ShackLan Commander 2
The ShackLan Commander App is a very useful tool for remote control of the ShackLan product line. It provides manual control of Shared Apex Loop antennas, stacks, antenna switches, etc. The only configuration required is to choose the COM port that connects to one of the ShackLan devices via USB. It was originally written to as a tool for in-house testing of out products. It has proven to very useful for many users so it has been rewritten and enhanced for user operation.
Installation
ShackLan Commander is a stand-alone application and does not require any special installers. it is recommended you create a folder just for the app. Do not try to place the app on your desktop and run it from there. It will not work correctly. Simply download the app from the Downloads page and unzip it into a folder of your choice. You can run the app from its folder but a better option is to right-click on Commander.exe and choose either Pin to Start or Pin to Taskbar. This will create an easy to use shortcut you can use to start Commander.
Getting started
Start by connecting a USB cable to one of the ShackLan units (if not using the EI-2)and then running Commander. A small window will appear. This is the main window. Click on Comm to setup the communications to the ShackLan network. There are two options for the connection. Most user connecting via USB should click on the USB button. The EI-2 option is for those connecting to the ShackLan network via an Ethernet connection to the EI-2 Ethernet interface unit. Select the desired COM port from the list and wait for the green Connected indication. If you are not sure which COM port to select, unplug the USB cable and one of the ports will be removed from the list. Now plug the USB cable back in and a new COM port will appear in the list. This is the one to select. If your USB connection is to a Bandmaster 3 or Bandmaster 4 you must enable the BM-3/BM-4 option. Enable the Auto Connect function to automatically restore the connection the next time you run Commander. Close the Communication window after establishing the connection.
Opening and Closing Control Windows
All the various control windows are opened by clicking on View followed by the controller type and finally the specific unit (Address). The first time a window is opened it will appear at the default location at the upper left of your display. It will also be added to the current control list in the main window. You may then move the window to any desired location. All open windows will reopen at their current location the next time you run Commander. Any open windows that are hidden under other may be brought to the front by clicking on the window name in the list.
The connection indicator at the top center of the controller window will turn green once it has received data from the unit. A red indicator means no data has been received from the unit.
Controller windows cannot be closed directly as they are linked to the controller list in the main window. Close a controller window by selecting it in the controller list and then clicking on the Remove button.
Naming the Controller
Each of the controller windows may be given a custom name to better identify it in your station configuration. The easiest way is to click on the title that is just below the connection indicator. You will be prompted to enter a new name. The custom name will be saved. Do not click on the top caption bar of the window as this cannot be changed.
Custom Button Labels
Most of the controller windows can have custom named buttons. The Shared Apex and Four Square control windows are the exception. The setup button is located in the upper left corner and is labeled =. Enter your desired names for the buttons in the controller window. Press Ok when finished or Cancel to abandon any changes.
Eight-Pak Window
The Eight-Pak window has some special features. There is a small button in the upper left next to the Setup button that is labeled either < or >. This button is used to choose between the 2x8 and 4x8 switches. You must use the proper configuration for your switch. Also, at the bottom of each column of buttons there is a button called Monitor Only. This must be enabled if you wish to use one of the ShackLan switch controllers along with ShackLan Commander. If it is not enabled there will be conflicts as both Commander and you switch controller will both be controlling the antenna switch. This is typically indicated by the switch toggling between two antenna selections.