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Programming cable for Maxtrac

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I've got 2 Maxtracs I need to program. I'd rather buy a cable to program it. From looking around I've seen cables with DB-25 connectors and some that have DE-9 connectors. Will either one work? The old computer I use to program my radios has both connector types.

This is the cable I'm wanting to purchase, since it covers a wide range of models in addition to the Maxtrac.
 

SteveC0625

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I've got 2 Maxtracs I need to program. I'd rather buy a cable to program it. From looking around I've seen cables with DB-25 connectors and some that have DE-9 connectors. Will either one work? The old computer I use to program my radios has both connector types.

This is the cable I'm wanting to purchase, since it covers a wide range of models in addition to the Maxtrac.
It should be OK. We don't hear many trouble stories about the Kawa cables. I like simpler myself instead of the combination cables, but that's just me.

You'll need to run the RSS on a PC that can boot to DOS and runs slow enough. I have an old baby tower with a Celeron D chip in it that runs XP. I can run the RSS for the GM300 in a DOS window on that one, or boot to DOS directly. Also newer RSS's like the 1225 Radius need the XP machine. Uses the same cable BTW.
 
Joined
Dec 27, 2007
Messages
571
Location
Central AL
It should be OK. We don't hear many trouble stories about the Kawa cables. I like simpler myself instead of the combination cables, but that's just me.

You'll need to run the RSS on a PC that can boot to DOS and runs slow enough. I have an old baby tower with a Celeron D chip in it that runs XP. I can run the RSS for the GM300 in a DOS window on that one, or boot to DOS directly. Also newer RSS's like the 1225 Radius need the XP machine. Uses the same cable BTW.
Thanks for the info. I've been happy with the Kawa cables I've bought in the past. My reasoning for getting the combination cable is that it costs just a little more than the single cable but gives me the ability to program a bunch of other radios too.

The computer I use for programming is an old Pentium II Gateway that runs Windows 98. I use it for anything that has to be run in DOS. If something needs XP then I have an old VAIO laptop with XP on it. I don't know about most folks but I usually only use serial programming cables.

Mainly I just wanted to be sure that it was alright that the programming cable had a DE-9 connector instead of a DB-25.
 

SteveC0625

Order of the Golden Dino since 1972
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Oct 24, 2009
Messages
2,795
Location
Northville, NY (Fulton County)
Thanks for the info. I've been happy with the Kawa cables I've bought in the past. My reasoning for getting the combination cable is that it costs just a little more than the single cable but gives me the ability to program a bunch of other radios too.

The computer I use for programming is an old Pentium II Gateway that runs Windows 98. I use it for anything that has to be run in DOS. If something needs XP then I have an old VAIO laptop with XP on it. I don't know about most folks but I usually only use serial programming cables.

Mainly I just wanted to be sure that it was alright that the programming cable had a DE-9 connector instead of a DB-25.
The serial card in many PC's of that era had DB-9's anyway so you should be good to go. (BTW it's a DB-9, not a DE-9 for a serial cable of any kind.) If your serial port is a DB-25, adapters are a dime a dozen out there. I usually skip the one piece adapter and just get a short serial cable that has the right DB-25 on one end and the right DB-9 on the other. They're a lot easier to work with and put less strain on the connector on the PC. YMMV.

Good luck.
 
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