CDM 1250 & RIB

[ten13]

I've been programming a 1250 for over two years (along with some other radios) with the same laptop, USB Prolific setup, and software, with absolutely no problem, but now I get that dreaded "Couldn't open port...." message (BTW...the only radio I have a problem programming is the 1250, and all the others are OK...they are portables)

In any event, there doesn't seem to be one, solid, solution to it, except, maybe, using a RIB.

My question is: does a RIB-to-laptop USB, like this one:

FTDI USB Cable for Motorola Radio Interface Box Rib RLN4008 | eBay

negate the use of the RIB and, possibly, prevent the correction of the "open port" problem? In other words, is the RIB-to-laptop USB cable a waste of time and money? My laptop doesn't have a serial port.

I would like to buy a MOT OEM RIB, but if the RIB-to-laptop USB is NG, I don't want to have to buy another laptop with the serial port AND (an expensive) MOT RIB.

Thanks.....

 

[Project25_MASTR]

I'd get a kwallmart rib and a Tripplite usb to serial adapter. I've been doing that for years now. Set the rs232 adapter for com 1 using the Tripplite adapter.


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[cabletech]

.

My question is: does a RIB-to-laptop USB, like this one:

FTDI USB Cable for Motorola Radio Interface Box Rib RLN4008 | eBay

I would like to buy a MOT OEM RIB, but if the RIB-to-laptop USB is NG, I don't want to have to buy another laptop with the serial port AND (an expensive) MOT RIB.

Thanks.....

I have used this type of cable for several years on both an XP machine and a Win 7 and have had NO problems as long us you make sure you have the com port set correctly and NOT to come 1.

Use com 2 thru 8 and should be okay. Also make sure you have the latest Prolific drivers.

 

[ten13]

I'd get a kwallmart rib and a Tripplite usb to serial adapter. I've been doing that for years now. Set the rs232 adapter for com 1 using the Tripplite adapter.

I was looking at the Kwallmart RIB, but I see there are, at least, two models of the Tripplite USB, one of them is the "Keyspan" model, which is a little more expensive that the "regular" model, in that it has a detachable USB cable going into the adapter.

Any preference or difference with performance that you know of?

That Com Port assignment seems to be a subject of debate, too. Some seem to think that you should keep it under Com Port 4, others say it doesn't make a difference.

When, and if, I get the RIB, etc, I'll try as many as I can until I get success!

Thanks....

 

[N0BDW]

I've had excellent results with this adapter:

USB to Serial Adapter cable, Windows 8 | U.S. Converters™

The COM port assignment (1-4, 5-?) doesn't seem to make any difference for me.

I program CDM1250s with both the OEM Motorola Ribless cable and one of these: http://shopwiscomm.com/M5X-AFTERMAR...CDM-HT1250-CP200-EX600-and-more-P2436901.aspx
In combination with the above serial adapter

I do not have a RIB.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

I have the cheaper version. Only reason to keep your com port assignments under 5 has to do with the first run of windows based software. It was still called RSS and was the transition phase for dos based RSS and windows based CPS. The transition RSS only goes to COM 4...

 

[ten13]

I may go with that Keyspan one, only because my setup would benefit from the ability to use a longer USB cable, which that one allows you to do.



Thanks to all.

 

[PACNWDude]

I have used the Keyspan version the most since it also works with Apple computers. My last job insisted on us carrying a MacBook Pro for radio programming.

The standard TrippLite adapter works for me now using PC's running XP and Win7 x32 and x64.

These are with the Kawamall Ribless cables and CPS 6.x.x

 

[SCPD]

Whoa. Let's back up.

You say there is no change in the cables, software, radio being programmed, etc.
It used to work, and now it don't?
I can't help but shag the feeling there's an issue that another rib box or cable is going to resolve.
Sure something hasn't happened to that particular radio?

I'd reach out somehow and see if someone else can program it.

 

[ten13]

What I should have said in my first post was that there are three 1250s involved, none of which will be read. Yet, they were all programmed by me with all the same equipment.

And the dozens of posts both here on RR and the Batlab web site on this specific topic shows that the common denominator solution recommended is the use of a RIB, as opposed to using a USB directly between the radio and the computer, or an adapter with a Prolific set up.

And, as I say above, I have three portables, all different models, which program perfectly with the same set up.

While everyone on both boards say that the solution is to use a RIB, no one seems to be able to say why it happens in the first place, that programming is done without consequences for a long time, and then, all of a sudden, you get this "Couldn't open port" error message that never goes away. One individual posted the same issue, and came back to the post months later and said that, just as sudden, he can now return to programming without the RIB.

I've ordered a RIB and we'll see what happens. Whether I go for the expense of a shop programming it if it all fails, is something I'm not even thinking about at this point.

 

[ten13]

Got the Kwallmart RIB, and hooked it up.

No Good.....!

The only "flaw" is that I used one of those blue USB-to-male serial cables with a Prolific setup going into the female cable that came with the box. Essentially, I have two cables going into the box, one into another. I am awaiting a female serial to USB cable from another manufacturer to plug directly from the computer right into the box to see what happens then.

If not, my next move is to get my hands on a cheap laptop with XP and a true serial port on it. And if THAT doesn't work, I will purchase an expensive Motorola RIB. I have three active radios depending on this, so a few bucks invested (and ONLY a "few") is well worth it for me.

I could see if programming with my original setup never worked, but it worked fine for many years. Then, one day....nothing (except for the above-mentioned portables).

Any other ideas or potential solutions would still be appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[ten13]

Update on "Couldn't Open Port"

I have tried just about everything to attempt to rectify the dreaded "Couldn't open port" error message on a few CDMs that I have, from buying a another used laptop which had a 9-pin port and XL OS, and buying an aftermarket RIB, as well as different additional cables (none of which worked to solve it), I finally found a solution.

The only thing that works seems to be a Motorola OEM Ribless programming cable.

I was fortunate to get one for less than $200 on eBay, yet I've spent more than that trying to find other ways to do it "on the cheap."

In any event, I have reprogrammed one of the CDMs with it, and it works very well. I have two others to do (a 1250 and a 1550-LS), but my schedule doesn't allow me to do both of them right now.

Hope this helps anyone experiencing the same problem.