Software

This is software I use. I currently run almost everything on Linux. Am very thankful to the people who spend their time creating software I can run with no cost to me. Also to the people who spend their time creating online tutorials for all of these programs including lots of useful Youtube videos.

All these programs are free to use (some free as in beer, others free as in freedom).

PC

Satellite Tracking

• Gpredict: Satellite tracking software that runs on Linux and MacOS.
• WXtrack: Satellite tracking software for Windows only. But I run it on Wine on Linux with no issues or special configs needed.

RX/RX/SDR

• Gqrx: SDR receiver software for Linux and MacOS. Similar to Airspy, HDSDR, SDR++ and SDRconnect.
• SDRconnect: SDR software from SDRplay that runs on various platforms. It also runs on the Raspberry Pi. Not quite true that I'm using this, but will switch some of the SDR stuff to this at some point as I have a truckload of Pi-s that need work.
• RTL-SDR: SDR software. Not really a single piece of software. Various different programs that can be run with different options, especially on the command line which makes it very useful. Various other SDR programs are based on this.
• WSJTX: Digital comms program. I'm not doing digital comms at the moment. I use WSTJX to monitor FT8 on various bands for propagation. Works on Windows, Linux (including Raspberry Pi) and MacOS.
• fldigi: Digital comms program. I've used it to receive RTTY but it can do more, apparently including CW. Runs on Linux, Windows and MacOS. See also Software by W1HKJ & Associates for more info.
• QSSTV: SSTV TX/RX software. I use it to mostly monitor the 14230kHz SSTV frequency unattended. Sort of amusing at times. Runs on Linux including the Raspberry Pi (have not used on a Pi yet). See here for manual.
• OpenWebRX: Web based SDR receiver. Easy to set up. Works with Ubuntu, Debian and Raspberry Pi (complete Raspberry Pi images). There also some docker images (not sure how these work). It works with a lot of popular SDR hardware. I've used it with RTL2832U dongles and the SDRplay RSP1A.

Radio Remote Control

• Wfview: Basic remote control software for modern ICOM radios (works well with my IC-7300) and apparently also Kenwood radios soon. The Wfview manual can be found here. It works on Linux, MacOS and Windows. Have not tried to make the sound work on Linux yet - seems like it will take a bit of command line work.

Logging

• Minos Contest Logging Software: Very nice logging software written by Mike Goodey G0GJV (QRZCQ). I've started using it for turning my RSGB UKAC paper logs into computer logs (finally!). It runs on Windows. It can be compiled for Linux using these instructions. I use the compiled version on Linux Mint. It has worked well so far but I have not used it live in contests yet so time will tell. The Windows version works very well from what I hear.
• CQRLOG: Linux only logging program

Audio

• Audacity: Audio editing software. I use this to record frequencies I monitor. Complete overkill for my purposes but is easy to use and works very well. Runs on Linux, MacOS and Windows.
• xoscope: A simple but useful audio oscilloscope program. It takes audio input from ALSA or COMEDI systems, selectable. It has basic configuration options. Seems to be only available for Linux. I installed on Linux Mint from the repositories. The installer created a shortcut under the "Electronics" menu.
• AudMeS: A very useful audio measurement system. It includes a signal generator, oscilloscope, spectrum analyser and a response measurement option (apparently using the signal generator and spectrum analyser to measure device response - I haven't tried this yet). Has basic configuration options. It is available for Linux and MacOS. I installed it from the Linux Mint repositories. The installer creates a shortcut under the "Sound and Video" menu.

CW

Design

• KiCad: Open source (GPL3 and other) schematic and PCB layout program for Linux, MacOS and Linux.
• AppCAD: Free design assistance tool. Has several design and analysis functions. I've started using it mainly for its stripline design/analysis tool. It is a Windows program, but runs fine on Wine on Linux.

Other

• Arduino IDE: For programming my Arduino Uno. It is ridulously easy to use. Runs on Linux, MacOS and Windows.
• Sweet Home 3D: I've used this more than once when reorganising the play room ("Shack" where all the toys are!). It saved me hours of moving things around, trying to figure out (1) where they should go and (2) if it will work for me. Should be useful for organising furniture in any room. Very easy to use. Runs on Linux, MacOS and Windows.
• MSOScope: Hantek software for MSO5000 series oscilloscopes. Runs on Windows. Need to install driver before running the MSO5000D software. Works well.
• DR135CB: For programming my Alinco DR135 radio. I can't remember where I got the software from. Google it at your own peril!

Android

• QTH locator from Google Play Store: Get locator square via GPS or manually on map, calculate distance between two points and plot QSOs on map. I've only used it for determining my QTH locator - useful as I go portable from time to time and not always to the same locations.
• DX Spots: Filter on band, mode, CQ zone (Spot and Spotter) and contests.