5300 Programming Nightmare
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 7:40 pm
I'm trying to program a 5326 (VHF, 110 watt, dual control head - of which I'm only using one, since it only came with one) and this has been an absolute nightmare. The first number displayed on the radio (control head info I believe) is 3.17.21, and the firmware number is 4.14.5. I am trying to program this radio using PCConfigure 2.12.7. I am also trying to read the tuning parameters via PCTune 3.0.17. I am using a RFGuys 5300 programming cable, with a USB to serial converter. None of my computers that run Windows XP have a serial port on them. I have a bunch of computers that run Win 98SE that have serial ports, but nothing newer. I also do not know anyone, or have access to, a computer running XP or newer with a serial port. I would have to spend a good chunk of change to go to the used computer store and buy a laptop with XP and a serial port, which I am not financially capable of at this time.
My problem is as follows: On all of the computers I have tried, when I plug the cable into the radio and try to read the info from it, I receive a "Communication Problem During Upload." message. This happens trying to read the radio info, version info, or options info. I have tried two laptops and one desktop, as well as two different USB to Serial Converters (one from Prolific, the other from Gigaware), and even two different EFJohnson radios! I've tried to read a 5317, as well as my 5326. Every single time I get the same useless error message.
If I connect my radio and then try to read the RF info via PCTune, the radio freezes up. Literally the scan icon stops sweeping, none of the function buttons will do anything, and I have to shut off the power supply to get the radio to turn off. Once I unplug the programming cable, PCTune will give me a message that says "Communication Problem. Is the radio plugged in and on?" Once I unplug the cable from the radio, I can turn it back on and it operates "normally." I say "normally" because I have no way to test it since I do not know what frequencies are currently programmed in it (bought used from a public safety department), I cannot transmit because the high power drawer requires more amps than my power supply can deliver, and therefore I cannot use another radio to try and transmit to see how this one receives.
I have been told that these RFGuys programming cables sometimes do not work. I've also been told Johnson radios HATE USB to serial converters. I've been told to try lots of different things, including different copies of software, but at the end of the day, none of them work. I have previously read a codeplug from a 5112 handheld using an aftermarket Johnson handheld cable, and my USB to serial converter, with the PCC 2.12.7, on my laptop. So I know that the PCC software works. I just don't understand what's going wrong. Since this was a dual control head radio, it has two control head cables coming out of the back. So I've even tried plugging my control head into each of the cable plugs, and still got the same result. I paid well over $100 bucks with shipping for this RFGuys cable, and I will be furious if their cable just doesn't work. I do not know anyone except the nearest Johnson dealer that has an EFJ "official" programming cable. The whole point of buying my own cable is so I can program my own radio, not drive clear across town and waste an afternoon trying to get some dealer to do it for me.
My problem is as follows: On all of the computers I have tried, when I plug the cable into the radio and try to read the info from it, I receive a "Communication Problem During Upload." message. This happens trying to read the radio info, version info, or options info. I have tried two laptops and one desktop, as well as two different USB to Serial Converters (one from Prolific, the other from Gigaware), and even two different EFJohnson radios! I've tried to read a 5317, as well as my 5326. Every single time I get the same useless error message.
If I connect my radio and then try to read the RF info via PCTune, the radio freezes up. Literally the scan icon stops sweeping, none of the function buttons will do anything, and I have to shut off the power supply to get the radio to turn off. Once I unplug the programming cable, PCTune will give me a message that says "Communication Problem. Is the radio plugged in and on?" Once I unplug the cable from the radio, I can turn it back on and it operates "normally." I say "normally" because I have no way to test it since I do not know what frequencies are currently programmed in it (bought used from a public safety department), I cannot transmit because the high power drawer requires more amps than my power supply can deliver, and therefore I cannot use another radio to try and transmit to see how this one receives.
I have been told that these RFGuys programming cables sometimes do not work. I've also been told Johnson radios HATE USB to serial converters. I've been told to try lots of different things, including different copies of software, but at the end of the day, none of them work. I have previously read a codeplug from a 5112 handheld using an aftermarket Johnson handheld cable, and my USB to serial converter, with the PCC 2.12.7, on my laptop. So I know that the PCC software works. I just don't understand what's going wrong. Since this was a dual control head radio, it has two control head cables coming out of the back. So I've even tried plugging my control head into each of the cable plugs, and still got the same result. I paid well over $100 bucks with shipping for this RFGuys cable, and I will be furious if their cable just doesn't work. I do not know anyone except the nearest Johnson dealer that has an EFJ "official" programming cable. The whole point of buying my own cable is so I can program my own radio, not drive clear across town and waste an afternoon trying to get some dealer to do it for me.