Virtual Audio Tools for Connecting Applications

Find software that creates virtual audio cables to route sound between different programs and devices on your computer.

Austin
Reviewed by • Digital Modes & Software Editor March 2026

Virtual audio software helps ham radio operators route sound between different applications on their computer. This is especially useful for digital modes, where audio from a transceiver's sound card needs to be fed into a decoding program, or for recording QSOs without physical cables.

Hams use these tools to create virtual audio cables, allowing them to connect software like a digital mode client to a logging program, or to capture audio from a streaming source. Programs such as Virtual Audio Cable and Jack Audio provide flexible routing options, while utilities like VB Cable and Soundflower offer simple virtual devices for transferring audio streams between applications. This capability is essential for many modern amateur radio activities, from contesting to satellite operation, enabling complex audio setups without extra hardware.

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