USB adapter Prolific vs. FTDI chip set?

This is a heads-up comment about problem USB to Serial adapter brands.... I have been running my 6500 and DDUtil for over a year now and have had a plethora of nuisance problems with the Prolific chip set brands which were all resolved when I replaced all 5 of mine with the FTDI chip set brands of adapters.... I remotely control my M2 rotor, antenna switch, SteppIR, KPA500, Alpha 878A and LP-100A using these serial USB adapters and since replacing all of the Prolific ones with FTDI ones everything has been working with NO failures for a couple of weeks now, knock on wood.... Just Google "USB serial adapters FTDI" and you'll get list....

k0eoo

655 Posts
89 Reply Likes

Posted 5 years ago

5 years ago

Pat - WH6HI

624 Posts
114 Reply Likes

I had the same type of problems with the early ones supplied by Elecraft for my KPA500 and KAT500. Swapped them out for the FTDI ones and no more problems.

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5 years ago

Andrew Russell

287 Posts
46 Reply Likes

Go with the FTDI chip set if you can. Some of my older prolific or clone devices worked fine under Win XP and Win7. Win8 has been much more difficult. An old version of HRD just seems to work with anything.

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5 years ago

Richard Clafton W4/G7EIX, Elmer

455 Posts
117 Reply Likes

Unfortunately the Prolific Chipset is one of the most cloned ones around and Prolific implemented a check in their drivers to cause issues with those clones - some still work, some don't and some are flaky in operations. Now that the market is saturated with them its really hard to determine which ones are genuine and which ones are not. I try to avoid for that reason alone.

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1 person likes this

4 years ago

turan kestayn

2 Posts
0 Reply Likes

Hi prolific and ftdi using same protocol but new gen boards for example open source boards gps modul etc wont work with usb prolific

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2017-01-24T08:15:26+00:00

Clyde Laurido

1 Post
0 Reply Likes

totally wrong , i have a gps ublox connected with a prolific, no problem.

2017-02-20T07:55:02+00:00

turan kestayn

2 Posts
0 Reply Likes

Budy tell how did u cause I didn't connect it any response

4 years ago

Kevin Va3KGS

96 Posts
21 Reply Likes

Morning

I have recently been having problems with my remoting to the SteppIR Controller using Telepost remote software for control. I am using a generic serial to usb converter cable. I would like to switch it out for the FTDI you talk about above. When I went to the website there is a large selection to choose from. Can you recommend one to use. Also, are these sold at a local Office Depot or only on line?

Thanks for your help.

Kevin, Va3KGS

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4 years ago

Barry N1EU

495 Posts
127 Reply Likes

Use any one that specifically says FTDI chipset.

(Edited)

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4 years ago

Sergey, R5AU

865 Posts
120 Reply Likes

i have expirienced , FTDI only !

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1 person likes this

4 years ago

Steve (N9SKM)

198 Posts
25 Reply Likes

FTDI also had an issue with cloned junk chips, This is one of those times that its a good idea to go with a reputable brand over a cheapie. FTDI actually released firmware that messed with the clone chips a while back google FTDIGATE if you want to read about useless things.

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3 years ago

Kevin

931 Posts
273 Reply Likes

Is there a specific make/model cable someone can suggest?

This one seems popular on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Modem-Serial-Adapter-ICUSB232FTN/dp/B008634VJY/ref=sr_1_5?ie=U...

Is the one marked Null Modem the appropriate one?

Kev K4VD

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2017-02-15T14:32:56+00:00

k0eoo

641 Posts
89 Reply Likes

I don't know about the Null Modem adapter but any FTDI USB to serial adapter, including the one in your link, will work.

2017-02-16T13:24:19+00:00

Tim - W4TME, Customer Experience Manager

9204 Posts
3569 Reply Likes

Not any FTDI adapter. It must be a genuine FTDI chipset and not a counterfeit one, which is usually very inexpensive. If you connect it to the FLEX-6000 and it isn't recognized, it isn't a genuine FTDI device.

3 years ago

AB9UU

60 Posts
14 Reply Likes

The FTDI chip for the Flex is the only way to go for the USB connection. I could not get the cables I bought to work with my Flex and Expert amp. I fortunately had another USB serial cable in my drawer. I plugged it into the computer first to see what chip it had. It was the FTDI unlike the other cable. When I used this cable, the Flex communicated immediately and flawlessly with the amp.

(Edited)

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