Rookie Needs Help

FHOP · #1 (**permalink**) 06-08-2012, 3:28 PM

So, here is the situation. I am new to amateur and commercial radios and their respective programming applications. I just purchased an iCom F-6021 UHF radio, and the programming software as well as a USB cable that plugs into the microphone port on the radio to interface it with the PC. So, after installing the programming software on my Windows 7 laptop, I plugged in the USB cable to the radio, then powered up the radio, and opened the software on my laptop. Windows did it's thing with trying to find a driver for the new device, and it failed to do so, but I didn't think that it mattered anyways. when I tried to read the radio (it is factory fresh out of the box, this is my first time powering it up), I get an error message saying that there is no response from the transceiver, and it tells me to check my COM port settings, make sure the transceiver is powered on, and check the physical connections on either end of the USB cable. I know the transceiver's power is OK, and the cable connection is just fine. However, when I looked in device manager on my laptop, to try and find out what the settings were like for the COM ports, all I found was the new USB device listed, which I could do nothing with besides trying to download a driver that doesn't even work. So, I'm stuck here, and if anyone could help out, link me to some instructions, or just drop a few words of advice, PLEASE do so, it would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

cabletech · #2 (**permalink**) 06-09-2012, 5:56 PM

So where did you get the cable and program? The cable has to use a driver for it to work.

If you have a usb cable from the internet, most of them work with a prolific pl2303 driver and should have come with it and must use com port 1 thru 4.

lep · #3 (**permalink**) 06-09-2012, 6:26 PM

I am using a different radio but my USB port is no. 16. It worked fine until WIN update several weeks ago installed an "updated prolific driver" designed to defeat counterfeit chips from China. Using sys restore i was able to undo the new driver and go back to my original and now it works once again but still on port 16.

FHOP · #4 (**permalink**) 06-09-2012, 8:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cabletech

So where did you get the cable and program? The cable has to use a driver for it to work.

If you have a usb cable from the internet, most of them work with a prolific pl2303 driver and should have come with it and must use com port 1 thru 4.

I bought the software and cable combo from The Antenna Farm :: , Your Two Way Radio Source!
I will search for that driver, and it should work on COM port 3, like I had it.
Thanks alot!

FHOP · #5 (**permalink**) 06-09-2012, 8:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lep

I am using a different radio but my USB port is no. 16. It worked fine until WIN update several weeks ago installed an "updated prolific driver" designed to defeat counterfeit chips from China. Using sys restore i was able to undo the new driver and go back to my original and now it works once again but still on port 16.

I got it to work partially on port 3, so it looks like I just need a driver, and then I should be able to read the radio. Hopefully the driver that I download will work fine.
Thanks for the input.

setxrailfan · #6 (**permalink**) 09-21-2012, 10:01 AM

I am having the same problem as FHOP except that I have a 3161DT.. The driver is up to date but still no communication with the radio even though everything seems to be properly installed. My software was also purchased from The Antenna Farm. Driver version is 3.3.2.105

When trying to communicate using com port 3 it is delayed a couple of seconds before asking me to check the com port settings, cable connections and transceiver power is on. Any other port that is selected immediately responds with the same message.

cabletech · #7 (**permalink**) 09-21-2012, 11:30 AM

setxrailfan The Icom F3161DT is a Digital Trunking capible radio and use's a differant program then the normal 3161.

Make sure you have the correct program software for that radio.

If you are having trouble with the USB driver, send me you e-mail address (cabletech03@hotmail.com) and I will send you proflic driver that I have never had any problem with.

RADIOGUY2002 · #8 (**permalink**) 09-27-2012, 5:58 PM

Um no it does not, maybe firmware but not software. You have to fix the com ports and make sure the driver i recognized by the PC. Also, you should really look into who your buying your equipment from. I realized their cheaper, but I see these posting all the time about software and most of them are originating from antenna farm. Perhaps, they should put out a disclaimer on how to use the software.

cabletech · #9 (**permalink**) 09-27-2012, 6:37 PM

radioguy--you are correct--me bad, the regular 3161 and the dt version both use the same software,
I was looking at the railroad version of the raadio and DOES use a differant program.

setxrailfan · #10 (**permalink**) 10-03-2012, 8:21 PM

Cabletech- What is the railroad version program?

cabletech · #11 (**permalink**) 10-08-2012, 6:38 PM

setxrailfan The railroad version of software has the ablity for doing extra features that are needed for the movement of the trains.

This also goes that the radios used by the railroad are not a standard off the shelve radio, they are made just for the railroad, but some older radios do show up in the normal world.