Prolific chip sets and their drivers work fine, last a long time. Windows
has licensed Prolific (and other such) drivers for years, and real Prolific
adapters work with Prolific drivers that come with Windows.
The problem is NOT Prolific (or FTDI, SiLabs, Microchip, etc.) adapters or
drivers, but adapters using Chinese clones of the Prolific (or FTDI, etc.)
chip set. Due to changes to the drivers by Microsoft and its licensees,
newer Windows version serial adapter drivers no longer work on most of
these clones.
If you (like Marty) are going to buy and use a Chinese Prolific clone
adapter, you simply must use the clone's own driver (the clone manufacturer
will provide you with a driver either on CD, or online). You should also
make sure you have the latest interface drivers installed from the radio
manufacturer's website download page.
The biggest TRICK to a successful driver install is to make sure you DO NOT
connect your adapter BEFORE loading drivers. If you screw up, go into
Device Manager, uninstall the driver, reboot and start over. ALWAYS
install drivers first, THEN reboot (best practice), THEN install
cables/adapters. After installing the Prolific clone driver, look in
Device Manager to verify the install, and note the COM port assigned by
Windows - WRITE IT DOWN, along with the COM port's baud rate, parity and
stop bits.
Same general best practice goes for the radio side - don't connect it to
cables and computers until AFTER selecting relevant menu settings. THEN,
power down, hookup, and power back up. Sequence often matters, so you
might as well develop a "best practice routine."
NOW, launch your radio control software and tell it what you wrote down
from the Device Manager COM port window. Best practice for baud rate is as
high as your radio will go, but radio and computer "should" be set to the
same rate (with some radio/computer combinations it matters, with some it
doesn't).
PLEASE ALSO NOTE that all serial cables are not alike. Some are simple
"straight through" ("pin for pin") extension cables, and many (most?) are
"cross-over" cables (otherwise known as "null," or "null-modem" cables).
In a cross-over, the "RX" at one end is connected to the "TX" on the other
end (and vice-versa). You can easily find adapters in both female and male
varieties to convert one to the other (but the same adapter will not do
both). Google it.
Further note that Yaesu's CAT port is designed to be used with a straight
serial cable, NOT a cross-over; and many USB to Serial Adapter ads don't
tell you whether they're cross-over or straight. If designed to connect a
digital device to your computer, it's probably a cross-over. Some can
switch between the two, but probably not if it came from China for $10.
Marty, yours is probably a cross-over - call CableCreations to find out.
Finally, the Yaesu FT-450D does not use the RTS ("ready to send") line.
So, if you start with the right cable and install the latest drivers
obtained from the right place in the right sequence, your hardware should
be good to go. As for application software and radio menu settings, find
someone that uses the same combination you do and see what they're doing.
Remember, Google and YouTube are your friends.
73, Gus
KG5OFB
On Sun, Apr 28, 2019 at 7:44 PM Jeffrey Carson via BVARC <[email protected]>
wrote:
> I know its a bit late, but the prolific type serial adapter is a big no no.
> I use this on my 450. Windows loads its own driver and it always works on
> every computer. FTDI and SI labs are the good chips for serial cables.
>
> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004WLA4P4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
> or
>
> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017D51ZRQ/ref=sspa_dk_detail_6?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B017D51ZRQ&pd_rd_w=Cm8wh&pf_rd_p=46cdcfa7-b302-4268-b799-8f7d8cb5008b&pd_rd_wg=Q8TNB&pf_rd_r=S6VZQ9SP69EFDTPCVFY0&pd_rd_r=2ea4e039-6a17-11e9-81c3-e19ee3aed6a0
>
> Of course your Speed and Com port will be different.
> [image: Inline image]
>
>
>
> On Sunday, April 28, 2019, 6:04:12 PM CDT, Rick Hiller via BVARC <
> [email protected]> wrote:
>
>
> Your note points back to my earlier response of ensuring the cable you
> have has continuity on the required pins.
> RH
>
> On Apr 28, 2019, at 4:45 PM, Martin Blaise via BVARC <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> One more update - this is what it says in my manual - The FT450 D has a
> built-in level converter, allowing direct connection from the rear panel
> CAT jack to the serial port of your computer without the need of any
> external boxes. You will need a serial cable for connection to the RS-232C
> (serial or COM port) connector on your computer. Purchase a standard serial
> cable (not the so-called null modem type) ensuring it has the correct
> gender and number of pins (some serial COM port connectors use a 9-pin
> rather than 25-pin configuration). If your computer uses a custom connector
> you may have to construct the cable. in this case, refer to the technical
> documentation supplied with your computer for correct data connection.
> ----- The reason I am trying to get the cat cable to work is that all rare
> DX now uses fox/hound to operate digital modes and without a cat cable I am
> unable to work any DX. Considering DXing was why I got into the hobby, that
> is why I am trying so hard to make this work.
>
>
> <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail>
> Virus-free.
> www.avg.com
> <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail>
> <#m_1026603397215539622_DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
>
> On Sun, Apr 28, 2019 at 4:24 PM Martin Blaise <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> Updated message on the com port issue. Ok, so I went back to the original
> usb to db9 serial cable and plugged it in. On Windows Device Manager, there
> is NO com4 port showing a Prolific device. So I unplugged it and plugged in
> the NEW cable I got through Amazon. In Windows Device Manager it shows
> Prolific com 3 and Prolific on com 4. Com 3 is the line to the NOMIC. Com 4
> should be the CAT CABLE from the Yaesu 450d to the computer. I am using PCC
> 450d software as stated earlier. When I open the software I first have to
> select the com. Com 4 is in red and is the ONLY com port showing in red. I
> click on it and it takes. Then I have to click on a com button so it will
> connect to the port. It always fails. I did install the driver that came
> with the cable I bought. It says Prolific USB to Serial Comm Port 4 on
> device manager (and the other on com 3). I don't think I have the tools to
> measure continuity on pins. Could I have a bad RS232 port on the Yaesu? I
> think the problem is in the computer somewhere. Why would a device show up
> in device manager for one cable and not the other? And if the device is
> showing on com 4 in device manager, I am wondering why I cannot connect. I
> don't know if I can attach files here, so I will explain the two graphics
> and the messages I get - select com 4, enter, then click on com and get
> "connecting the com port now" and this is always followed by "failed to
> connect the com port." Is my computer damaged inside? Hope this update
> helps. I really can't afford a new computer desktop right now.
>
>
> <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail>
> Virus-free.
> www.avg.com
> <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail>
> <#m_1026603397215539622_m_-6069923354974470856_DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
>
> On Sun, Apr 28, 2019 at 8:13 AM Martin Blaise <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> I am trying to get my Yaesu 450d to work with a Cat Cable to the usb port
> on the computer. When I plug in the cable I hear clicks on the radio and
> the TX is flashing. But when I try to use the PCC 450d software I set the
> com port to 4 and then click on com. It tries to connect, but then always
> tells me there is an error connecting to the com port. It shows com 4 as
> red saying that is the one to use. Com 3 is already in use. I guess I need
> someone who could physically come look at the computer or at the least get
> with me on team viewer. Com 3 is being used for the Nomic serial cable. I
> can be contacted here or call me at 713-305-2148. I really would like to be
> able to control the Yaesu RIG from the software. Folks on the internet said
> I probably bought the wrong cable. I disagree but I need help. Thanks.
> Marty, AG5T
>
>
> <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail>
> Virus-free.
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> <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail>
> <#m_1026603397215539622_m_-6069923354974470856_m_-3906505115546082267_DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
>
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