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README (general)

    Hamlib
    ======

    (C) Frank Singleton 2000 (vk3fcs@ix.netcom.com)
    (C) Stephane Fillod 2000-2011
    (C) The Hamlib Group 2000-2025

    The purpose of this project is to provide stable, flexible, shared libraries
    that enable quicker development of amateur radio equipment control
    applications.

    The master repository is https://github.com/Hamlib/Hamlib
    The backup repository is https://sourceforge.net/projects/hamlib/

    Daily snapshots are available at https://hamlib.sourceforge.net/snapshots/

    Development happens on the GitHub master (often by merging feature branches)
    and each release has a release branch.

    Many amateur radio transceivers come with serial (RS-232, USB, etc.) or
    Ethernet/WiFi/Bluetooth interfaces that allow software to control the radio.
    This project will endeavour to provide shared libraries that greatly simplify
    the application programmer's interaction with radio equipment and other
    controllable devices such as rotators, amplifiers, etc.

    Supported Radios
    ----------------

    The Hamlib Wiki page, Supported Radios, contains a snapshot of the supported
    radios at the time of the last Hamlib release.  Go to
    https://github.com/Hamlib/Hamlib/wiki to reach the Wiki.

    Hamlib Design
    -------------

    The library provides functions for radio, rotator and amplifier control,
    and data retrieval for supported devices.  A number of functions useful
    for calculating distance and bearing and grid square conversion are included.

    libhamlib.so -  library that provides generic API for all RIG types.
        This is what application programs will "see".  Will have different
        names on other platforms, e.g. libhamlib-4.dll on MS windows.  Also
        contains all radio, rotator and amplifier "backends" provided by Hamlib.

    Backend Examples are:
    ---------------------

    1. `yaesu` will provide connectivity to Yaesu FT 747GX Transceiver, FT 847
       "Earth Station", etc. via a unified API.

    2. `xxxx` will provide connectivity to the Wiz-bang moon-melter 101A (yikes..)

    Hamlib will also enable developers to develop professional looking GUI's
    towards a unified control library API, and they will not have to worry about
    the underlying connection towards physical hardware.

    Initially serial (RS232) connectivity will be handled, but we expect that IP
    (and other) connectivity will follow afterwards.  Connection via a USB port
    is accomplished via the Linux kernel support.  USB to serial converters are
    well supported.  Other such devices may be supported as long as they present
    a serial (RS-232) interface to Hamlib.

    Availability
    ------------

    Most distributions have the latest Hamlib release in their testing or alpha
    versions of their distribution.  Check your package manager for the Hamlib
    version included in your distribution.

    Developing with Hamlib API
    --------------------------

    API documentation is at:

            https://github.com/Hamlib/Hamlib/wiki/Documentation

    Take a look at tests/README for more info on simple programming examples and
    test programs.

    C++ programming is supported and language bindings are available for Perl,
    Python, and TCL.  A network daemon utility is also available for any
    programming language that supports network sockets (even netcat!).

    Compiling
    ---------

    Hamlib is entirely developed using GNU tools, on various operating systems.
    The library may be compiled from a source "tarball" by the familiar "three
    step":

            ./configure
            make
            sudo make install

    For debugging use this configure command:

            ./configure CFLAGS=-g -O0 -fPIC --no-create --no-recursion

    See the `INSTALL` file for more information.

    To recompile Hamlib, run:

            make clean

    to remove all object files and binaries, otherwise `make` won't do anything!

    Contributing
    ------------

    Consult the `README.betatester` and `README.developer` files in this directory
    if you feel like testing or helping with Hamlib development.

    Contributions of rig specifications and protocol documentation are highly
    encouraged.  Do keep in mind that in some cases the manufacturer may not
    provide complete control information or it is only available under a
    Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).  Any documentation *must* be publicly
    available so we can legally write and distribute Free Software supporting a
    given device.

    The Hamlib team is very interested to hear from you, how Hamlib builds and
    works on your system, especially on non-Linux system or non-PC systems. We
    try to make Hamlib as portable as possible.

    Please report in case of problems at hamlib-developer@lists.sourceforge.net
    Git email formatted patches or in unified diff format are welcome!

    Also, take a look at http://sourceforge.net/projects/hamlib/ Here you will
    find a mail list, link to the Wiki, and the latest releases.  Feedback,
    questions, etc. about Hamlib are very welcome at the mail list:

            <hamlib-developer@lists.sourceforge.net>

    Hamlib Version Numbers
    ----------------------

    Like other software projects, Hamlib uses a version numbering scheme to help
    program authors and users understand which releases are compatible and which
    are not.  Hamlib releases now follow the format of:

    Major.minor.point

    Where

    Major:  Currently at 4, but can be advanced when changes to the API require
    client programs to be rewritten to take advantage of new features of Hamlib.
    This number has advanced several times throughout the life of Hamlib.
    Advancement of the major number signals frontend API changes that require
    modification of client source and Application Binary Interface changes that
    require relinking to the library (Note, the latter does not apply to
    applications using the `*ctld` daemons, but the command API may change).

    Minor:  This number advances when either new backend(s) or new rig model(s) to
    existing backend(s) are added.  Advancing this number informs client program
    authors (and users of those programs) that new model/backend support has been
    added.  Will also include bug fixes since the last point release.

    Point:  Formerly could be undefined (e.g. Hamlib 4.6) and would advance to 1
    (e.g.  Hamlib 4.6.1) for any bug fixes or feature additions to existing
    model(s) or backend(s), then to 2, etc.  New rig models or backends are not
    included in point releases.  When *major* or *minor* is advanced, *point* will
    reset to `0`.  **Note:** All future releases beginning with 4.7.0 will include
    all values to lessen confusion.

    Release schedule
    ----------------

    Hamlib has a "ready when it's ready" philosophy.  There is no set schedule,
    though we'd like at least one *minor* release in a given year and a *major*
    release every several years.

    Have Fun / Frank S / Stephane F / The Hamlib Group

      73's de vk3fcs/km5ws / f8cfe