Kenwood: Programming Kenwood TH-F7 Communication timeout error

[Combemartian]

Hi, I have a Kenwood TH-F7 and I'm trying to get the MCP-F6/F7 ( downloaded from Kenwood ) to work but keep getting " communication timeout error "
My computer is a HP Z400 running Windows 7. ( I also have windows 10 loaded on it but haven't tried that )
I have two interface cables, one is a home made RS232 serial box and the other is a Baofeng USB interface cable. Both exhibit the same error.
As the computer has no built in serial port I have to use a USB to serial port adapter for the serial box. Both adapters show up as " Prolific USB to serial Comm Port " in the Device Manager.
I have an old PC running Windows XP that has a built in serial port and I can use the MCP-F6/F7 software on that with the RS232 box with no problems so I assume the box is working fine.
I can use the USB cable to program my Quansheng radio and it works fine. The other thing is I can use this cable with CHIRP software and it reads from the TH-F7 perfectly, so I'm assuming the COMM port settings are correct and the radio settings are also correct.
I have downloaded and reinstalled the MCP-F6/F7 software. I have tried various sequences of powering the radio on, starting the software and connecting the radio.
It's not the end of the world but it is a pain having to fire up the old PC whenever I want to change the programming.
Any ideas or suggestions much appreciated.
Thanks.
Dave.

 

[AK9R]

Cables can be flakey. And, cables that use Prolific chips are always suspect because they are often counterfeits.

I've had good luck with cables from Valley Enterprises. This one would fit your TH-F7: Kenwood KPG-22 USB FTDI Chipset Two-Way Radio Programming Cable

I've also heard good things about cables from Blue Maxers. Their cable for your TH-F7 is: Kenwood TH-F6 FTDI Programming Cable KPG-22

 

[MTS2000des]

You did set menu 9 to "PC" correct?

 

[Combemartian]

Many thanks for your reply.
I can’t see the cable(s) being at fault as I can use COMM port box on my other computer and it works.
The USB to COMM port adapter works fine with other programs such as HamRadioDelux to control my other radios.
The Baofeng cable works fine with my Quanshen radio and also the Kenwood I’m trying to program when using CHIRP so I can’t see the cables being the problem.
Thanks again.
Dave

 

[MTS2000des]

So you have menu 9 set to PC? If not, your F7 will not ever connect to any PC. Confirm this critical step first. On the radio menu, go to menu 9, make sure it says PC.

 

[Combemartian]

Yes, set to PC, As I said I can communicate with the radio using my old PC and on my Z400 using CHIRP