CHIRP

Jim --
Thanks for the guidance.
The Windows Device Manager tells me that both the USB ports on my 2015 Dell laptop are identified as COM3. One of these is always in use for a dongle for the remote mouse, but for this exercise, I've unplugged that dongle. Following the CHIRP instructions, I've unplugged the cable, turned off the radio, plugged in the cable, turned on the radio, and hit the button to download. I get the "An error has occurred" message with the explanation, "Radio did not respond." This happens whichever COM3 port I use. At least we know that communication has been initiated.

So I try again, following Btech's Quick Start User Guide which accompanied the cable. I (1) moisten the pins and (2) forcefully "hold the cable into the radio" with "pressure" to insure it's making full contact. Now I get "An error has occurred" with explanation, "Error reading data from radio: Not the amount of data we want." Again, communication has been initiated, but it's not successful.
What now? Thanks for your help.

I hope you'll respond soon. The problem as described above still exists. Please let me hear from you soon. Is this a hardware problem caused by an improper connection between the cable and the HT? I certainly hope it's a defect in the cable and/or its pins. A friend also has a Bao Feng cable which I will be able to borrow. But before I can get my hands on that, what's your analysis?

"Radio did not respond" is an indication that there is a problem with the connection between the radio and computer. The fact that you can forcibly hold the plug to the radio and start to get a connection supports this issue. Until you get a solid working connection between the radio and computer, CHIRP won't work. No programming software will work.

Did you get the programming cable from Baofeng Tech? In other words is it their PC03 programming cable or did you get it from someone else.

I would do whatever you could to borrow the programming cable from your friend. Just realize that if it is truly a Baofeng brand programming cable (not to be confused with Baofeng Tech - they are not the same), you my have to install an older driver to replace the one that is automatically installed by Windows.

Review this "Drivers and USB Cables":https://www.miklor.com/COM/UV_Drivers.php page on the "Miklor":https://www.miklor.com/ website.

Jim KC9HI

The cable came from Amazon in a bag marked "BTECH BaoFengTech.com" and "Programming Cable PC03 FTDI Cable Dual Pin." I followed the BaoFengTech troubleshooting guide on how to open the laptop's Device Manager to determine the relationship between the Driver and the cable when it's inserted in the port. The guide tells me that "If there is no yellow warning triangle, your system installed the correct driver." This all leads me to believe that there is a flaw in the connection between cable and UV-5X3 (hopefully a QC problem with the cable and not the HT.) My only hope, Obi Wan Kenobe, is that my friend's BaoFeng cable which has worked for him will work for me. Will let you know. Thanks for your help.