Programing Cables

[RonnieUSA]

Got tired of the problems I was having with Prolific Chip Sets on Windows 8, so I decided to buy a different cable. In the end I bought 2, both had the FTDI Chip Set, but different venders.
The firdt cable I got was a (1) FTDI USB to UART with +3.3V TTL Adapter (OEM FTDI Cable), from Amazon>> Amazon.com: FTDI USB to UART with +3.3V TTL Adapter (OEM FTDI Cable): Electronics
I repaced the end with this :Neutrik Rean NYS231 3-Pole Metal 3.5 mm (1/8") Stereo Plug w/Crimp Strain Relief
I still had to us Win500_Com to use the cable so I broke down, and bought the older (#2) RadioShack cable (20-047) from Ebay.

So I download the drivers from the FTDI website thing I had the wrong driver for the second cable, but both are the same chip.
While looking for drivers, I a tool to reprogram the cables, so i tried it this morning following the directions from GRE's website for using more than once.
So I flash the chip on the first cable with what was on the RadioShack cable, but gave it a serial # 1 higher GRE-0413, the one from RadioShack had a serial # of GRE-0412.
So now I have 2 cables to use with Win500, and don't have to use Win500_Com.
They both use the dll to read from the radio.

FT_Prog

FTDI Utilities

 

[Redneck0410]

Got tired of the problems I was having with Prolific Chip Sets on Windows 8, so I decided to buy a different cable. In the end I bought 2, both had the FTDI Chip Set, but different venders.
The firdt cable I got was a (1) FTDI USB to UART with +3.3V TTL Adapter (OEM FTDI Cable), from Amazon>> Amazon.com: FTDI USB to UART with +3.3V TTL Adapter (OEM FTDI Cable): Electronics
I repaced the end with this :Neutrik Rean NYS231 3-Pole Metal 3.5 mm (1/8") Stereo Plug w/Crimp Strain Relief
I still had to us Win500_Com to use the cable so I broke down, and bought the older (#2) RadioShack cable (20-047) from Ebay.

So I download the drivers from the FTDI website thing I had the wrong driver for the second cable, but both are the same chip.
While looking for drivers, I a tool to reprogram the cables, so i tried it this morning following the directions from GRE's website for using more than once.
So I flash the chip on the first cable with what was on the RadioShack cable, but gave it a serial # 1 higher GRE-0413, the one from RadioShack had a serial # of GRE-0412.
So now I have 2 cables to use with Win500, and don't have to use Win500_Com.
They both use the dll to read from the radio.

FT_Prog

FTDI Utilities

Two working cables is better than no working cables. Glad you got it squared away.

-Shawn

 

[RonnieUSA]

Two working cables is better than no working cables. Glad you got it squared away.

-Shawn

You got that right.

Thank You

 

[WayneH]

What I've been doing is similar. I purchase the FTDI AJ cable ($15) which has the stereo plug on it, cut in to the cable and swap the TX and RX wires, and seal it back up. To get WIN500 to work I did like you did and changed the serial number to something starting with "GRE" otherwise it's some cryptic hex thing. It's now essentially the same thing as the $40+ one GRE and RS sells.

 

[RonnieUSA]

What I've been doing is similar. I purchase the FTDI AJ cable ($15) which has the stereo plug on it, cut in to the cable and swap the TX and RX wires, and seal it back up. To get WIN500 to work I did like you did and changed the serial number to something starting with "GRE" otherwise it's some cryptic hex thing. It's now essentially the same thing as the $40+ one GRE and RS sells.

By the time I paid for shipping it was a little under $18.00 dollars, and after I reprogrammed it, it thinks it's a GRE cable, so says Win500, doesn't matter what USB port I plug into it doesn't try to reinstall the drivers.

Items Ordered Price
1 of: FTDI USB to UART with +3.3V TTL Adapter (OEM FTDI Cable) [Electronics]
Condition: New
Sold by: SerialStuff (seller profile)
$12.99


Item(s) Subtotal: $12.99
Shipping & Handling: $4.79
-----
Total before tax: $17.78
Sales Tax: $0.00
-----
Total for This Shipment: $17.7

 

[WayneH]

By the time I paid for shipping it was a little under $18.00 dollars...

You're forgetting the cost of the 3.5mm audio plug.

 

[RonnieUSA]

You're forgetting the cost of the 3.5mm audio plug.

Your right, $1.29 for 2 of them.

 

[w2lie]

Wayne, referred here by your reply in this post: http://forums.radioreference.com/radio-shack-scanners/270029-usb-alternatives-pro-197-106-a.html

The USB to AJ cables aren't found on Amazon, at least not with the term "AJ" in there. I found them on DigiKey, but they are $20 each.

Amazon still has the FTDI USB to UART with 3v TTL. Looks like I just need to cut all the wires and connect Tx/Rx/Gnd to the stereo adapter.

Do you recall which contact on the stereo plug was the Tx and Rx on the cable?

Thanks for the info

 

[RonnieUSA]

Wayne, referred here by your reply in this post: http://forums.radioreference.com/radio-shack-scanners/270029-usb-alternatives-pro-197-106-a.html

The USB to AJ cables aren't found on Amazon, at least not with the term "AJ" in there. I found them on DigiKey, but they are $20 each.

Amazon still has the FTDI USB to UART with 3v TTL. Looks like I just need to cut all the wires and connect Tx/Rx/Gnd to the stereo adapter.

Do you recall which contact on the stereo plug was the Tx and Rx on the cable?

Thanks for the info

Found them from reading this pdf >> http://www.ftdichip.com/Support/Documents/DataSheets/Cables/DS_TTL-232R_CABLES.pdf

 

[WayneH]

Wayne, referred here by your reply in this post: http://forums.radioreference.com/radio-shack-scanners/270029-usb-alternatives-pro-197-106-a.html

The USB to AJ cables aren't found on Amazon, at least not with the term "AJ" in there. I found them on DigiKey, but they are $20 each.

I bought mine from The MicroController and Embedded System Store. They're currently $15.00. I just cut in to the cable and switch the orange and yellow wires (see page 14 in the PDF above).

 

[Blackswan73]

Since GRE is no more, does anyone have the procedure to change the serial number on the FTDI chip? Also the version of the reprogramming utility on the FTDI website?
Thanks