Prolific 2303HXA/XA This device cannot start. (Code 10)

Because of widespread pirating of its products, Prolific made the decision to declare the end-of-life for several variants of the PL2303 USB-to-Serial chips (HXA/XA).  These pirated devices found their way into inexpensive Chinese products as well as products of legitimate manufacturers worldwide.  After the distribution channels were flooded with the counterfeit devices it became impossible to separate the real from the pirate.  To enforce this end-of-life, which should actually be called effort-to-end-piracy, Prolific released new drivers for Windows.  These updated drivers retrieve the chip identification and refuse to support any of the targeted (HXA/XA) variants.

Did your hardware stop working after you ran Windows Update?  This problem is exacerbated by the auto-download via Windows Update for Windows 7/8/8.1/Server2008R2/2012/2012R2.

It is very easy to determine if the installed driver is the reason that your USB-to-Serial interface does not work. In Windows 7 right click on My Computer and launch Device Manager, or launch Device Manager from Control Panel in Windows 8.  (Microsoft has made these instructions more difficult by continuously moving access to Device Manager!)  In Device Manager, click to expand the list Ports (COM & LPT).

If your problematic USB-to-Serial device is connected, you should see an entry for Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port (COMn) where n is the number assigned to this port by the operating system.  If indeed the driver is the problem, you will see a small yellow triangle to the left of this entry.  Double-click on this item to view its properties and the message “This device cannot start. (Code 10)” will appear in the Device Status text box.

The end-of-life lockout was implemented in Prolific drivers for Windows 8 in version 3.3 and later.  The block does not exist in version 3.2 and earlier.  So all we have to do is re-install an earlier driver and instruct Windows to use this driver for our misbehaving device.  Remember that Windows Update will replace this driver with the newer version.  You will occasionally find it necessary to repeat the fix.

Windows allows you to have multiple drivers installed simultaneously for the same hardware.  When you connect a plug and play device, the operating system searches the list and selects the one it thinks best.  The first step in the fix is ensuring that an earlier version of the Prolific driver without the end-of-life block is available in the operating system.  Search your archives (local computer, CD’s, diskettes) and retrieve the older driver for your product.

For Windows XP locate the executable install program PL2303_Prolific_GPS_AllInOne_1013.exe.
For Vista or Windows 7, 32-bit locate and unpack the file usb_drivers_for_win7.zip.
For Vista or Windows 7, 64-bit locate the executable install program Win7Vista_64bit_ProlificUSB_v3200.exe.

DO NOT download the driver from the Prolific website! (http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowProduct.aspx?p_id=225&pcid=41)  The version they display is that of the INSTALLER, not the actual driver.  While there, read the Chinglish warnings about using the HXA/XA parts and the prohibition on distributing drivers.  If you are satisfied that you have a right to use the device you purchased in good faith, continue.  If not, stop here.

Verify that your USB-to-Serial cable (or device) is NOT connected.  Perform the driver installation for your operating system.  Remember, this install will make the driver available but will not associate it with any specific hardware.

Insert your cable but DO NOT ALLOW THE OPERATING SYSTEM TO DOWNLOAD a driver from the internet!

Now you must associate this driver with your hardware.

Here are the step-by-step instructions.

Open Device Manager in the manner required for your version of Windows.  Locate Ports (COM & LPT) and expand it by clicking.

The serial and parallel interfaces installed will be displayed.  The non-performing device(s) will be displayed with a warning triangle!

Double click on the device to open the Properties window.  Windows will display the root cause of the problem in the Device Status text box.  In our case, the driver refuses to initialize the USB-to-Serial device because it is beyond end-of-life.

Click the Driver tab.  Then click the Update Driver button.

This window provides options for searching for new driver.  You do NOT want to do it automatically!  Click Browse my computer for driver software.

At this point you can choose to associate a driver that is already installed (as shown in the text box) or you can choose to install a driver that you have saved on the computer.  If you need to install the driver, click the Have Disk button and browse to the install file.  If you installed the driver as suggested above, the text box will show that driver as well as all other installed drivers that might work with your hardware.  In this example there are two.  Click and select the entry for v3.2.0.0 which is pre-EOL driver for Windows 8.  Click Next.

After the driver has successfully been associated with your device, the Device Manager view will look like this.

Enjoy your USB-to-Serial device!

End Fed Half Wave Antenna

I have found the End Fed Half Wave (EFHW) antenna to be the best all-around solution for portable operation. It is easy to deploy, requiring a single point of support.  If a support is not available I use the 31 ft Jackite fiberglass pole and a drive-on mount or alternatively dropped over a driven T-post.  These are truck camping alternatives only!  The hardware and tools are large and HEAVY but easy to use.

I have tried many of the well documented and the black-magic couplers and find little difference in performance.  I usually default to the coupler promoted by EARCHI (http://www.earchi.org/).  It is easy to build, or you can support the club by purchasing it assembled.

EARCHI EFHW Coupler

In all cases a tuner is REQUIRED.  I use only Elecraft tuners, either internal to the rig or the T1 external tuner. I use RG174 coax exclusively and favor N-Type connectors, primarily for ease of assembly. If the coax is 25 ft or longer I have found that additional counterpoise is NOT required. I have used a Common Mode Current Choke near the operating position but have not identified any significant benefit at QRP power levels.  Fourteen turns of RG174 on 3 inch PVC provides approximately 1K Ohms at 7.040 mHz.  Simply drill 1/2 inch holes at each end of a 3 inch section of 3 inch PVC.  Carry this and a handful of tie wraps.  If you suspect RF on the feedline, simply wind the choke (without cutting the coax) and secure it with the tie wraps.

How to Use the KDSP2 DSP Filter

ELECRAFT^® K2 160-10 Meter SSB/CW Transceiver

Revision B, March 3, 2015

The KDSP2 is controlled by the following keys:

STORE  RCL   AFIL  AGC  XFIL  DISPLAY  BAND+  BAND-

When a button is to be momentarily pressed (tapped) it is shown like this:

BAND+

When a button is to be pressed and held for ½ a second, and then released, it is shown like this:

STORE.

The KDSP2 recognizes three modes:
C for CW;
S for SSB (it does not distinguish between LSB and USB);
r for RTTY.

For each mode, the KDSP2 maintains four filters.

Filters for the current mode are selected by holding the AFIL button.

Each time you hold and then release the AFIL button, you cycle to the next of the four filters in the current mode.

Filter Status Display

The K2 provides a filter status display, invoked by holding AFIL + AGC.  This displays the current XFIL and AFIL settings. For example, in CW mode, you might see

FL2 0.7 c

followed by

AF 1

The first display shows the DSP filter in use (#2 in this example) and the current XFIL width (700 Hz in this example) and the mode (c for CW in this example).  The second display is Audio Filter and number.  This display does not distinguish between modes, showing the DSP filter as AF rather than CF, SF, or RF.

NOTE: If AFIL has not been held since powering on the K2, only the XFIL information will be displayed.  The AF value reflects the last mode in which you held AFIL.

KDSP2 Primary Menu Displays

Each mode has its own primary menu display.  After you select a DSP filter for the current mode by holding the AFIL button, the mode and filter number momentarily appear in the K2 display.  To display the primary menu for the current mode, tap the DISPLAY button.

The typical SSB mode primary menu:

S2 nr nt

where S is SSB, 2 is filter #2, nr is de-noiser state, and nt is notch filter state.

The typical CW mode primary menu:

C2 nr

where C is the normal CW filter, 2 is filter #2 and nr is de-noiser state, or:

c2 nr

where c is the “soft” CW filter, 2 is filter #2 and nr is de-noiser state.

The CW normal filter and the CW soft filters are toggled by tapping BAND-.

The SSB and CW modes primary menus are used to enable/disable the notch filter and noise reduction (de-noiser) functions.

When the de-noiser or the notch filter is enabled, the corresponding symbol is prefixed with a period.

S2 .nr .nt

C2 .nr

The de-noiser state is toggled On and OFF by tapping BAND+.  When the de-noiser is toggled from OFF to ON a display similar to one of these will appear for a second:

S2 .n2 nt

C1 .n2

In each instance the r (of nr) is replaced by the current noise reduction level.

You may cycle through the levels of the de-noiser by holding and the releasing STORE.   The de-noiser levels for SSB and CW are set independently.  When ON, the noise reduction function is active for ALL four filter selections of the CURRENT mode.  If OFF, the KDSP2 automatically enables noise reduction whenever an adjustment is made.

The notch filter state (available ONLY in SSB) is toggled On and OFF by tapping BAND-.

In RTTY, neither the notch filter nor the noise reduction (de-noiser) function is available.  Therefor the primary menu for RTTY is the Filter Menu explained below.

KDSP2 Filter Menu Displays

In all modes, DSP sub-menus are accessed from the primary menu, in sequence, by holding  and then releasing RCL.  In other words, when a DSP primary or sub-menu is displayed, the next DSP menu in the current mode’s sequence is accessed by holding and releasing RCL.  The sequence wraps back to the beginning when RCL is held and released on the last sub-menu.

IMPORTANT: If the KDSP2 is bypassed (dSP byP) your only menu navigation options are tapping  BAND+ to re-enable the filter or tapping XFIL to exit the KDSP2 menu and return to normal operation.

CW Menu Sequences

CW Menu Sequence	Typical	Remarks
Primary	C1 nr
Filter	C1 1.3 .65
DSP Bypass	dSP On	Hold STORE to return to primary menu
DSP Bypass	dSP byP	Tap BAND+   to turn dsP ON, or tap XFIL  to exit KDSP2 menu
Noise Reduction	Nr 89 71
CW Noise Reduction GAIN	Cn G 0.0	Hold STORE to view firmware revisions
CW Filter GAIN	CF G 0.5	Hold STORE to view firmware revisions

SSB Menu Sequences

SSB Menu Sequence	Typical	Remarks
Primary	S2 nr nt
Filter	S.2 .20 2.5
DSP Bypass	dSP On	Hold STORE to return to primary menu
DSP Bypass	dSP byP	Tap BAND+   to turn dsP ON, or tap XFIL  to exit KDSP2 menu
Noise Reduction	nr 89 81
Notch Filter	nt 40 .07
SSB Noise Reduction GAIN	Sn G 7.0	Hold STORE to view firmware revisions
SSB Filter GAIN	SF G 0.0	Hold STORE to view firmware revisions

RTTY Menu Sequences

RTTY Menu Sequence	Typical	Remarks
Filter	r2 2.5 1.0
DSP Bypass	dSP On	Hold STORE to return to primary menu
DSP Bypass	dSP byP	Tap BAND+   to turn dsP ON, or tap XFIL  to exit KDSP2 menu
RTTY Filter Gain	rF G 0.0	Hold STORE to view firmware revisions

In SSB mode, a typical filter menu display might be:

S.2. .20 2.5

This shows the mode (S), filter number (2), lower cutoff frequency (.20 kHz) and upper cutoff frequency (2.5 kHz).  The decimal point after the S in S2 indicates the de-noiser is active. The decimal point after the 2 in S2 indicates the notch filter is active.

If a CW or RTTY filter were being displayed, the numbers represent center frequency and width:

C.2 .60 .80

This example shows the standard CW filter number 2, de-noiser active, .60 kHz center frequency and .80 kHz width.  (The notch filter is NOT available for the CW mode.)

A blinking decimal point prefix indicates which parameter value may be changed by tapping the BAND+ or BAND- buttons.

To change which parameter will be edited,, hold the STORE button. The blinking decimal point will move to the other parameter.

Saving KDSP2 Filter Settings

Every time you make a change to any KDSP2 setting, it is automatically saved into EEPROM.

Bypassing the KDSP2

If you switch to the KDSP2 menu while the DSP is in bypass mode you will be sent directly to this menu.

If the KDSP2 is bypassed (dsp byP) you have only two options.  Tap BAND+ to re-enable the KDSP2.  Tap XFIL to exit the menu and return to normal operation.

If the KDSP2 is not currently bypassed, to access the Bypass Menu hold and release RCL repeatedly until dsp 0n is displayed.

Tap BAND- to bypass the DSP.  The display will show:

dsp byP

Tap BAND+ to re-enable the DSP.  While the DSP is synchronizing with the current mode of the K2, the display will show something like this:

d2 .nr nt

When the synchronization is complete the d will be replace by the letter indicating the current mode.

If you wish to exit the menu system leaving the KDSP2 bypassed, tap XFIL.

From the Bypass menu, if the KDSP2 is enabled (dsp 0n), you can hold the STORE button to return to the primary menu for the current mode.  If you hold the RCL button, you will be taken to the next sub-menu of the current mode.

De-noiser Menus

Hold and release RCL until the De-noiser Menu is displayed:

nr 89 71

The characters nr indicates the de-noiser, or noise reduction, menu. The first number indicates the Beta, or aggressiveness, of the filter and the second number affects the hold time, or decay rate of the filter. The values 89 71 shown are the factory default.

A blinking decimal point prefix indicates which parameter value may be changed by tapping the BAND+ or BAND- buttons.

To change which parameter will be edited,, hold the STORE button. The blinking decimal point will move to the other parameter.

Low Pass Filter

The low pass filter (LPASS) filter has a width in CW mode from a few tens of Hertz to 2.5 kHz; in SSB mode to 3.0 kHz; in RTTY mode to 3.5 kHz.

In CW and RTTY modes, to invoke the low pass filter, increase center frequency to its highest value and bandwidth to its widest value.  You will then see:

C.1 LPASS if mode is CW, filter is #1, and the de-noiser is enabled, or

 C1 LPASS if mode is CW, filter is #1, and the de-noiser is disabled.

In SSB mode, to invoke the low pass filter, increase the high cut off frequency to its maximum limit (3.0 kHz) and reduce the low cut off to its minimum (.00 kHz).  You will then see:

S.2 LPASS if filter is #2 and the de-noiser is enabled, or

 S2 LPASS if filter is #2 and de-noiser is disabled.

To change from this special filter, just tap BAND- or BAND+ to move the last edited parameter from its extreme.

Notch Filter Menu

Hold and release RCL until you see the notch filter menu (nt):

nt 39 07

This is the notch filter menu.  The first parameter represents Beta and the second parameter Decay.  The value shown is the factory default.

A blinking decimal point prefix indicates which parameter value may be changed by tapping the BAND+ or BAND- buttons.

To change which parameter will be edited, hold the STORE button. The blinking decimal point will move to the other parameter.

Gain Menus

Hold and release RCL until you see the GAIN menu of interest.

Of the five Gain Menus available in the KDSP2, three are based on mode (CW, SSB or RTTY) and two are related to the de-noiser function.

The SSB de-noiser Gain menu looks like this:

Sn G 7.0

The CW de-noiser menu looks like this:

Cn G 0.0

The Filter Gain menus are prefixed:

CF G 0.0 for CW Filter

Sf G 0.0  for SSB Filter

rF G 0.0  for RTTY Filter

The numeric parameters indicate the gain setting in dB. The setting may be changed in 0.5 dB steps, from ‑5.5 to +18.0.

To increase the setting, tap the BAND+ button. To decrease it, tap the BAND- button.

Displaying KDSP2 Firmware Revision

In order to view the firmware revisions you MUST be in any of the five GAIN menus.  Hold the STORE button.  You will see the firmware revisions of the DSP and KDSP2 controller.  For example:

dSP 03.16

which indicates the DSP Flash firmware version is 3.16, followed two seconds later by:

CtL 03.00

which indicates the controller firmware version is 3.00.

Real-Time Clock Menus and Displays

From any DSP menu, you may enter the clock menus by holding STORE + RCL.  You should see the current time displayed in standard 24-hour format:

14.11.07

If you see

  -----   

you were not in a DSP menu when you held STORE + RCL.

If the voltage of the Lithium backup cell is below limits, the time and calendar displays will be filled with E.

EE.EE.EE  or  EE-EE-EE

After replacing the battery, follow the clock and calendar setting procedure.

If you have replaced the battery correctly and see EE.EE.EE or illegal characters/symbols, proceed with the clock and calendar setting procedure.

To display the date for two seconds, from the time of day display, tap either BAND button.  You will see the current date as:

04-22-03 (MM-DD-YY) or 22-04-03 (DD-MM-YY)

Holding STORE will return you to the primary DSP menu of the current mode.

Selecting the Date Format

From any DSP menu, enter the clock mode by holding STORE + RCL.  You will see the current time of day in 24-hour format:

14.11.07

Hold RCL.  You will see the current date format as:

nn-dd-yy or dd-nn-yy

Tap either BAND button to toggle between these formats.  When you have made your selection, hold STORE to save it to EEPROM.  The calendar will be displayed for two seconds, and then the display will return to time of day.

Setting the Real-Time Clock

From any DSP menu, enter the clock mode by holding STORE + RCL.  You will see the current time of day in 24-hour format:

14.11.07

Hold RCL.  You will see the current calendar format as:

nn-dd-yy or dd-nn-yy

From this, the calendar format view, hold RCL to enter the real-time clock setting routine.

You will now have the opportunity to view and change (f desired) the following values:

Field Name	Typical Display
Year	yr 03
Month	m 04
Day	dt 22
Hour	Hr 14
Minute	m 11

In each of the menus the parameter may be changed by tapping BAND+ to increase its value or tapping BAND- to decrease its value.  Each of the parameters will wrap when their value reaches the maxima or minima.  The firmware allows you to enter an invalid day of the month.  The clock hardware will correct the errors when it advances to the next day.

Hold RCL to save the current value and move to the next.  You may return to the time display at any time by holding STORE.  Holding RCL while on the minute menu will also return you to the time display.

Each time BAND+ or BAND- is tapped, seconds are set to zero.  This provides a convenient way in which to synchronize with an accurate time source such as WWV.

Factory Default CW Filter Settings

Filter	Center	Width	Notch	Denoise	Denoise Level
1	LOW PASS	LOW PASS	Not avail	Off	1
2	600 Hz	800 Hz	Not avail	Off	1
3	600 Hz	250 Hz	Not avail	Off	1
4	600 Hz	100 Hz	Not avail	Off	1

Factory Default SSB Filter Settings

Filter	Low Cutoff	High Cutoff	Notch	Denoise	Denoise Level
1	LOW PASS	LOW PASS	Off	Off	1
2	200 Hz	2.5 kHz	Off	Off	1
3	300 Hz	1.9 kHz	Off	Off	1
4	300 Hz	1.6 kHz	Off	Off	1

Factory Default RTTY Filter Settings

Filter	Center	Width	Notch	Denoise	Denoise Level
1	LOW PASS	LOW PASS	Not avail	Not avail	Not avail
2	2.5 kHz	1000 Hz	Not avail	Not avail	Not avail
3	2.2 kHz	300 Hz	Not avail	Not avail	Not avail
4	1.0 kHz	200 Hz	Not avail	Not avail	Not avail

Other Factory Defaults

de-noiser	Beta	89
	Decay	71
	SSB Gain	7.0 dB
	CW Gain	0.0 dB
notch filter	Beta	40
	Decay	07
SSB Filter	Gain	0.0 dB
CW Filter	Gain	0.0 dB
RTTY Filter	Gain	0.0 dB

Real-Time Clock Button Meaning by Menu

Menu	BAND+	BAND-	RCL	STORE
Time	Calendar Menu	Calendar Menu	Calendar Format**	DSP Main Menu*
Calendar	Time Menu	Time Menu	Calendar Format**	DSP Main Menu*
Calendar Format	Toggle Format	Toggle Format	Year Menu	Calendar Menu
Year	Increment Year	Decrement Year	Month Menu	Time Menu
Month	Increment Month	Decrement Month	Date Menu	Time Menu
Date	Increment Date	Decrement Date	Hour Menu	Time Menu
Hour	Increment Hour	Decrement Hour	Minute Menu	Time Menu
Minute	Increment Minute	Decrement Minute	Time Menu	Time Menu

* Filter is the primary menu in RTTY mode; Main is the primary menu in CW and SSB modes

** Only when DSP is active; otherwise sends you to DSP BYPASS Menu

Button Action by Menu

Menu*	BAND+	BAND-	RCL	STORE
Primary (USB & CW)	Toggle Noise Reduction	Toggle notch filter**	Next Menu	Next Noise Reduction Value
Filter	Increase Width, Center, Upper or lower cut off	Decrease Width, Center, Upper or lower cut off	Next Menu	Move to next parameter to edit
Bypass	DSP On	DSP Bypass	Next Menu	Main Menu
Noise Reduction	Increase Decay or Beta	Decrease Decay or Beta	Next Menu	Move to next parameter to edit
Notch	Increase Decay or Beta	Decrease Decay or Beta	Next Menu	Move to next parameter to edit
Gain	Increase Gain	Decrease Gain	Next Menu	Firmware Version

* Filter is the primary menu in RTTY mode; Main is the primary menu in CW and SSB modes

** Only in SSB mode

Revision History
Date	Revision	Description
January 15, 2015	A	Initial release
March 03, 2015	B	Move Filter Status Display to top.  Correct errors to explain how to exit the DSP Bypass menu when the KDSP2 is disabled.  Add title page.