PGDT Serial interface cable ...USB Alternative :D

[malamar]

Woody,just to remember you i'll be eagerly waitig a new one from you (at a price obviously)
Do not forget me, please
Giordano

[Burgerman]

I just made 2 leads. Neither communicate. Both install, and have tried ports 1 to 8, and the program sees the USB adapter/port. But says Comms Inactive... Very odd since Woddys original cable/driver worked perfectly. Whats different?

[woodygb]

Keep watching your mailbox ...I posted it 3 days ago

[woodygb]

I just made 2 leads. Neither communicate. Both install, and have tried ports 1 to 8, and the program sees the USB adapter/port. But says Comms Inactive... Very odd since Woddys original cable/driver worked perfectly. Whats different?

No idea John... but I have popped the USB covers off 4 leads and seen an inconsistency of USB boards types and serial numbers as only 2 have matched ... try the diode trick see if that changes anything.

Post me one of the leads next week and we'll see if it will work for me.

I may ultimately need to get a Windows 7 puter ...but that won't be for a month or so.

So .... unless I can find the solution NO MORE leads will be supplied.

[Burgerman]

Any diode? Only have some big or zenner ones here...

[woodygb]

Hmmmm zener ...dunno ... I just picked out a small diode from my box.

[Burgerman]

I will see...

Remember your first lead worked fine on my Win 7 64bit machines here. What was the difference between that, and the 2 leads I have now, as ordered from the link you posted?

[woodygb]

01/02/12 1 off Kenwood KPG-4 Replacement USB RIB-Less Programming Cable
First cable .... B.M. Tested
Brax exchange .... working

March ... KPG-4 for Segreen? .... working


11/04/12 1 off Kenwood KPG-46 Replacement USB RIB-Less Programming Cable
Nick .... working

04/05/12 1 off Kenwood KPG-46 Replacement USB RIB-Less Programming Cable
Malamar ... not working


09/05/12 CHEAP Chinese Programming cable for Kenwood Mobile KPG-46 KPG-4
Now works for me...



I am under the impression that the KPG-46 and KPG-4 differed only in the CAT Plug.

[Burgerman]

3.6 ZENNER. So should still work for TTL logic regardless. Will test it later if I can find them!

[malamar]

Take your time Woody and Bm...but let me have the working one...I already had a heart stroke in '96...

04/05/12 1 off Kenwood KPG-46 Replacement USB RIB-Less Programming Cable
Malamar ... not working

[wheeliechair]

I would rather get one from you. So that I know it works.

[woodygb]

I will NOT be supplying any cables until I can be SURE that any communication problems are ironed out.

Once this is resolved.... I will resume ...I presently have 4 cables that work for me ...but may not work for others.

I'll be asking B.M. to be so kind as to check the comms of the leads that I presently have...and hopefully fulfill my present commitments.

[Burgerman]

Yep send them I will test. Cant find a suitable diode to test these two though. And its god day...

[woodygb]

John.
A selection of cables should be arriving with you today.


There is a printed sheet in the box and the cable combo's are numbered.

I have made a mistake in the description of one of them ...it's an Ex Brax lead .

1 = NEUTRIK PLUG + DIODE

2 = ICOM ( RX and TX joined on board )

3 = CHEAP CHINESE EBAY + DIODE ( on the usb board )

4 = EX-BRAX = CHEAP CHINESE no diode

5 = ICOM + DIODE ( in the plug )

FINALLY

IF ... 2 + 1 WORKS
then OPEN NEUTRIK PLUG and disconnect one end of diode ..Try again.

[Burgerman]

Will do that!
And report back, and re-post.

Tell me, what part is the diode playing? For the life of me I cant see why it would be needed.

Do all of these need the same/different drivers (all my machnes are 64bit win7)?

[woodygb]

As far as I can tell it's diverting a TX/RX pulse directly to the Common wire.... WHY this should work Fnose ...
I discovered this possible "FIX" whilst using a combo board I'd made... it has an inverting chip for the Curtis part and a switch to turn the chips power ON/OFF.

The board has two USB outputs ports so that I can plug in various output plug types without making up a complete dedicated lead... one is just straight thru ... the other is via the inverting chip .

I'd taken the cheap NON Working Chinese lead and was using that for a Curtis interface ...the board has an LED so I can see the pulses sent ...one day I interfaced this setup with the PGDT prog and controller and whilst playing ...in this case swapping ports and turning the chip OFF the NON working lead CONNECTED!

After studying the chip schematic the only possible extra component active in this home built board...with the power OFF.. was a diode to GND.

[woodygb]

After studying the chip schematic the only possible extra component active in this home built board...with the power OFF.. was a diode to GND on the TX/RX lines.

[woodygb]

Do all of these need the same/different drivers (all my machnes are 64bit win7)?

Should be the same driver for ALL ...
I have found that I MUST close the PGDT Prog before swapping USB leads over.. otherwise it hangs ...and even ALT CTRL DEL won't clear it.

[woodygb]

You .. or anyone ..might like to try this PL2303 DRIVER installer.
http://sdrv.ms/Nm9qRD

PL-2303 Driver Setup Installer, Prolific Edition
Setup Installer Revision Note History
===========================================

System Requirement:
. Supports the following Windows OSes:
- Windows 98SE
- Windows ME
- Windows 2000 SP4
- Windows XP SP2 and above (32 & 64 bit)
- Windows Server 2003 (32 & 64 bit)
- Windows Server 2008 / 2008 R2 (32 & 64 bit)
- Windows Vista (32 & 64 bit)
- Windows 7 (32 & 64 bit)
NOTE: For Windows 7, please use RC build 7100 or above build version.
. USB host controller
. Device using PL-2303H/HX/X version chip


Supported device ID and product strings:
. VID_067B&PID_2303 for "Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port"


Driver Versions:
-------------------
- Windows 98/ME Driver: v2.0.0.19
- Windows 2000/XP/Server2003 (32 & 64-bit) WDM WHQL Driver: v2.0.13.130
- Windows Vista/7/Server2008 (32 & 64-bit) WDF WHQL Driver: v3.3.11.152


Release Notes:
---------------
PL2303 Driver Installer v1.3.0
Changes from Installer v1.2.10:
Driver Changes -
- No driver change

Installer Changes -
- Fixed "Modify/Repair" Menu options to show correct installer version.

Installer & Build date: 1.3.0 (2010-7-15)

Language Support:
- English (default)
- Chinese (Traditional)
- Chinese (Simplified)
- Japanese


========================================
Prolific Technology Inc.
http://www.prolific.com.tw

[malamar]

Downloaded and installed; report after deep breathing and daring to look at monitor..

[Burgerman]

Already have it. Not working here.

Do you have the driver that I first tested on a mini CD? tHAT WAS KNOWN TO WORK HERE.

[woodygb]

The disc you have with the ICOM leads is ...I believe ...exactly the same as the original leads disc.
But ...here's a download that I believe is from the original.
http://sdrv.ms/L2Cfka

[Burgerman]

Cables arrived. Will test all as soon as I can.

[Burgerman]

Much testing later and on PC and laptop non of the cables work. Retested without diode and same thing.

How come the first cable you sent worked perfectly? What is different?

Will post back asap.

[woodygb]

What is different?

I wish I knew! .... I've ordered from the same place each time ...I can only assume that I've recently got a different batch.

I'm going to contact Brax ( he has the original ) and ask him to pop the lid on the USB plug and give me the number off the internal board..... I'll then attempt to chase it via the manufacturer who I believe is Maxton.

[woodygb]

Pics of interface deleted until I can find a reliable lead.

[Burgerman]

Oh well, at least we know.

[woodygb]

Indeed ... It may take sometime to find out which/what/why ...

I've e mailed Brax ...
With a bit of luck the info he supplies will allow me to prod Maxton for info.. might have to promise to "buy" 50-100 units to get the info... and I'll need samples...

[brax]

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I was out all day and, unlike the rest of the world, i do not carry a smart phone. i still wait to get home to check my email. See:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEoWaP4skv8


I have a theory on why Woody's original cable worked and the other cables don't. Emphasis on theory

I will need to run out and buy a decent camera with macro capabilities to take a decent pic of the board.

Anything i can do don't hesitate to call on me.

peace
brax

[brax]

What is different?

I'm going to contact Brax ( he has the original ) and ask him to pop the lid on the USB plug and give me the number off the internal board..... I'll then attempt to chase it via the manufacturer who I believe is Maxton.

MAXTON
0804-u2

peace
brax