USB to Serial Adapter Troubleshooting
- Use a "real" RS-232 serial port, if available, in preference to a USB to Serial Adapter.
- Verify that the USB to Serial Adapter's device driver is up-to-date.
The Elecraft KUSB driver can be updated from
http://www.prolific.com.tw/eng/downloads.asp?ID=31.
The chip set in KUSB units sold before mid-2010 is a Prolific Technology, Inc. PL-2303.
Recent KUSB USB to Serial Adapters labeled "Sabrent" may use an FTDI chip set.
- Try a different USB port on your computer.
- Try a different USB to Serial Adapter.
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Try a different computer.
Some combinations of USB to Serial Adapter and USB port are more reliable than others.
For example, some laptop computers may not provide sufficient power to USB devices for reliable communications.
- One user reported that his USB to Serial Adapter did not work well when connected through a USB Hub.
- Some users have found better results with separately powered USB hubs rather than those that receive power from a USB port.
- A laptop computer's USB port may work more reliably if the laptop is powered by a power supply rather than its batteries.