Why Rig Control? Amateur Radio Presentation - Web Resources

Overview

This page contains extensive links related to the information in the presentation. These links were collected while preparing the presentation, and include reference information that greatly expand what is in the slides and outline. This document largely follows the same structure as the outline, though some sections are not included.

Why you need rig control

Spin the Dial

In and near the shack

W1HKJ - flRig and flDigi (and others) homepage: https://www.w1hkj.org/

flRig Doc: https://www.w1hkj.org/flrig-help/contents.html#table_of_contents

wfview - Rig control with waterfall/spectrum (newer Icom/Kenwood): https://wfview.org/wfview-user-manual/main-window/

Hamlib (rigctld) emulation: https://wfview.org/wfview-user-manual/hamlib-rigctld-emulation/

Grig - Rig control based on Hamlib: https://groundstation.sourceforge.net/grig/

Commander - Windows Rig Control software with N1MM-style network support: https://www.dxlabsuite.com/commander/

Remote control

RigPi - Raspberry Pi-based server for remote operation: https://www.rigpi.net/

Overview of remote operation via Raspberry Pi: https://gamehendge.org/2022/10/16/raspberry-pi-as-remote-amateur-radio-interface/

Pre-packaged Raspberry PI image for remote control of Icom IC-7300/7610: https://simplehrr.com/simple-ham-radio-remote-project-rpi-remote

Web Radio Control - Control your radio across the Web: https://webradiocontrol.tech/

RemoteTX - Paid-for Raspberry Pi-based remote control system: [https://www.remotetx.net/]]

HamPi - Raspberry Pi distro with lots of Amateur Radio tools: https://github.com/dslotter/HamPi

Radio personal assistant

Log4OM2 - Logging with Spotting/Cluster/Propogation/Basic CAT: https://www.log4om.com

Resources (including videos): https://www.log4om.com/resources/

Excellent PDF Doc: https://www.log4om.com/l4ong/usermanual/Log4OMNG_ENU.pdf

Ham Radio Deluxe (HRD) - Everything in one package: https://www.hamradiodeluxe.com/

N1MM - Ultimate contesting log: https://n1mmwp.hamdocs.com/

N3FJP - Popular daily/contesting log (but has issues…): https://www.n3fjp.com/

What is a DX cluster: https://www.qsl.net/4x4xm/FAQ/What-are-DX-clusters.htm

Hamclock-friendly DX cluster: https://qso365.co.uk/2023/01/why-you-might-want-to-try-using-my-dx-cluster/

Hamclock tutorial: https://qso365.co.uk/2024/05/how-to-set-up-a-hamclock-for-your-shack/

Hamclock: https://www.clearskyinstitute.com/ham/HamClock/

PDF Manual: https://www.clearskyinstitute.com/ham/HamClock/HamClockKey.pdf

Tutorial:

On the air

CW

W1HKJ - flRig and flDigi (and others) homepage: https://www.w1hkj.org/

flDigi Doc: https://www.w1hkj.org/FldigiHelp/index.html

CW Skimmer - Multi-channel CW decoder/analyzer: https://www.dxatlas.com/CwSkimmer/

CwGet - Narrow-band filter and CW decoder: https://www.dxsoft.com/en/products/cwget/

MRP40 - CW Decoder and keyer: https://www.polar-electric.com/Morse/MRP40-EN/

PCB-based DIY Winkeyer: https://www.nf4rc.club/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/KeyerManual-1.pdf

SSB

HamSoft DSP Filter - Free audio DSP for Amateur use: https://hamsoft.ca/pages/dsp-filter.php

Doc: https://hamsoft.ca/pages/dsp-filter/manual-online.php

DL4YHF Spectrum Lab - Powerful but complex real-time spectrum analyzer: https://www.qsl.net/dl4yhf/spectra1.html

Spectran V2 - Realtime audio spectrum and monitor: great for setup testing! https://www.i2phd.org/spectran.html

Soundcard Audio Tools and Toys - Very basic audio tools (spectrum analyzer, function generator, etc.): http://www.techmind.org/audio/

WD6CNF - Large variety of sound tools including CW decoder and Voice Keyer: http://hotamateurprograms.com/

Voice Shaper - Speech processor for SSB: https://www.dxatlas.com/VShaper/

Use VLC to add voice recording to any radio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuIvkKLs5XA

Other modes

W1HKJ - flRig and flDigi (and others) homepage: https://www.w1hkj.org/

flDigi Doc: https://www.w1hkj.org/FldigiHelp/index.html

JS8Call: http://js8call.com/

Getting Started: http://js8call.com/js8call-getting-started/

FT8/FT4/JS8CALL Presentation: https://www.nf4rc.club/how-to-docs/data-comms/ft8-ft4-js8/

SSTV Primer (Mainly links to YouTube videos): https://www.nf4rc.club/how-to-docs/sstv/sstv-primer/

Introduction to Packet Radio: https://www.choisser.com/packet/

AX.25 Packet Information: https://www.nf4rc.club/how-to-docs/data-comms/packet-radio/older-packet-ax-25-material/

General HF Packet Setup instructions: https://www.complete.org/packet-radio-on-hf/

Network 105: The best place to start with HF Packet: https://www.qsl.net/ww2bsa/ww2bsa-network105.htm

Winlink: https://winlink.org/

WSJT-X Homepage: https://wsjt.sourceforge.io/

PSK Reporter: https://pskreporter.info/

GridTracker: https://gridtracker.org/

WSPR: https://wspr.live/

Use WSPR to compare antennas: https://www.uni-due.de/imperia/md/content/hft/papers/wspr_for_antenna_comparison.pdf

FreeDV: https://freedv.org/

Getting Started: https://freedv.org/getting-started/

FreeDV/RADE presentation: https://freedv.org/rade-ham-club-presentation/

VHF/UHF

APRS.fi - Worldwide APRS tracking: https://aprs.fi

Modern introduction to packet and APRS: https://themodernham.com/modern-introduction-to-packet-radio-ax25-aprs-and-tcp-ip/

W8CMN Mi7 Winlink/Packet: https://w8cmn.net/mi7-winlink/

W8CMN APRS Digipeaters: https://w8cmn.net/aprs/

Packet Radio 101: Extensive guide, including digitpeater and BBS node setup: https://themodernham.com/packet-radio-101-the-ultimate-guide/

List of packet BBS worldwide: https://www.tprfn.net/network-how-to/current-list-world-wide-packet-bbs-s

BBS and Chat over packet setup: https://themodernham.com/basic-bpq32-bbs-setup-with-direwolf-and-configuration-guide/

PiStar - Raspberry Pi image for digital voice hotspot and gateway: https://www.pistar.uk/

Analog FM gateway using MMDVM: https://forum.pistar.uk/viewtopic.php?t=2768

AllStarLink - Bridge repeaters and nodes via VoIP: https://www.allstarlink.org/

How does it work?

Radio management

What is Rig Control? https://www.westmountainradio.com/kb_view_topic.php?id=ST172

What is CAT Control? https://www.ham-interfaces.com/ham-radio-info-and-guides/what-is-cat-control

Audio management

Middleware

flRig Supported Transceivers: https://www.w1hkj.org/flrig-help/supported_transceivers.html

Hamlib - Ham Radio Control Library cross-platform middleware: https://hamlib.github.io/

OmniRig - Windows-only rig control middleware (last update: 2022): https://dxatlas.com/OmniRig/

com0com - Open-source null-modem emulator (virtual serial ports): https://com0com.sourceforge.net/

Signed version: https://pete.akeo.ie/2011/07/com0com-signed-drivers.html

Electronic Team Virtual Serial Ports: https://www.virtual-serial-port.org/

How to use with Ham Radio: https://www.virtual-serial-port.org/articles/ham-radio-usage/

EterLogic Virtual Serial Ports: https://eterlogic.com/Products.VSPE_License.html

Hardware Options

Radio Management

Yaesu FT-450D CAT Reference: https://media.sm7iun.se/2020/04/Yaesu-FT-450D-CAT.pdf

Icom CI-V Reference Manual 3.2 - Most radios before 2002: https://www.cryptomuseum.com/ref/protocol/civ/files/CIV_manual_2002_v3-2.pdf

Kenwood CAT Reference (TS-890S): https://www.kenwood.com/i/products/info/amateur/pdf/ts890_pc_command_en_rev1.pdf

Kenwood TS-2000 Manual - CAT commands on page 122 (114 within PDF): https://www.qrzcq.com/pub/RADIO_MANUALS/KENWOOD/KENWOOD--TS-2000-User-Manual.pdf

(Simplest) DIY CI-V Interface using TTL-level (nonstandard) USB Serial: https://www.maniaradio.it/forum/showthread.php?tid=458

(Early) Simple DIY CI-V Interface: https://www.qsl.net/ok2wy/projects.htm

(Later) DIY CI-V Interface: https://www.qsl.net/g3vgr/civ.html

(RS-232 Compliant) DIY CI-V Interface with level shifter: http://www.ka1mda.org/ham/homebrew/civ/index.htm

(RS-232 with PTT) DIY CI-V Interface: http://www.seed-solutions.com/gregordy/Amateur%20Radio/Experimentation/CIVInterface.htm

Yaesu FT-8×7 (8-pin Mini DIN) DIY Cat interface: https://qsl.net/oz1dgq/home-filer/yaesu-hints/yaesu%20ft8x7%20cat%20interface%20v1.0%20de%20sv3jyy.pdf

Yaesu FT-8×7 (8-pin Mini DIN) DIY CAT Bluetooth interface: https://www.yo3ggx.ro/btcat/FT8x7_DIY_Bluetootth_CAT_interface_v1.pdf

Kenwood TS-440 with IC-10 DIY CAT Interface: https://piratesinteepees.org/kenwood-ts-440-ic10/

Kenwood IF-232C (6-pin DIN) Manual: http://www.radiomanual.info/schemi/KENW_ACC/Kenwood_IF-232C_user.pdf

Audio Management

XGGComms: Value digital mode interfaces: https://xggcomms.com/

SignaLink USB: https://tigertronics.com/slusbmain.htm

West Mountain Radio RigBlaster Advantage: https://www.westmountainradio.com/product_info.php?products_id=rb_adv

DIY Sound interface with VOX: https://www.nf4rc.club/how-to-docs/data-comms/inexpensive-homebrew-soundcard/

PCB-based DIY Sound interface with VOX: https://www.qsl.net/nf4rc/SmallBookSoundCardConstructionManual2.pdf

DIY custom cables for RJ-45-based sound interfaces (e.g. SignaLink USB): https://www.nf4rc.club/how-to-docs/data-comms/digital-connection-how-to/

Tools

Setting up Log4OM2 with flRig: https://forum.log4om.com/viewtopic.php?p=41969&sid=71f60ac173fe818bad479c3e661f6eda#p41969

Hamlib Virtual Serial support: https://man.archlinux.org/man/extra/hamlib/rigctlcom.1.en