Importing Channels from RadioReference
Setup & Programming
RadioReference.com is one of the largest databases of radio frequencies in the US, including GMRS repeaters. You can export repeater data from RadioReference and import it directly into CHIRP to program your radio — saving you from manually entering each frequency, tone, and offset.
Finding GMRS repeaters on RadioReference
- Go to radioreference.com and create a free account (required for full access)
- Navigate to the database by state, then county
- Look under the "GMRS" or "General Mobile Radio Service" section for your area
- You'll see repeater listings with output frequency, input frequency, CTCSS/DCS tone, and location details
Also check myGMRS.com. While RadioReference has good coverage, myGMRS.com often has more complete and up-to-date GMRS repeater listings, including whether repeaters are open or closed. Use both sources to build the most complete picture of repeaters in your area. See Finding Repeaters for more resources.
Exporting from RadioReference
RadioReference offers CSV export for premium subscribers. The export includes frequency, tone, offset, and other details in a format that CHIRP can read. If you have a premium account:
- Select the frequencies you want to export
- Choose "Export to CSV" or the CHIRP-compatible export option if available
- Save the file to your computer
If you don't have a premium account, you can still manually copy the frequency data from the listings and enter it into CHIRP by hand — it's just slower.
Importing into CHIRP
- Open CHIRP and connect to your radio (or open an existing .img file)
- Go to File > Open and select the CSV file from RadioReference
- CHIRP will display the imported frequencies in a new tab
- Review the data — check that frequencies, tones, and offsets look correct
- Select the rows you want, then copy and paste them into your radio's channel list tab
- Adjust channel numbers and names as needed to fit your channel plan
- Upload the updated configuration to your radio
Column adjustments
RadioReference CSV files don't always map perfectly to CHIRP's expected format. Common adjustments:
- Duplex: make sure repeater channels show "+" with a 5.000 MHz offset for GMRS
- Tone mode: verify it's set to "Tone" (for CTCSS) or "DTCS" (for DCS), not blank
- Power level: RadioReference doesn't include your radio's power setting — set this yourself based on the channel (simplex vs. repeater) and your radio's capabilities
- Channel name: RadioReference names can be long. Shorten them to fit your radio's display (often 6-8 characters)
Tips
- Keep a master CHIRP file on your computer with all your programmed channels. When you add new repeaters from RadioReference, merge them into this master file
- Before uploading to the radio, always download the current configuration from the radio first — this prevents accidentally overwriting channels you've already set up
- Verify at least one or two repeaters after programming by listening for activity or keying up with your callsign to confirm the settings work
For the full guide on using CHIRP, see Programming with CHIRP.