Aaron,
I am sorry that you are having soo much trouble.  It really was not an issue for me using a v4 or v5 and the KD8CEC software.

Critical steps that I used.
1 - verify the com port through the Windows Device Manager.
         a - open the manager without the uBITX connected. 
         b - Verify what (if any) com ports are connected (you may not have any and the Com Port folder will not show up)
         c - Connect the uBITX to the USB port
         d - Note the com port that was just added.  this is the port you will set in the WSJT-X software
2 - Connect the Audio USB dongle.  Verify that it works through the Windows audio tests.  Note the device name
         NOTE:  I have had issues trying to use a laptop earphone port.  USB Audio dongles are very inexpensive so I would go that route.
https://smile.amazon.com/Sabrent-Aluminum-External-Adapter-AU-EMAC/dp/B00OJ5AV8I/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=sabrent+usb+external+stereo+sound+adapter&qid=1599006270&s=electronics&sr=1-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyNVhDQVhWSUo2V0tNJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDk4NjA1MkVDQVVVUTdIRFVJRiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTUwODk1MzhORU5YSkFTSTJKNCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
3 - Open the WSJT-X software
         a  - Setup the Radio and Audio tabs as shown in the PDF in message 
https://groups.io/g/BITX20/message/80833
         b - Test the CAT and PTT
         c - save the settings and go to the operating screen, select the band, and adjust the volume on the uBITX to the max green bar, without going into the red.  You should be decoding messages.
4 - Connect the USB audio dongle to the uBITX
5 - You will need to adjust the audio levels sent to the uBITX mic through either the speaker icon in the tray, or using the output slider on the WSJT-X software.  Here I used a power meter on the output to be the same as CW for the band you are using.  If yiou do not have a power meter, then another receiver is the only other option, and here you are looking for minimum splatter.  The last option would be to monitor the current draw of the rig on CW, then just as the power meter, adjust the audio level to be about the same.

I may have forgotten steps, but the above is what I remember doing the first time.

Hope this helps
73
Evan
AC9TU

Just wondering if it would be possible to add a CW decoder or the ability to add a CW keyboard to the uBitX. 
--
'72

So far I have not had anything but trouble. So I am going to get me a notebook and record everything as I start from scratch. I have a gut feeling that it will be a simple setting somewhere. I will let you know the fix if I find it in case others have this issue. If anyone has any ideas please post them. 
--
'72

Hi Aaron,

I haven't had any trouble with the CAT, so I'm sorry to hear it's not going as smoothly for you. The first thing I'd recommend checking is whether or not you have the correct port, since none of the settings will matter unless that's set up correctly. The port I listed in my manual may not be the right port for your computer, but should match the port the Arduino IDE uses for programming.

You don't need CAT control, but it definitely makes life easier. Otherwise you have to manually press the PTT button at each transmission. I've successfully operated FT8 with no CAT and no audio interface (just air gap between my computer speakers and microphone, and the radio), but definitely wouldn't recommend it.


Reed

Everything I try on changing the settings in the Test CAT I get a popup that says
"Rig Failure
Hamlib error: IO error while opening the connection to the rig"

Can this work without the CAT Control? 
I do not remember the default settings on the Radio tab on WSJT-X but it seems to me that I am getting just about every problem possible. I can't touch the Test PTT button because it is not highlighted. I have everything set up as described in Reeds uBit-X manual and I don't understand why there are so many problems. 
--
'72

Aaron,
That usually means one of two things:
1 - verify that the CAT connection is working by using the Test CAT button, then the Test PTT.
2 - The audio in and audio out are not configured properly.  Be sure that the audio input and audio output that is connected to the uBITX are showing up in the Soundcard Input and Output boxes.

To get past the error message, click on OK when asked to reconfigure the radio interfaces.  Then update the Radio and Audio tabs.  The uBITX must be connected to make and save these changes.

73
Evan
AC9TU

Sorry for the late reply. I had to reinstall Windows and it has been quite the adventure. 
I loaded up Reeds firmware on my uBitX V6. I then followed the instructions in the uBiTX v6 Manual R1.5.1 as far as telling the WSJT-X software that I have a Yeasu 817 hooked up. I'm using the USB Dongle mentioned above to connect the PC to the uBitX and I have the USB cable hooked up to the uBit-X and the PC. 
At this time I can hear the FT8 signal when I unplug the audio cable from the uBit-X. On the WSJT-X software, I am receiving and decoding signals but there is no signal on the waterfall display and there is a constant pop-up warning that says
"Rig Control Error 
Do you want to reconfigure the radio interface"
I can't do anything with the software without that popping up. 
--
'72

Hello,
I put the plough a little before the oxen. My µbitx has not yet given a breath that I rag for an antenna.
Do you know the Aardpen antenna?
The author says: The propagation is total and constant since the waves propagate directly through the earth and not around it!
You can contact Australia (From France) on 80 meters at any time of day and night.!!!

I’ll let you look at the documentation, but it doesn’t take up a lot of space.
http://f5mox.5.f.f.unblog.fr/files/2020/04/antenne-aardpen.pdf
http://f6kcz.free.fr/Technique/Antenne%20Aardpen_2/Antenne%20Aardpen_2.htm
It’s in French, but I think you can translate easily.
cdt

I spoke with my wife and I decided it’s easier to just move my desk and swap it with my pc so my desk is next to the radio so I can keep a log and I don’t have to deal with this issue. I’m just tired of moving things around. I furnished our living room last Friday and set up new smart bulbs which was a pain. 

Evan,

Yes, that’s what I wanted to know.
So .... I clicked and it seems to work.
I also have more messages like you at the second launch.
More over my option ransonware is activated in windows since my first problem and I backup regularly.
So everything is fine.
I will test the manager functions tomorrow
Have a nice day, here it's begin the night.
cdt

After reading my post,  I wasn't too clear on 'adding' an active extension cable.
for USB 2.0 :
Computer <-> 16ft Active extension cable <-> 16ft cable <-> dongle

Rgds,
Gary

With quality cable for USB,
USB 2.0 5 meters (~16 ft as Rick said)
USB 3.0 3 meters
You can add an active (repeater) extension cable.  I use these often when I need to extend point to point USB communications.  This might be a solution for you.
The other option is to use a USB hub.  e.g. for USB 2.0 :
Computer <-> 16ft cable <-> USB hub <-> 16ft cable <-> dongle

Serial is too generic of a statement.  Need to know baud/data rate as well as physical interface (voltage levels and single ended vs differential)

Rgds,
Gary

Gerard,

I did get the warning screen on my computer the first time I ran it.  It said that it was an unknown publisher, which it is.  Dr. Ian Lee did not pay to have the program registered with Microsoft, so it is unknown to Windows.

I cannot take responsibility for what you do, as the file that you have could be corrupted, however, I have not had any issues after I clicked on the More info link and then Run anyway.
73
Evan
AC9TU

Christopher,
Rick is correct, the USB specification is 5 meters or about 16 feet.  Amazon does sell a 20 ft extension cable, with good reviews:
https://www.amazon.com/Extension-Tanbin-Extender-Keyboard-Loudspeaker/dp/B07CBYVQJP

RS232 does not have a specific length specification, however, when using cat 5 cables, 50 feet at 9600 baud is reliable.  

I would be more concerned with the RF feedback and the audio quality of the long audio cable runs.  That is assuming that you will be using the USB just for the CAT control and running the audio signals separately.  If you are also going to remote the USB audio interface, then you are back to the 15 ft limit of USB.  I do not know of a way to convert the USB audio to RS232.  The 48kbit audio sampling would be hard to do with RS232.

One last comment, if you go the USB route (which is what I would suggest), then I would remote the Audio USB dongle and put ferrites on the USB cable to minimize RF interference.  You would also need a powered USB hub for the end closest to the uBITX.  One for the audio dongle and one for the uBITX CAT control.

Above are my recommendations.  Others may have better ideas.  Do the research on the internet and use it at your own risk.  Internet searches can be a friend if you validate the results.
73
Evan
AC9TU