You've just received your two way radio, taken it out of the package, and now you want to get it operational. You plugged in the programming cable, downloaded the driver, set up the software, and connected the cable the radio to program it.
There is just one small glitch. When you run the program, the software can't seem to find the radio. It can't connect to the cable. It can't even find the COM port. What gives?
First, don't panic or blow a fuse. There are several devices in the mix and multiple connections here, plus an entire computer system. It could be anything. Before you pack up all the new stuff and send it back to the dealer, find out what the real problem is. It may not be as bad as you think. It may even be quick and easy to resolve.
Here are the steps to troubleshoot if the programming software for your two way radio does not recognize the COM Port or the programming cable purchased from Buy Two Way Radios.
Step 1. Verify the programming cable is installed correctly.
- If using our programming cable and it is installed correctly, proceed to Step 2.
- If programming cable is not installed correctly, re-install the cable driver.
Step 2. Verify the COM Port number assigned to your programming cable.
- If you are running Microsoft Windows, go the the Device Manager and click on Ports (COM & LPT).
- Note the number of the COM port assigned to your cable.
Step 3. Verify the correct COM Port is recognized and listed as active in the programming software.
- If the COM port assigned to the programming cable is listed as active and available, choose it and skip to Step 5.
- If the COM port assigned to the programming cable is NOT listed as available, go to Step 4.
Step 4. Assign another COM Port to the USB programming cable.
- Open the Device Manager, go to Ports (COM & LPT) and right click on the listing for the USB programming cable.
- Click PROPERTIES in the pop-up menu.
- Click on the PORT SETTINGS tab.
- Click the ADVANCE button.
- Click the drop down list next to COM Port Number: and choose a COM Port below the number 10 that is not in use.
- Click OK to save the setting, then click OK again to exit the Communications Port (COMX) properties window.
- Note the new COM Port number assigned to the USB Programming Cable and go back to Step 3.
- If a new COM Port number was assigned to the cable and it is still not recognized by your programming software, skip to Step 6.
Step 5. Run or close and restart the programming software.
Step 6. If the program does not recognize the programming cable or the COM Port assigned to it, refer to the manufacturer of the programming software.
If you are using CHIRP programming software, go to the CHIRP web site at http://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home and download the latest daily build of CHIRP or report the issue to CHIRP.
If these instructions are followed correctly, the programming software for your radio should be able to recognize the correct COM port and access your programming cable.
BTW, both programs are current versions.
Thanks.
I know the radio, software and cable works because I am able to use a desktop with windows 10 to program/connect with the radio. I know the port on my laptop works as I can communicate with a Baofeng radio using CHIRP software.
It seems windows 11 is NOT COMPATIBLE with the TYT software.
Please send any suggestions to my e mail?
I used to write product software, I've been doing it for decades, and for better or worse this kind of serial communication to monitor/program/whatever used to be a common product feature. I've had to write a lot of these ad hoc serial protocols and I should say that nobody ever let me get away with this kind of hit and miss "give the customer the runaround" level of quality. So I've got a pretty low tolerance when its spring on me. We should have moved on by now anyway -- programming cables and the like have been obsolete for many years -- both charging and communication should be done over USB. While we're about it we need to retire these obsolete headphone/microphone jacks -- whether the radio manufacturers like it or not the computer and phone people have established a de-facto standard which they need to adopt.
could not open port COM4: [Error 433] A device which does not exist was specified."
I seems that the device manager shows Ports (COM & LPT): PL2303TA DO NOT SUPPORT WINDOWS OR LATER, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SUPPLIER
I am stymied. I bought the cable from Yaesu. Did I get the wrong cable?
Thank you for the informative article. When I try to change my cable from port 10 to another lower number port, like you mention, they all show that they are in use. What do you do in this case?
Thanks!
I have installed the driver correctly (USB to Com -RS232), also there is no problem in the CPS (under windows). But the last moment before completion of the device reading, an error pops up and says: "check your RIB connection". Even the green light on the panel blinks before the error message.
I would be grateful if you help me with that.
I have the software from the manufacturer and I run it and it seems port 7, and I click read radio then read from the box that pops up, and after 2 seconds it says Write Error !
Does anyone know why it is doing this ?
The drivers installed correctly and the software sees the port.
Are there specific settings needed under the com port in device manager ?
Flow control ? Stop bit ? Data rate ? Etc ..
Anyone else see this error on a BJ-218 ?
I tried writing to the radio, got the same error
Any ideas ?
Thanks
Bill
KC2OVX