Live spot list
- Shows incoming DX Cluster spots in a compact list
- Keeps local spot history for browsing
- Auto mode stays at the live edge
- Manual browsing for older and newer spots
M5Stack Core2 radio project
M5Core2 DX Cluster
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A small touch-screen DX Cluster companion for the M5Stack Core2, built around the sort of radio desk job where a dedicated little display is handier than another window on the computer.
The device connects to a Telnet DX Cluster, keeps a local spot history, shows list and detail views, and can send selected spots over TCI so Thetis can tune or rebuild spot overlays.
Project shape
- Designed for the M5Stack Core2 using the Arduino IDE.
- Touch-first interface with button fallbacks for key actions.
- Two startup profiles for different Wi-Fi, cluster and TCI environments.
- Built as a practical GW3JVB workbench project for radio use.
HardwareM5Stack Core2 / ESP32.
ClusterTelnet DX Cluster spots.
Radio linkThetis / TCI spot sending.
What it does
A compact DX spot screen for the station desk.
The idea is not to replace a full logging or cluster application. It is a focused little device: glance at recent spots, open a detail view, filter what matters, and send a useful spot to the radio when needed.
Touch detail view
- Tap a selected spot to open the larger detail screen
- Shows callsign, frequency, band, mode and region information
- SEND button passes the selected spot to TCI
- BACK and LIVE controls keep navigation simple
Profiles and filters
- Two startup profiles for home, club or test setups
- Separate Wi-Fi, cluster and TCI settings per profile
- On-device mode and band filter screen
- Button fallback if touch is not convenient
Thetis / TCI support
- Sends selected spots using TCI data
- Includes modulation, VFO and spot information
- Can replay stored spot history after reconnects
- Designed around real station use with Thetis
Screens
The project on the M5Core2 display.
These are real photos from the device rather than polished mockups, which feels right for a hands-on radio bench project.
Live list
Recent cluster spots
Incoming spots are shown in a large, glanceable list with status indicators across the top and quick LIVE, DETAIL and REPLAY actions.
Detail view
Tap through for detail
The detail view gives the selected call more room, including frequency, band, mode, region, comments, and a SEND action for TCI.
Profiles
Choose a station profile
Pick between two saved profiles at startup, useful when moving between different Wi-Fi networks, clusters, or radio-control setups.
Filters
Trim the noise
Simple on-screen filters keep the display focused on the modes and bands you actually want to watch.
First-time setup
Arduino project with private local config files.
This is still a maker-style project rather than a one-click installer. The important thing is keeping personal Wi-Fi, cluster and TCI details in local config files, while the example templates remain safe to share.
Open the project in Arduino IDE
Target the M5Stack Core2 / ESP32 environment and build the main M5Core2-DXClusterPlus sketch.
Create your two profile config files
Copy the provided example config headers to the local profile files, then add your own Wi-Fi, DX Cluster and TCI settings.
Flash the Core2 and choose a profile
After upload, select Profile 1 or Profile 2 on the touch screen, then use the list, detail, live and send controls from the device.
Workbench notes
A practical little screen, not a corporate product.
This sits firmly in the GW3JVB “I wanted this on my own radio desk” category. It is a free project, built to be useful, understandable, and easy to iterate as more station ideas appear.
The project also keeps the backend logic separate from the Core2-specific screen and input code, which should make future hardware variations easier to explore.
Public repository: M5Core2-DXClusterPlus on GitHub. The repo contains the Arduino sketch, backend header, prefix data and example profile config files.
Support development
Feedback, testing and ideas are very welcome.
M5Core2 DX Cluster is a spare-time GW3JVB radio project. If you build it, adapt it, or test it with your own Thetis setup, real-world notes are exactly the kind of feedback that helps.