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?

[LeoG]

22 minutes ago, UncleYoda said:

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

Whoops

[WSHT525]

You can use the USB cable or K1.
If you have a K1 cable, use it, though make sure it is seated fully, the K1 ports on most CCRs are either too loose or too tight.
If you don't, go through that drawer you have of USB-C cables and find a good one, ones that come with tablets and\or phones should work. The one with the radio is not a good one. It works for some, not for others, but programming via USB is an option.
The data cables for me that consistently work are the ones from my iPad, iPhone, or Samsung tablets. 

[MarkTheNewf]

Thanks, gang.  For some reason the USB port isn't being recognized by Windows for the radio but it does for other things I plug in.  Weird.  I went ahead and order the Kenwood (HA!) cable so perhaps that'll fix my problem.  Will let you all know.

[SteveShannon]

28 minutes ago, MarkTheNewf said:

Thanks, gang.  For some reason the USB port isn't being recognized by Windows for the radio but it does for other things I plug in.  Weird.  I went ahead and order the Kenwood (HA!) cable so perhaps that'll fix my problem.  Will let you all know.

If it’s just a USB cable, there’s nothing to recognize in the cable itself.  That doesn’t mean something isn’t working.
If the radio is plugged into a regular USB cable and the USB cable is plugged into the computer Windows will attempt to recognize the chip that’s in the radio itself.  That can only happen if a driver has already been installed that is appropriate for the radio. Windows has some drivers pre-installed but not always the right ones. If the radio manufacturer recommends a driver, the driver must be installed before plugging in the radio.

The cables that work with the K1 connector have a chip built in, called a UART, that converts USB level signal to audio signals that are connected via the earphone and microphone connection.  It is that UART chip which requires a driver on the Windows computer.

[RIPPER238]

On 6/8/2024 at 1:07 AM, 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?

Use the app, its so much easier. 

[MarkTheNewf]

5 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

The cables that work with the K1 connector have a chip built in, called a UART, that converts USB level signal to audio signals that are connected via the earphone and microphone connection.  It is that UART chip which requires a driver on the Windows computer.

I've used a UART gizmo in the past for connecting stuff to my home theater PC with good success so it's good sign that the K1-USB cable has that in it.

[MarkTheNewf]

4 hours ago, RIPPER238 said:

Use the app, its so much easier. 

The problems are that it's on a small phone screen and it seems like I have to be logged into something before it's usable.  Not sure if that second part is a requirement but it's damned irritating and smells like some sort of click-bait.  If worst comes to worst, I can do that, but I'd rather use CHIRP.

[RIPPER238]

20 hours ago, MarkTheNewf said:

The problems are that it's on a small phone screen and it seems like I have to be logged into something before it's usable.  Not sure if that second part is a requirement but it's damned irritating and smells like some sort of click-bait.  If worst comes to worst, I can do that, but I'd rather use CHIRP.

 

You would create a user and pass, but its just a formality. Use a throw away email, though i never received any spam. Small phone would be annoying, but the app is simple enough. I actually prefer it, but i don't use chirp though. You can program to Chirp via USB-C. 

 

Make sure to use a USB-C data cable. Here is a how to do it via USB-C: 

 

[TrikeRadio]

20 hours ago, MarkTheNewf said:

The problems are that it's on a small phone screen and it seems like I have to be logged into something before it's usable.  Not sure if that second part is a requirement but it's damned irritating and smells like some sort of click-bait.  If worst comes to worst, I can do that, but I'd rather use CHIRP.

You can just skip the log in to use the app. not necessary. But I agree... I much prefer CHIRP to odmaster.

[LeoG]

1 minute ago, TrikeRadio said:

You can just skip the log in to use the app. not necessary. But I agree... I much prefer CHIRP to odmaster.

I complained to them that I had to sign in and they gave me a dummy email account so I could log in.  Without the log in some of the radios don't show up and the H3 is one of them that won't show.

[TrikeRadio]

1 hour ago, LeoG said:

I complained to them that I had to sign in and they gave me a dummy email account so I could log in.  Without the log in some of the radios don't show up and the H3 is one of them that won't show.

Hmm... I thought I had done it without the login once on my H3... but maybe I don't remember it right.

[LeoG]

I know the option won't come up for me.  Maybe the newer version of the app includes them.

[LeoG]

Yup, just upgraded to the newest version which was March 9, 2025 and it includes the H3 GMRS

[MarkTheNewf]

2 hours ago, RIPPER238 said:

 

You would create a user and pass, but its just a formality. Use a throw away email, though i never received any spam. Small phone would be annoying, but the app is simple enough. I actually prefer it, but i don't use chirp though. You can program to Chirp via USB-C. 

 

Make sure to use a USB-C data cable. Here is a how to do it via USB-C: 

 

Yeah, that's exactly what I attempted, but everything seems to be a massive turd nowadays.  I have the programming cable on the way.  This is total BS that things just don't work correctly anymore.

[RIPPER238]

27 minutes ago, MarkTheNewf said:

Yeah, that's exactly what I attempted, but everything seems to be a massive turd nowadays.  I have the programming cable on the way.  This is total BS that things just don't work correctly anymore.

That's lame. You powered on the radio after everything was up and connected? 

Its the little quirks that seem to be an issue when i try. 

[MarkTheNewf]

1 minute ago, RIPPER238 said:

That's lame. You powered on the radio after everything was up and connected? 

Its the little quirks that seem to be an issue when i try. 

Yes, I've tried every combination of power on/off, plug in/out, USB port, and nothing.  It always shows up as that same error.  I have several radios and all of them produce the same error.  I've wizzed away hours on with this and am pretty close to chucking the whole thing in the river!

[LeoG]

33 minutes ago, MarkTheNewf said:

Yes, I've tried every combination of power on/off, plug in/out, USB port, and nothing.  It always shows up as that same error.  I have several radios and all of them produce the same error.  I've wizzed away hours on with this and am pretty close to chucking the whole thing in the river!

Have you tried a different USB cord?  The cord that comes with the radio works.  I'm using Win7 and I can get it to go

[MarkTheNewf]

So I went through every single port I had (6 on hub, 4 on back of PC, 4 on front of PC) with 4 different USB cable.  45 minutes later I've identified 2 cables that work with 2 different USB ports.  Yes, one cable works on one port but no others and another cable works on another port but on no others.  Can't make this stuff up.  What the actual...

I'm hoping the TD cable I've got coming in will work with any port.

Anyways, it *seems* to be working with CHIRP now and has increased my grey hair count by several dozen.  Geeze I hate debugging.

Thanks for everyone's input.

[TrikeRadio]

1 hour ago, MarkTheNewf said:

I've identified 2 cables that work with 2 different USB ports...  Anyways, it *seems* to be working with CHIRP now ...

Good to hear. Wonder if some of those other USB ports were  USB2 instead of USB3? 9or if that even matters) but glad to hear you have it working.

[Socalgmrs]

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. 

[Guest]

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.