Dear Kenwood Customer: Thank you for your e-mail. You may download the programming software from our web page. www.kenwood.net Click on Amateur Radio Click on Downloads Click on MCP/RCP Software Click on TM-271A Information on how to program your TM-271A from your PC. The optional programming cable PG-5D is required. You will need an adapter to go from a DB25 to a DB9. Why a DB-25 connector ??? Answer is we need the DB-25 size for a circuit board inside that connector for TTL. Try the Radio Shack # 26-269. The cable has to be a STRAIGHT THROUGH, NOT a NULL cable..... Before you connect the PG-5D to the TM-271A , make sure the radio is OFF, after connecting it please turn the radio on. You may use multiple Com ports on your PC, and NOTHING CAN SHARE THAT PORT (example mouse), or any software. Again NOTHING can share those ports needed for programming. If you have any errors, or time out messages, these are normally due to your PC settings, and not the TM-271A. If you get a request for a username, and password use a different browse other than Netscape Communicator, or Navigator try Internet Explorer. There is NO requirement for a password or user name to access the software on our web site. PC Settings: 1. Click on Start 2. Click on Settings 3. Click on Control Panel 4. Click on Systems 5. Click on Hardware 6. Click on Device Manager 7. Click on Ports (Com & LPT) 8. Click on Communications Port (Com 1) 9. Click on Port Settings Now set as follows: Bits Per Second: 9600 Data Bits: 8 Parity: NONE Stop Bits: 1 Flow Control: Xon/Xoff If you need further assistance, please e-mail us again. Sincerely, Kenwood Amateur Radio Customer Support