love it. Though upgrading this to the OpenGD77 opened a whole new world and it gets better all the time.
One issue I had for a period was not being able to connect to it via my PC. For some time, it worked, then it stopped. It was most frustrating as I could not run the radio as a local repeater anymore. I almost never update the codeplug now and update the firmware every few weeks, but I could not do any of this without my PC connection.
After checking I had the latest community programming software, I was stumped.
Roger, who is behind all the programming of this radio and who lives nearby, kindly gave me some advice over email. He suggested it was a Com-Port issue. And he was correct. So, I have put this together to help others who may have the same problem as I did.
From windows 10, type in the search box Device Manager. Then you will get a box like the following.
If you expand out the Ports section, you can see the issue I had straight away, I had the OpenGD77 on com port 4, and an Eltima Virtual Serial Port on com port 2-4 also.
I disabled the Eltima com ports listed by right clicking on them and nothing seemed to stop working, so then I uninstalled them both. And straight away the com port worked through to the radio like it used to.
Great to have my GD77 back in action! Hopefully this has helped you, if it has, please let me know.
There are some more interesting reads below that you may enjoy also.
An unusual name, but a catchy name no less, just like Peanut that was written by the same person, David PA7LIM. If you like Peanut, then you will like this project also. This project, like Peanut, includes some amazing coding and thinking.…
I found it hard to find useful information on how to run the OpenGD-77 hotpot mode with Windows 10. At the time of writing this, there is a lot about this topic using a pistar and even android or ISO, but not much with Windows 10. This is my experence with BlueDV and Open GD-77 using a Windows 10 PC.…
I recently started using ProScan after years of using FreeScan. I have always enjoyed using FreeScan as it is easy to setup, I can download outputs from the software, and the main reason “it works”. However ProScan seems to be more graphical and has different features also.…
I recently started using ProScan after years of using FreeScan. I have always enjoyed using FreeScan as it is easy to setup, I can download outputs from the software, and the main reason “it works”. However ProScan seems to be more graphical and has different features also.…
One of the most underutilised by very cool feature that comes with some digital networks is the ability to send and receive SMS messages. You can send…
I found it hard to find useful information on how to run the OpenGD-77 hotpot mode with Windows 10. At the time of writing this, there is a lot about this topic using a pistar and even android or ISO, but not much with Windows 10. This is my experence with BlueDV and Open GD-77 using a Windows 10 PC.…
This page is just a help to friends I have spoke to who are interested in upgrading the Radioditty GD-77 to the OpenGD77 software. This is not my work, however I really do appreciate Roger and his team have done to put this together. I claim no responsibility if it breaks your radio, however I have not hear this happen now in some time. I am not an expert at all with OpenGD77, I have just put this together to help people who have asked me how to do it.…
Updating the firmware on the GD-77 can be daunting, as you can easily “brick” your radio. So be extremely careful. Make sure you understand why you are…
This page is just some help to friends I have spoken to who are interested in upgrading the Radioditty GD-77 to the OpenGD77 software. This is not my work; however, I really do appreciate Roger and his team have done to put this together. I claim no responsibility if it breaks your radio, however I have not heard this happen now in some time. I am not an expert at all with OpenGD77, I have just put this together to help people who have asked me how to do it. The OpenGD77 project is changing and being advanced all the time. I will try and keep this page up to date with the latest and have put some links below. Regardless, even if the displays look slightly different, I hope this information will be an immense help.
Here is just one of the improvements, and what the display looks like:
Top line has mode top left, power middle, and battery power to the right. Line 2 has a signal meter when there is a signal. Line 3 is the talk group line when in channel mode Line 4 is the channel line Line 5 is the zone and the channel number in that zone when in channel mode.
To update to the latest OpenGD77 firmware:
You first need to download to the latest PC programming software. This is not the Radioddity Software, but what is called a “Community Edition” which has a few extra features, including an “extras” menu. Otherwise, it is the same as the old program. You need to download and install this software from the following link (you will need to look for the latest via this page: https://www.opengd77.com/downloads/CPS/) . When installing, select Normal installation, create desktop short cuts, then make sure both tick boxes are installed so you Install OpenGD77 Comm port driver. This comm port driver means when you attach you radio via the USB cable to your PC you will see it in the Com’s area in device manager. It will open a dos window, make sure it finishes before closing it – it should close by itself.
Open the software you just installed, and make sure you have opened the new community edition by checking it has an “extras” menu at the top between the View and Language menus. After checking this, you should now make sure your OpenGD77 is up to the latest stable Radioditty firmware – you can skip the rest of this step if you have updated the firmware in the last year or so. To do this, first download the “GD-77_V3.1.8.sql” file from here (Make sure you get the GD77 one, either latest or stable). Then you can update your radio firmware. Turn your radio off, then connect it to your PC via the cable, then hold both buttons in below the PTT button, and then turn the radio on. The radio screen will be black with the green light on only, which means the radio is in firmware upgrade mode. Now go to the Extras Menu and select Firmware Loader. Select the file GD-77_V3.1.8.sgl you downloaded then select Upload firmware to GD-77. Once complete, turn your radio off, disconnect it and unplug it. Your radio is now upgraded to the latest stable Radioddity firmware. You may not see any, or little change, but if at least now it is now stable. If you are not aware, firmware is basically the software that controls your radio, but the codeplug stores the information such as channels etc.
Now you know how to upgrade your radio firmware, you now want to install the latest OpenGD-77 firmware which comes with all the features and improvements. You will be amazed at the difference. First download the latest firmware version (you will need to look for the latest via this page: https://www.opengd77.com/downloads/releases/). As per step 2, turn your radio off, plug it in, and hold down the two buttons on the side and turn it on. Now via the extra menu, select the latest firmware software you just downloaded. It will upload slightly differently this time, but the same process will happen. Once complete, turn radio off, and on again.
Now you should install a new codeplug. Have a look at my latest codeplug here (hover over the middle column for more information on each one), however this is currently considerably basic and made for Victoria Australia. It will get you started though. Please come back from time to time also, as I will upload more advanced codeplugs in time that will include other states and even other things to listen to outside of Amateur Radio. Once downloaded, open in the Community Software as per point 1 & 2 and you will need to put your own information in its first via the “General Settings” tab, such as your own Radio Name and Radio ID. Leave all other settings for now and customise later. If you want to change any frequencies for your hotspot or repeater, do this now, otherwise upload to your radio as per normal. My code plug has the following zones:
HotSpot – this codeplug now has three hotspot channels on it, one for a duplex hotspot 438.8 / 431.8 called Duplex HS, a simplex one on 439.125 called Simplex HS1 and one simplex on 439.150 called Simplex HS2 – if your hot spot is on a different frequency, either change the codeplug or hotspot. There is also a simplex direct frequency of 432.220 called Simplex_Direct.
CB – this is all 80 Australian UHF channels which will not apply overseas. If your radio does not transmitt in this zone, you will need to press the green button on your radio, select options, go to Band Limits and change to OFF.
VK3 DMR – current VK3 DMR Repeaters. If you live else ware, you will want to update this. At least this gives you an example of what they can look like. All my DMR repeaters have the call sign then an underscore followed by the frequency in the name.
VK3 2m Analogue repeaters. If you live else ware, you will want to update this. All my analogue repeaters have the call sign then a space followed by the frequency in the name.
VK3 70cm Analogue repeaters. If you live else ware, you will want to update this. All my analogue repeaters have the call sign then a space followed by the frequency in the name.
It now has VK2 and VK4 as per above VK3 zones. The rest will come soon.
Please note, I plan to upgrade this code plug to have all Australian DMR Repeaters and other things, so please come back to see if there is an update or let me know if you’re after one.
You’re done, just four simple steps. Now, have a good look through the OpenGD77 online manual that is updated as the firmware updates.
Here are some things I suggest changing in the radio’s settings:
Press the green button and go to options, GeneralOptions, turn HotSpot to BlueDV. Press green button to save.
Press the green button and go to options, radio options, then turn band Limits off. Press green button to confirm. This will allow CB etc to work. Press green button to save.
Press the green button and go to options, display options then go to brightness and I like it about 70% and change the timeout to 5s. This will help with your battery consumption. I also change info to both. You can also change the time zone and time while you are there. Press green button to save.
Press the green button and go to options, sound options and put time out beep to 5 or 10 so you get a 5 or 10 second warning before you time out. I also set Beep vol to -6db as I feel it is too loud at the standard 3db. You can also turn on DMR Beep to both so the radio will beep before it is transmitting on DMR, this way you know you are transmitting and connected while using DMR and don’t need to look at the green light. I also change FM mic to 14, this is the FM mic gain (non-digital use), as on previous firmware’s the radio mic was extremely soft so at my request Roger did this for me so. Press green button to save.
Remember, you can always reverse everything back to the way you had it by doing the above step 2, and then uploading your original codeplug.
I also recommend looking at the OpenGD77.com page and subscribing. Roger Clark is continually active on this page, so you will be kept up to date with any upgrades or issues. You can even suggest ideas here. Roger has done some great video’s also, look up VK3KKY on Youtube for some of them.
Button layout for Open GD77. This picture was taken from OpenGD77.com and may update as the firmware updates.
Here is Roger’s youtube video on how to program using OpenGD77.
Any questions, please let me know. Don’t forget to put your email address in the Follow Blog Via Email if you want to be notified of any updates. Enjoy, Ben VK3TBS.
Further Reading
So now you have done the upgrade, and have saved time changing talk groups etc, below is some more articles you may want to read about in your spare time.
A good friend of mine, Mike VK5ZC, put the information below together and asked me to put it on my web site. He has spent a lot of time putting it together with pictures and videos, so I encourage you to have a good read.…
I found it hard to find useful information on how to run the OpenGD-77 hotpot mode with Windows 10. At the time of writing this, there is a lot about this topic using a pistar and even android or ISO, but not much with Windows 10. This is my experence with BlueDV and Open GD-77 using a Windows 10 PC.…
I bought this wireless keyboard/mouse which was very cheap. It does not come with batteries, but come with a USB dongle. It has a fantastic range since it is 2.4GHz RF. The back also has good grip which apparently isn’t common on all models. You can select what colour you want the plastic to be also.…
I recently started using ProScan after years of using FreeScan. I have always enjoyed using FreeScan as it is easy to setup, I can download outputs from the software, and the main reason “it works”. However ProScan seems to be more graphical and has different features also.…
I recently started using ProScan after years of using FreeScan. I have always enjoyed using FreeScan as it is easy to setup, I can download outputs from the software, and the main reason “it works”. However ProScan seems to be more graphical and has different features also.…
A good friend of mine, Mike VK5ZC, put the information below together and asked me to put it on my web site. He has spent a lot of time putting it together with pictures and videos, so I encourage you to have a good read.…
An unusual name, but a catchy name no less, just like Peanut that was written by the same person, David PA7LIM. If you like Peanut, then you will like this project also. This project, like Peanut, includes some amazing coding and thinking.…
This page is just a help to friends I have spoke to who are interested in upgrading the Radioditty GD-77 to the OpenGD77 software. This is not my work, however I really do appreciate Roger and his team have done to put this together. I claim no responsibility if it breaks your radio, however I have not hear this happen now in some time. I am not an expert at all with OpenGD77, I have just put this together to help people who have asked me how to do it.…
I have been using my Radioddity now for some years and love it. Though upgrading this to the OpenGD77 opened a whole new world and it…
Here is a free windows program that will connect your PC to: DMR Yaesu Fusion DStar M17 P25 NXDN You can do all this without needing…
Welle.io is a DAB and DAB+ software defined radio (SDR). It runs on Windows, Linux and embedded devices like the Raspberry Pi 2 and 3. You…
An unusual name, but a catchy name no less, just like Peanut that was written by the same person, David PA7LIM. If you like Peanut, then you will like this project also. This project, like Peanut, includes some amazing coding and thinking.…
If you don’t have one of the latest and greatest expensive scanners, you will struggle to listen to a lot of transmissions. While there is still…
I found it hard to find useful information on how to run the OpenGD-77 hotpot mode with Windows 10. At the time of writing this, there is a lot about this topic using a pistar and even android or ISO, but not much with Windows 10. This is my experence with BlueDV and Open GD-77 using a Windows 10 PC.…
I get the “Device is unreachable” Error message when trying to import media from iPhone to Windows 10 PC. …
I recently started using ProScan after years of using FreeScan. I have always enjoyed using FreeScan as it is easy to setup, I can download outputs from the software, and the main reason “it works”. However ProScan seems to be more graphical and has different features also.…
I went into the device manager and found the error, my cable no longer worked. This same issue happened to a USB Card reader also.…
One of the most underutilised by very cool feature that comes with some digital networks is the ability to send and receive SMS messages. You can send…
The new OpenSpot3 has come out with an internal battery. You might ask why? Well there is two common issues that is mostly raised with almost all…
This page is just a help to friends I have spoke to who are interested in upgrading the Radioditty GD-77 to the OpenGD77 software. This is not my work, however I really do appreciate Roger and his team have done to put this together. I claim no responsibility if it breaks your radio, however I have not hear this happen now in some time. I am not an expert at all with OpenGD77, I have just put this together to help people who have asked me how to do it.…
How do you stop a hand held radio from falling and being damaged? Do you sometimes put the radio down on a bench or desk between overs…
Updating the firmware on the GD-77 can be daunting, as you can easily “brick” your radio. So be extremely careful. Make sure you understand why you are…
Starting in digital can be a little overwhelming to start with, no matter how many years you have had your licence.…
VK3TBS 