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Virtual COM Ports

Create the virtual serial pairs used by the ShackMaestro ecosystem.

Virtual COM ports are the bridge between ShackMaestro, ShackScope, optional OmniRig, and selected station software workflows. Start with the ShackScope pair, then add others only when needed.

Open com0com Download Page
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Purpose

Virtual COM ports let ShackMaestro communicate with other programs without sharing the physical radio port.

A virtual COM pair is two linked software ports. Data written to one side appears on the other side. ShackMaestro owns the physical USB/CI-V connection to the radio, so ShackScope and optional OmniRig can communicate with ShackMaestro through virtual COM pairs instead of opening the radio COM port directly.

Important: Create only the virtual COM pairs needed for the features you plan to use, such as ShackScope, optional OmniRig, or another external CAT bridge.

Default pairs

Recommended virtual COM planning.

ShackScope pair

Default pair: COM15/COM14. ShackMaestro and ShackScope should use opposite sides of this pair. These defaults are already reflected in both applications.

Optional OmniRig pair

Common pair: COM17/COM16. One side is assigned to ShackMaestro’s OmniRig bridge and the opposite side is selected in OmniRig when your station uses OmniRig.

Port numbers can vary: If those COM numbers are already in use on your computer, create a different pair and change the matching settings in ShackMaestro, optional OmniRig, and/or ShackScope.
ShackMaestro Radio Settings dialog showing COM settings

Confirm virtual COM settings in ShackMaestro

The Radio Settings dialog shows the configured radio COM port and the virtual COM paths used for ShackScope, optional OmniRig, and other bridge connections.

Steps

Create and assign a virtual COM pair.

1

Install com0com or your preferred virtual serial package

Download com0com from the com0com download page, then follow its administrator/install instructions.

2

Create the ShackScope pair

Create COM15/COM14, unless those numbers are already in use. ShackMaestro and ShackScope should use opposite sides of that pair.

3

Create the OmniRig pair if needed

Create COM17/COM16, unless those numbers are already in use. Assign one side to ShackMaestro’s OmniRig path and the other side in OmniRig. Skip this step if your station is not using OmniRig.

4

Confirm the settings in ShackMaestro

Open ShackMaestro Radio Settings and confirm the virtual COM paths match the pairs you created.

5

Test only that pair

If something does not work, verify that both programs are not accidentally configured to use the same side of the pair.

Recommended workflow

Add one piece at a time.

Verify the ShackMaestro-to-radio connection first, then confirm the ShackScope virtual COM pair. After ShackScope is working, configure optional OmniRig and other station software one step at a time.