Programming Tidradio td h3 using USB-c

[VETCOMMS]

I'm having issues with "USB device not recognized" when using the USB cable provided with the radio.   I assume the cable used to charge the radio is the same cable I use to program the radio using the USB port on the side.   I didn't see any other cables included in the radio package.   Am I missing the correct cable for I programming?

[spulley]

The supplied USB-C cable will work in the data and charging ports.  I use it to program and charge all the time.
The radio itself has the chip built in that is usually in the programming cable of the "Kenwood" type that uses the speaker/mic jacks.
You may need to update the driver so it it recognized as a different comm. port in device manager. It will likely NOT be COM 1.

Mine comes up:   COM4: USB-SERIAL CH340 (COM 4)  

If you remove the cable, this com port will disappear, and plugging it back in it will reappear in CHIRP and Device Manager.
This will confirm it's the correct COM port to select in CHIRP.

[WSCX426]

The supplied USB-C cable will work for data transfer on the TID programming software and CHIRP.  Make sure it is securely inserted into the USB C port on the right side of the radio under the rubber cover.  If it's not pushed all the way in it will not work.

[LeoG]

14 minutes ago, Socalgmrs said:

Pretty sure this was addressed months ago.  You do not program the radio with a usb charge cable.  The radio is programmed with a programming cable with a build it driver and plugs I to the programming port NOT the usb charge port.   Good ness.  A quick read of the instructions or a few minutes watching you tube and this is solved. 

The H3 can be programmed with the standard Kenmore cable or a USB cable in the USB programming port.  You are correct that you can't program it using the charging port, but that isn't even connected to the radio, it's internal to the battery itself.

[SteveShannon]

7 hours ago, VETCOMMS said:

I'm having issues with "USB device not recognized" when using the USB cable provided with the radio.   I assume the cable used to charge the radio is the same cable I use to program the radio using the USB port on the side.   I didn't see any other cables included in the radio package.   Am I missing the correct cable for I programming?

That happens if you haven’t installed the correct driver before plugging in the USB cable.

[VETCOMMS]

10 minutes ago, SteveShannon said:

That happens if you haven’t installed the correct driver before plugging in the USB cable.

Thanks.  It looks like I get the driver from the Tidradio website but need to log in to their website.  Is it possible to get the driver without logging in?

[VETCOMMS]

I'm not sure this cable can be used for programming but it's the only one that came in the box.   I've used it to charge the radio so wonder if the cable can do both programming AND charging. 

[Guest]

Pretty sure that is for charging only and that radio uses a k1 programming cable like many other radios.  You usually have to order a cable separate since you would not want to have to pay for a cable with every radio.  You could own 10radios and you only need one cable. Keeps the price down. 

[VETCOMMS]

Yeah.... can't get the com port to recognize the radio using the c port and USB port on the radio.   I'm pretty sure they say you can program it using usb-c which makes the radio attractive. 

I'm hoping someone has successfully used Chirp via the USB to type c cable included with the radio but maybe I'm mistaken and need to buy a separate programming cable. 

Someone with this radio please straighten me out on the programming cable.   Technology is not liking me today. 

[VETCOMMS]

Thank you for your help. 

[CoffeeTime]

I used the bluetooth feature and ODMaster App to program H3. Worked great. 

FYI, If you have, or plan to have, different radio brands consider a look at the Mirkit Universal Programming cable set --as it works for multiple radio brands and is plug-and-play.   I used it on Baofeng and Retevis = very nice and easy.

 

https://www.amazon.com/MIRKIT-Baofeng-Programming-Compatible-Radios/dp/B09LD2HCZV/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&sr=1-5

[Packman5280]

derp sorry realized my answer was already covered but can't find the delete button

[TrikeRadio]

On 6/8/2024 at 8:22 AM, WRXP381 said:

I quick internet search reveals to me that you need to buy a programing cable.   It’s the cable that has the chip and driver in it.  Again it keeps the cost down not including a programming cable for every radio. 
 

the usb is for charging.  This is what make it a feature you can charge from any basic cell phone charger or car charger and don’t need a cradle like older/other designs.  

 

I have two TD-H3s and I can confirm that the provided USB cable can be used in the SIDE PORT USBc port (not the bottom one on the battery that is for charging) to both connect to CHIRP and program the radio, and you can update the Firmware using it.

But yes you do have to either let the software select the correct PORT or you have to manually select the correct port for the usb cable.

You CAN get a separate programming cable, but it should not be necessary.

[HeyChris]

I had No Joy using the USB for updating / correcting the firmware on my H3 GMRS...

Rookie mistake upon my part by selecting the incorrect radio on the OdMaster App.  It overwrote to the incorrect version....  Limiting it to 1 channel only.  Again, a noob error. 

I know old news, but the PTT + * keys 'secret menu' saved me. 

Now only if they'd develop an OTA firmware update.

[LeoG]

They say you can program by USB-c.  I haven't had any success doing it and I bought the Kenwood plug/adapter.  I've had no issues with programming the radio using that setup.  There is a USB port on the side along with the Kenwood outlet.  The one on the bottom is to charge the battery.  I just use the Tidradio CPS to program my H3 radios along with the Odmaster.  I've also upgraded to 140625 and now 140702 firmware using their IAP app.  The firmware before 140625 had an issue with blanking out repeater signals for about 2 seconds on the 1st part of the receive after unkeying.

[lougasp61]

Have you all figured it out yet, that the H3 is a Chinese piece of crap?

[LeoG]

27 minutes ago, lougasp61 said:

Have you all figured it out yet, that the H3 is a Chinese piece of crap?

Nope.  Nice little radio for the price.

[MarkInTampa]

I just saw a YouTube video on new aftermarket firmware for the H3 a hour or two ago. One of the things claimed is that it is programmable/firmware updateable via the USB-Type C port. He shows a video on how to do just that. I have no idea if it works on the GMRS locked version or not. The 3rd party firmware actually looks half decent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QbwW1Sgy5o

 

[MarkTheNewf]

Has there been any forward movement on this?  I have H3's.  I've used CHIRP for other radios in the past but for some reason Windows 10 isn't recognizing anything when I plug the USB in.  CHRIP doesn't see any port other than COM1 and LPT1, which are not the USB port.  I know I can connect to other things via USB (Meshtastic nodes for example), but CHIRP sees nothing.  The "help me" part doesn't recognize any cable being plugged in either.  I see all these guys on YouTube doing it without a hitch.

I'd rather use CHRIP on a PC.  There's no way you can convince me doing the same work on a 6" screen is any more effective than on a 30" monitor with a full keyboard and mouse.

[MarkTheNewf]

On 6/8/2024 at 1:35 PM, spulley said:

The supplied USB-C cable will work in the data and charging ports.  I use it to program and charge all the time.
The radio itself has the chip built in that is usually in the programming cable of the "Kenwood" type that uses the speaker/mic jacks.
You may need to update the driver so it it recognized as a different comm. port in device manager. It will likely NOT be COM 1.

Mine comes up:   COM4: USB-SERIAL CH340 (COM 4)  

If you remove the cable, this com port will disappear, and plugging it back in it will reappear in CHIRP and Device Manager.
This will confirm it's the correct COM port to select in CHIRP.

I'm seeing none of this, only the two standard ports.  I've never seen a port named that either (CH340).  I get a USB serial port showing up when I plug other things in, such as a Meshtastic node, but nothing when I plug in the H3.

[MarkTheNewf]

9 minutes ago, Socalgmrs said:

Pretty sure this was addressed months ago.  You do not program the radio with a usb charge cable.  The radio is programmed with a programming cable with a build it driver and plugs I to the programming port NOT the usb charge port.   Good ness.  A quick read of the instructions or a few minutes watching you tube and this is solved. 

Not true.  I did scan the manual.  I did search the WWW and Tubes.  I did see this.  You are not correct.  There are 2 USB ports: one on the bottom of the unit, which is the battery, is for charging.  The other is under the cover on the side and it is shown to be used for programming.  Heaps of people are using it for that.  Example below.

Not sure what the problem is with it not being picked up as another port on my PC, so I was hoping somebody would have some other input based on some more experience.  I thought perhaps maybe it was a firmware thing or something else that I'm not sure how to address and thought somebody here would know better than me.

Do you run or have you used a H3?  If so, how did you program it?

[MarkTheNewf]

1 minute ago, LeoG said:

The H3 can be programmed with the standard Kenmore cable or a USB cable in the USB programming port.  You are correct that you can't program it using the charging port, but that isn't even connected to the radio, it's internal to the battery itself.

Is the kenmore cable more apt to be seen by Windows?  I assume it's USB-A on one end and then the dual (3 mm?) plugs on the other?  It' be a bit odd that it would pick that up and not the USB, particularly since it is seeing other things plugged into it.  It appears Tidradio has them and it looks just like the Wuoxon (SP?) ones I've seen before

Firmware issue or something?

[LeoG]

37 minutes ago, MarkTheNewf said:

Is the kenmore cable more apt to be seen by Windows?  I assume it's USB-A on one end and then the dual (3 mm?) plugs on the other?  It' be a bit odd that it would pick that up and not the USB, particularly since it is seeing other things plugged into it.  It appears Tidradio has them and it looks just like the Wuoxon (SP?) ones I've seen before

Firmware issue or something?

I think the Kenmore (Kenwood- whoops) plug is easier to use than the USB.  There are some USB cables that won't work properly with programming.  The cable that comes with the radio works for programming.  Cheap cables only designed for power might not work.

[UncleYoda]

Kenmore is a washing machine or refrigerator; Kenwood makes radios (and made stereos back in the day).

[TrikeRadio]

54 minutes ago, Socalgmrs said:

Pretty sure this was addressed months ago.  You do not program the radio with a usb charge cable.  The radio is programmed with a programming cable with a build it driver and plugs I to the programming port NOT the usb charge port.   Good ness.  A quick read of the instructions or a few minutes watching you tube and this is solved. 

Actually... wrong. The USBc cable that comes with the radio can both charge the battery via the plug on the bottom of the battery... and the radio can be connected for programming with the same cable by plugging into the USBc port on the side of the radio under the Kenwood plug ports.

[TrikeRadio]

On 6/7/2024 at 10:07 PM, VETCOMMS said:

I'm having issues with "USB device not recognized" when using the USB cable provided with the radio.   I assume the cable used to charge the radio is the same cable I use to program the radio using the USB port on the side.   I didn't see any other cables included in the radio package.   Am I missing the correct cable for I programming?

The same USBc cable can charge the battery (with the USBc port on the bottom of the radio) AND... you can program the radio with CHIRP or other propitiatory program on the computer by plugging into the SIDE USBc port on the RADIO under the rubber cover .. under the Kenwood Port.