This listing is for a single USB to Serial Programming, Data and/or TNC cable compatible with Kenwood & Yaesu two-way radios that support a DB-9 Female interface.
Aftermarket CI-V CAT programming software that supports these radios models is Ham Radio Deluxe (HRD)
This cable uses the FTDI genuine chipset.
Fast same day shipping on orders received before 3 pm Pacific
Time
With the cable, you get my installation instructions, email address,
and cell phone number.
My call
sign is KJ6ZWL. This business is my
passion! My cables work! I now have more
than 140 radios, costing more than $28K used just for testing my cables with
programming software. I am not
your typical eBay seller, so please take a moment and read on to understand my
message to you. You get my promise that
I will do my very best to support you. I worked as a computer support engineer
for 15 years before starting this full-time business. If you are not happy with my cables, I will
give you a full refund.
The # 1
problem my customers run into is finding the right software for their
radio. I have a database of more than
5000 radios and 800 different programming software titles. In most cases, I can share links to the
software for a customer who purchases my cable.
I do not sell software.
The # 2
problem is getting the factory programming software to communicate with the
radio or scanner they have. They see
that the software "runs" fine, but they can't read the radio or
scanner on Windows 10. They tend to
believe that the programming cable is defective. The real problem is that they need a version
of Windows(s) that was in production when the programming software was
released.
|
Windows Version |
Year
Released |
|
Win 3.1 |
1993 |
|
Win 95 |
1995 |
|
Win 98 |
1998 |
|
Win ME |
1999 |
|
Win2000 |
2000 |
|
Windows XP |
2002 |
|
Windows Vista |
2007 |
|
Windows 7 |
2009 |
|
Windows 8 |
2013 |
|
Windows 10 |
2016 |
My
ultimate goal is to organize all of my eBay cable listings by factory programming software titles and provide an internet
link to the software for those who need it.
Also, this will enable me to communicate what I know about the operating
systems that are required to program your radio successfully before you buy my
cable. This work is a very large task
that will take years. Please excuse the
mistakes I will make in the process. Let
me know about any listing errors and omissions so I can correct them for the
greater good. I have over 750
listings on eBay, so searching through my eBay store makes finding the cable
you need much easier. If you do not see your radio model in my store
and you see I sell the cable you think you need, contact me.
Please
check this listing's photos for a close-up of the connector to ensure that this
cable matches the physical characteristics of your radio's port before ordering
this cable. Most radios use the
microphone jack as the programming port, but some have a separate data port for
programming and PC to internal TNC interface. It is important to know that programming
cables use fewer signal pins than a microphone, so the pinouts are typically
simpler than your microphone cable.
Being able
to program your rig using a spreadsheet-style of a user interface, albeit
sometimes a bit primitive, can make your life so much easier. I know from
experience that this is true. Here is my
recipe for getting you up and running for a fair price with some more advice.
Watch out for cheap cable (you get what you pay for)
Any USB
programming cable priced under $10 is junk with no support if you need help,
period! You already know this, or you
wouldn't have opened this listing.
eBay
sellers who sell anything in their store and know nothing about the cables they
sell.
Virtually
all cables from other sellers come with no installation instructions and no
support.
The truth
is you don't need a CD with Windows drivers unless you are getting obsolete or
counterfeit versions of the Prolific PL2303 chipset. Typically, the OS will automatically install
the drivers when the cable is plugged into the computer. Moreover, your computer's OS is going to
install the latest version of the drivers, deleting the drivers that came on
the CD. Finally, the drivers for the
counterfeit chips do not support 64-bit Operating Systems and all versions of
Windows 10. Here is the warning copied
from Prolific's website in Taiwan.
Warning Notice:
Please be warned that counterfeit (fake) PL-2303HX (Chip Rev
A) USB to Serial Controller ICs using Prolific's trademark logo, name, and
device drivers, were being sold in the China market. Counterfeit IC products
show the same outside chip markings but generally are of poor quality and cause
Windows driver compatibility issues (Yellow Mark Error Code 10). We issue this warning to all our customers and consumers to
avoid confusion and false purchase. Prolific prohibits the distribution of any
PL-2303 drivers (including download links) without written permission from
Prolific.
NOTE:
Windows 8/8.1/10 operating systems are NOT supported in PL-2303HXA
and PL-2303X EOL chip versions.
Missing OS compatibility claims
altogether or disclaimers about Windows 64-bit not being supported are another
big red flag.
Seller listings with poor English
grammar and a USA shipping address is another red flag.
eBay Seller Location: US, US. Where is that exactly?
If you think you can send a cable
back to China and get your money refunded, you must be from Mars.
Here is what you should know/want:
· You want
to buy from someone who knows a great deal about programming HAM radios and
scanners.
· Buy from
someone who can help you find the right programming software for your model
radio and help ensure the software you need is compatible with the version of
the Operating System you are using.
· All of my
cables use genuine FTDI or Prolific chipsets, and drivers are available for all
versions of Windows, OS X, and Linux.
· Listing
errors do occur because sellers have to create so damn many listings to cover
the 5000+ radios in the marketplace today.
If you discover discrepancies between your radio and one of my listings,
please let me know so I can correct it.
· Proprietary
connectors do cost 20 to 40% more, so you will see that reflected in the
sellers' prices.
· I don't
send you to China if you have a problem.
Yes, the cables are assembled and tested in China. I don't make these in my garage.
· Only FTDI
cables support LED activity lights.
· Cables
using the FTDI chip AND a well-designed PCBs, have a unique feature that makes
them work, especially when TX & RX operate on the same wire.
· 75% of the
USB serial cables that I sell are FTDI; the remaining 25% are genuine Prolific.
· All RT
System software requires the purchase of their cables and doesn't work with any
other cable, including this one.
· For
genuine FTDI and Prolific chipsets, there are drivers available for all
versions of Windows, OS X, and Linux.
· If you are
not certain that this the right cable for your radio, please contact me first
with an eBay message before you click buy now.
Doing so will save us both time, money, and frustration if we figure
everything out together before you place your order.
Q. How can I tell if the USB serial cable I am buying
uses the Prolific or FTDI USB to serial chipset?
A. If it doesn't say FTDI in the listing title, it will use the
Prolific chipset. True USB cables do not
use USB to serial chipsets.
Q. What is the difference between FTDI and Prolific USB serial cable
other than the FTDI are more expensive?
A. The best USB serial cables are the ones with the FTDI chipset
for sure. Many people prefer FTDI because they know they work, while others want
to save money or are not aware of the differences. I have sold both cables and have
learned a lot about this question. I have found issues with 65% of the Prolific
cables on the market today. As I find issues, I stop selling the Prolific version
of that cable.
Return Policy
14-day return exchange
policy if and only if you pay to ship both ways on the exchange if you made a mistake.
If you bought the wrong physical connector, you pay, regardless of what listing
title states.
If I send you the wrong
cable or the connector is correct, and the cable does not work, I will ship you
the correct cable and a prepaid return envelope at no charge.
I offer a
1-year warranty on the cable if and only if you don't mess with it.
Technical Support
I stand behind everything
I sell, and I promise that I will do my best to troubleshoot any problem you encounter. All I ask of you is that you give me a chance
to correct any issues you have before you provide your feedback.
Contact me if you don't see what you need
or you have questions.
KJ6ZWL clear and standing by
'73