WATCHMEN EYES ONLY PROGRAMMING THE PUXING 888D, 888K AND 777 PLUS RADIOS USING THE SOFTWARE Compiled and Written By: NightStalker 1SG, AZ Operations and Training This document will give you the basics and some insight into programming the Puxing Radios utilizing the Software, your computer and a Programming Cable. I have placed the Classification on this document as Watchmen Eyes Only because I am writing it for Watchmen and expect that it will not be shared outside the Watchmen Community.
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WATCHMEN EYES ONLY · 2016. 12. 23. · WATCHMEN EYES ONLY Programming Puxing Radios Using the Software Packages Page 2 The Enhanced PX-888D Manual that linkinpark9812 put together
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WATCHMEN EYES ONLY
PROGRAMMING THE PUXING 888D, 888K AND 777 PLUS RADIOS USING THE SOFTWARE
Compiled and Written By:
NightStalker
1SG, AZ
Operations and Training
This document will give you the basics and some insight into programming the Puxing Radios
utilizing the Software, your computer and a Programming Cable. I have placed the
Classification on this document as Watchmen Eyes Only because I am writing it for Watchmen
and expect that it will not be shared outside the Watchmen Community.
WATCHMEN EYES ONLY
Programming Puxing Radios Using the Software Packages Page 1
Those that know me, know that I do not like to ‘reinvent the wheel’ when it
comes to writing and publishing manuals. I usually take material previously
published and tailor it to the current audience.
In the case of the material presented in this manual, I will make an exception
and start from scratch.
It was brought to my attention that personnel were getting confused with
programming the various versions of the PUXING Radios that are floating around.
This is because some have previously purchased units (myself included), and some
purchased units from sources like EBay instead of through TACGEARZONE and
either by accident or on purpose purchased the K Model instead of the D Model or
the 777 Plus instead of the D Model.
This Manual is deliberately written in a manner that it will walk you through
the various Software Packages so that you can use the radio. The directions for the
software programs are available from other sources but are as confusing as the
User Manuals that come with the Radios.
I will address the software in the following order: PX-888D VHF, PX-888K
Dual Band, and then PX-777 Plus VHF.
WATCHMEN EYES ONLY
Programming Puxing Radios Using the Software Packages Page 2
The Enhanced PX-888D Manual that linkinpark9812 put together and is
posted to the How To section of the Watchmen Web Site, is a vast improvement
over the factory manual that comes with the radio package. That Manual is focused
on manual programming the radio without the use of the software. This Manual is
focused on programming the radio with the software, allowing programming of
multiple radios with the same information in a short period of time.
Users need to be familiar with everything in that Manual; except for pages
14 through 18 (The use of 2 Tone/DTMF/MSK are NOT critical or necessary for
Watchmen use). Pages 20, 21 and 22 Are Critical (Manual Programming), as is
Page 25 (Zero the Radio Memory) and should be practiced until the sequences
are completely understood. The use of Dual Channel Watch could get confusing
and use should be limited otherwise you may transmit on the incorrect channel.
Using Manual Programming, you can use the full spectrum of the radio, but
that is time consuming and subject to human error. If you use the software you will
lose 2 MHz on either end (134.000 manual – vs – 136.000 and 176.995 manual –
vs – 174.000 MHz). BUT the software will allow you to develop and save any
amount of Channel Plans as you feel necessary. It will also allow for the rapid
programming/reprogramming of any number of radios.
WATCHMEN EYES ONLY
Programming Puxing Radios Using the Software Packages Page 3
------ ACCESSORIES ------
You should pick up, when you get a chance, the following items (no matter what
version radio you have):
1. SMA to BNC antenna adapter
2. Antenna with BNC connector (both normal and long sizes)
3. A Good Hand Mike - and/or
4. A Good Headset with Boom Mike
5. Spare Batteries (Standard and High Capacity)
6. Magnetic Mount vehicle antenna with BNC connector end
7. 12 volt Battery Eliminator
8. Programming Software (downloadable from various sources) and Cable
9. A sturdy radio pouch that will not bind and activate the side keys
------Reasons For Each Accessory------
The antenna adapter will give you more versatility in using you radio. It will
allow the use of normal or longer size flexible antennas (keep the standard one as a
spare). It will also allow the use of a magnetic or on-the-glass mounted vehicle
antenna (more range, clearer transmission and reception). It will also allow you to
connect the radio to a ‘J’ Pole antenna (make sure that you have the correct
connector on the antenna coax). The BNC connector acts as a ‘quick
connect/disconnect’ allowing quick changing of antennas.
A Hand Mike and/or Headset will allow you to communicate without having
to take the radio out of the pouch on your belt/vest. The Headset allows for the
easy use of the VOX function (when the settings are properly adjusted).
High Capacity Batteries will extend the amount of time you are able to use
the radio before recharging or changing batteries. Extra batteries are always a good
thing and should be high (if not the first) on the list of accessories to pick up.
A Battery Eliminator takes the place of your battery and runs the radio off of
your 12 volt vehicle power. It will also allow the use of and hooks up to the Desk
Charger to recharge your radio batteries. Make sure that the radio is OFF or the
power cord disconnected when you start up your vehicle otherwise you run
the risk of burning out the electronics in the radio (power spike).
WATCHMEN EYES ONLY
Programming Puxing Radios Using the Software Packages Page 4
PUXING 888D VHF INSTRUCTIONS
Make sure that you have the proper version of the software. There are a
number of versions of the PX-888 software available for download. PUXING did
not make the software anywhere near compatible between version releases. As a
result of that, I now have every version of the software either installed or archived.
The version you want for the PX-888D VHF Radio is Version 3. The
program name displays as ‘PX-888A’ but the product dropdown will list the VHF
range for the D Version.
You can use either the USB or DB-25 versions of the Programming Cable
depending on the ports available to you on your computer. I recommend getting
both versions of the cable as one may work better than the other (and you have a
spare).
After you install the software, open it up and go to the ‘HELP’, ‘ABOUT’
screen and verify that you have Version 3.
Hook up your cable (DB25 or USB). Connect the dual prong end to the
Hand Mike port on the side of the radio and turn the radio on.
Click on ‘PROGRAM’, ‘READ’ (yea, I know that there are icons on the tool
bar also). Click on ‘START’ when the dialog box pops up. The program will
attempt to read the information stored in the radio.
If it reads the data without any problems, you are Good To Go.
If it does not then there is a problem with your COM PORT setup. Attempt a
change using ‘SETUP’, ‘COM SETUP’. Change the port setting to another active
port (inactive or used ports will be ‘greyed out’) and try reading the radio again
(usually COM PORT 1 works). Try the other cable. If you have tried all the ports
available, switched cables, etc. and you still cannot read the radio then you have a
problem with your COM PORTS that I cannot address or help you fix with this
manual. Find a good computer tech to help you troubleshoot the problem.
Once you can read the data from the radio, you can write data to it/them and
your software is Good To Go for use.
WATCHMEN EYES ONLY
Programming Puxing Radios Using the Software Packages Page 5
Now comes the Fun Part, time consuming, but fun. Now you get to setup
your Channel Plan(s).
You may already have a plan in mind. So put that down on paper using the
format you see on the Channel Information screen. This is so when you do your
input all the blocks get filled in correctly.
You need to remember a few key points:
1. ALL commo can and will be monitored.
2. CTCSS only limits who in your group can hear and listen to you. It is not
encryption.
3. SCRAMBLE only works if everyone else is not using it. And it is not
encryption.
4. Your Receive (Rx) and Transmit (Tx) are the same unless you are using a
Repeater System.
5. Receive Only channels do NOT have a Transmit frequency (Blank It Out).
6. Do your research. Make sure that no one else in your area is using the
channel(s) you want.
7. If you decide to use Channel Names, keep them simple and easy to
remember.
8. Just because you have 128 Channels available for programming, does not
mean that you have to use all 128 Channel slots. Keep It Simple.
Once you have the data on paper, go to a web site such as
www.radioreference.com to make sure that no one in your area is using any of the
channels you have picked out.
CAUTION: DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT input ANY Public
Safety frequencies with Transmit and Receive frequencies UNLESS
you have permission, IN WRITING, prior to doing so. If you get
caught (and you will), I don’t want to hear about it because you are
stupid for doing so. If you want to put them in as Rx Only (like a
scanner) so you can monitor them, fine; Transmit is a big No Go.
Having said that; I would highly suggest that you have the last seven (7)
channels (122 to 128) set to ‘Receive Only’ on the seven National Weather
Channels so you can monitor the National Weather Service. Why all seven? You
may have multiple channels in use in your area and you never know where you are