The Ham Radio Lab

Overview

Documenting the changes to the Anytone 878 UVII Plus. Although I make backups on the device sometimes its necessary to redo the configuration, like when upgrading the firmware. So instead of trying to remember the changes, I am documenting them here.

The configuration settings described here are done via the CPS software.

Please be aware your particular version of the AnyTone 878 and or your CPS version may be different than what is described here.

Initial Settings:

Note I verified these steps after updating my 878 to a new firmware version which required a reload anyway

Features

Verify that the features I use are enabled:

1. Navigate to TOOL then Options
2. Set the following to On:
   1. GPS
   2. Bluetooth
   3. APRS
   4. Analog APRS RX

DMR Config

On the left-hand window, expand the Digital Section:

1. On the left-hand window, expand the Digital Section:
2. Select Radio ID List
3. Select the Number one Row and Enter:
   1. For RadioID enter your DMR ID from RadioID.Net
   2. For the Name enter a name for your Radio (could use your call-sign or model name of Radio)

Load Channels

Either directly enter your channels into the tool, or import them from a Source like RepeaterBook. You can filter and sort by distance and proximatey to where you are then export the list in the format of the Anytone CPS program.

Please make sure to select the same version of CPS for the download as the version you have installed on your PC

Set or Load Zones

There are multiple ways to sort your channels into Zones. You must at least create one in order to update your radio.

Load TalkGroups

This is a personal choice as to which Talkgroups to load.

Load Boot Image (Optional)

Load Boot Image into Radio:

1. In the CPS Navigate to TOOL then Boot Image
2. In the pop-up window select Open Image
3. Select the Boot Screen Image (D878UVII-Plus-Boot-Image.bmp)
4. Select Write to save image to Radio

Load Screen Background Image into Radio:

1. In the CPS Navigate to TOOL then Standby BK Picture 1
2. In the pop-up window select Open Image
3. Navigate to the CPS Software Folder and Select the D878UVscreens folder
4. Select the background image named blackcol.bmp to open (my personal choice can use any of the backgrounds for you radio)
5. Select Write to save image to Radio

Optional Settings

On the left-hand window, select the Optional Settings Section:

Power-On Tab

Select the Power On Tab:

1. Change the Power-on interface to Custom Picture
2. Set Default Startup Channel to `On
3. Set Startup Zone A,B to your choice(this starts the radio in a set zone on a set channel for both A & B VFO’s)

Display Tab

Select the Display Tab Tab:

1. Set Time Display to on
2. Set Last Caller to Display Callsign
3. Set Call Display Mode to Call Sign Based
4. Set Call Sign Display Color to White
5. Set Display Channel Number to Actual Channel Number
6. Set Standby Char Color to White
7. Set Standby BK Picture to Custom1
8. Set A Channel Name Color to Yellow
9. Set B Channel Name Color to Turquoise
10. Set Zone Name Color A to Green
11. Set Zone Name Color B to Blue
12. Set Display Channel Type to On
13. Set Display Time Slot to On
14. Set Display Color Code to On
15. Set Date Display Format to yyyy/m/d

APRS Settings

Settings for APRS On the left-hand window, expand the Common Settings Section:

1. Click on Optional Setting
2. Select the GPS Ranging Tab
   1. Set GPS to On
   2. Get GPS Positioning to On
   3. Verify that your Time Zone is Correct
   4. Change Distance Unit to Inch System
3. Close out the Optional Setting window
4. Double Click on APRS in the Left-hand Common Settings window and configure the following settings:
   1. Set Manual TX Interval(s) to a value in Seconds, my setting is 60
   2. APRS Alt Data, set to Feet
   3. Set APRS TX Tone to Off
   4. Verify TOCALL is set to APAT81 (This is the code for my radio consult the docs for different Anytone Radios)
   5. Verify TOCALL SID is set to -1
   6. Enter your Call-Sign in the Your Call Sign
   7. Enter the value for the Your SSID (normally this would be -7 for HT’s)
   8. Enter WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1 for the Digipeter Path
   9. Set Ana Aprs TX is set to Wide
   10. Verify that Analog Transmission Frequency is set to 144.39000 (This is the designated APRS frequency for the US)
   11. Verify that POSITION is checked

Programming Assignable Keys

Your milage and use may vary here. After watching a bunch of videos and trying out some settings this is what I am using. On the left-hand window, expand the Common Settings Section: Then Click on Optional Setting Select the Key Function Tab .

Final Look