CHIRP no USB

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Werthers
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CHIRP no USB

Post by Werthers »

I know this is a common problem. I'm having great difficulty in installing my Baofeng USB programming cable to use with CHIRP.

I have followed all the instructions that I could find online and have uninstalled and re-installed the driver without any joy. CHIRP only sees COM Port 1 and COM Port 2. No USB and wont get a response from radio anyway.

In Windows Device Manager it says "PL230HXA PHASED OUT SINCE 2012 PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SUPPLIER"

Is there anyway to get CHIRP running in Linux?
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Re: CHIRP no USB

Post by Werthers »

I think I will just get one of these to make life easier.
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Re: CHIRP no USB

Post by Werthers »

God this is so frustrating {bnghd} I give up.

The problem is because the programming cable uses a fake chip Windows 10 will not support it no matter what you do or what drivers you download and install so its sods law.

I can still program baofeng radios on my old windows laptop using the baofeng programming software but the laptop is to old to run Chirp.

I have my old Windows 7 PC but its right in the back of the junk cupboard and can't be asked to get everything out right now to get to it.

I will order that serial cable but will have to wait for that to arrive from China which could take an age.
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WhiteNoisePoetry
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Re: CHIRP no USB

Post by WhiteNoisePoetry »

Get the old WIn7 PC out and trash WIn 7 if you feel that there's no software worth saving.
Linux doesn't care a hoot about cloned chips at all, everything works and the drivers are build into to the "kernel".

Install Linux Mint (I recommend the MATE editions as they run a bit faster).
Grab an ISO, burn to a bootable DVD or USB stick, whatever is easier to boot from.

Some PC's BIOS have SAFE BOOT options to prevent external OS booting, turn it off or it will ignore your
new boot disk.

Go to the SOFTWARE manager and type CHIRP, it will find it and install it.

You may require a magic command to allow access to comports.
If you do then type in the terminal "sudo usermod -a -G dialout username"
Reboot.

Job done.

Fire up Chirp and select comport, probably called USB0 in the settings but may differ.
With Chirp you must READ a radio before programming it, so that you can be sure that you're not going to brick it.

Note, new FTDI drivers in Windows deliberately brick cloned chips by writing a new device ID to 0000, and
that prevents Windows from knowing what drivers to install and use. If you're unlucky it may have been bricked.

Google FTDI-gate for further outrage ;-)

- WNP -
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ch25
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Re: CHIRP no USB

Post by ch25 »

Install that driver.
https://bucket.linuxsystems.ovh/pl2303a ... PL2303.zip
Device manager, rmb on "PL230HXA PHASED OUT SINCE 2012 PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SUPPLIER"
Actualize driver, browse my computer, choose from the list, use file dated 27.10.2008r
Problem solved.

Another guide: https://vk3tbs.home.blog/2019/10/11/usb-device-error/
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WhiteNoisePoetry
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Re: CHIRP no USB

Post by WhiteNoisePoetry »

Win 8/10 will overwrite the old driver with the new "bricker" driver upon each update.
Beware !

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Re: CHIRP no USB

Post by Werthers »

Thanks for your help people :thumbup:

My Windows 7 PC has all my Hytera programming software on it and some Motorola CPS stuff on it so I don't want to Linux it, Chirp should work ok with the serial ports.

I will give Mint Linux a try. I have Toughbook somewhere that has a knackered hard drive with Windows 10, I will get a new SSD drive for it and put Mint Linux on to that.
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ch25
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Re: CHIRP no USB

Post by ch25 »

For programming purpose you can install and run Linux from a USB stick.
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Re: CHIRP no USB

Post by WhiteNoisePoetry »

Usually I would avoid suggesting dual booting, since Win 8 and up
had a nasty habit of overwriting any
3rd party boot loaders.

But Win7 should be ok if you want to go that way.

Or as the other chap says, you could boot from usb for a quick fix.
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ch25
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Re: CHIRP no USB

Post by ch25 »

Who said dual boot? Install and boot from USB, no dual boot involved.
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Re: CHIRP no USB

Post by Werthers »

Windows 7 will be fine at least then I can run most of my radio programming software on it. It wont ever be connected to the internet so security isn't an issue.

Windows XP would be better because its more compatible with older programs but overriding the 30 days activation key on XP can be a right pain so Windows 7 is good enough, it gets the job done thats all that matters.
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