I did the exact same thing for Baofeng radios. I just converted the
programming cable to a serial cable. The counterfeit chips are a
/serious/ problem. You will be hard-pressed to find a new computer with
"real" serial ports in them. So, Serial to USB conversion is an ongoing
necessity.
Doug -- K0DXV
On 3/28/2014 12:56 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
That "explanation" dances all around the real world situation. The
Chinese have been making cheap counterfeit Prolific and FTDI chips.
Both Prolific and FTDI have produced drivers which detect those
counterfeit chips to protect their intellectual property.
While the counterfeit chips may work fine when used under Windows XP,
they will not work with the newer Windows 7 or 8 drivers.
Yes, there are "workarounds" - turn off Windows updates and load the
older drivers which do not have the detection algorithms. I would
prefer not to do that, and I have been burned several times with the
Chinese counterfeit transistors and ICs. I ordered what was supposed
to be 2N5739 transistors which are no longer available from reliable
manufacturers. I had to throw all 10 of them into the trash because
they did not work above the audio range. The SSM2165 used on the K2
KSB2 board is an obsolete part, but is advertized from Chinese vendors
- unfortunately, that chip does not work, so it is "buyer beware". If
you buy counterfeit goods, it is just like getting a counterfeit $100
bill, it is worthless. Unfortunately, there are vendors who are
listing 'workarounds' in order to sell their counterfeit products
rather than 'raising hell' to stop this proliferation of counterfeit
devices.
I cut the USB end off the USB to Wouxun adapter that had the
counterfeit chip in it and will be connecting it to a DB9 connector.
I can then connect it to either a real serial port or to a good USB to
serial adapter.
73,
Don W3FPR
On 3/28/2014 1:11 AM, WA7SPY wrote:
Here is a very good explanation about USB to serial port converters.
( see below) You pay a higher price but the recommended one works
with my Windows 7 PC. I have had no problems connecting older RS232
equipment to my Windows 7 PC. It works like a champ.
I have no interest in the US Converters but there products work well!
http://www.usconverters.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=62
On Mar 27, 2014, at 8:57 PM, Don Wilhelm <[email protected]> wrote:
Hi all,
I have had an experience with the Chinese "fake" Prolific USB to
serial chips. A Wouxun VHF/UHF handeld would not work with my Win7
computer because the Prolific drivers identified the chip as a fake
Chinese knockoff. I tried the solutions in the web as well as the
older Prolific drivers with no great success. I even tried the
Linux solutions and was not able to program the handheld (I am not a
Linux guru, but I followed the instructions). Simply, it did not
work, and I am not willing to keep a Windows XP computer going just
for these Chinese fake chips. I bought the programming cable in
good faith, but that faith has been destroyed by the Chinese fake
chips.
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[email protected]
This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [email protected]
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[email protected]
This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [email protected]
