That was one of my thoughts and I'm all for it. Here is where it gets sticky.

The software on the PC side is locked to com1 but I'm trying to interface with 2 serial devices with it. The original idea was to use a serial switch box and control each individually with the software.

The devices can be turned on/off remotely via serial. The request was to be able to turn both devices on/off on a day to day bases w/o the PC but they still want the ability to use the more advance PC software on occasion.

I'm trying to combine the functionality of the switch box with the automated control of the pic.

Keep in mind the protocol is a send and reply protocol which means the PC can't just send commands blindly to both devices.

Make sense?