Chipswitch HR2510: Hands-On Review

Shortly after the introduction of the HR2510, many hackers were coming up with modifications for this radio. Split frequency operation was essential for the 10-meter FM repeater crowd.

It was also considered an advantage for operators who try to communicate semi-privately. One party would talk on one channel and listen on another channel, while the other party would do the opposite.

This cross-channel talking would help get rid of the village idiot trying to destroy the conversation.

It also seemed that 26.000 MHz. to 29.999 MHz. There wasn’t quite enough coverage. Hackers found changing a crystal would give the radio more coverage below 26.000 MHz.

Although the display didn’t reflect the frequency you were on, many thought the gain was worth going back to a road map of sorts. Some were not happy with the function of the up and down buttons on the mic.

So, more mods were made. Others weren’t happy with the internal beep that indicated a front panel button was depressed. Hackers added another switch to make it user-selectable. Still, another modification was rumored to be in the works.

An additional PC board for memory channels. I never saw this one.

It would have been quite expensive and involved an extensive amount of rework to install an after-market option of this type, if not impossible. In a relatively short time, there was a mound of 2510 mods out there.

Clubs were forming to swap modifications. Some of these modifications wouldn’t work on all 2510s, while few didn’t seem to work on any.

Many radios were instantly devalued with multiple holes drilled for many of the extra switches used to control these modifications. God help you if the radio is quiet and you can’t fix it yourself.

Many found themselves turned away by their techs when they saw the cabinets peppered with switches and controls.

One look inside, and you would swear you were having a nightmare! Still others were destroyed while modifications were attempted.

Don’t get me wrong, many radios were modified in a professional manner. These changes did their best to get around an inadequate Uniden CPU. Then arrived Chipswitch, it was a clean mod using all the existing front panel switches.

It did more than all the modifications available put together, and without adding any switches or controls.

To date it is the best thing that happened to the 2510 radios. Even the Emperor, an enhanced copy of the HR2510, doesn’t have the features that the Chipswitch brings to the 2510 family.

It’s another story but I’m baffled why the makers of the Emperor didn’t get a clue from the public or Chipswitch. The manufacturer calls it an enhanced microcomputer for the Uniden/President HR2510, HR2600 & Lincoln radios.

It is a programmable microprocessor that replaces the stock non-programmable chip that comes with the radio. The Chipswitch^© gives you the ability to program 46 different features including memory channels that I cover in full detail. Chipswitch has other options available to enhance the HR & Lincoln radios.

First is the Chipswitch socket @ $8.00 + shipping. Installing this means you don’t have to worry about applying too much heat to the IC and the Chipswitch is easily removed if it ever needs to be.

Say the radio has a catastrophic failure and can’t be repaired of has to go back to Uniden for service…you don’t loose your Chipswitch.

Although it isn’t recommended to install chips that were previously soldered into these sockets, if the radio is broken what would you have to lose, plug the old chip back into the unit. The factory may change the CPU board or swap the radio anyway.

You’ll only lose the socket. The next option is the Priority PC board @ $29.00 + shipping. The Chipswitch has priority channel capabilities built in. It is usable and works quite well without the addition of this board.

Many operators I know use the priority function and are satisfied with the performance, but the people at Chipswitch claim the board fixes a problem with the squelch that shows up when using the priority channel feature.

I do know someone who had the Priority PC board installed some time after the Chipswitch installation, and they noticed increased priority channel performance. Chipswitch comes with an installation guide and a 16-page user manual.

Let’s look at a summary overview of the features. The bands are changed from the original alpha to 5 numeric bands 0-4. Band 0 is the frequency band. It’s similar to using a manual on some other radios. Bands 1-3 are the memory bands.

Band 4 is the CB band. There are 30 memory channels with programmable temporary channel lockout & repeater offsets. These memory channels are in three bands of ten channels.

You can elect to have your selected repeater offset on any of the 30 memory channels. Any channel(s) can be temporarily locked out during Scan or Seek.

The programmable Scan/Seek function allows the scanning on an arbitrary band basis. This feature allows the selection of a frequency range for Scan or Seek in band 0 or Scan/Seek by memory channels in bands 1, 2, and 3. The Scan feature works like a police scanner.

It looks for and stops on an active channel and resumes scanning if the channel remains inactive longer than the user selected hold time.

The Seek works the same as the Scan feature, except is will stay on the active channel for a user-selected time and then continue to Seek even if the frequency remains to be busy. Scan/Seek are user programmable in 5 or 10 KHz. Steps.

Programmable up/down buttons provide the ability to program the channel up & down buttons to change channels or frequencies in any of 5 different ways; programmable microphone channel up/down buttons provide the ability to program the mic up & down buttons to change channels or frequencies is any one of 8 different ways including moving the curser.

Programmable transmitter timeout provides the radio with a built-in Q-SO timer. When enabled, the radio will stop transmitting after a preprogrammed length of transmission time has been reached.

To continue your transmission, just release the key and key down again. This is probably the least used feature in the Chipswitch.

Programmable Transmitter frequency range give you the ability to program a range of operational transmit frequencies. The radio will still receive the full range but will not transmit out of the range you select.

It’s a great feature in case Uncle Charlie shows up. Split frequency operation allows the transmission on one frequency while receiving on another and is primarily used for FM repeaters on Ham bands;

Priority channel allows you to program any frequency to be periodically monitored while you’re on another frequency at a user-programmable rate.

The span underline cursor has a phantom 4th position (3 underline bars) cursor. This enables you to go through the band in 100Khz steps. You can jump frequencies ten times faster than in the 3rd cursor position.

The button repeat rate is programmable. The internal button beep duration is programmable from 0 to .5 seconds.

The repeater button on the HR-2600, when depressed, will transmit the CTCSS tone to open up a repeater station. Repeater offset selection of memory channels is still required.

A master reset feature is made available through the Chipswitch. If the CPU gets confused it can be reset from the front panel.

A great feature: I’ve had to open a few 2510s to reset them by shorting out the memory supply voltage to reset the CPU. There are differences between the HR-2510, HR-2600, and the Lincoln radios, so when the radio is first powered on, the display will read HR2510 as the first choice, HR2600 as the second, and Lincoln for the third.

To select the proper radio, depress the Span button until your radio type is displayed.

Then, depress the Band button to transfer your selection into the microcomputer’s memory. Under normal operating conditions, this step will not need to be repeated.

If the radio is off for an extended period, a power glitch or a master reset occurs you will have to repeat this step and re-program the radio. This doesn’t occur very often. Looking over the user manual, the first thing I noticed was the need to press multiple buttons at the same time.

This is required in enable/disable and program functions because the radio has so many new features with the Chipswitch, and no new switches are added. The following table from the user’s manual will give you an idea of how to access these new features.

NOTE:

1. This function will only work if PRIORITY CHANNEL frequency is not programmed.
2. This function will only work if PRIORITY CHANNEL frequency is programmed.
3. On the LINCOLN radio, us INDICATOR button instead of METER button

In the programming mode you can review or change the values of any of the 46 features using the channel UP/DN buttons and the VFO knob of the radio. The Channel UP/DN buttons select the feature, and the VFO knob changes the value of that feature. Hear is a list of program functions with a range of values for each.

• Function 0 contains the Beep On-Time information. It Can Be preset to 1 of 5 conditions, off, 1/20th, 1/10th, 1/5th, or 1/2 second.
• Function 1 contains the Split Frequency Offset information. It can be preset from 000.1Khz to 999.9Khz.
• Function 2 contains the Split Frequency Offset Polarity information. It can be preset to 1 of 2 conditions, Negative or Positive.
• Function 3 contains the Scan/Seek Lower Frequency Limit information. Simply enter the frequency.
• Function 4 contains the Scan/Seek Upper Frequency Limit information. Simply enter the frequency.
• Function 5 contains the Scan/Seek Function Select information. Scan and Seek preset separately to 1 of 4 step conditions. 10Khz zero lower digit(s), 10Khz skip lower digit(s), 5Khz zero lower digits, 5Khz skip lower digit(s).
• Function 6 contains the Scan Hold Time information. It can be preset to 1 of 8 conditions, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 seconds.
• Function 7 contains the Seek Hold Time information. It can be preset to 1 of 8 conditions, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 seconds.
• ​Function 8 contains the Channel Up/Dn Button Function information. It Can Be preset to 1 of 6 Conditions, 1OKhz zero lower digit(s), 10Khz skip lower digit(s), 5Khz zero lower digit(s), 5Khz skip lower digit(s), 100Hz, or the underlined digit.
• Function 9 contains the Microphone Up/Dn Button Function information. It can be preset to 1 of 8 conditions, 1OKhz zero lower digit(s), 10Khz skip lower digit(s), 5Khz zero lower digit(s), 5Khz skip lower digit(s), 100Hz, underline digit, in band 0 same as feature 8 and in band I- 4 change channels, or in band 0-3 same as feature 8 and in band 4 change channels.
• Features 10-19 contain Memory Group I information. Each 1 of 10 memories can be preset by entering the frequency. An automatic minus (-) 100Khz repeater offset can also be selected for each by depressing the scan button during programming. To clear a memory, enter frequency of 00.000.0.
• Features 20-29 contain Memory Group 2 information. Each 1 of 10 memories can be preset by entering the frequency. An automatic minus (-) 100Khz repeater offset can also be selected for each by depressing the scan button during programming. To clear a memory, enter frequency of 00.000.0.
• Features 30-39 contain Memory Group 3 information. Each 1 of 10 memories can be preset by entering the frequency. An automatic plus (+) 100Khz repeater offset can also be selected for each by pressing the scan ,button during programming. To clear a memory, enter frequency of 00.000.0.
• Feature 40 contains Transmit Lower Frequency Limit information. It can be preset by entering the frequency.
• Feature 41 contains Transmit Upper Frequency Limit information. It can be preset by entering the frequency.
• Feature 42 contains Transmitter Time Out information. It can be preset to 1 of 8 conditions, off, 25, 42, 58, 75, 92, 109, or 126 seconds.
• Feature 43 contains Repeat Key Speed. It can be preset to fast or slow.
• Feature 44 contains the Priority Channel information. It can be preset by entering the frequency. There is a note in the users manual that this feature requires additional hardware to work properly.
• Feature 45 contains the Priority Channel Function Select information. It can be preset to 1 of 8 conditions. The first 4 will check every 2, 4, 6, or 8 second and beep when the channel is busy. The next 4 will check every 2, 4, 6, or 8 seconds and lock on the priority channel when the channel is busy.

It looks more confusing than it is. The Installation Guide and 16 page User Manual that Chipswitch supplies is very complete and easy to follow.

They even went through the trouble of capitalizing and highlighting key names so it can be used as a quick reference guide once you’re familiar with the User Manual.All the features work as expected.

The real slick one is feature 9 when value 5 is selected (underlined digit). When selected, the cursor can be moved by depressing the mic up and down buttons at the same time and then the digit above the cursor can be changed up or down with the mic buttons.

In the HR2510 tested for this review I also noticed the receiver seemed quieter and clearer.

I’m not sure if it was my imagination. I didn’t want to contaminate the new socket with the old soldered chip leads, so I didn’t install the old chip to make the comparison.

It may be that the Chipswitch emits less computer noise back into the PLL and supply voltage line than the original chip does.

If you’re considering or have already decided to get the Chipswitch, your next decision is to have it installed or install it yourself. I will give you some information that will help you to decide.

If you’re not experienced with printed circuit board soldering, DON’T ATTEMPT IT! The traces and pads on these boards lift and damage very easily. Your soldering equipment must be of a high quality and your tips in good condition or damage will be the result.

Damage to the copper plating attaching a trace from the top of the board could result in a broken, or worse, an intermittent connection.

The hardware installation guide is full of warnings and disclaimers including that the Chipswitch is a static sensitive device and requires static handling.

A grounded wrist strap and 3 wire soldering iron is required.The best insurance against board damage is a temperature controlled desoldering station and soldering iron.

Unless you’re in the business of repairing circuit boards, you wouldn’t want to pay the cost of a desoldering station. A temperature controlled soldering iron is quite expensive as it is.

Whatever you do, don’t go to Radio Shack for your soldering equipment. Their equipment may be all right for some jobs, but it is nowhere near good enough for this work.On the next page is a list of equipment that I recommend for this work.

The desoldering station is an option for individuals with money to through around or a have tremendous amount of work that would pay for it.

It can be substituted with the Soldapult as long as great care is taken to insure the soldering iron is removed before the trigger is pushed to remove the solder. Otherwise the Soldapult will kick the soldering iron tip into the circuit board and a heated board damages much more easily.

The model numbers listed are manufacturer numbers and can be ordered from many electronic tool suppliers across the country. The prices will vary .. shop around.

The CE # refers to Contact East part numbers and the prices listed are their current prices at the time of this printing. To order from Contact East Call (508) 682-2000 and ask for sales.

If you want to do the work yourself and play it safe, the chip can be cut out by snipping the lead at the body of the chip and heating the connection while removing the pins one at a time from the top of the board with a pair of needle nose pliers.

Be careful not to use any more heat than necessary. Then, the holes can be cleared and cleaned in preparation for the socket or the Chipswitch. Before you start, test the radio completely.

C319, the capacitor soldered across the CPU must be removed from the chip and can be installed to the back side of the PC board from pin 32 to 53, but the leads must be insulated from the circuit board.

Also, to remove the CPU board, all the connectors must be unplugged. The only 4 that can get confused are J301, J307, J311 and J312.

These should be marked before they are unplugged. Swapping J307 & J301 will damage the radio! Below is the assembly drawing of the CPU PC board for your reference. If you choose to have it professionally installed, installation costs run from $35.00 to $60.00 across the country.

HR-2510 CPU PC Board

I’ve installed over 60 of these in the past without any problems. Chipswitch told me that the chips were 100% pre-tested, and my experience proves it to me. Every claim they make is true.

If you want the features of the more expensive BF rigs, the Chipswitch does it. It won’t turn your radio into a $1200.00 radio but it makes it more fun to use. I say it’s a “Class A” upgrade that will increase the value of your HR2510, HR2600, or Lincoln.

I commend Chipswitch for their innovation, quality, and complete documentation … I’d like to see more quality products like this one in our marketplace. GREAT JOB GUYS!