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Build your Own 3 PIN Programming Cable
 

BTech, QYT, etc Mobile
 
by John 'Miklor'  K3NXU
 
A simple project with great results.
The heart of the project is a $2
CP2102 USB to TTL UART board.
 
Let's See...

You purchased a BTech or QYT Mobile and now your ready to start programming it using software.  You now need to make a simple choice. Buy or Build. Here's a simple project that will not only save you a few dollars, but give you the satisfaction of building it yourself.

This project uses a USB to TTL UART board with a CP2102 SiLabs chip. These boards are available on Amazon and eBay for around $2.


The component list is very basic:
     -   CP2102 USB UART Board
     -   3' piece of 3 conductor wire
     -   3 Pin stereo plug
     -   (2) 10K ohm resistors


The Project
 
Let's first take a look at a typical CP2102 board. It's pretty straight forward. USB on one end, a few connection points on the other.

The output terminals we are interested in are:
     TXD - Transmit Data
     RXD - Receive Data
     GND - Ground

 
Note 1:   (Connection Pins)
Most boards have pins on the back requiring small connectors. You can either remove the pins or solder to them. Whatever floats your boat. I personally prefer removing the pins and soldering directly to the board.
 
 
 
Now it's just a matter of connecting to the proper pins to the 3 Pin Stereo plug. 
 
Note 2:   (Labels Reversed)

Some boards may have the TxD and RxD labeled in reverse. If it doesn't work the first time, don't panic. Just reverse the two wires on the CP2102 board. No damage has been done.  
 

Adding 2 resistors

Ezequiel Welcomme LU9MWE (Argentina) brought to my attention that some models only work with the original cable (Chinese). Using an aftermarket or homemade cable may result in the radio cycling or pulsing when trying to communicate with the software. (Pulsing VIDEO).

The solution is to place a reference to GND in the communication lines. This is done by adding two 10K ohm resistors. One between GND - RX, and the other between GND - TX.
 

click to enlarge

 
 
Driver

When you insert the new board into the USB port, give Windows a chance to find and load the new driver. This should take about 30 seconds. When it says Driver Found, you're done.
 
If Windows is setup to block automatic updates, SiLabs drivers can be found at SiLabs. All drivers seem to work fine.


That's it...
 
Three wires from the board, three wires to the connector. The key is knowing proper pin assignment.


Cosmetic Retrofit
Now, let's say you want to get fancy. Maybe you have an old programming cable in the drawer that doesn't work, but like most hobbyists, you just couldn't bring yourself to throw it away.  Or, maybe to make it cosmetically pleasing, you decide to buy one of the $3 specials, just to have the USB case and wire. Here's how you would mount it.
 
Let's start with that original cable.

 

Take a small screw driver and carefully pry the case open from the back where the cable enters. Once the back is opened, pry the case open evenly around the sides.

 

It should only be snapped together.



Unsolder the 3 wires connected to the old board.
GND is Black, TxD is Red, RxD is White or Yellow.

 

Clip off the old connector and insert the wires in the RJ45 shown above.
  
 
Retrofit

Due to the slightly larger size, the board shown above may require a Dremel tool, XActo knife, Glue, and some patience, but it can be done. 

For a dollar more, I very highly recommend using the 5 pin CP2102 board shown below. It still has the needed GND, TxD and RxD, but is a bit shorter, narrower, and fits with no issue. It may cost a few pennies more, but well worth it.
 
Some come protected with a piece of clear heat shrink over the board so you can see the cool blinking lights. This plastic can easily be removed.


Amazon     eBay
 

You can find the same boards in a metal case.




Inside the metal housing.    Look familiar?
 
 
 
What's the Advantage

- First and Foremost, it works. Now you can program using software.

- Next, it only cost around $2. Add $3 for a cable and case

- Very Important - Bragging Rights. Now, when you go to a club meeting and tell them they can build their own, just as you did.


I hope you had fun with this project.  It's super simple and very rewarding. I've made several and never had a failure.

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