Default COM Port Number Assignments
The default state of the COM port numbers on our rugged handheld computer products vary between models. Some COM port numbers do not have a default state so are available for use as a virtual port for a Bluetooth, card adapter (PCMCIA, CF, SDIO, etc.), or USB Host client device. In most cases, each COM port number is independent and more than one can be in use at any given time. Refer to the below tables for the default state of the COM port numbers on each rugged handheld model. In some cases, the state of a COM port number can potentially be changed in settings (such as in the Control Panel) or by editing the Windows registry.
Mesa Rugged Notepad
| COM 0 | Virtual port (sometimes Bluetooth DUN (Dial-Up Networking)) |
| COM 1 | Physical RS-232 port |
| COM 2 | Virtual port (Default as GPS Program port) |
| COM 3 | Expansion Pack port (virtual port when no pack installed) |
| COM 4 | Available (for virtual port) |
| COM 5 | Available (for virtual port) |
| COM 6 | Virtual port (sometimes USB Client (ActiveSync)) |
| COM 7 | Internal GPS module hardware port |
| COM 8 | Physical USB-to-Serial RS-232 port on Mobile Dock |
| COM 9 | Physical USB-to-Serial RS-232 port on Mobile Dock |
| COM 10 | Virtual port (sometimes Bluetooth AT Command Interpreter) |
Archer Field PC with Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1
| COM 0 | Virtual port (sometimes Bluetooth DUN (Dial-Up Networking) or AT Command Interpreter*) |
| COM 1 | Physical RS-232 port |
| COM 2 | Virtual port (usually CF card device) |
| COM 3 | Available (for virtual port) |
| COM 4 | Available (for virtual port) |
| COM 5 | Available (for virtual port) |
| COM 6 | Virtual port (sometimes USB Client (ActiveSync)) |
| COM 7 | Available (for virtual port) |
| COM 8 | Available (for virtual port) |
| COM 9 | Available (for virtual port) |
| COM 10 | Virtual port (when visible in app) |
*Note: To use BT DUN, you may need to move it such as to COM10 by editing the Windows registry as follows: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ExtModems\bluetooth_dun] "port"="COM10:"
Allegro MX Field PC
| COM 0 | Virtual port (sometimes Bluetooth DUN (Dial-Up Networking)) |
| COM 1 | Physical RS-232 port |
| COM 2 | Virtual port (sometimes USB Client (ActiveSync)) |
| COM 3 | Expansion Pod GPIO pins on ribbon cable connection |
| COM 4 | Available (for virtual port) |
| COM 5 | Virtual port (sometimes Bluetooth AT Command Interpreter) |
| COM 6 | Available (for virtual port) |
| COM 7 | Available (for virtual port) |
| COM 8 | Available (for virtual port) |
| COM 9 | Available (for virtual port) |
| COM 10 | Virtual port (when visible in app) |