watchmen eyes only · 2016. 12. 23. · watchmen eyes only programming puxing radios using the...

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


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


------ 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


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


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

http://www.radioreference.com/

WATCHMEN EYES ONLY


going to be at any given point in time. Set the ‘Scan Add’ block to ‘NO’ for these

channels. You will need to manually select them.

Next you will need to decide what Optional Features to set. Remember that

these options will be programmed into every radio. These will be the initial

settings for all radios programmed with your Channel Plan.

My Personal preferences are:

1. Backlight set to AUTO

2. Color set to ORANGE (easy to see, good contrast but not too bright at night)

3. Display Mode set to 2 (Channel Name and Receive Frequency)

4. Keylock set to MANUAL

5. Priority Channel set to whatever channel you designate as the main Priority

to use.

6. Vox Gain set to OFF

7. Frequency Mode set to ON

8. MSK Type set to the default (you don’t want to use it anyway)

9. Scan Mode set to CO (when doing a scan it will stop on any channel that is

transmitting and hold so you can listen before continuing the scan)

10. Squelch Level set to personal preference (default is 5)

11. Step set to 12.5K

12. Timeout Timer set to OFF

13. Voice set to OFF

Uncheck DISPLAY PTT ID, KEY PAD LOCK, SCRAMBLER, and BEEP.

Leave BATTERY SAVER checked.

VOX can be changed on the key board, if/when required. SCRAMBLER

can be changed using the key board. Remember that these options will either be

active or inactive for ALL channels.

I shut the Voice and Beep off because they are annoying and usually sound

off at an inopportune moment. (Sound Discipline)

I leave the Key Pad Lock set to Manual Mode because it is annoying to have

to unlock it every time I turn the radio on or change the batteries or it locks after a

certain amount of time. If I feel the need to lock it, I just push the Lock Button.

I set the Side Key (bottom key) to Squelch Off Momentary.

WATCHMEN EYES ONLY


Leave the PTT ID set to OFF, BUSY LOCK set to OFF and the OPT

SIGNAL set to OFF (defaults) when you do your data input.

Save your Channel Plan and upload (write) it to your radio. Disconnect the

radio from the cable. Set the radio to Scan through your Channel Plan. Hopefully,

you will not hear anything on any of the frequencies you selected (except for the

Weather Channels). If you do, you need to do some further research and listening.

Some Companies and Agencies keep using a frequency even though their FCC

License for it has expired and that frequency and license is not listed in the FCC’s

Active database. Do Not use any Channel Plan until you have worked out all of

the problems and are satisfied that it is safe to use.

Once your Channel Plan(s) are done, tested, modified, retested and saved,

you can copy the data file and share it with others in your group that have the

software and a programming cable. I very highly suggest that more than one

person in any given group have the capability of programming/reprogramming the

radios using the software. A laptop setup would be ideal.

If you choose to print out copies of the plan(s) so members can have them to

manually program/reprogram a radio when a computer with the software is not

available, you need to remember a few things and make sure that EVERYONE

knows that:

1. The printouts are OPSEC/COMSEC SENSITIVE

2. With manual programming you lose some functions that can only be done

with the software so do not ZERO the radio; just redo each channel with the

new data.

3. Manual Programing should only take place when you cannot do it via the

software.

4. MANUAL PROGRAMMING IS SUBJECT TO HUMAN ERROR. Do

it slowly and make sure all of your data is correct; otherwise you may end up

talking to yourself or to someone you don’t want to talk to.

WATCHMEN EYES ONLY


Explanation of Some of the Features and Functions

CTCSS USE:

You may see it listed as QT/DQT (Quiet Tone/Digital Quiet Tone), CTCSS

(Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) or PL (Private Line). Different radios

and software packages, different terms for the same function. They are commonly

used to gain or restrict access to Repeater Systems. They will not keep anyone

from hearing what you are transmitting.

If you are not accessing a Repeater System you can use it to limit who you

are transmitting to and receiving from within your group. I.e. you pick a frequency

and want to use it for ‘Team A’, ‘Team B’ and for the whole Group. So you

program three channel slots with the same frequency data, but you use three

different CTCSS codes on both Rx and Tx. That way Team A only talks to Team

A, Team B only talks to Team B and they do not interfere with each other. When

the whole group needs to talk to each other they switch to the Group Channel.

I would highly suggest that if you do not need to use CTCSS that you do not use it

to reduce manual programming errors.

SCRAMBLER FUNCTION USE:

The Scrambler Function is a Global setting. If set to ‘ON’ it will be in effect

for ALL of the channels programmed. It will effect having access to any Repeater

and is forbidden for use on some frequencies.

The scramble function uses ‘speech inversion’ techniques. To someone not

set to scramble it makes you sound like Donald Duck that inhaled a Helium

balloon. To a Radio that is set to scramble, you will come through normally.

If you decide to use it, make sure that ALL radios are set properly and

TESTED to make sure it works on ALL radios. If it does not work on all the radios

your group is using the turn it off and do not use it.

PTT ID and EMERGENCY TONE:

It is highly unlikely that you or any group member will have your radio

positioned where you can see the display or have easy access to it. More than

likely you will have it positioned on your vest, in a pouch and secure. You will

probably (should) be using a hand mike or headset to transmit and receive.

WATCHMEN EYES ONLY


Given those probabilities, using Push To Talk (PTT) ID is USELESS

because you will not be able to see it. Leave the settings to OFF.

Setting the side button to transmit an Emergency Tone is equally useless.

When set, it allows for and transmits a distinctive, annoying tone and the PTT ID

for the radio. This is useful for Public Safety, but not The Watchmen. When

pushed the radio constantly transmits the tone and data until someone keys that

radio again to shut it off. This shuts down the frequency for use until that happens.

At best it is an annoying function; at worse it is dangerous because it shuts down

the use of that frequency for use. You cannot transmit over the tone unless you

have a radio that is putting out a heck of a lot more transmit power.

2 TONE/MSK/DTMF:

These settings can only be set using the software.

If these settings are not done correctly, you will not be talking to anyone.

The options are not necessary or critical.

The options require taking the radio out of the pouch, looking at it, and

pushing the correct keys.

These are another set of ‘do not use’/’do not touch’ options.

SIDE KEY ASSIGMENTS:

OPTIONAL TONES – 2 Tone/MSK/DTMF, see above – Do Not Use

EMERGENCY TONE – see above – Do Not Use

SEND 1750Hz TONE – Only used to access some Repeater Systems – Do

Not Use

MONITOR – Only Option That Is Useable

FM RADIO RECEIVE:

This is a nice option to use to monitor News Broadcasts during emergencies.

If you use it, you need to remember that it is a battery drainer with continuous use.

Keep spare, fully charged batteries on hand. Practice switching the function On

and Off until you have it memorized. An emergency situation is not the time to

learn how to do it.

Program the FM Radio slots with the stations in your area that will have the

best news coverage during an emergency.

There is no provision with the PX-888D software to automate the

programming of this function. It will all be ‘hand jam’ on this one.

WATCHMEN EYES ONLY


PUXING 888K DUAL BAND (VHF/UHF) RADIO INSTRUCTIONS

Those of you that have, for whatever reason, decided to go with the 888K

have to make sure that you have the accessories and software compatible for the

PX-888K Dual Band (VHF/UHF) setup.

The software for the PX-888K is NOT compatible with any other PUXING

Radio. Make sure that you have Version 1.01. Other Versions could and probably

will cause the radio to lose the Manual Programming function (among other

things).

ALL of the previous cautions, except as noted in this section, are valid for

the PX-888K.

You have a unique set of problems, but you also have a lot of advantages:

1. Find a way to separate VHF Channels from UHF Channels when doing

the Channel Plan.

2. Do Not favor one Band over the other. Try to keep it balanced.

3. Check www.mygmrs.com to see if it would be feasible to utilize the

GMRS Repeaters in your State. If so, check into having some members

obtain GMRS Licenses. This way you can pass non-critical radio traffic

over longer distances. There is no test to take, just filling out the

application and paying the fee. GMRS Licenses can be ‘shared’ between

you and ‘Family’ members (get it!!).

Make sure your software and cable communicate with the radio(s) by doing

a read test as you would for the PX-888D.

Draft out your Channel Plan(s), check your data and test them. Make sure

you save them with a unique name in order to tell 888K plans from 888D plans.

The Channel Program Input Screen has additional functions available;

Scrambler No., Compander, BCL and Opt Signal:

Scrambler No: Eight numbered options available (1 through 8). Function is

compatible between 888K’s but you will need to check to see if it is compatible

with the 888D’s and 777 Plus. Other sources report that the function is not

compatible with other brands of radios. I recommend not using it unless it has been

tested and working on ALL radios being used.

http://www.mygmrs.com/

WATCHMEN EYES ONLY


Compander: Speech Compression. Designed for use on Narrow Band

frequencies. Only works when both radios have the option available and set to

‘On’. The 888D and 777 Plus Do Not have this option. Recommend leaving it at

the Default of ‘Off’. Not using it will not affect transmitting or receiving.

BCL: Busy Channel Lock. If set to other than ‘Off’, it will inhibit

transmitting until the other party stops transmitting. Recommend leaving it at the

Default of ‘Off’.

OPT Signal: Optional Signaling. See previous on this. Leave at the Default

of ‘No’.

OPTIONAL FEATURES Screen:

1. Squelch Level: Default is 4. Adjust to personal preference.

2. Time Out Timer: Default is 60s. Change it to ‘OFF’.

3. Battery Save: Leave at the Default of ‘ON’.

4. Work Mode A and Work Mode B: Determines how the radio displays

Channel Data when you use the Dual Watch mode. I would suggest that you

set it to ‘MR’ (Channel Number) or ‘CH Name’ depending on your

preference.

5. Scan Mode: Default is ‘Time’. Change it to ‘Carrier’.

6. VFO Step: Default is ‘12.5’.

7. Back Light: Default is ‘Auto’.

8. Back Color: Default is ‘Blue’.

9. Auto Keylock: Default is ‘Off’.

10. Beep: Default is ‘On’. Change it to ‘Off’.

11. Main Watch: Default is ‘A’. Used to select which channel in Dual Watch

mode has Priority – ‘A’ or ‘B’.

12. Priority Channel: Default is ‘None’. Your other choice is ‘1’.

13. Roger Tone: Ten choices. It is an annoying feature so leave it at the Default.

14. Wait Time: Max this out to ‘12’. It will increase your time when using the

Scan Mode.

15. VOX Gain Level: ‘Off’ is disabled. Lower numbers equals more sensitivity.

You will need to adjust this to meet your requirements, if you use VOX.

16. Power On Msg Mode: Default is ‘DC’ which will give you the voltage left

in the battery. ‘MSG’ only allows for 6 characters. ‘OFF’ is no message.

Take your pick.

WATCHMEN EYES ONLY


PTT ID Options: DO NOT TOUCH because you are going to leave the

PTTID, and OPT Signal blocks set to ‘OFF’.

DTMF Side Tone: Uncheck

Roger Tone: Uncheck

MSK Reverse: Uncheck

MANUAL: Check this block. If you do not, you won’t be able to do ANY

manual input from the keyboard.

DTMF/MSK/5-Tone: DO NOT TOUCH ANY OF THE SETTINGS.

DISSTUN: Do Not Touch.

Key Assignment: Change Both options to Monitor Momentary

Radio: Allows the automation of programming the 10 FM Broadcast

Channels.

Radio Information: Allows for the input of up to 17 characters. Have not

figured out if it displays somewhere or what its use would be.

WATCHMEN EYES ONLY


PUXING 777 PLUS PROGRAMMING INSTRUCTIONS

I believe that the 777 Plus VHF is the easiest of the Puxing Hand Held

Radios to manually program. That was the reason I started purchasing them (the

price wasn’t too bad also).

Those of you that have them need to get Version 5 of the Programming

Software. Other versions are limited and will not program all of the functions

available.

Make sure the Drop Downs are set to: ‘PX-777’, ‘134-176MHZ’, and the

last setting to ‘OPEN’ (if it is set to Close you will not be able to Manually change

or reprogram any settings). Some of the settings such as the Background Color you

will need to set from the keyboard.

On the Channel Input Screen the following Options need to be set:

1. OPT SIGNAL: Set to NONE

2. PTTID: Set to OFF

3. BUSY LOCK: Set to CARRIER

4. REPEAT INVERT: Set to FORWARD

The best options for the Side Keys (Program, Side Key from the menu) are:

1. Side Key 1: Short and Long Press set to MONITOR

2. Side Key 2 (Red): Short Press set to SCAN ON/OFF and the Long Press

set to VOX ON/OFF

The OPTIONAL FEATURES should be set as follows:

1. TIME OUT TIMER: Set to OFF

2. SQUELCH: Default is 5, Adjust as necessary. I usually use 4.

3. LANGUAGE: Set to OFF

4. VOX SWITCH: Set to OFF (That’s why you set the Side Key to turn it

On and Off)

5. VOX GAIN: Set the sensitivity to your preferences

6. PRIORITY CHANNEL: Default is 1, set to the channel you need to

7. ROGER: Set to OFF (ANNOYING FUNCTION)

8. BAT: CHECKED

WATCHMEN EYES ONLY


9. SCRAMBLER ACTIVATION: UNCHECK (unless by some chance you

are using the function)

10. BEEP: UNCHECK

11. The ID Section: BLANK everything out and set the Drop Down to OFF

As with the previous sections, Double Check ALL of the frequencies you

plan on using to make sure they are not in use in your area. Set the

WIDE/NARROW, SCAN and CTCSS options according to your Local or

Regional radio policy.

WATCHMEN EYES ONLY


WORDS OF WISDOM

1. ALL Communications can and will be monitored.

2. CTCSS only limits who in your group can hear and listen to you. It is not

encryption. It is primarily used to control access to Repeater Systems.

3. SCRAMBLE only works if everyone else (anyone not in your group) 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 to use.

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!

9. Test each and every Channel Plan that you develop before using it.

10. If you are using a mix of radios, test every option that you are choosing to

use with ALL radios that you plan on using. Options on one type may not be

compatible with other types. Test it, Test it, and Test it somemore.

11. Everyone MUST be familiar with their radio(s). In the field is not the time to

find out that someone does not know how to troubleshoot their radio, or how

turn a function On or Off. This also means being able to manually program

the radio with basic data; i.e. Changing to an Alternate Channel Plan on the

fly without the use of a computer or the software.

12. Become familiar with the steps to use to Zero your radio and put it back into

Factory Configuration mode. Radio frequencies are a good source of

intelligence.

13. Spare Batteries and a means to charge them are a must have.

14. Do Not Use Functions That You And Your Group Are Unfamiliar With.

You may and probably will end up talking to yourself (or worse, someone

you don’t want to talk to). Keep it Simple!

15. Do Not interfere with the local Ham Radio Operators. They will hunt for

you and when they find you, report you to the FCC.

16. Do Not interfere with any Public Safety Agency.

17. OPSEC, COMSEC, SIGSEC; AT ALL TIMES!!

watchmen eyes only · 2016. 12. 23. · watchmen eyes only programming puxing radios using the...

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