HF Software Decoders
From The RadioReference Wiki
Without a doubt, decoding digital signals at the software level has grown in recent years, easily supplanting the hardware decoders, since software packages can be updated and are generally free of hardware constraints. These packages run the gamut from free to the ultra-expensive - and often with the jump in price, you get more complete analysis tools, which may not necessarily be useful for someone starting out.
Note that anything in green can interface with some Software Defined Radios. See the Decoding Software that Interfaces with SDRs for more information.
Contents
Integrated Radio/Decoder Software
There are a few programs that combine radio control and digital decoding. This is a category that isn't well explored by most manufacturers, but is unique for its all in one approach.
- CW Skimmer
- FLDigi Downloads
- Flrig is needed for interfacing with FLdigi for transceiver control
- go2signals by Procitec
- ION2G
- Krypto500
- Utility DXing-A Primer(PDF)
- Volumes 1 and 2 of the user guides can be found on the UDXF reflector. You must be a member to access these files
- Krypto1000
- MARS ALE
- MixW4
- MixW4 interfaces with the Kiwi SDRs
- MS-DMT
- MultiPSK
- Also see Connect the SDRPlay RSPs via TCP IP to Multipsk for SDRPlay SDRs
- HF and LF Modes used by MultiPSK
- MultiPSK interfaces with the Funcube Dongle (all versions), RTL/SDR, Softrock and SDRPlay SDRs
- PC-ALE
- Sigmira
- Sorcerer
- Wavecom W-Code
- Wavecom W-Spectra
- Winradio Digital Suite
- Note: Software has been discontinued. Use as historical reference only
- Winradio Advanced Digital Suite
- Winradio Universal FSK Decoder
- See this page on the WinRadio website for compatible receivers
Soundcard Digital Decoders
Without a doubt, most of the active development has been in the area of decoding using a simple connection to a sound card in a computer. Many such packages now exist, with more gradually making their way onto the market. Even here, some have extensive aids, waterfall displays and other devices to help decode (and sometimes analyze) an unknown signal
- Amalgamated DGPS
- Black Cat GMDSS
- Black Cat HF Weather FAX
- Black Cat HF ALE
- Note: Windows and Mac versions available
- DIGTRX
- DSC Decoder
- DumpHFDL Note: for Linux systems
- Frisnit
- Hoka Code 300-32
- JNX
- JVComm32
- JWX
- PC-HFDL
- The most recent version can be found in the HFDL subgroup of the ACARS VDL2 JAERO and HFDL (Subgroup) reflector on groups.io
- Rivet
- SeaTTY
- Synop Decoder (ActiveX Module)
- Updated versions of these 2 decoders can be found at the NDB List - The Datamodes Section
- Yet Another DSC Decoder (YADD)
- Yet Another NAVTEX Decoder (YAND)
Selcall Decoders
This section is devoted to software that decodes Selcalls, commonly heard from planes using the MWARA system
Utility Programs
These programs utilize data sent from other programs (like PC-HFDL) for plotting, decoding or other purposes
Amateur Radio Digital Software
If you're a ham who happens to use one of the packages listed in this section, you may be surprised to learn that they will also decode HF-FAX and SITOR-B (sometimes also known as AMTOR Mode B, AMTOR FEC and NAVTEX) weather broadcasts. See the Testing Your New Setup article in this document for a listing of these broadcasts.
- CW Skimmer
- Fldigi downloads
- MixW4
- MultiPSK
- PMON Note: Linux application
- TrueTTY
- Mac Applications
Android Applications
These applications are for use on Android driven devices. Please see the software's page for more detailed requirements
- AndFLmsg
- DroidNavtex
- TIVAR
- Android fork of FLDigi
- Weather Fax app by Wolphi
- Black Cat Systems Applications
SDR Plugins
- SDRUno Plugins
- Baudot Decoder
- CW Decoder
- NAVTEX Decoder
- Weatherfax Decoder
- How to use the Black Cat Systems SDRUno Plugin
- Links for FAX and SSTV Decoders as well as how to use the SDRUno installer can be found here
Slow Scan TV (SSTV) Applications
While radio amateurs - including the astronauts onboard the International Space Station - are the primary users of this mode, HF Pirates have been known to use this as well
- What is SSTV (Slow Scan TV)?
- ChromaPix downloads and others
- EasyDRF
- EasyPal
- EZ-PIX
- Hoka Code 300-32
- JVComm32
- MixW4
- MM-SSTV
- MultiPSK
- RX-SSTV
- Sorcerer
- Wavecom W-Code
- Wavecom W-Spectra
- Android Apps
- Black Cat systems
- Black Cat SSTV
- Note: Windows and Mac versions available
- SSTV Pad
- Note: IPhone, IPad and IPod application
- Linux Software
- Mac Software
IPhone, IPad and IPod Touch Digital Decoding Software
We have some digital decoding packages listed here that can run on an IPhone, IPad or IPod Touch. You can either use the built in speaker, or better, a connection between your receiver and unit. These links come from the Black Cat Systems website
DSP Audio Programs
What if you're using a less expensive program, or perhaps using a PK232 and would like a better tuning aid, or would like to do some NAT viewing with an analyzer? Well, up to a few years ago, you were out of luck. With the development of DSP processing, and the popularity of soundcard programs, such programs are now readily available. Some allow you to create your own filters, view a signal with an audio spectrum analyzer, and more.
- Audacity
- Baudline
- DSPfilter
- GNASP1
- Godafoss Audio Spectrum Display
- QSpectrumanalyzer
- Signal Analyzer
- Signal Analyzer tutorial v3.2 (PDF)
- You must be a member of the UDXF reflector on groups.io to access this file
- SigView
- Soundcard Oscilloscope
- Sound Forge Audio Studio
- Spectra Plus
- Spectran
- Spectralab
- Spectravue
- Spectrum Lab
- Swezey Digital Filter Program
- Touchstone
- Return to DXing Digital Utilities
- Return to HF Appendix
- Return to Testing Your New Setup
- Return to A Discussion About Decoders
- Return to HF Hardware Decoders
- Go to Utility Monitoring Central Links