Documentation

Welcome to the Pycom Radio Controller Documentation

Pycom Radio Controller controls your ICOM-9700 remotely via USB or network. Select any section below, or start with Getting Started.

Overview & Radio Setup

  • Overview & Radio Setup

    Set your CI-V address, baud rate, and connection type. Add and manage multiple radios, configure callsign, station details, rigctld port, RC-28, lookup credentials, and audio — all from the Settings menu.

  • OS Security

    Step-by-step instructions to bypass Windows SmartScreen and macOS Gatekeeper so the application can run.

  • License

    Free license required — register with your callsign and email, then update the app configuration with your key.

  • Connection Tab

    Select your radio from the dropdown and click Connect. Use Refresh Settings to sync the app with the radio's current state. Disconnect and Standby buttons for power control.

Interface

  • Tabs, Menus & Windows

    Tour the full interface — six main tabs, two status tabs, plus secondary windows for config, radio manager, and audio settings. Right-click context menus and spacebar PTT toggle included.

  • Main Display

    Control frequency, step size, and band selection (2m/70cm/23cm). Set operating mode, filters, split/duplex, VFO A/B, satellite mode, tone, RIT, PTT, and modulation source. Real-time S-meter, SWR, and ALC meter bars.

  • Levels

    Adjust RF power, RF gain, USB modulation level, USB AF output, squelch, and noise reduction — all with real-time sliders.

  • Preamps

    Toggle the internal preamp and enable per-band external preamps (144 MHz, 430 MHz, 1200 MHz) for improved signal reception.

  • Waterfall & Scope

    Real-time 475-point spectrum display with scrollable waterfall. Pin the display with Fix mode for Doppler tracking, adjust reference level and span, and see saved memory markers overlaid on the frequency axis.

Memory Manager

  • Save, Apply & Delete Memories

    Save the entire radio state — frequency, mode, filters, split, tone, RIT offset, power, and preamps — as a named memory. VFO and satellite memories auto-exchange bands on apply. Includes a downloadable starter CSV with popular satellites and repeaters.

Callsign Lookup & Logging

  • Callsign Lookup

    Look up any callsign against QRZ or HamQTH directly from the Logging tab — name, QTH, grid, DXCC, CQ/ITU zones and photo are pulled in automatically. Configure your credentials in Settings.

  • QSO Logging & Upload

    Log contacts with most fields pre-filled. Sessions are saved as local ADIF files. Upload directly to Cloudlog and LoTW (TQSL required) with duplicate handling by the provider.

External Control & Hardware

  • Rigctld Server

    Built-in hamlib-compatible rigctld server on port 4532 (configurable). Lets Gpredict and other tools control frequency, mode, VFO, split, PTT, and read signal levels. Includes read-only mode and satellite-aware MAIN/SUB VFO mapping.

  • RC-28 Dial Controller

    Use the Icom RC-28 locally via USB or remotely over the network (TCP port 5100). The dial adjusts frequency or sliders, F-1 changes step size, and the Transmit button holds PTT.

Satellite & Doppler Tracking

  • CSN S.A.T Tracking

    One-click satellite tracking — click Start Tracking and Pycom configures uplink/downlink frequency, mode, and applies continuous Doppler correction via the CSN S.A.T REST API. Re-center with a single button. Configure the base URL in Settings.

  • SatPC32 CAT Control

    Windows-only virtual serial port passthrough using com0com. Configure SatPC32 to connect via a null-modem pair and it drives frequency, mode, satellite, tone, and scope commands directly through Pycom.

  • Doppler Control

    Recommended Doppler setup guide — use the built-in rigctld server with Gpredict or CSN S.A.T for automatic tracking, or combine with saved memories for quick satellite band setup. Includes video walkthroughs of full-duplex satellite operation.

Data Modes

  • WSJT-X Integration

    Run FT8, WSPR, and other WSJT-X modes through the built-in rigctld server. Covers standard configuration and the special setup needed when running WSJT-X alongside Doppler tracking on satellite passes.

Signal Detection & AI Identification

  • Signal Detection

    Automatic statistical detection of signals on the waterfall. Colored markers show strong, moderate, and weak signals. Three sensitivity presets (Strong Only, Normal, Sensitive) plus nine tunable parameters for fine control.

  • AI Signal Identification

    Neural network classification of detected signals into 16 types (CW, FT8, FM, SSB, etc.). Capture window for labeling and saving signals. Train or fine-tune the model on your own captures with quality safeguards.

  • Signal Mode Reference

    Detailed reference table of all 16 recognized signal types — modulation type, bandwidth, tone count, and typical bands.