Anytone Config Builder – ACB

How to Use PNWDigital’s ACB Input Files to Create CSV Output/Import Files for Anytone Codeplugs

PNWDigital has always referred to ACB as the Anytone Codeplug Builder. It is more than that but we use to for the Anytone codeplugs. Our thanks to Andrew for his long time support to keep ACB updated and supporting changes by Anytone’s files structure.

Overview

The ACB input files needed for PNWDigital are located <here>, freshened every night

The directory contains the necessary 4 input files needed to direct ACB to build the 4 “import” files for CPS. This process results in the refreshing of an existing codeplug for talkgroups, channels, zones and a scan list. These process can be done to freshen the PNWDigital’s Starter and Community Codeplug for the Anytone DMR radios, 578 (I & II) and 878 (I & II).  These files support all of PNWD’s repeaters and also include some sample zones/channels for hotspots, simplex and a few analog repeaters in every Washington county.

We suggest that you use our starter codeplug as your base rbt file before importing the ACB output files into your CPS.  Your base codeplug if supplied by Bridgecom or Brandmeister as these provide poor networking performance on PNWDigital. The radio settings in the PNWDigital starter and community codeplugs have all the lesser known settings but critically important, entered correctly as well as some pleasant enhancements so that the radio is more pleasant to use due to setting some of the advanced features.

The starter codplug is perfect to begin your DMR journey if you wish to code your own codeplug with our without the help of ACB.  The starter codeplug has a little bit of everything to provide examples on how to code more feature and is also a good base to start out with the ACB magic.  More importantly, we strongly recommend the starter codeplug as it has many obscure settings that work with the PNWDigital network as well as other cosmetic or optional features.

The files are freshened by the system each night; Talkgroups and Digital-Repeaters change nightly, while Analog and Digital-Others seldom change.  The zip file is all 4 files if you prefer the bundle for downloading.

There are 3 steps to take when you use these 4 input files:

  1. Run these 4 csv input files through ACB and download the resultant Zip file
  2. Unzip the files into the 4 CSV output files
    1. Be sure that you have saved your working codeplug in case you wish to back up or abort using ACB
  3. Import the 4 output files into the Anytone CPS that has your working codeplug (or starter) already loaded.

  • Once you have done the 3 steps, you should examine the the freshened codeplug in CPS, modify it or even write it to your radio.

  • The files may be cobbled up to create your own custom zones and channels, with or without all the stock entries provided by PNWD. You are also encouraged to load the starter codeplug and examine the hundreds of parameters to see how they are entered for use on the PNWD network.  If you make changes to some of them without understanding their impact, your use of the system may become more frustrating, work poorly and negatively impact what other users may hear.

    • The Directory Files

    Information.htmlThis web page
    Analog__PNW-Community-xxx.csvThe input file that brings in the analog simplex and repeaters
    Digital-Others-xxx.csvThis input file is generally digital simplex and some digital repeaters that can be handled directly and independently from the Digital-Repeaters file
    Digital-Repeaters-xxx.csvThe basic building block that codes the digital zones, channels and talkgroup
    PNW__Digital__Repeaters.zipAll 4 of ACB’s output files to be imported into your codeplug after unzipping
    Talkgroups__PNW-all-xxx-.csvThis loads all the talkgroups used by Digital-Repeaters
    _–878-PNW-Community-v1.xx-mxx_mxx-Starter-xxx.rbtStarter or Community codeplugs, they may be stale, get the latest file from the our webpage,  878 or 578 directories. Do not use other codeplugs as they may not have the correct important settings.

    Getting Started with the Anytone Codeplug Builder by Andrew, K7ABD   ///   Directory of PNWD ACB files

    Steps for building your code plug

    1. Download the required files for your situation:
      • The ‘Analog__PWN-Community-yymmdd.csv if you are not using your own file
      • The ‘Digital-Others__PNW-Community-yymmdd.csv’ if you are not using your own file
      • The ‘Digital-Repeaters__PNW-all-yyyy-mm-dd.csv’ daily file
      • The ‘Talkgroups__PNW-all-yyyy-mm-dd.csv’ daily fileNow is a good time to edit the ‘Digital-Repeaters__PNW-all-yyyy-mm-dd.csv’ file, a spreadsheet program works best. You may edit the Zones to suit your taste.
    2. Load these 4 csv input files into the ACB tool
      Click on the “Upload” button, the program will automatically download (to you) the newly created ‘anytone.zip’ file into your download directory.
    3. Unzip the 4 CSV output files into the ‘./Anytone’ directory
      • Be sure that you have saved your working codeplug in case you wish to back up or abort using ACB
    4. Import the 4 output files into the Anytone CPS that has your working codeplug (or starter) already loaded.
    • Once you have done these steps, you may examine the codeplug in CPS, modify it and/or write it to your radio. It is that simple.
    • The files may be arrainged to create your own custom zones and channels, with or without all the stock entries provided by PNWD. You are also encouraged to load the starter codeplug and examine the hundreds of parameters to see how they are entered for use on the PNWD network.
    • If you make changes to some of them without understanding their impact, your use of the system may become more frustrating, work poorly and negatively impact what other users may hear.

    More Details and Considerations

    • Save your current codeplug before attempting to use these files or ACB!!!
    • If you are NOT already using the community codeplug, then load the starter community codeplug as your base or seed file into your CPS before importing the ACB generated files.
      • Examine this base codeplug, change to your RID, APRS and other personal settings as needed
      • Be aware of the version of the starter codeplug and your current hardware version
        • The versions should match but may work if mis-matched
        • The mode or band may be different from your codeplug and the starter codeplug
    • If you use ACB, then any previous zones, channels, scanlists and talkgroups will be overwritten.
      • Other custom changes may also be lost so ALWAYS save your current codeplug
      • You must put your custom zones/channels into the CSV input files before running it through ACB.
    • If you have questions, there is much discussion in the Radios/Codeplugs IO Group, so read and/or post

    First Published: November 29, 2021 Last Updated: 1 year ago by Mike – NO7RF

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