Kenwood: MCP for Kenwood TH-F6A

kc4jgc

Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2004
Messages
1,545
Location
Virginia Beach, VA
I recently acquired a TH-F6A to replace one I'd accidentally destroyed a couple years ago.

Today, I tried to upload my programming using both my WIN11 and my old XP laptop, which I used for this radio and scanner programming for years.
No luck on either. MCP on the XP now says "invalid radio" (whaaaaa?); WIN11 says to "contact supplier" because .... something .... I can't remember the alphanumerics now.... was expired in 2012. My question is this.... Is there an interface cable for this radio that my WIN11 machine will like? I'd been using a USB-DB9 serial adaptor between the laptop and the interface cable.

Why I cannot use the XP now when I was able to use it up to 2021 is really puzzling!

73; Steve KC4JGC
 

krokus

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Jun 9, 2006
Messages
5,777
Location
Southeastern Michigan
You checked your serial configuration on the computer? The USB to serial? Remembered to change the mic port to programming mode?

FWIW, the programming cables for Wouxon & Baofeng radios work, as they adopted the Kenwood standard. They are USB to the 2-pin, so your newer OS should not object.
 

AK9R

Lead Wiki Manager and almost an Awesome Moderator
Super Moderator
Joined
Jul 18, 2004
Messages
8,862
Location
Central Indiana
I've had good luck with cables from Valley Enterprises. They use the very reliable FTDI chips for the USB to RS232 conversion. Here's the Kenwood cable: Kenwood KPG-22 USB FTDI Chipset Two-Way Radio Programming Cable

As krokus mentioned, you have to switch the speaker/mic jack to PC mode in order to program the radio. From page 45 in the manual:
1691585250467.png
 

kc4jgc

Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2004
Messages
1,545
Location
Virginia Beach, VA
You checked your serial configuration on the computer? The USB to serial? Remembered to change the mic port to programming mode?

FWIW, the programming cables for Wouxon & Baofeng radios work, as they adopted the Kenwood standard. They are USB to the 2-pin, so your newer OS should not object.
First thing I did was change to PC mode.
 

kc4jgc

Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2004
Messages
1,545
Location
Virginia Beach, VA
I've had good luck with cables from Valley Enterprises. They use the very reliable FTDI chips for the USB to RS232 conversion. Here's the Kenwood cable: Kenwood KPG-22 USB FTDI Chipset Two-Way Radio Programming Cable

As krokus mentioned, you have to switch the speaker/mic jack to PC mode in order to program the radio. From page 45 in the manual:
View attachment 146642
First thing I did was to change to PC mode. Remember, I had one before and frequent updates from the MCP. Very familiar with the process.
I see the KPG-22; except for the straight to USB instead of the DB9. Do you think that maybe this will work?
 
Last edited:

kc4jgc

Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2004
Messages
1,545
Location
Virginia Beach, VA
This is what the Win11 laptop says when I plug in the cable (USB-DB9 adaptor cable; PG-4Y interface cable)
"PL2303HXA PHASED OUT SINCE 2012. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SUPPLIER." This is with just the cable plugged in; no radio.

Also, on the old XP laptop, I go through all the com ports. Mostly says "invalid com port" or tries to briefly connect only to say a few seconds later that something took too long to respond.
 
Last edited:

AK9R

Lead Wiki Manager and almost an Awesome Moderator
Super Moderator
Joined
Jul 18, 2004
Messages
8,862
Location
Central Indiana
PL2303HXA
That's a Prolific USB-to-RS232 chip and I would avoid it like the plague. Unless you are using a genuine Kenwood cable or bought the cable from a very reputable supplier, there's every possibility that the cable has a fake Prolific chip that Windows 11 and Prolific drivers will not support.

FTDI USB-to-RS232 chips are generally much more reliable. The link I provided is for a KPG-22 clone that uses the FTDI chip.
 

kc4jgc

Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2004
Messages
1,545
Location
Virginia Beach, VA
That's a Prolific USB-to-RS232 chip and I would avoid it like the plague. Unless you are using a genuine Kenwood cable or bought the cable from a very reputable supplier, there's every possibility that the cable has a fake Prolific chip that Windows 11 and Prolific drivers will not support.

FTDI USB-to-RS232 chips are generally much more reliable. The link I provided is for a KPG-22 clone that uses the FTDI c

Interesting. This cable I'd bought from Radio Shack many many moons ago; had used it to bridge between an XP desktop & the PG-4Y interface for years without issue. So.... Since I'm not aware of any computers that have DB-9 available, the Kenwood PG-4Y is now useless, correct? I guess I'll order up the KPG-22! Thanks for the tip! 73
 
Last edited:

KE5BCP

Analog Man
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
1,361
Location
Lewisville, Texas
I recently acquired a TH-F6A to replace one I'd accidentally destroyed a couple years ago.

Today, I tried to upload my programming using both my WIN11 and my old XP laptop, which I used for this radio and scanner programming for years.
No luck on either. MCP on the XP now says "invalid radio" (whaaaaa?); WIN11 says to "contact supplier" because .... something .... I can't remember the alphanumerics now.... was expired in 2012. My question is this.... Is there an interface cable for this radio that my WIN11 machine will like? I'd been using a USB-DB9 serial adaptor between the laptop and the interface cable.

Why I cannot use the XP now when I was able to use it up to 2021 is really puzzling!

73; Steve KC4JGC
 

KE5BCP

Analog Man
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
1,361
Location
Lewisville, Texas
What are the differences between this and the Kenwood MCP? Anything that makes it better & easier to work with? I do find the Kenwood MCP pretty darn easy!
It's been a LONG time since I've touched the MCP software, but all of the RT Systems titles allow for copy and paste between each (IE: TH-F6 to TH-D74 or to ID-52 or IC-T10...). If I recall correctly, it allows moving of individual channels up and down, where the MCP did not.
 

AK9R

Lead Wiki Manager and almost an Awesome Moderator
Super Moderator
Joined
Jul 18, 2004
Messages
8,862
Location
Central Indiana
Since I'm not aware of any computers that have DB-9 available...
Actually, if you look at the business-oriented desktops from Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc., you may find hardware-based RS-232 ports with DB-9 connectors. Though, its true that these ports are long gone from consumer-oriented computers, especially laptops. Also, there are add-on boards available for desktop computers that provide RS-232 ports.
What are the differences between this and the Kenwood MCP? Anything that makes it better & easier to work with? I do find the Kenwood MCP pretty darn easy!
The RT Systems software is often easier to use and has more flexible import/export options.
 
Top