Get your OS to recognize the cable as a generic FTDI USB Serial Cable

Windows

Windows 7 (possibly also Vista, and Windows 8)

With Windows 7 (and possibly other versions like Vista and Windows 8), it is possible to trick Windows into updating the driver to the latest generic FTDI driver. Once that is done, there will be the option load the VCP (Virtual COM Port) driver that will create a generic COM port in Windows that can be used by CHIRP.

This method was originally documented by Cory, NQ1E.

1. Download the VCP driver zip file and expand it to a folder http://www.ftdichip.com/FTDrivers.htm
2. Open up the device manager, find your cable under USB ports, Select the cable and right click to select update the driver
3. Go though the "let me choose" and "have disk" options to point it at the folder where you unzipped the FTDI driver files.
4. Install the driver that shows up even if it warns about it not being compatible.
5. The device now shows up as "USB Serial Converter", go to its properties/advanced tab and check the box called "Load VCP".
6. Unplug the device and plug it back in
7. A new COMport device will show up, but a driver will not load for it automatically.
8. You need to repeat the above process of telling it to add the driver, choosing the driver from the specific location (Have Disk), to ensure that the updated VCP driver gets loaded.
9. In device manager, under ports, you should now be able to find the COM port number that Windows assigned to your cable.
10. When you start CHIRP use the COM port number from the previous step