[Elecraft] USB to Serial Ports adapter: a product test

[Kenneth A Christiansen]

Hi Don and the group

Could you give us the information on which wires of the Wouxun cable go to which pins on the DB9 connector so I can use the USB adaptor for my K3 to program my hand held. I have only 3 computers all using Windows 8.1 and so far a work around but haven't used it for a month so don't know if it is working today or next time I need it. Please respond here on the reflector as I know other people need this information just as I have for almost 2 years. If possible it would be nice to use the KX3 USB adaptor also.

Thank you and I know your answer will be appreciated.

73

Ken W0CZ  w0cz at i29 dot net

Sent from my iPad

> On Mar 28, 2014, at 1:56 AM, Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com> wrote:
> 
> That "explanation" dances all around the real world situation.  The Chinese have been making cheap counterfeit Prolific and FTDI chips. Both Prolific and FTDI have produced drivers which detect those counterfeit chips to protect their intellectual property.
> While the counterfeit chips may work fine when used under Windows XP, they will not work with the newer Windows 7 or 8 drivers.
> 
> Yes, there are "workarounds" - turn off Windows updates and load the older drivers which do not have the detection algorithms.  I would prefer not to do that, and I have been burned several times with the Chinese counterfeit transistors and ICs.  I ordered what was supposed to be 2N5739 transistors which are no longer available from reliable manufacturers.  I had to throw all 10 of them into the trash because they did not work above the audio range.  The SSM2165 used on the K2 KSB2 board is an obsolete part, but is advertized from Chinese vendors - unfortunately, that chip does not work, so it is "buyer beware".  If you buy counterfeit goods, it is just like getting a counterfeit $100 bill, it is worthless.  Unfortunately, there are vendors who are listing 'workarounds' in order to sell their counterfeit products rather than 'raising hell' to stop this proliferation of counterfeit devices.
> 
> I cut the USB end off the USB to Wouxun adapter that had the counterfeit chip in it and will be connecting it to a DB9 connector.  I can then connect it to either a real serial port or to a good USB to serial adapter.
> 
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
> 
>> On 3/28/2014 1:11 AM, WA7SPY wrote:
>> Here is a very good explanation about USB to serial port converters. ( see below) You pay a higher price but the recommended one works with my Windows 7 PC. I have had no problems connecting older RS232 equipment to my Windows 7 PC. It works like a champ.
>> I have no interest in the US Converters but there products work well!
>> http://www.usconverters.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=62
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> On Mar 27, 2014, at 8:57 PM, Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hi all,
>>> 
>>> I have had an experience with the Chinese "fake" Prolific USB to serial chips.  A Wouxun VHF/UHF handeld would not work with my Win7 computer because the Prolific drivers identified the chip as a fake Chinese knockoff.  I tried the solutions in the web as well as the older Prolific drivers with no great success.  I even tried the Linux solutions and was not able to program the handheld (I am not a Linux guru, but I followed the instructions).  Simply, it did not work, and I am not willing  to keep a Windows XP computer going just for these Chinese fake chips.  I bought the programming cable in good faith, but that faith has been destroyed by the Chinese fake chips.
> 
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> 
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to wocz at i29.net