Has anyone used CHIRP software to program their HT? If so how was the experience and any tips you could throw my way... ?
I tried CHIRP and after several evenings of fooling around and swapping out data cables, I quit and set it up by hand. Maybe my older Mac does not like the software, I dunno.
Programming by hand is very tedious but most users will need to do it only one time. You can also clone one radio to another without a computer or CHIRP. It does not help that all the documentation for the software is user-generated and may or may not be accurate. You're taking a gamble on google.
If you use CHIRP, it's still a good idea to know how to program your rig manually because when the world implodes you may not have technology available to do it for you. Having a radio, or anything, controlled by a home computer is very handy, but it adds a layer of complexity that may come back and kick you in the balls when you can least afford it.
I really worry about some of these hams who consider themselves "prepared" but can't do the simplest thing without a laptop/ipad/smart phone or a 150 page manual. And likewise, the manufacturers are not doing anyone any favors by making their products ridiculously complex then dump it on internet user groups to sort out the problems and write the documentation.