omnirig

OmniRig is a Windows-based rig-control bridge used in amateur radio to enable multiple software applications to access a single transceiver through a common interface. It provides a bridge between the radio hardware and client programs by exposing one or more virtual serial ports and translating between the radio’s native rig-control protocol and the OmniRig protocol understood by many applications.

Operation involves connecting the radio to the computer via USB, a USB-to-serial adapter, or other supported interfaces. OmniRig communicates with the radio to retrieve and monitor frequency, mode, split, and other settings, and it forwards commands from connected applications, including transmit (PTT), to the radio. This setup allows several programs to work with the same radio in parallel without conflicting control.

Multiple client applications can connect simultaneously to a single OmniRig instance, enabling digital-mode software, logging utilities, and control programs to share radio control. The software supports a broad range of radios from major manufacturers through vendor-specific drivers and adapters, depending on the hardware in use.

Common use cases include digital-mode operation with programs such as WSJT-X and FLDIGI, as well as logging and contesting software like N1MM Logger+. OmniRig has been a staple in the Windows ham-radio software ecosystem, with ongoing updates to support newer radios and Windows versions.

Licensing and availability have varied over time, with OmniRig commonly distributed as freeware or shareware through its official site and maintained by volunteers or a dedicated developer community.