DTR650 Programming issues.

[WPXS472]

Years ago, I bought a couple of DTR410 radios, and did not like them at all. Recently, I saw where DTR650s had gone down in price, so I picked up a couple of well used ones off that auction site everybody knows. I downloaded the software, thanks Motorola for making that free, and ordered the programming cable. When it arrived, I noticed that it was a USB cable, and there was no place to plug it into the radio. After some research, I found that the proper cable is a RS232 cable, so I ordered that and a USB to RS232 adapter. So, after seeing that WIndows had no driver, I found that, and installed it. Now, I have a com port. Ran the software, it found the com port, but I cannot read the radio. It says it has a communication failure and to set the switch on the cable to "digital". There ain't no such switch on my cable. That is on the USB cable, which I can't use. Is there some "secret sauce" I need to get this to work? Should I just give up and program them from the front panel? I only need one private group.

 

[ElevatorsAndRadios]

I think you have the wrong cable. The cable should plug right into the bottom of the radio. The one I have plugs into the computer’s serial port and then has a multi pin connector for the radio. Amazon search returns part number

0105950U15​

 

[WPXS472]

That's the one I have. It's a genuine Motorola cable. The other one, the one listed for this radio is actually for the DTR700. My PC doesn't have a serial port, so I use a USB to serial adapter. The PC sees it as COM3.

 

[ElevatorsAndRadios]

That's the one I have. It's a genuine Motorola cable. The other one, the one listed for this radio is actually for the DTR700. My PC doesn't have a serial port, so I use a USB to serial adapter. The PC sees it as COM3.

I have not had good luck with usb to serial adapters so I always use a computer with a real serial port. Also, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen “COM3” assigned to a usb - serial port. On my systems, COM3 is persistently present whether the device is plugged in or not. I would check to see if your device is actually com3 and not another com port. Check to see if your device is being recognized at all. I wouldn’t be surprised if that usb to serial adapter requires a driver you don’t yet have

 

[WPXS472]

I get your concerns. I have had similar problems in the past. I had one programming cable for an Alinco that I was never able to get working.
When I first plugged this one in, Windows reported that it had no driver. It also said that there were no com ports. After I found the driver, and installed it, Windows now says it is COM3. I thought it might have been the connection to the radio, but that seems to be very well connected.
Looks like I will have to investigate front panel programming. I just need one private group. I thought it would be fun to play with the software to see what could be done. Thanks for the reply.

 

[cubn]

I too would have liked to build private groups but I never bought the cable because I was concerned it wouldn't work with modern versions of Windows with no serial ports.

 

[WPXS472]

USB to RS232 adapters are a strange breed. I think a lot of how they actually work depends on how the driver was written. An acquaintance told me about an adapter he used all the time. He said it worked the first time, and every time. I bought one and never got it to work. That is the root of my biggest problem with those devices. Getting the proper driver, and getting Windows to work with it. In my experience, when they work, they work well. I don't use Windows all that much anymore. Linux has been my daily driver for quite some time.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

USB to RS232 adapters are a strange breed. I think a lot of how they actually work depends on how the driver was written. An acquaintance told me about an adapter he used all the time. He said it worked the first time, and every time. I bought one and never got it to work. That is the root of my biggest problem with those devices. Getting the proper driver, and getting Windows to work with it. In my experience, when they work, they work well. I don't use Windows all that much anymore. Linux has been my daily driver for quite some time.

That's why you purchase an adapter from IOGear, Tripplite, or Brainboxes where they have custom drivers for that semi-generic chipset. It's like how the older EFJ 5x00 series cables used a standard FTDI chip in them but it won't plug and play with any Windows OS until you load the EFJ drivers but then it will work everytime.