USB to Serial Adapter Troubleshooting
- Plug the supplied KXUSB Adapter into a USB port on your computer
- Open the "Start" menu
- Right click "My Computer" or "Computer"
- Select "Manage"
- In the Computer Management left pane, select "Device Manager"
-
In the right pane, select the "+" next to "Ports (COM & LPT)" to expand the Ports list.
Double click the COM port entry for your KXUSB Adapter.
-
Your
Elecraft KXUSB USB to Serial Adapter
appears as an "FTDI USB Serial Port".
- Device driver updates are often available from Microsoft Update when you first plug the KXUSB into your computer.
- You may obtain current FTDI Device Drivers from the FTDI website,
http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm
- Try a different USB port on your computer.
- Try a different KXUSB Adapter.
-
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.
-
Try changing your KX2's RS-232 data rate to 38,400 bits per second using your KX2's CONFIG:RS-232 menu selection.
Firmware is sent at 38,400 bit/s, and setting this speed at the start removes the need for the
KX2 Utility
to change the KX2's RS-232 speed.
- 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.
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Neither Elecraft nor microHAM recommend loading KX2 firmware through the microHAM Router (the PC software used with microHAM USB devices).