USB CI-V driver needed

[WB4IUY]

I posted this over in Remote Operation as well, as I wasn't sure what the best place would be. Here goes... I use a Kawamall CI-V interface cable between the computer and mi IC-756 (non-pro model). After a HD crash and repair, I realized that I have lost the USB driver for it, and can't locate the disc. Does anyone have this that can email to wb4iuy@eastrc.org or maybe put it on your webserver so I can download it? Any help is appreciated!

Thanks,
Dave WB4IUY
www.WB4IUY.net
wb4iuy@eastrc.org

[AA4PB]

I believe it uses a Prolific USB chip set. You may be able to find drivers for the Prolific on their web site.

[WB4IUY]

I believe it uses a Prolific USB chip set. You may be able to find drivers for the Prolific on their web site.

I've poked around on there, but didn't find anything that seemed to be the correct driver. Are these CI-V cables USB-to-RS232 converters?

[AA4PB]

"Are these CI-V cables USB-to-RS232 converters?"

They are really USB to serial TTL converters. The USB part uses the same chip set but for CI-V they omit the chip that does the TTL to RS232 conversion. The result is that they use the same driver. Basically what the driver does on the computer is to make a logical connection to the USB port and convert it to a logical serial port in the operating system.

serial TTL = 0v and +5V
RS232 = -5v and +5v (or higher voltages)

[VE3LNY]

I purchased one of these from an ebay vendor. When I installed it it couldn't find a driver. Downloading prolific drivers was a waste of time none of them worked. Finally I went back to the vendor's web page and found a download link for a driver  which I had missed. It worked fine.

[W9GB]

KawaMall is operating out of Cedar Rapids, IA
http://www.kawamall.com/cat_cable_for_icom.cfm

Check your Windows Driver Manger information for the USB,
to note the specific USB bridge chipset.
(Prolific, Microchip, FTDI, Silicon Labs, or Chinese counterfeits of Prolific chips).

gb

[W5CPT]

What you have is a Prolific chip clone.  Prolific adds a killer to their drivers to make sure that the driver will not work with the clones.

The good news is that there are drivers available.

http://www.miklor.com/COM/UV_Drivers.php

This is a huge problem with the cables sold to program HTs and the guys over at Chirp (the generic programming software) have addressed the situation.

Good luck,

Clint - W5CPT -

[W9GB]

Due to the Counterfeit PL-2303HX chipset,
Prolific is DISCONTINUING (End of Life) Manufacturing and Support for that Chip Series.

Current Prolific USB Chipset Offerings
http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowProduct.aspx?pcid=41&showlevel=0041-0041

PL-2303HX(Chip Rev A) and PL-2303X(Chip Rev A) Phase out Notice
http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowProduct.aspx?p_id=212&pcid=41

Dear Customers,

Prolific Full-Speed USB to Serial bridge controller PL-2303HX(Chip Rev A) and PL-2303X (Chip Rev A) will be phased out (EOL) at the end of October, 2012. Both will be replaced by the new PL2303TA which is pin-to-pin compatible with PL-2303HXA and PL-2303XA PCB. Please refer to the PL2303TA PCN, Datasheet, and Migration Guide for more information.

Due to EOL (End-of-Life) policy, please note that PL-2303HX (Chip Rev A) and PL-2303X (Chip Rev A) will not have compulsory driver support for the coming Windows 8 operating system as it is not a supported OS mentioned in the chip datasheet.
So it is advisable to switch to the newer USB Bridge chips which will include support for Windows 8.
http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowProduct.aspx?pcid=41&showlevel=0041-0041

Please kindly inform your last order by the end of September, 2012. We already started supplying PL2303TA since the beginning of December, 2011.

===
Warning Notice:
http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowProduct.aspx?p_id=225&pcid=41

Please be warned that counterfeit (fake) PL-2303HX (Chip Rev A) USB to Serial Controller ICs using Prolific's trademark logo, brandname, and device drivers, were being sold in the China market. Counterfeit IC products show exactly the same outside chip markings but generally are of poor quality and causes Windows driver compatibility issues (Yellow Mark Error Code 10 in Device Manager). We issue this warning to all our customers and consumers to avoid confusion and false purchase.

Please be warned that selling counterfeit products are illegal and punishable by civil and criminal courts according to the trademark, copyright, and intellectual properties laws and regulations. Prolific will take proper and severe actions to cease and confiscate these counterfeit products. Prolific also prohibits the distribution of any PL-2303 drivers (including download links) without written permission from Prolific.

Prolific advices end-users to only purchase vendor branded cable products with company name contact information for service and support. Prolific does not sell cables with Prolific brand and packaging. In case you suspect a counterfeit chip inside, you may also contact Prolific to provide the vendor information.

--Prolific Support (Taiwan HQ)

[N1DVJ]

"Due to EOL (End-of-Life) policy, please note that PL-2303HX (Chip Rev A) and PL-2303X (Chip Rev A) will not have compulsory driver support for the coming Windows 8 operating system as it is not a supported OS mentioned in the chip datasheet."

Sounds like they are punishing everybody, including their legitimate customers.

This is enough to make me specify that this chip set is prohibited for any products at my company, including purchasing any cables with this chipset.