USB ICOM Programming Cable IC-208A/E/H IC-2100H IC-2200H OPC-478p

Description

This listing is for a single OPC-478UC USB Programming cable compatible with ICOM two-way radios that support the OPC-474 Clone & OPC-478 PC interface using a 3.5mm stereo jack.
Chirp programming software supports these radios: IC-208A  IC-208E IC-208H IC-2100H
IC-2200H I
C-2720H
IC-2730A
My call is KJ6ZWL. This is my passion!  My cables work!
I now have more than 120 radios, costing more than K used just for testing my cables with programming software.
I am not your typical eBay seller, so please take a moment and read on to understand my message to you. I provide excellent installation instructions with every cable.   You get my personal email, cell phone number and my promise that I will do my very best to support you. I worked as a computer support engineer for 15 years before starting this business.  If you are not happy with my cables, I will give you a full refund.
My ultimate goal is to organize all of my eBay cable listings by
factory programming software title and provide an internet link to the software for those who need it.  In addition, this will enable me to communicate what I know about the operating systems that are required in order to successfully program your radio before you buy my cable.  This is a very large task that will take years. Please excuse the mistakes I will make during the reorganization.
Let me know about any listing errors and/or omissions so I can correct them for the greater good.   If you do not see your radio model in my store and you see I sell the cable you think you need, contact me.
Please check this listing’s photos for a close-up of the connector to ensure that this cable matches the physical characteristics of your radio’s port before ordering this cable.  Most radios use the microphone jack as the programming port, but some have a separate data port for programming and/or PC to internal TNC interface. It is important to know that programming cables use fewer signal pins than a microphone, so the pinouts are typically simpler than your microphone cable.
Being able to program your rig using a spreadsheet style of user interface, albeit sometimes a bit primitive, can make your life so much easier. I know from experience that this is true.  Here is my recipe for getting you up and running for a fair price with some sound advice.
Here’s what you want to avoid:
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Any USB programming cable priced under is junk with no support if you need help, period!  You get what you pay for!  You already know this or you wouldn’t have opened this listing.
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eBay sellers who sell anything in their store and know nothing the cables they sell.
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Virtually all cables come with no installation instructions.
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The truth is you don’t need a CD with Windows drivers unless you are getting obsolete or counterfeit versions of the Prolific PL2303 chipset. Typically, the OS will automatically install the drivers when the cable is plugged into the computer. Moreover, your computer's OS is going to install the latest version of the drivers, deleting the drivers that came on the CD.   In addition, the drivers for the counterfeit chips do not support 64-bit Operating Systems and all versions of Windows 10. Here is the warning copied from Prolific’s website in Taiwan.
Warning Notice:
Please be warned that counterfeit (fake) PL-2303HX (Chip Rev A) USB to Serial Controller ICs using Prolific's trademark logo,  name, and device drivers, were being sold in the China market. Counterfeit IC products show exactly the same outside chip markings but generally are of poor quality and causes Windows driver compatibility issues (Yellow Mark Error Code 10).
We issue this warning to all our customers and consumers to avoid confusion and false purchase. Prolific prohibits the distribution of any PL-2303 drivers (including download links) without written permission from Prolific.
NOTE:
Windows 8/8.1/10 are NOT supported in PL-2303HXA and PL-2303X EOL chip versions.
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Missing OS compatibility claims altogether or disclaimers about Windows 64-bit not being supported are another big red flag.
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Seller listings with poor English grammar and a USA shipping address is another thing to watch out for.
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eBay Seller Location: US, US.  Where is that exactly?
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If you think you can send a cable back to China and get your money refunded you must be from Mars.
Here is what you want:
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You want to buy from someone who knows a great deal about programming HAM radios and scanners.
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Buy from someone who can make sure you can find the right programming software (CPS) for your model radio and make sure the software you need is compatible with the version of Operating System you are using.
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You want Certified WHQL USB drivers that are fully compatible with all versions of Windows (32-bit & 64-bit).  This means the drivers install with Windows Update
.
See my USB programming cable OS compatibility list below
.
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Carefully examine the connector for the radio side to ensure it matches your radio.  Listing errors do occur because sellers have to create so damn many listings to cover the 3800+ radios in the marketplace today.  If you discover discrepancies between your radio and one of my listings please let me know so I can correct.
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Proprietary connectors do cost 20 to 40% more so you will see that reflected in the sellers’ prices.
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I offer a 1-year warranty on the cable if and only if you don’t mess with it.  I don’t send you to China if you have a problem.  Yes, the cables are assembled and tested in China.  I don’t make these in my garage.
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This cable uses a
genuine
Prolific USB to Serial Adapter chipsets and there are no driver issues with these cables with Windows 10 64-bit OS!!  Because of all the issues around counterfeit Prolific chips and driver issues, these cables sell for less than FTDI cables. I am selling and supporting both FTDI and Prolific cables, so you have more choices.
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Please check out my store on eBay.
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If you are not certain that this the right cable for your radio please contact me first with an eBay message before you click buy now.  This will save us both time, money and frustration if we figure everything out together before you place your order.
Question & Answers
Q
.  How can I tell if the USB serial cable I am buying uses the Prolific or FTDI USB to serial chipset?
A.
If it doesn’t say FTDI in the description it will use the Prolific chipset.  True USB cables do not use USB to serial chipsets.
Q.
What is difference between FTDI and Prolific USB serial cable other than the FTDI are more expensive?
A.
The best USB serial cables are the ones with the FTDI chip set for sure. Many people prefer FTDI because they know they work, while others want to save money or are simply not aware of the differences. I have sold both cables and have learned a lot about this question. I have found issues with 65% of the Prolific cables on the market today. As I find issues, I stop selling the Prolific version of that cable.
Here are my findings
1) USB serial cable costing less than tend to have driver compatibility problems due to the use of counterfeit Prolific chip sets.
2) Cables using the FTDI chip AND a well-designed PCBs, have a unique feature that make work, especially when TX & RX operate on same wire.
3) 70% of the USB serial cable that I sell are FTDI, the rest 30% are genuine Prolific.
Supported Operating Systems
Drivers are available which allow USB Prolific devices to work with the following operating systems:
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Windows 10 x32
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Windows 10 x64
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Windows 8 x32
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Windows 8 x64
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Windows 7 x32
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Windows 7 x64
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Windows Vista x32
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Windows Vista x64
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Windows XP x32
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Windows XP x64
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Windows ME
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Windows 98
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Linux
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Mac OS X
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Mac OS 9
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Mac OS 8
Return Policy
14-day return exchange policy if and only if you pay to ship both ways on the exchange if you made the mistake. If you bought the wrong physical connector you pay, regardless of what listing title states.
If I send you the wrong cable or the connector is correct and the cable does not work I will ship you the correct cable and a prepaid return envelope at no charge.
1-year warranty if and only if the product has not been modified. You pay return shipping and I will ship you a replacement at no charge.
Technical Support
I stand behind everything I sell and I promise that I will do my best to troubleshoot any problem you encounter.  All I ask of you is that you give me a chance to correct any issues you have before you provide your feedback.
Contact me if you don’t see what you need, or you have questions.
KJ6ZWL clear and standing by
'73