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Creating and Using Virtual Serial Ports
microHAM Router provides a set of virtual serial ports which allow Windows applications (logging and digital
software) to work with MK2R just as they would work with "real" (hardware) serial ports.
In order to use these virtual Ports, you must first create the ports and then assign a port to each function
you wish to use (radio control, PTT, CW, FSK, etc.).
DO NOT define a port that is already in use (for example, COM1 or COM2 which are hardware ports on
many motherboards) or a virtual port that is used by another USB device. Even though Router will not allow
creating a virtual port on a COM port number which is already present in the system (like hardware COM
ports or internal modems), sometimes these ports are hidden. If a device which also uses virtual serial
ports (external USB devices, bluetooth devices, mobile phones, PDAs etc.) is not connected to the
computer when creating virtual ports in Router, the ports can overlap and will not work properly when you
connect such device.
WARNING: Before you begin to create virtual ports, attach all external devices you are using with
computer and allow them to connected to the system. Restart Router and then create virtual ports.
Virtual ports are created on the Virtual Port menu.
Create - Creates virtual COM ports. It is possible to
select more than one port at a time by holding the
Ctrl key on keyboard and clicking on COM port
numbers. Creating virtual ports may take a long time
(several tens of seconds), be patient.
Delete - Deletes any single virtual port.
Delete All - Deletes all previously created virtual
ports.
Do not delete a virtual port until all applications using
that port have been closed.
TIP: It is possible to select multiple ports at
one time by holding the Control key on
keyboard and clicking on the COM port
numbers.
TIP: If you have removed another device which used virtual ports and Router does not offer the
released COM port number, you will need to reset the virtual port bus. You can do this by deleting
all virtual ports in Router at once. Select "Virtual Port | Delete All" then create the ports again. Any
missing COM port numbers should appear.
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