[chirp_users] using chirp for first time.

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

On 6 Jun 2021 at 16:11, Chuck Barnett wrote:

> Instructions ask and answer the question "My computer did not automatically install the driver..."  
> the Answer was to go to http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm and download the latest FTDI 
> driver...

That would ONLY be true IFF your cable contained the FTDI chip. 

Most cheap cables (under $20.00) usually contain the Prolific (trade name) chip, or a 
Chinese rip-off of it, and NOT the FTDI chip. Rarely, the cable could contain some other 
make of interface chip, as Jim Unroe mentioned

If it contains the Prolific chip, you must download and install an older version of the driver for 
that chip when you are using Windows because the driver that Windows automatically loads 
for it won't work.

> I found that search quite confusing.  finally downloaded something called CH341ER.ZIP and 
> extracted and clicked on 64 bit setup and got a pop up which I couldn't manipulate.

Yes. Windows does that. But there is a fairly simple way around that.

> Opened Device manager and still cannot find com ports. Tho I see under "Other devices", 
> something called 'FT232R USB UART.  Didn't get anywhere with that.
> 
> This isn't going well.

Yes. We can see that. You have to be somewhat more familiar with computer hardware and 
software, and with the internal workings of Windows than you presently are in order to do 
what you wish to do.

Following Jim Unroe's advice would be an EXCELLENT place to start.

Once you have the correct driver loaded, plug your cable into a USB port, in Device Manager, 
look under Ports (Comm and LPT) to find which port Windows has assigned to your cable.

Click on the > symbol to the far left of the Ports entry to see your cable. 

If you can't easily determine which USB port Windows assigned to your cable, watch that 
Ports window, then unplug your cable, then look again at Ports. One in the list shown will 
have disappeared. That should tell you which one it is. Or you can plug your cable back in 
and look to see which one suddenly appears.

Good luck.

Ken W7EKB