HamlibStarter - several radios at once

HamlibStarter comes with RigAndLog. For each radio it starts a separate rigctld (up to four: Rig 1-4) and keeps them running. On top of that it gives one fixed address for programs like WSJT-X - that is Rig 0.

Rig 1-4: each radio separately

Each Rig is a separate radio with its own “door number” (port): Rig 1 = 4533, Rig 2 = 4534, Rig 3 = 4535, Rig 4 = 4536. Programs in which you can enter a port connect to the chosen Rig directly.

radio cablethe program connects to the port of a Rig

Each Rig works on its own - stopping one does not touch the others. The LED on the Rig button in HamlibStarter: green - running, red - error, grey - stopped or waiting.

Rig 0: one address for WSJT-X and others

WSJT-X, JTDX or contest programs have one place for the radio in their settings. So that you do not have to change them every time you change the radio, they connect to Rig 0 (port 4532). Rig 0 works like an antenna switch: one socket, and you choose which radio it leads to - by clicking Rig 1... Rig 4 in the HamlibStarter window.

WSJT-X connects to Rig 0Rig 0 passes on to the selected Rigradio cable

Rig 0 is not a separate radio - it is a socket that HamlibStarter moves between the Rigs. Programs connected directly to Rig 1-4 (e.g. RigAndLog) are not disconnected by this.

Rig 0 settings (the “Rigs Configuration” window)

Option	What it means
Port	The port number for programs. 4532 by default - the same one WSJT-X has used so far, so nothing needs to be changed in it.
Access from the network	Rig 0 is also available to other computers in your home network. Off = this computer only (safer).
Rig change without disconnecting programs (similar radios)	Programs stay connected; after you click another Rig they get the new radio at once. Good when the radios are similar.
Rig change disconnects programs (very different radios)	Programs connect again and “get to know” the radio again. Choose it when the radios differ a lot (e.g. Yaesu and Icom).

RigAndLog with HamlibStarter - two ways

You choose in RigAndLog: Rig window → Menu → RIG (TRX) configuration.

Way	How it works	For whom
HamlibStarter client (Rig 1-4)	The rows of the Rig window connect directly to the Rigs. The ≡ menu shows all Rigs with a status LED. RigAndLog can work on a different radio than WSJT-X.	two radios, independent work, satellites
Hamlib client (address:port) set to `127.0.0.1:4532`	RigAndLog is “one of the programs” on Rig 0 - always on the same radio as WSJT-X. You switch the radio in HamlibStarter.	one radio at a time, “everything together”

The “MAIN also switches Rig 0 for other programs” option

With the HamlibStarter client you may want WSJT-X to follow the radio you choose in RigAndLog. Then, in the Rig - radio sources window, tick MAIN also switches Rig 0 for other programs.

You choose a radio in the upper row (MAIN) → HamlibStarter switches Rig 0 to the same radio, and WSJT-X follows it. “MAIN ⇄ SUB radio” works the same way.
The lower row (SUB) never switches Rig 0 - thanks to that, WSJT-X does not “jump” between radios.
Just starting RigAndLog does not switch anything - only your click does.
Option off (the default): RigAndLog and WSJT-X work independently.

Switching Rig 0 while WSJT-X is transmitting moves WSJT-X to another radio. Change the radio in MAIN when WSJT-X is not transmitting.

Two setups of the same radio (profiles)

You can have, for example, Rig 1 and Rig 2 with the same radio (the same COM port) but with different settings. Such a Rig waits (grey LED, no error). Clicking it in HamlibStarter stops the one that holds the radio now and starts the clicked one.

When something collides

HamlibStarter checks this by itself and does not start a Rig that collides with another one:

two Rigs (or a Rig and Rig 0) on the same port - e.g. 127.0.0.1:4532 and “access from the network” on the same port;
two enabled Rigs with the same COM port (control or PTT) - unless they are profiles of one radio;
the same network radio (address:port) in two Rigs.

The configuration window shows which Rig it collides with.

Other useful HamlibStarter settings

Default Rig and Run default rig on start - which Rig is selected for Rig 0 after startup.
Hiding options at program startup - whether the HamlibStarter window should hide (e.g. to the tray next to the clock).
Program startup options - starting together with Windows (through Task Scheduler, with a delay after logon - 30 s by default, set in the same window), an additional program to start.
In the menu: System diagnostics (ports, processes) - who holds the COM and network ports (see Diagnostics).