Wouxun HT programming cable issue

[N5TWB]

My computer and the Wouxun programming cable are not working well together. I have successfully used the cable in the last 60 days but now it won't. I've uninstalled/re-installed the driver software from Wouxun's site but it appears to be a Com port issue but it seems you can't manually re-assign the port as the software does that. I've looked at Device Manager and actually un-installed the device so the software could re-install it.

I believe part of the problem is the multiple drivers/cables necessary to support my various amateur and scanner radios (ICOM, R/S, Wouxun, Yaesu). Has anybody else struggled with and overcome this issue? I've had to go through the driver re-install routine on all of them at various times but this is the only one that I can't fix.

 

[LtDoc]

You have discovered the @#$ joy of computer programming and having multiple drivers for things! Is there a very simple answer to your predicament? Not really, at least I wish I knew it too if there is one.
There are a couple of things you might try. -When- you plug that cable into the computer -and- HT can make a big difference (it does in my case). The 'trick' that works for me is to plug that cable into the HT after starting the program, not before. I don't know why, but it works. You can change com ports/USB ports. The 'how' of it depends on the operating system of the computer, but it can be done. The thing to remember with that is to change it back when you're finished, you know? [That's with Wouxun's program!]
Good luck!
- 'Doc

 

[N4KVE]

My computer and the Wouxun programming cable are not working well together. I have successfully used the cable in the last 60 days but now it won't. I've uninstalled/re-installed the driver software from Wouxun's site but it appears to be a Com port issue but it seems you can't manually re-assign the port as the software does that. I've looked at Device Manager and actually un-installed the device so the software could re-install it.

I saw this happen to a local guy with these Chinese radios. The software worked last week, but not any more. I don't know how he resolved the problem, but this is one of the reasons I avoid these Chinese radios. GARY N4KVE

 

[N5TWB]

Thanks for both of the responses. I'll try the plug-in situation, LtDoc. And, Gary, I compounded the problem this weekend at the Joplin ARC Hamfest by purchasing a Baofeng -- the price was just too appealing. I'll keep plugging away on it - thanks, again.

 

[KZ9G]

I have found with mine that I must put it in the same usb port every time to get it to work. It will not work an any other but the one I originally installed. Also it will not install correctley in any other ports. Annoying but what do you expect with a prolific chipset.

 

[acyddrop]

With it being a Chinese product it's as likely the cable has gone wonky as any other thing. I have multiple USB devices plugged into my PC (mice, keyboards, Serial port, game keypads, radios, SDR, printer, etc etc) and haven't experienced very many issues with Windows failing to recognize any of them. When it does choke, the fix that works 98% of the time or better is to unplug the device experiencing the problem wait 5 or 10 seconds, then plug it back in. That fixes most of my problems in Windows with driver/initialization problems.

 

[N5TWB]

KZ9G & acyddrop: Thanks for additional things to consider and try out. I appreciate your thoughts.

 

[mkewman]

I swear to god I'm not being a smarty-pants here:

I had this problem last week and found that the cable wasn't 100% seated in the radio. It felt secure but an extra nudge of a couple mm made it click into place and work fine.

I personally have used several computers to program my Wouxun HT and haven't had any problem (other than a slightly unplugged cable) with the Powerwerx/Wouxun USB cable. In fact windows recognizes it right away on a stock computer install. I think the "Driver problems" come from cables that aren't made by the company that makes the radio.

 

[N5TWB]

OK, further updates after increasing levels of frustration: the cable, originally ordered with the Wouxun radio, is also supposed to work with the new Baofeng UV5R. Further research on that radio gave me info from a Yahoo users group that the driver issues relate to an imitation Prolific chipset in the cable and using older drivers is supposed to fix that because new Prolific drivers won't work with the copycat chipsets. Windows goes out to get the updated drivers automatically so you have to overwrite the drivers to get the old driver.

I've followed multiple hints from this thread as well as the Yahoo users group board that claim the older drivers are the solution but I still get communication failures. This is in spite of no yellow exclamation marks in Device Manager, a known/matching Com Port setting that is properly checked in the software, and checking the seating of the spkr/mic connection on the radio, with a little spit on the plug to ensure contact/seating.

About the only thing I can come up with is a purchase of another cable but there still may be an issue with counterfeit chipsets. Anybody with other ideas is welcome to offer them but I'm feeling pretty stumped right now.

 

[acyddrop]

I had a problem with an inexpensive programming cable for a Kenwood radio. What I ended up doing was getting a serial based programming cable (those are really hard to screw up, since it's just wire to pins and some soldier) and got a Plugable USB to RS-232 adapter. You can get it on Amazon for under 13 bucks. Here's the link: Amazon.com: Plugable USB to RS-232 DB9 Serial Adapter (Prolific PL2303HX Chipset): Computers & Accessories

You can probably find a suitable RS232 programming cable for $10-20 and this should hopefully solve your problem. The Plugable uses the Prolific PL2303HX chipset and has given me no problem whatsoever. It does however appear (though I haven't had the need to play around with it, so I'm not 100% sure) that it's hardwired to Com4. For me that's not a problem and has never posed an issue. When it's not in-use I simply unplug it and set it aside.

 

[N5TWB]

I had a problem with an inexpensive programming cable for a Kenwood radio. What I ended up doing was getting a serial based programming cable (those are really hard to screw up, since it's just wire to pins and some soldier) and got a Plugable USB to RS-232 adapter. You can get it on Amazon for under 13 bucks. Here's the link: Amazon.com: Plugable USB to RS-232 DB9 Serial Adapter (Prolific PL2303HX Chipset): Computers & Accessories

You can probably find a suitable RS232 programming cable for $10-20 and this should hopefully solve your problem. The Plugable uses the Prolific PL2303HX chipset and has given me no problem whatsoever. It does however appear (though I haven't had the need to play around with it, so I'm not 100% sure) that it's hardwired to Com4. For me that's not a problem and has never posed an issue. When it's not in-use I simply unplug it and set it aside.

Thanks for the lead and recommendation. Com4 is already claimed on this machine by Intel Active Management Technology SOL so I'll have to figure a way around that.

 

[vbcr1711]

I had the same issue at one point. It was all the stuff I had plugged into this puter. A friend of mine suggested this and it worked. Haven't had an issue since. Home - CHIRP

 

[N5TWB]

I had the same issue at one point. It was all the stuff I had plugged into this puter. A friend of mine suggested this and it worked. Haven't had an issue since. Home - CHIRP

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried it based on info from the Baofeng Yahoo group site yesterday but it also came up as a communication failure. Since two different drivers and two different programs (Baofeng and Wouxun) are showing failure, it seems I'm being pointed toward acquiring a new cable that hopefully has an approved/authentic chipset.

 

[mjz55]

Someone mentioned a plug issue. I bought another plug thinking the original plug was bad. I do however, plug it in and out a few times and push hard. My computer will find it every time I do it this way. Not sure if the usb part is a tad short or the plastic plug part is a mm too long.

 

[dksac2]

I think you will find that it is an update problem. My cable worked perfect, then a while later, no matter what I did, trying 3 different computers, it would not program.
There are supposed to be fixes, but nothing worked. No trip to the barber for a few weeks, I pulled all my hair out. I've got rid of the radios, I'm sticking with the major brands from now on, life is too short to mess with crap from China.

John

 

[twobanger]

Ont thing everybody seems to forget is to slow down the com pory to 1200 and use xonxoff.

 

[SoundFX]

It's definitely a driver issue. I ended up re-installing Win7 because it wouldn't overwrite the newer driver with the old. After the re-install the older driver works perfectly again. Glad this computer is only used to program radios and doesn't have a wealth of other stuff on it...

 

[sparks40]

I went through this when I got a new laptop. My Wouxun programming cable wouldn't work with the software no matter what I did. I had received the cable with the HT when I purchased it, so I don't even know if it is a genuine programming cable or the one with the imitation chip. Either way, I just said the heck with it and purchased the cable and software from RT Systems. Not a hiccup since, and those folks will take care of you if you do encounter any issues with their products. I had previously purchased the software and cable for my FT-60, and have been very satisfied with it. I have tried various free software for scanners and HT's, and I really think you get what you pay for. Just my $.02....

 

[N5TWB]

I forgot to come back with the final solution for this which was as I expected: new cable. Fortunately, I didn't have to buy it as another ham in my office bought a Baofeng UV5R along with the cable containing an approved chipset. He had never done radio programming via computer before so he gave me free use of his cable just for programming his new radio. Seems to be a good trade...

BTW, I use the CHIRP software for the Baofeng and like it more than the Wouxun - I'd recommend it highly.

 

[SCPD]

I swear to god I'm not being a smarty-pants here:

I had this problem last week and found that the cable wasn't 100% seated in the radio. It felt secure but an extra nudge of a couple mm made it click into place and work fine.

I personally have used several computers to program my Wouxun HT and haven't had any problem (other than a slightly unplugged cable) with the Powerwerx/Wouxun USB cable. In fact windows recognizes it right away on a stock computer install. I think the "Driver problems" come from cables that aren't made by the company that makes the radio.

The same thing has happened to me several times,try and plug it in and set it a little better.I am glad someone mentioned this ,I had been looking for this solution now I saw someone post it for the OP...Thanks