Radio and SDR support
- Icom IC-7300 direct CI-V control
- Yaesu FTDX10 CAT control
- TCI Protocol systems including Thetis
- Hamlib-supported radios using bundled Hamlib
Current project
Transceiver KiwiSDR Bridge
Latest version: checking...
A free Windows utility that links supported radios and SDR software to a KiwiSDR browser page, so the receiver can follow your radio frequency, mode and supported filter changes, with optional Kiwi-to-radio control on supported setups.
It runs as a local bridge app plus a small browser extension for Chrome, Brave or Microsoft Edge. The aim is simple: tune the radio, and have the KiwiSDR follow along without repeatedly typing frequencies into the web page.
Key features
- Sync KiwiSDR frequency and mode from supported radios and SDR software.
- Optional KiwiSDR-to-radio control, allowing the Kiwi page to change the supported radio VFO and mode.
- Supports IC-7300 CI-V, TCI Protocol systems, and Hamlib-supported radios.
- Includes full Yaesu FTDX10 CAT support, no longer experimental.
- Passes supported RX filter bandwidth changes through to KiwiSDR.
- New Audio Control panel for Radio mute, Kiwi mute, Swap, Both muted and Both live actions.
- Colour-coded indicators show the current radio and Kiwi audio state at a glance.
- Direct FTDX10, IC-7300, TCI and supported Hamlib radio mute handling.
- Optional KiwiSDR audio mute while transmitting.
- The app is totally free by GW3JVB, but donations are always welcome to support future development.
- Includes update checks, release notes, saved receivers, and a floating KiwiSDR status panel.
Two-way controlRadio-to-Kiwi sync, plus supported Kiwi-to-radio VFO and mode control.
Audio controlQuick Radio/Kiwi mute, Swap, Both muted and Both live actions.
Windows appInstaller, update checks and release notes.
What it currently does
Features and supported control methods.
The bridge has grown from a small test into a more general radio-to-KiwiSDR utility. Some radio types are well tested, others are included for further testing with willing operators.
KiwiSDR sync
- Frequency and mode sent to KiwiSDR
- Supported radio VFO and mode control from KiwiSDR
- Floating status panel on the receiver page
- Saved KiwiSDR receiver list
- Works with standard KiwiSDR web pages
RX filter handling
- TCI RX bandwidth updates
- IC-7300 FIL1, FIL2 and FIL3 changes
- IC-7300 PBT adjustment support
- Hamlib passband width where reported
Audio control and transmit awareness
- Quick Radio mute, Kiwi mute, Swap, Both muted and Both live actions
- Live, muted and unknown audio-state indicators
- Optional KiwiSDR audio mute while transmitting
- IC-7300, FTDX10, TCI and supported Hamlib radio mute handling
Browser extension
- Chrome, Brave and Microsoft Edge
- Loaded locally in Developer Mode
- Extension folder included with installer
- Panel can be shown or hidden from the app
App polish
- Compact and expanded settings view
- Release notes inside the app
- New version checks via GitHub releases
- Bundled installer and uninstall support
How it fits together
Bridge app plus browser extension.
The Windows app talks to the radio, SDR software or Hamlib. The browser extension talks to the KiwiSDR web page. The local bridge sits between them, keeping the browser side deliberately simple while allowing supported control to work in both directions.
This approach also keeps the app flexible: the same KiwiSDR extension can be used while the control source changes between IC-7300, TCI Protocol, Hamlib and other supported radio options.
Installation overview
What you do to install...
The installer places the app and bundled support files on Windows. The browser extension still needs to be loaded manually because it is not yet distributed through a browser extension store.
Start with the latest release on GitHub. When the download has finished, open your Downloads folder and run the installer from there. This makes it easier to find the file again if Windows asks for confirmation.
- Open the Transceiver KiwiSDR Bridge release page and choose the latest version.
- Download the Windows installer file from the release assets.
- Use your browser's downloads menu to show the file in your Downloads folder.
- Double-click the installer and follow the prompts.
The browser extension is included with the installed app, but it needs to be loaded manually because it is not yet in the Chrome, Brave or Edge extension stores. The app can help by copying the extension folder path for you.
- In the Bridge app, copy the browser extension folder path.
- Paste that path somewhere handy so you can use it when the browser asks for a folder.
- Open your browser's extensions page and enable Developer Mode.
- Choose Load unpacked, paste or browse to the extension folder, then select it.
- Check that the Transceiver KiwiSDR Bridge extension is now shown as loaded.
Once the app and browser extension are installed, choose how the Bridge should talk to your radio or SDR software, then enter the KiwiSDR receiver you want to control. Start with the settings that match your own station, and adjust from there.
- Open the Bridge app and select the radio or control method you want to use.
- Add the COM port, TCI details or other connection settings required for that control method.
- Choose or enter the KiwiSDR receiver you want to open and control.
- Use Open KiwiSDR if needed, then start the bridge.
- Check that the app shows the bridge running before testing frequency changes.
Support development
Feedback, testing and suggestions are very welcome.
This is a spare-time GW3JVB project, all my software is free. If it is useful in your shack, donations are entirely voluntary, but are appreciated, feedback via bug reports and testing with different radios I don't own are just as valuable - please contact me with any feature requests etc.