Use Convert.ToUInt16 to convert hex String to UInt16
Module Example Public Sub Main() Dim hexStrings() As String = { "-13", "9", "FFFF" }
For Each hexString As String In hexStrings Try Dim number As UShort = Convert.ToUInt16(hexString, 16)
Console.WriteLine("Converted '{0}' to {1:N0}.", hexString, number) Catch e As Exception
Console.WriteLine("Exception") End Try
Next End Sub End Module