Download from the radio before importing anything.
CHIRP needs a radio-specific image containing the settings and fields supported by your exact model. The ScanLocal CSV supplies conventional memory rows that you copy into that image.
Important: Do not upload from the generic CSV tab. Keep Duplex set to off: these are receive-only discovery memories and no listing grants permission to transmit.
Open, copy, review and upload the memories.
- 1
Download the radio image
Connect the radio, open the Radio menu, choose Download From Radio and select the exact manufacturer, model and connection. Save the downloaded image as your backup.
- 2
Open the ScanLocal CSV
Open the File menu, choose Open and select the supplied -chirp.csv file. It should open in a separate generic CSV tab with named conventional memories.
- 3
Select the wanted rows
In the CSV tab select the memories you want to add. Use Shift or Control to select a range, then open the Edit menu and choose Copy.
- 4
Paste into the radio tab
Switch to the tab named for your radio, select a safe starting memory, then open the Edit menu and choose Paste. Avoid overwriting memories you want to keep.
- 5
Review radio-specific fields
Check frequency, name, mode, tone, step and memory capacity in the radio tab. Keep Duplex set to off, remove any unsupported row and do not enable transmit on a listed channel.
- 6
Upload the radio image
With the radio-specific tab active, open the Radio menu, choose Upload To Radio and wait for completion. Do not disconnect the cable or switch the radio off during transfer.
Make sure you are uploading a radio image, not the interchange CSV.
The active tab identifies your exact radio model and came from Download From Radio; the generic CSV remains open only as the source of copied rows.
Every imported memory retains Duplex=off. Frequency data for business, marine, aviation, amateur or any other group is not transmit authorisation.
CHIRP validates the target image, the upload completes and the copied names appear in the chosen unused memory positions.
Restore your backup: Open the untouched radio image saved before the import and upload it back to the same radio. Never use an image downloaded from a different model as a recovery file.
If CHIRP reports an invalid field or will not upload.
Invalid power specification
Download a fresh ScanLocal CSV and open it directly in CHIRP. After copying into the radio tab, remove or replace a Power value only if the target image requires it, while keeping Duplex set to off.
The CSV opens but Upload is unavailable
This is expected in the generic CSV tab. Copy the memories into the image downloaded from the radio and upload from that radio-specific tab.
A mode or frequency is rejected
The target radio may not support that band, step or mode. Remove the incompatible row or choose a supported setting in the radio image before upload.
Existing memories disappeared
Restore the untouched image saved before importing. Repeat the process and paste into unused memory locations rather than replacing wanted rows.
A validated CHIRP generic CSV with complete fields.
The file follows CHIRP's generic CSV headers and includes named memories, receive frequencies, mode, service-specific tuning step, Duplex=off and neutral tone fields so it opens cleanly in CHIRP. WTR rows keep Ofcom's channel width as source context and use a practical supported tuning step; supplemental services use their published UK channel plan.
Because CHIRP supports many different radios, the final image still needs a human check. Your radio may offer different bands, power levels, name lengths or memory limits from the generic interchange file.
Official references: Download the latest maintained CHIRP build ↗
Questions
Why can I not upload the CSV directly?
CHIRP CSV files are generic and radio-independent. A radio requires its own model-specific image, so copy the wanted rows into an image downloaded from that radio first.
Why did CHIRP previously show an invalid Power error?
A blank or unsupported Power compatibility field can be rejected even for a receive-only memory. ScanLocal supplies a valid generic value; after pasting, use only a value accepted by the target image and keep Duplex set to off.
Will every CHIRP-supported radio accept every supplied frequency?
No. Supported receive bands, modes, steps, name lengths and memory capacity vary by model. Review the radio-specific tab before upload.
Can I preserve my existing channels?
Yes. Save the downloaded image first and paste into unused memories. Avoid selecting occupied rows unless you intend to replace them.