After the LD-C101 USB to CI-V driver is installed, hardware configuration is necessary. The LD-C101 is not plug-and-play regarding radio settings.
Solution: You have a counterfeit Prolific chip. Uninstall the Prolific driver and force-install an older version (v3.3.2.107 from 2012). Or better, buy a genuine LD-C101 with CP2102.
The LD-C101 USB to CI-V driver is the invisible bridge between your computer and your Icom transceiver. While the hardware costs less than $20, without the correct driver, it is a useless piece of plastic and wire.
To summarize:
If you experience persistent issues, spend an extra $10 on a known-good CP2102-based LD-C101 from a reputable ham radio dealer. The time saved in driver debugging is worth the investment.
Now that you have mastered the driver, go ahead and enjoy seamless computer control of your station. Good luck and 73!
Related Resources:
Keywords: LD-C101 USB to CI-V driver, LD-C101 driver download, CP210x CI-V driver, Icom USB CAT driver, LD-C101 Windows 11, CI-V virtual COM port, amateur radio USB interface driver.
This article was last updated in 2025 for compatibility with Windows 11 version 23H2 and modern Icom radios. Ld-c101 Usb To Ci-v Driver
The Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is a specialized USB-to-CI-V control cable designed specifically for Icom amateur radios. It acts as a bridge, allowing your computer to communicate with the radio for frequency control, logging, and remote management through popular ham radio software. Technical Specifications
The cable replaces the older Icom CT-17 level converter by integrating a USB-to-serial chipset directly into the cable. Chipset: Utilizes the CH340 USB-Serial chipset. Radio Connector: 3.5mm mono CI-V plug. PC Connector: Standard USB-A plug. Cable Length: Standard 1.5 meters (~5 feet).
System Compatibility: Supports Windows XP through Windows 11. Driver Installation Guide Because the
uses the CH340 chipset, you must install the corresponding CH340 driver for your computer to recognize it as a COM port.
The LD-C101 USB to CI-V cable is a critical interface tool for amateur radio enthusiasts who want to bridge the gap between their legacy or modern Icom transceivers and personal computers. By using this cable, operators can automate frequency control, manage logging, and run advanced digital modes through a single 3.5mm "Remote" jack. The Role of the LD-C101 Driver
Because the LD-C101 is essentially a USB-to-Serial converter, your operating system must recognize the specific hardware chip inside the cable to create a virtual COM port.
Chipset Identification: The LD-C101 typically utilizes the CH340 chipset. This is a common and reliable serial-to-USB bridge used in many ham radio accessories.
Virtual COM Port: Once the driver is installed, Windows, macOS, or Linux will assign a port (e.g., COM3 or COM6) to the cable. This port is what your software—like Ham Radio Deluxe, N1MM, or FLRig—uses to "talk" to your radio. Where to Download the LD-C101 Driver After the LD-C101 USB to CI-V driver is
Since the cable relies on the CH340 chipset, you can obtain the latest drivers from several official sources:
Chelegance Support: As the primary manufacturer of the LD-C101 cable, Chelegance provides direct links to compatible drivers for Windows 10 and 11.
WCH Official Site: For the most up-to-date CH340 drivers, users often go directly to the manufacturer, WCH (Jiangsu Qinheng Microelectronics).
Icom Support: While Icom radios often use Silicon Labs drivers for their built-in USB ports, external CI-V cables like the LD-C101 often differ. If you are using an Icom-branded cable (like the CT-17), you should visit the Icom Japan Firmware/Driver page. Installation Guide: Step-by-Step
Establishing a stable connection between your PC and radio is the backbone of any digital ham shack. If you are using the LD-C101 USB to CI-V cable
, getting the right driver is the first step toward seamless rig control. 🛠️ The Core Hardware: Understanding LD-C101
The LD-C101 is a specialized interface cable designed to translate USB signals from your computer into the CI-V (Computer Interface Five) protocol used by Icom transceivers. Most versions utilize the Enables CAT (Computer Aided Transceiver) control. Compatibility:
Works with software like Ham Radio Deluxe, WSJT-X, and fldigi. 💾 Driver Installation Guide If you experience persistent issues, spend an extra
To ensure your computer recognizes the cable as a "USB Serial Port," follow these steps: 1. Identify Your Chipset Before downloading, plug the cable in and check Device Manager (Windows) or System Report FTDI Chip: The gold standard for stability. CH340 Chip: Common in budget-friendly cables. 2. Download the Official Drivers
Avoid third-party "driver updater" sites. Use the manufacturer's direct links: FTDI VCP Drivers: ftdichip.com WCH CH340 Drivers: wch-ic.com 3. Installation Steps the cable from your PC. the driver installer as Administrator. your computer. the LD-C101. Device Manager
under "Ports (COM & LPT)" to find your assigned COM port number. ⚠️ Troubleshooting Common Issues Error Code 10:
Usually indicates a "counterfeit" Prolific chip. If your LD-C101 uses Prolific, you may need an older driver version (v3.2.0.0). No Serial Port Found: Try a different USB port, preferably a port, as some CI-V bridges struggle with USB 3.0/3.1. Baud Rate Mismatch:
Ensure the Baud Rate in your software matches the setting in your radio’s menu (usually 9600 or 19200). 🚀 Optimized Rig Control Once the driver is active, you can unlock: Match your logging software to your VFO instantly. Digital Modes: Full integration for FT8, RTTY, and PSK31. Remote Op:
Control your radio from across the room or across the globe. Quick Tip: Always check your radio's CI-V Address in the internal settings. If the software is looking for but your radio is set to , the driver will work, but the radio won't respond! To help you get on the air faster, let me know: radio model (e.g., Icom IC-7300, IC-718) are you using? operating system is on your computer? Are you seeing a specific error message in your Device Manager?
And then, without warning, it works. You changed nothing. Or perhaps you unplugged and replugged the USB cable for the seventh time. Or you toggled the “CI-V Transceive” setting in the radio’s hidden menu. The logging software chirps. The frequency appears. The green RX light on the dongle glows steady, then pulses gently as data flows.
In that moment, the LD-C101 achieves its purpose. It becomes invisible. The radio and the computer are no longer two machines, but one instrument. You click on a spot in the waterfall, and the radio’s PLL whirs to life. You type a callsign, and the antenna relay clicks. The driver, that fragile bridge of code, holds.
You realize, then, what the LD-C101 truly is. It is not an adapter. It is a meditation on patience. In a hobby increasingly dominated by SDRs and all-in-one boxes, this tiny dongle demands that you remember the old ways: the impedance mismatch, the baud rate mismatch, the endianness, the parity bit. It forces you to slow down. To read the manual. To respect the fact that a radio from 1995 and a laptop from 2023 are not naturally friends.
A useful summary paper from the Ham Radio .ru and eHam.net communities: