yes my radio has EPAs but thats about it, I think the programmer might give you more precise adjustments, and it does other stuff your radio can't do. I come from the auto tech industry, I have used "generic" scanners per say,they are very limited as to what they can do compared to a "manufacturer " specific scanner, they are way superior. I guess it comes down to how precise and versatile you want to be. I looks like the program allows you to "save" your setting and therefore perhaps save a setting for a particular track, this would eliminate any guess work.