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Version: 26.10.1

StreamDeck

AetherSDR drives the Elgato Stream Deck+ directly over USB, with no Elgato software and no plugin. Its eight LCD keys show their assigned action, and its four dials tune, adjust RIT/XIT, volume, power and more. Other Stream Deck models are not driven natively; use them through the control-surface software of your choice talking to the TCI Server or the Automation Bridge and MCP.

Upgrading from an older version: the Elgato Stream Deck and StreamController plugins are no longer shipped with AetherSDR (#5600). If you used them, set up a Stream Deck+ natively (below), or point your Stream Deck software at TCI or the automation bridge.

Requirements​

  • An Elgato Stream Deck+.
  • A build with HID support (hidapi).

Setup​

  1. Open Settings → Radio Setup... → Serial & Controllers.
  2. In USB Control Surfaces, tick Enable HID encoders / StreamDeck+ (RC-28, PowerMate, ShuttleXpress, …).
  3. macOS: allow AetherSDR under System Settings → Privacy & Security → Input Monitoring when asked.
  4. Linux: install the udev rule from the source tree so your user can open the device: 
    sudo cp packaging/linux/60-hid-encoders.rules /etc/udev/rules.d/
    sudo udevadm control --reload-rules && sudo udevadm trigger
    Then unplug and replug the Stream Deck+.

Using the LCD keys​

StreamDeck+ LCD Button Actions assigns an action to each of the 8 keys (Key 1–8). The key's image updates on the device to show its action. All keys start as None.

Using the dials​

HID Encoder / StreamDeck+ Encoders sets what each dial does when turned, and StreamDeck+ Encoder Push Actions sets what pressing each dial does. Defaults and choices are under Reference.

Touch strip​

The touch strip above the dials shows each dial's turn and push labels, with ON/OFF state for dials assigned to RIT or XIT.

Using other Stream Deck models​

Other Stream Deck models (MK.2, XL, Mini, Pedal and so on) can still control AetherSDR, through software you choose. AetherSDR provides the protocol, not the button layer:

Reference​

Key actions​

None, Toggle TX (MOX), Toggle Tune, Toggle RIT on/off, Toggle XIT on/off, Clear RIT offset, Clear XIT offset, Step Size Up, Step Size Down, Toggle Mute, Toggle Slice Lock, Toggle APF, Cycle AGC Mode, Toggle Band Zoom, Toggle Segment Zoom, Next Slice, Previous Slice, Volume Up (+5), Volume Down (−5), Toggle Split, Monitor TX Frequency.

Dial turn actions​

DialDefault
Encoder 1Tune Slice
Encoder 2RIT (Receive Incremental Tuning)
Encoder 3XIT (Transmit Incremental Tuning)
Encoder 4Master Volume

Other choices: Slice Audio Volume, Headphone Volume, AGC Threshold, APF Level, CW Speed, RF Power, None.

Dial push actions​

DialDefault
Encoder 1 pushCycle Tuning Step
Encoder 2 pushToggle RIT on/off
Encoder 3 pushToggle XIT on/off
Encoder 4 pushNone

Other choices: Toggle TX (MOX), Toggle Mute, Lock Slice.

Known issues​

  • Volume up/down actions start from the saved master volume, not the level of the audio path you are hearing, so the first step can jump (#6132).

Troubleshooting​

The Stream Deck+ does nothing​

HID encoders are off by default.

  1. Check that Enable HID encoders / StreamDeck+ is ticked in Settings → Radio Setup... → Serial & Controllers. If the checkbox is missing, this build has no HID support.
  2. Turn on the Ext Devices log category (see Support and Logging) to see HID connection events.

Linux: the device is not found​

Your user cannot open the HID device.

  1. Install the udev rule (see Setup).
  2. Unplug and replug the Stream Deck+.

macOS: no response​

AetherSDR does not have the Input Monitoring permission.

  1. Allow AetherSDR under System Settings → Privacy & Security → Input Monitoring.

See also​