[chirp_devel] Testing & Development

[Mathew Mrosko]

 Dan,

 I'm a software engineer and amateur radio operator.  I found your 
 software when searching for an alternative to the monstrosity that is 
 MCP-2A to program my TM-V71A after using the great VX-7 Commander 
 software for my HT.  I was so disappointed with the MCP-2A that I was 
 pleased to an alternative and even more pleased that it works with my 
 VX-7R as well.

 I'd like to contribute in my free time, which is admittedly sparse.  I 
 was wondering if you're welcoming contributors and if you had any 
 accessible revision control so I can work from the latest and greatest 
 when submitting patches.  Even if it's read-only, I'd prefer to work 
 with the latest code.  I will be using linux, but will probably try to 
 test any changes on windows before submitting any patches for you to 
 review.

 For now, the things I think I'll work on will be:

 * Inserting CB/FRS/GMRS frequencies (like vx-7 commander) - This is 
 handy, and while I have it set up for my radios already, it is 
 incomplete.  I'd like to add optional lists for the "Privacy Settings" 
 of different manufacturers and have the PL in the list

 * "Move up"/"Move down" buttons (like vx-7 commander) - This is good 
 for moving frequencies without having to "copy", "delete (and move up)", 
 "insert", "paste".

 * "1-step convert" (read from radio type A, "convert", write to radio 
 type B) - I have two manufacturers of radio, and while chirp handles 
 both, it only handles both somewhat separately.  I'd like to be able to 
 maintain 1 file, and just write to both radios.

 * Toggle for Kenwood's "live" mode - If I want to "work later", I have 
 to read, export to chirp native, work on that file, re-read, then 
 import.  I'd much rather simply read, save to an img, work on that, 
 write.  Or, my with the "1-step convert" option, have 1 file that I 
 maintain with my frequencies that I can then easily write to multiple 
 differing radios.

 * Special settings for radios - Have a "settings" screen for things 
 specific to each radio that is supported.  Things like what are 
 available in VX-7 Commander for software free-banding the radio, setting 
 the current mode, aro, vox, etc.

 I have never done any GUI programming but wrote a lot of python 6+ 
 years ago.  I'm looking at this to be a learning experience too and will 
 probably be slow to actually get anything done (lack of free time, and 
 unfamiliar code/tasks).  Do you have any feedback, advice, opinions on 
 any of the items in my list?  Something you would like to see first?  
 Things already done?  Things not possible due to some technical reason?

 I also imported the last few versions you've released into a git 
 repository and posted it on github.com which I will use as my starting 
 point unless you have some place else I can easily get the source.  It 
 can be found at https://github.com/Materdaddy/CHIRP

 Thanks/73s
 Mat WD4DDY