Amateur Radio and Webaudio

I got my radio amateur licence in 1976. A full 'tech' licence, but only valid for operating on the UHF/VHF bands. In those day's you had (in NL) to pass a morse exam for operating privileges on the HF bands. I practiced morse for a while, keying went well, but reading not so. Besides, I was more interested in electronics, building my own gear, then communicating using CW. After about 5 years I stopped being an active HAM and sold most of my stuff.

My interests in web techology is one of the reasons I restarted my radio amateur hobby after 40 years. Much has changed in that time. 40 years ago a radio amateur transmitter was made up of a few hardware building blocks, a lot if discrete components, and, except a few cases, no software at all. Today most of the discrete components are gone, and rigs are completely defined by software. So what is there in these days left to do for the amateur in terms of experimentation, besides making antennas? I guess write your own software!

I have some experiance in writing software. Mostly with C and C++ and a bit if Pascal (Delphi). But lately I write only software in Javascript. Make programs that run in a web browser. This method of programming is ideally suited for amateurs. All you need is a browser, a text editor, and a little knowledge of javascript and the various API's. The programs you make will run on every platform that can run a browser. And when I look at he future, I expect the difference between a browser and an OS will eventually dissapear, and interpreted langauges like Javascript and Python will increasingly replace compiled languages like C and C++.

Web browsers increasingly support access to external devices via USB and serial ports. A browser makes it easy to bridge devices on these ports to a TCP-IP network. You can use the webaudio API for real-time digital sound processing. And amateur radio, well, thats all about sound.

So i set myself a goal. Write web-based programs for digital modes like CW, RTTY, SSTV, and use these to make connections with other amateurs. The first program I made however, is a CAT controller for the FT991A, because it has a very limited user interface. You find the programs below and can try them out for yourselves. (click the pictures).

73, Geart, PE0GRT

About the programs

All are web based and run in the browser. However, you need a (Google) CHROME based browser to run the CAT UI, Terminal and the CW Codec when you want to use a serial port. The Morsedecoder and RTTY Codec should work with any browser, but I tested only with Firefox, Chrome and Edge. Each program contains a help button, press it for instructions on how to use and backgroundinfo.

FT991A CAT UI

An easy to use CAT interface for the FT991A. Eliminates the need to keep pressing F-List and Menu buttons every time you want to change functions, options and settings.

FT991A CAT Terminal

Simple terminal for experimenting with CAT commands and communication. Has options to read the NVRAM inside the FT991A. Probably works also with other rigs that can be controlled by a serial connection.

Morse Decoder

Should work with every browser. Needs only an audio device from your receiver. But putting a microphone in front of the speaker will also do the job.

CW Codec

Complete program for communication using continuous wave modulation. Using sound or the RTS line of a COM port. First contact made with a station in Italy, October 5, 2022 on 40 meters.

RTTY Codec

Radio Teletype Codec. Only AFSK. First contact made with PJ4/WA2BOT, december 28, 2022 on 28.082 Mhz.

SSTV Codec

Not ready yet. The decoder works, but I'm not yet satisfied with the result. See this PD120 image I made from a sound recording.