To get my MacBook Pro talking to the Yaesu FTDX10 CAT controls so that I could use WSJT-X and FT8 I had to install the Silicon Labs CP210x VCP Driver so that it recognised the USB to Serial connection within the radio. This initially worked well however, over time I found my MacBook Pro started misbehaving.
The problem I had was that the MacBook Pro would wake from sleep but, the screen wouldn’t come on. The same issue occurred when booting the MacBook Pro from cold, the machine would boot but, the screen wouldn’t come on. Sometimes the screen would flicker during a cold boot and then eventually stay on, only to go off again permanently if the MacBook went to sleep.
I uninstalled the driver but, the problems continued. After much investigation the only thing left was to reinstall MacOS Big Sur.
Fortunately the way MacOS is configured, it’s possible to reinstall the O/S without losing any of the applications and data, a great relief for sure. I do have a Time Machine backup just incase though!
MacOS reinstalled and stability has returned once more, so it’s definitely the driver that has caused the screen problem.
So I’ve now raised a case with Silicon Labs asking for assistance resolving the issue, hopefully I’ll get a response.
I also put a message on the wsjtx.groups.io message board to see if anyone else has experienced this issue, so far no one has responded.
I’ll update the blog with any progress.
More soon …