libhamlib-utils¶
The command-line tools for hamlib — test a radio before blaming software
- Version recorded: 4.6.2
- Categories:
rig-control - Upstream: http://www.hamlib.org
What it does¶
Carries rigctl and rigctld, the command-line and daemon interfaces to hamlib, plus rotctl and rotctld for antenna rotators. rigctl sets and reads frequency, mode, PTT and everything else a backend supports; rigctld serves the same over a network socket so several programs can share one radio.
Why you would want it¶
rigctl is the diagnostic that separates a radio problem from a program problem. When fldigi will not key the transmitter, the question is whether hamlib can, and one command answers it. Nearly every Linux ham program uses hamlib underneath, so a fault reproduced here is a fault in the layer everything shares.
Before it will work¶
A CAT interface and access to its serial device -- the dialout group. Knowing your radio's hamlib model number, which rigctl -l lists.
How it installs¶
- apt:
libhamlib-utils
Known problems¶
The model number matters and the closest-looking one is often wrong; a mismatched backend produces partial control, where frequency works and mode does not, which reads as a broken cable. Baud rate and, for Icom, the CI-V address must match the radio's own menu settings. rigctld and a program opening the serial port directly will fight over it, and the symptom is erratic behaviour rather than an error -- decide which one owns the port.
Keeping it current¶
- probe: apt policy
- strategy: apt_upgrade
Where to get help with the software itself¶
The Hamlib project. The mailing list is where radio-specific backend questions are answered, and the developers do respond to good reports.