Talkpod A36plus_8w programming software
Open WebCHIRPWebCHIRP programs the Talkpod A36plus_8w in your browser. It runs the CHIRP project's own driver for this radio, so it reads and writes the same codeplug the desktop software does — without installing anything.
No driver install needed
Talkpod programming cables use a CH340, CP2102, PL2303 or FTDI USB-serial chip. WebCHIRP speaks to all four directly from the browser, so there is no driver package to download and no Windows version to match. Plug the cable in and pick the port when the browser asks.
What you can edit on the A36plus_8w
- 512 memory channels, numbered 1 to 512
- Channel names up to 12 characters
- Transmit power: H 8.0W, L 1.0W
- Modes: FM, NFM
- Bands: 108–136 MHz, 136–180 MHz, 200–260 MHz, 350–400 MHz, 400–520 MHz
- Tone squelch: Cross, DTCS, TSQL, Tone
- Radio-wide settings, not just the channel list
A36plus_8w hardware
Researched from the sources listed below — spec sheets, manuals and retailer listings — rather than taken from the CHIRP driver. Anything not established is left out.
| Type | Handheld |
|---|---|
| Battery | 1500 mAh |
| Charging | USB-C |
| Transmit power | 2–8 W |
| Modulation | FM, AM, WFM |
| Display | Yes |
| Still manufactured | Yes |
| Dual receive | No |
| Cross-band repeater | No |
| APRS | No |
| GPS | No |
Frequency bands
| Band | Receive | Transmit |
|---|---|---|
| FM broadcast | 76–108 MHz | — |
| Airband | 108–136 MHz | — |
| VHF | 136–180 MHz | 136–174 MHz |
| Other | 200–400 MHz | — |
| UHF | 400–520 MHz | 400–512 MHz |
International 8 W version (8/5/2 W). 200–400 MHz receive combines 200–260 and 350–400 MHz FM with 225–375 MHz AM airband.
Sources: talkpod.com · talkpod.com
Can I update the firmware on the A36plus_8w?
Talkpod publishes firmware updates, though not for every radio it has made. Its download page is where to check whether the A36plus_8w is one of them. It publishes versioned A36plus firmware and a bootloader utility.
Firmware downloads at talkpodonline.com
WebCHIRP does not flash firmware. It reads and writes the channel list and settings over the programming cable, which is a separate part of the radio.
How to program a Talkpod A36plus_8w
- Plug the programming cable into the radio and the computer.
- Open WebCHIRP, check Talkpod A36plus_8w is selected, and press Download.
- Edit the channels, or pull in nearby repeaters from a directory.
- Press Upload to write the result back to the radio.
Questions
Do I need to install a USB driver to program the Talkpod A36plus_8w?
No. WebCHIRP talks to CH340, CP2102, PL2303 or FTDI programming cables from the browser, so there is nothing to install on Windows, macOS or Linux.
Do I need the Talkpod CPS software?
No. WebCHIRP runs CHIRP's own Talkpod A36plus_8w driver in the browser, so it reads and writes the same codeplug the desktop software does.
How many channels does the Talkpod A36plus_8w hold?
512, numbered 1 to 512 in the channel table.
Can I update the firmware on the Talkpod A36plus_8w?
Talkpod publishes firmware updates, though not for every radio it has made. Its download page is where to check whether the A36plus_8w is one of them. It publishes versioned A36plus firmware and a bootloader utility. WebCHIRP does not flash firmware. It reads and writes the channel list and settings over the programming cable, which is a separate part of the radio.