StationPilot (was FlexPilot)

serialcoder

I’ve been building a new FlexRadio companion (or standalone with TX/RX) app, it runs with full UI, UDP discovery, and smooth performance. Since it’s cross-platform (Tested on Linux), macOS support should work as well, I will try get a macOS build up if anyone is interested.

FlexPilot can run alongside SmartSDR (spots, Hamlib, Log4OM integration, device control) or standalone, with the ability to TX directly. It also includes hotkeys, automations, hardware PTT, and Stream Deck integration. A lot of these extra features are quite experimental —things I haven’t seen done before — so please don’t expect perfection on the ancillary functionality like CW decoding, Multi CW skimming etc just yet. The core TX/RX path is solid.

Welcome to post on the Wiki section about bugs, wishes etc.
🔗 https://github.com/serialc0der/FlexPilot/releases

It already integrates with my ACOM 1400S, and I’ll support other amps/devices where protocols are documented. Planning on looking at the PGXL tomorrow.

Now hear me out please, Normally I open-source everything I build for ham radio, but the company I worked for recently went bankrupt and stopped paying salaries 4 months ago. So for now I’m asking a small amount just to support my family and avoid having to sell my Flex.

Once things stabilise, my plan is to open-source FlexPilot completely, so it never becomes another closed tool that eventually breaks with FlexLib updates.

Visit the website I made for the project, there are plenty of screenshots and I tried to put as much info as possible.

I did update to the very latest FlexLib API (FlexLib_API_v4.1.3.39644) and interestingly a few of the new SDR+ DSP features have the possibility for sliders which aren't in SmartSDR (see screenshot on my site)

https://www.serialcoder.com/ProductDetail/019adb53-7fa5-71bb-9088-d135fdb420d5

the download for Windows/Linux is available here

https://github.com/serialc0der/FlexPilot/releases

73 F4JZW

Trucker

Nice, looking forward to giving your application a test drive when my new Aurora shows up eventually.

James

WD5GWY

WK2X

Could this program actually be a viable Linux client for these radios, allowing us to ditch windows altogether in favor of Linux?

la8wna

Nice, great project :)
Are you planning making an app for Android also? We really miss an android app.

Tor Arne
LA8WNA

serialcoder

Unfortunately not planning mobile app development

serialcoder

Important Notice: I changed payment processor for checkout process this morning. If you completed a payment without providing your email address or callsign, please contact me at flexpilot@serialcoder .com to receive your license key.

Mike-VA3MW

Oh, I feel your pain on this one. Payment processors can be a pain! :)

W4AFK Bruno

Can I use Flex pilot from my remote control computer using SmartLink?

serialcoder

That not work yet @W4AFK Bruno

ka9ees

I can't justify 40 euros to find out I don't care for it, but it does look nice.

serialcoder

This first version I have not developed with a trial period in mind. I will look into it for a next release. @ka9ees

W4AFK Bruno

Noted … so I'll need to wait as most of my operation is remote using SmartLINK :-(

serialcoder

A big thank you to the first supporters, here is a new release with the following updates below. Currently having payment provider problems (again) hopefully will be resolved soon.

Split Operation

• Visual RX/TX frequency line display on spectrum
• Smart default offset when split enabled with zero offset
• Guard flag to prevent sync feedback loops

Transverter Support

• Dynamic band detection for 2m and 70cm transverters
• Automatic IF frequency mapping

New Device Drivers

• 4O3A Genius rotator/antenna switch controller
• Green Heron rotator controller
• PGXL amplifier power telemetry display

Accessibility

• Screen reader support for meter displays
• Keyboard navigation improvements

Spectrum/Tuning

• Frequency step snapping for click-to-tune (snaps to tuning step)

Bug Fixes

• DVK Audio Crackling - Fixed resampler quality (WdlResampler max quality sinc interpolation)
• DVK "Add Slot" - Fixed slot subscription and empty state handling
• Slider Clipping - Fixed thumb clipping by disabling ClipToBounds
• Dashboard Reset - Added reset button for stuck dashboard states

Performance

• Zero-allocation audio pipeline with ArrayPool and jitter buffering
• Lock-free ring buffer for Linux/VM audio stability
• Removed LINQ from hot paths in spectrum rendering
• ARM memory ordering fixes for cross-platform thread safety
• Sample vs Throttle - Better meter update responsiveness

Refactoring

• Complete namespace rename from FlexPilot to StationPilot
• Project directory structure cleanup
• Consolidated namespaces across solution

Audio Improvements

• Cross-platform WdlResampler (Windows + PortAudio)
• ArrayPool buffer management with proper disposal
• Jitter buffering for network audio streams

https://github.com/serialc0der/StationPilot/releases/tag/1.0.1

https://github.com/serialc0der/StationPilot/releases/download/1.0.1/StationPilot_win_x64.exe

ka9ees

@serialcoder Does the purchase of Flexpilot include StationPilot?

serialcoder

Yes it is the same thing, just a name change because trademarks do exist, FlexRadio was really cool about it though @ka9ees

ka9ees

@serialcoder I tried to purchase it, but after entering payment and entering code sent to my phone, it said "Purchase not found".

serialcoder

The payment went through. I’ll send license in a bit if you don’t get a mail, check your spam folder too. I discovered a bug that i need to fix and also a fix to make the waterfall work same time as smartsdr running on same pc…will release 1.0.2 a bit later. @ka9ees

serialcoder

@ka9ees sent you a pm with license

ka9ees

@serialcoder Got it!

DaveC

I just tried to purchase it. After I completed the payment it said purchase not found. Did I just lose 40 erus?

DaveC

I just purchase this but when done payment it said purchase not found. Did I just lose 40 erus? Never mind all is good.

ka9ees

@DaveC Mine said the same thing, but the payment did go through. Don't try to pay it again.

DaveC

Thanks Ed, all is good now!

serialcoder

Latest release - 1.0.2, various fixes and improvements.

Includes raspberry pi build which works surprisingly well on a pi5.

https://github.com/serialc0der/StationPilot/releases/tag/1.0.2

NB. to run parallel to SmartSDR, launch StationPilot after SmartSDR, so that it can detect it is running and startup accordingly, otherwise setting DSP, MOX won't work correctly.

serialcoder

@LA8WNA I sent you pm here, because I'm not sure if you were getting my emails.

ka9ees

This does not play well with SmartSDR. It locks the spectrum scope and and slows the waterfall way down. It kills NR and NRS. I have to exit Station Pilot and restart SmartSDR.

serialcoder

@ka9ees Mileage may vary, but I you must start it after you start SmartSDR so that it is aware of SmartSDR running.

ka9ees

@serialcoder I have done that. Maybe we could do a zoom call or something similar. I could show you what I mean. The two are not compatible.

serialcoder

Fixed WSJT and similar app UDP integration, display decodes on PilotScope tab map and current decoding callsign loads into Propagation tab with QRZ lookup

https://github.com/serialc0der/StationPilot/releases/tag/1.0.3

tickly

Just seen a version of StationPilot for Apple Macs. Downloaded the zip file, but when I tried to run it I get an error message "StationPilot" is damaged and can't be opened. You should move it to the bin.

Anyone else getting this error message?

Ian

G4ZJH.

serialcoder

I need to add 2 different builds for mac, currently it is for the type that uses intel chips, not arm. Also because i do not develop on a mac the following needs to be run:

Due to macOS security restrictions for unsigned apps, run this command in the Terminal after copying StationPilot in to the Applications folder:

xattr -d com.apple.quarantine /Applications/StationPilot.app