Find Com Port by RT Systems This file is a test program for checking the comport/cable connection. This program will test the comports of your machine and, as well as possible, determine where the programming cable is connected. This program is designed to work with serial cables of the orginal programmers. The response from the new USB cables is NOT the same. The FindComport program works with the new RT Systems USB cables; however, the response from the cable is different from that of the serial cables. You need to do this only if you are using the cable with an application that requires that you set the comport. This is not needed for the RT Systems Version 4 programmers. In the RT Systems Version 4 programmers, there is no comport setup. The software finds the cable automatically!! AFTER the drivers are installed, attach the USB cable to the computer. Wait while Windows finishes setting up the device. Run FindComport. The cable will respond as "Com X: This port appears to be a cable with no control" where "X" is the comport designation. Download [Find Com Port] here: http://www.rtsystemsinc.com/download/FindComPort.exe Instructions for using this testing program 1. Connect the 9-pin serial cable to the computer. This connection should be made just as you do when you program your radio (i.e., either directly to a 9-pin serial port or through a USB adapter if that is how the connection is normally made). Do not connect to the radio. 2. Click on the link below. 3. When the file options are presented, click Open (or Run) to run the program without saving it to your hard drive. It can do its testing right from the web. 4. Or Click Save to save the file to your hard drive in a location where you will be sure to be able to find it later or to CD or to diskette. Be sure to carefully note where you save the file. 5. If you saved the file locally, run My Computer or Windows Explorer to run the FindComPort.exe file that you just saved. 6. When the Find Comport window opens, click Find to begin testing. The results appear in the window. If using the RT Systems USB cable, the results will be different. The FindComport program works with the new RT Systems USB cables; however, the response from the cable is different from that of the serial cables. You need to do this only if you are using the cable with an application that requires that you set the comport. This is not needed for the RT Systems Version 4 programmers. In the RT Systems Version 4 programmers, there is no comport setup. The software finds the cable automatically!! AFTER the drivers are installed, attach the USB cable to the computer. Wait while Windows finishes setting up the device. Run FindComport. The cable will respond as "Com X: This port appears to be a cable with no control." where "X" is the comport designation. The FindComPort program will report back as follows for a 9-pin serial cable. * ComX This port is available for use. If you think the cable is connected to ComX, the cable cannot be seen at all. This indicates that the cable or the comport is not functioning properly. It can also indicate that this is NOT an RT Systems programming cable. The cable should be sent for repair or replacement. (See below for details on replacements) * ComX This port appears to be an RT Systems cable. This is the report that you want. The FindComPort program has found the programming cable on ComX. In your programmer set the comport to ComX under the menu selection of Radio | Set comport. * ComX This port appears to be a modem. This port is not available for use by the programmer. * ComX This port appears to be a cable with no control. This indicates that the connected cable is not an RT Systems programming cable although the connected cable may still work for programming (See voltage testing details below). This is the expected response for the Icom OPC-478 or OPC-646 cable. * ComX This port appears to be a cable without Echo Loopback. Again, this is a failure for an RT programming cable; however, it is the expected response for the Yaesu CT-62 cable. The Yaesu CT-62 cable is used for programming several HF radio models. It can be identified by its 8-pin mini din plug. None of the RT Systems' cables use that plug. * ComX This port is in use by another program. If this is the port you plan to use for programming, identify the other program and disable it. Other programs that we know of that can cause this problem include HotSync for the Palm Pilot and camera programs. Further Testing Additional testing can be done on the cable using the FindComport program. Voltage on the cable can be measured to ensure continuity of the cabling (the original test checked the electronics in the head of the cable). You will need a Volt/Ohm meter set to 20V DC for this testing. With the RT Systems cable identified on a comport, select that comport from the list of information returned by the FindComport program (i.e., click on the line that says ComX This appears to be an RT Systems cable.) At the bottom of the FindComport screen an indication that ComX is open will appear Using your Volt/Ohm meter, measure as follows. In all cases you should get about 3.6V (Icom cables will report about 4.6V. This is acceptable.) * 3.5mm stereo plug - black on shield (next to the rubber) and red on the ring. * 4-ring 3.5mm plug - black on shield (next to rubber) and red on the ring just below the tip. * 4-pin modular plug - black on black and red on white. Note: When holding this connection so that the cable is in your hand and the tab is on the bottom pointing toward you and you are looking through the top of the plug, the white should be on the right. * 6-pin modular - black on black and red on white. Note: When holding this connection so that the cable is in your hand and the tab is on the bottom pointing toward you and you are looking through the top of the plug, the white should be on the left. * 6-pin mini din - with the "key" to the bottom, black on #2 and red on #4 (see diagram under Cloning in your User's Manual for the radio.) Note: This is VERY difficult to measure. We recommend that you remove the hood from the head of the cable and measure where the connections are made to the board (black on brown and red on red). If there is a problem with the wiring of this cable, generally it can be detected at this point. This testing can be done on a machine that does not have the Programmer installed. All you need is the cable and this program, which can even be run from a diskette or CD. This could, in some cases, help you determine if the problem lies with the cable or the comport setup. Cable Repair or Replacement If the program reports back available comports and does not report one with the programming cable attached, check your cable connection and try again. If the cable cannot be located after repeated attempts and there is no doubt of your comport setups (i.e., USB drivers not installed properly) then the cable should be returned for replacement to the address shown. Be sure to review the details on repair and replacement before you send a cable. RT Systems PO Box 3510 Rapid City, SD 57709 Warranty Repair or Replacement - RT Systems' warranty covers the cable from your programming kit for 30 days from the date of purchase. During that time, a cable will be tested and repaired or replaced with no charge to you for that service or for return shipping. You need only submit the cable for testing with a copy of your receipt showing that the purchase was made within the last 30 days. Out of Warranty Services - RT Systems supports the cables from the programmers at any time whether you are the original owner or not. If your purchase of the programmer was made more than 30 days ago or if you purchased your kit second hand, you are welcome to send a cable for testing and repair. With the cable, please include your return mailing information and $10.00 for handling and return shipping. Failure to send payment will result in a delayed return. You will be contacted by phone, mail or e-mail to make arrangements for that payment. Once payment is received, the repaired cable will be returned to you. Non-RT Systems Cables - A cable that is returned to RT Systems for repair or replacement that is determined to be something other than an RT Systems Programming cable will be returned to its owner just as it was received. We do not have the facilities to test or repair other cables. These other cables are designed specifically for another application just as the RT Systems cable is designed for programming. A cable from another application (i.e., your camera, PDA, etc) will not work to program your radio.