How about your serial port ? I just jumped in, so forgive me if I'm redundant.
If you do not know which port is being used, unplug your USB-to-radio cable at the computer end. Re-plug it and watch for a small notice specifying the port to which the computer connected it. Verify that CHIRP is looking at the correct port.
I just went through this, within the past half hour. Good luck. I'm a newbie, here, too.
Dave
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DSP