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Version: 26.10.1

AetherSDR Documentation

Native. Open. Yours.

AetherSDR is an open-source client for FlexRadio transceivers with native builds for Linux, macOS and Windows, including an aarch64 build for the Raspberry Pi. FlexRadio is the supported target; the Hermes-Lite 2, networked Icom radios, the ANAN-G2 and RTL-SDR dongles are also supported at an earlier stage, each labelled with its status. No radio? Demo Mode runs the full interface against a built-in simulator.

These docs come in two versions, chosen from the version menu at the top of every page. Stable, the default, describes the latest release. Next (main) tracks main: it describes what has landed since that release and will ship in the next one. Release notes for every version are in the CHANGELOG.

Prefer paper? Download the printable manual (PDF).

Where are you starting from?​

If you…Start with
Are brand new, or have no radio connected yetYour First Session, then Installation
Own a FlexRadioFlexRadio → First Connection → Before You Transmit
Own a Hermes-Lite 2, Icom, ANAN-G2 or RTL-SDR dongleSupported Radios, then your radio's page
Run Linux, macOS or Windows and want the platform specificsLinux · macOS · Windows
Want FT8, RTTY or other digital modesWSJT-X Integration, DAX Virtual Audio, CAT Control, TCI Server
Operate remotelySmartLink Setup, Tailscale Remote Access, Manual Connection
Have a problemTroubleshooting, then Support and Logging to report it
Want to help with the code or docsContributing Guide, Docs Style Guide

Start Here​

  • Your First Session — Hands-on tutorial with no radio needed: tune, filter, reduce noise and save a memory in Demo Mode
  • Installation — Download and install on Linux, macOS (14.4+) or Windows
  • First Connection — Connect to your radio for the first time
  • Before You Transmit — Checklist before your first transmission: TX slice, callsign, mic, power, amplifier, keying paths

Your Radio​

  • Supported Radios — FlexRadio models and firmware, other radio families' status, and what works where
  • FlexRadio — Start here with a FlexRadio: models, firmware, setup order and every Flex feature page
  • Hermes-Lite 2 — Experimental: setup, hardware, calibration, receive, transmit and limits
  • Networked Icom — IC-7300MK2 (supported), IC-705, IC-9700 over RS-BA1: connecting, PC Audio, CWK, XFC
  • ANAN-G2 — Experimental, receive-only: connect options, droop correction, what works
  • RTL-SDR — Experimental, receive-only USB dongles: availability, modes, receiver corrections
  • KiwiSDR and Web-888 — Public KiwiSDR/Web-888 receivers as receive-only slice antennas, with Receive Sync
  • Demo Mode — Explore the full UI with no radio: built-in simulator, noise and fault injection

Your Computer​

  • Linux — AppImage install, Wayland/xcb, PipeWire, udev rules, file locations and Linux-only fixes
  • macOS — DMG install, DAX driver, Input Monitoring, MNR, file locations and macOS-only fixes
  • Windows — Installer or portable, TCI instead of DAX, Direct3D, file locations and Windows-only fixes

Operating​

  • Panadapter Controls — Spectrum, waterfall, 3D view, Display panel, Mini-Pan, Center Lock
  • VFO Widget — Frequency display, flag tabs, adaptive RX filter, slice management
  • RX Controls — Filters, AGC, squelch, mute, RIT/XIT
  • TX Controls — Power, ATU pre-tune, MOX, TUNE, TX filter warnings, Quindar tones
  • Meters — S-Meter, SmartMTR, cross-needle PWR, Radio Vitals, Antenna Health
  • Aetherial Audio — The AetherTX and AetherRX audio chains: gate, EQ, compressor, de-esser, tube, exciter, reverb, limiter, presets
  • Multi-Slice Operation — Working with multiple slices, Slice Link
  • Split Operation — SPLIT/SWAP, Split Up offsets, Monitor TX, remembered audio, Split QSY closing
  • Diversity and ESC — Diversity mode and Enhanced Signal Clarity
  • TNF (Tracking Notch Filters) — Creating and managing notch filters
  • Memory Channels — Saving, recalling, importing and editing memories
  • Profile Management — Global, TX and Mic profiles; import and export
  • XVTR (Transverters) — Transverter setup and operation
  • Workspace Canvas — Experimental free layout: placed pans and applets, named workspaces, canvas windows

CW & Digital Modes​

  • CWX Panel — Keyboard-to-CW keying (CWK on Icom)
  • CW Decoder — Real-time Morse decode of received and transmitted CW
  • DVK Panel — Digital Voice Keyer: 12-slot recording and playback for contesting
  • RTTY Operation — Built-in RTTY decoder, Mark/Space lines, external software
  • RADE Digital Voice — FreeDV RADE AI digital voice, sync/SNR, FreeDV Reporter
  • D-STAR (ThumbDV) — Local D-STAR digital voice using a PC-attached ThumbDV/DV3000U
  • AetherModem Packet Radio — Built-in AX.25: APRS, WIDE1-1 digipeater, KISS TNC, BBS terminal and mailbox
  • Copy Assist — On-device speech-to-text for received voice (whisper.cpp)
  • WSJT-X Integration — FT8/FT4 over TCI, or CAT + DAX

Connecting Other Software​

Spotting & Tools​

  • SpotHub — DX Cluster, RBN, WSJT-X, POTA, FreeDV Reporter, N1MM, EiBi, SpotCollector, Smart Spot Filtering
  • PSK Reporter Map — Who hears you: 2D map or 3D globe, weather radar, night lights
  • AetherSweep — In-panadapter SWR analyzer with CSV export
  • Net Scheduler — Recurring net reminders with one-click Tune Now
  • AetherClock and GPS — WWV/WWVB time-signal decoder and the GPS & Station Location dashboard
  • Callsign Lookup — QRZ.com lookups, cache and CW-decoder contact cards

Station Accessories​

  • Peripherals — Add, remove and auto-connect station accessories; 4O3A access codes; PGXL and Antenna Genius
  • Amplifiers — ACOM, SPE Expert, VK3AMP and KPA1500 amplifiers; LP-100A wattmeter
  • TGXL Tuner Control — 4O3A Tuner Genius XL: direct or relayed, autotune, antenna switch
  • ShackSwitch — Network antenna switch with dummy-load protection
  • Green Heron Everyware — Green Heron Everyware antenna switch and rotator control
  • USB Cable Management — CAT, BCD, Bit, LDPA and Passthrough cables on the radio's USB ports

Controllers​

  • StreamDeck — Native Stream Deck+ over USB; other models via TCI or the automation bridge
  • FlexControl Tuning Knob — FlexControl knob and the on-screen AetherControl
  • Ulanzi Dial — Ulanzi Dial knob and keys: wheel actions, key mapping, PTT and CW keying
  • USB Control Surfaces — RC-28, PowerMate, Contour Shuttle, Stream Deck+ and serial PTT/CW interfaces
  • MIDI Controller Mapping — Map any MIDI controller, with Learn mode and profile import/export
  • CTR2 Proxy — Relay a CTR2-Max controller to the radio over Wi-Fi (USB pending CTR2 firmware)

Remote Operation​

Settings​

  • Radio Setup — The searchable settings tree, page by page
  • Audio Settings — Line out, headphones, PC audio devices
  • Settings and Backups — Where settings live, keychain credentials, backups, --config, resetting properly
  • Keyboard Shortcuts — Operating shortcuts (off by default), PTT hold, editor, Minimal Mode
  • Themes and Theme Editor — Switch themes live, edit tokens, import and export .aethertheme files
  • Slice Colors — Per-slice colours for VFOs, panadapter overlays and meters
  • Accessibility — Screen readers, keyboard navigation, announced reasons for dimmed controls
  • Firmware Update — Upload FlexRadio firmware from AetherSDR

Reference​

  • Menu Reference — Every menu item, the title bar, radio tabs and the About window
  • Keyboard Shortcuts — Operating shortcuts (off by default), PTT hold, editor, Minimal Mode

Understanding​

Help​

Contributing​