[chirp_users] Baofeng BF-C50 & Serial Sniffing

[Jim Unroe]

On Mon, Sep 18, 2023 at 2:40 PM KC9MHE Eric Muehlstein <kc9mhe at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> I'm working to discover the cloning protocol for the Baofeng BF-C50.  I have the OEM programming software installed in a Win11 VM and I can read/write the memory from the radio.  Despite trying several tools, I can't find a solution which allows me to sniff both the RX and TX of a serial connection in Win11 for ARM.
>
> https://github.com/emuehlstein/baofeng_bfc50
>
> Instead, I've started a couple of Python scripts which emulate one side or the other and I've been slowly teasing data out of the radio and programmer.  As is, my fake programmer sends the 4 byte initialization string the radio expects, the radio replies with 12 bytes, the programmer ACKs that and the radio sends a bunch more bytes but not enough bytes to be the full memory.
>
> Any recommendations for a serial sniffing tool which will work in a Win11 Parallels VM?  Recommendations on how to proceed with the script to discovering the rest of the download routine?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Eric
> KC9MHE

You might ask this question in the [chirp_devel] mailing list to have
a more targeted audience.

I use Serial Port Monitor here. I don't know if it will run in
Parallels VM, but it runs in my Windows VirtualBox VM. It is a paid
program. I bought it when it was only $69. It has a ridiculous price
of $199 now! It looks like you can get a "Non-Commercial FREE" copy in
exchange for a review. https://www.serial-port-monitor.org/

There is a "free" program that I used before purchasing what I am
using now.  It provides 5, 20-minute sessions per day. You've got
nothing to lose by trying it. https://freeserialanalyzer.com/

I just ordered a BF-C50 from a seller on AliExpress. If they are a
legitimate seller, the radio should be delivered around the 2nd week
of October. If you haven't gotten yours sorted out by then, I can make
some serial captures for you.

Jim KC9HI