While it's not a substitute, you do realize that with the current version of ScannerCast you can run remote control software to remotely control or change the programing on your scanner, right?
While ScannerCast is running, go to the Advanced tab and click "Suspend Sending Tags" -- This will cause ScannerCast to temporarily close and release the COM port (but continue sending audio, as if your scanner were in "audio only" mode). You can then run a remote control/programming utility to change your scanner's programming, lock out channels, select different scan groups, or whatever.
When you're done, exit from the remote control/programming utility and click the "Resume Sending Tags" button on ScannerCast's Advanced tab. This causes ScannerCast to go back to open the COM port again and resume sending tags.
I added this feature (it was surprisingly difficult to do, in fact) at Lindsay's specific request. But it turns out to be something a lot of folks appreciate, so I'm very glad he suggested it.
Hope that helps SOMEwhat,
Peter
K1PGV