03-09-2024, 08:25 AM
FTDI USB-serial adapter PCBs
So you have bought a nominal FTDI interface board from eBay or similar to use to interface to your handheld (+ ) so you can use Chirp. [ https://chirpmyradio.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home ]
And most of these PCBs have a mini-USB socket instead of a type-C. Suitable USB leads are now hard-to-find.
You plugged it into a spare USB port via a cable and there isn't a new COM port appearing.. But.. the TX and RX LEDs flashed and the power LED is lit !
Even though you might have installed the FT232RL drivers from https://ftdichip.com/drivers/vcp-drivers/ , the serial port does not appear in Windows Device Manager under Ports (COM and LPT). In lieu the device might appear under the generic title USB devices when plugged in via the cable.
Checking the properties of it shows an error message like ‘Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed)’
This device cannot start. (Code 10)
A request for the USB device descriptor failed.
No driver is loaded..
Sometimes there may be a good reason for that :
1. it could be a fake FT232RL chip;
2. or more likely, you grabbed a long unused USB type A to mini-USB lead that was supplied with your dash-cam or GPS or similar and used that to plug in the FTDI board.
Unfortunately, those type of leads do NOT support USB data exchange, some have only the 2 power wires in them in lieu of 4 etc, so if your USB lead is more than about 0.5 metre to 1.0 metre long, your very first thing to do is find/buy a short cable.
Plug in the new/short lead and up pops your new COM port !
PS Grab that old lead and mark it "Power Only" so you do not fall into that trap again..
So you have bought a nominal FTDI interface board from eBay or similar to use to interface to your handheld (+ ) so you can use Chirp. [ https://chirpmyradio.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home ]
And most of these PCBs have a mini-USB socket instead of a type-C. Suitable USB leads are now hard-to-find.
You plugged it into a spare USB port via a cable and there isn't a new COM port appearing.. But.. the TX and RX LEDs flashed and the power LED is lit !
Even though you might have installed the FT232RL drivers from https://ftdichip.com/drivers/vcp-drivers/ , the serial port does not appear in Windows Device Manager under Ports (COM and LPT). In lieu the device might appear under the generic title USB devices when plugged in via the cable.
Checking the properties of it shows an error message like ‘Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed)’
This device cannot start. (Code 10)
A request for the USB device descriptor failed.
No driver is loaded..
Sometimes there may be a good reason for that :
1. it could be a fake FT232RL chip;
2. or more likely, you grabbed a long unused USB type A to mini-USB lead that was supplied with your dash-cam or GPS or similar and used that to plug in the FTDI board.
Unfortunately, those type of leads do NOT support USB data exchange, some have only the 2 power wires in them in lieu of 4 etc, so if your USB lead is more than about 0.5 metre to 1.0 metre long, your very first thing to do is find/buy a short cable.
Plug in the new/short lead and up pops your new COM port !
PS Grab that old lead and mark it "Power Only" so you do not fall into that trap again..
Doug VK4ADC @ QG62LG51
http://www.vk4adc.com
This Forum is only going to be as interesting as the posts it contains.
If you have a comment or question, post it as it may trigger or answer the query in someone else's mind.
http://www.vk4adc.com
This Forum is only going to be as interesting as the posts it contains.
If you have a comment or question, post it as it may trigger or answer the query in someone else's mind.