Follow the link : https://hamlib.github.io/

Then open the Current stable release ( at the moment is the 4.5.5 ) where you can download the installer files for your operative system.

Windows :

hamlib-w32-4.5.5.exe

hamlib-w64-4.5.5.exe

Linux :

hamlib-4.5.5.tar.gz

MacOS :

The easiest way is to use homebrew and use the command : brew install homelib

https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/hamlib

Test the set up locally

Here we describe a very common case and we suppose your system is a Windows pc, the receiver is connected to the pc via serial cable / usb at COM3 and your receiver is turned on and tuned on the frequency of 8.939 khz.

Step 1

You install the ham library following the instructions of the hamlib web site using the installer :

hamlib-w64-4.5.5.exe

Step 2

Connect physically your radio receiver to the computer ( via serial port / usb / lan ) and individuate the name of the serial port ( COM3 … COMx)

Step 3

Now you have to check if your receiver is included in the list of supported radios.

Follow this link to consult the list:

https://github.com/Hamlib/Hamlib/wiki/Supported-Radios

Once you have found your receiver take note of the number associated with it.

This number will be needed for the next steps.

Step 4

Locate the where are the ham lib executables.

In a Windows 10 pc you’ll find them  here :  C:\Program Files\hamlib-w64-4.5.5\bin

Open the command prompt :

– Select the Start Menu in the taskbar or press the Windows key

– Type cmd

– Select Command prompt

In the black window type the command to change the working directory:

cd  C:\”Program Files”\hamlib-w64-4.5.5\bin

and press enter

Then type :

rigctl -m  XXXX -r COM3

Where XXXX is the number you have found in step 3 and COM3 is the serial port of your pc where your receiver

Will be prompted 

Rig command :

Type the command f and press enter

If everything is working fine you will see the frequency currently tuned on you receiver.

Something like this :

Rig command : f

Frequency: 8939000

At this point, we know that everything is set correctly and it is working, at least locally.

Step 5

Press Ctrl-c to exit from the rigctl command

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One thought on “Install and test hamlib

  • June 26, 2025 at 1:27 pm
    Permalink

    On following the above commands when I enter f I get the following

    Rig command: f
    error = rig_get_freq(2586): vfo_opt=0, model=1022
    ft857_get_freq: called
    check_cache_timeout: cache invalid
    ft857_get_status: called
    write_block(): TX 5 bytes
    read_block_generic called, direct=1
    read_block_generic(1203): retrying read timeout 1/1 timeout=200ms
    read_block_generic(): Timed out 0.431155 seconds after 0 chars, direct=1
    rig_get_freq(2605): freqMainA=0, modeMainA=, widthMainA=0
    rig_get_freq(2605): freqMainB=0, modeMainB=, widthMainB=0
    rig_get_cache(328): vfo=None, current_vfo=None
    rig_get_cache(523): vfo=VFOA, freq=0, mode=, width=0
    rig_set_cache_freq(171): vfo=None, current_vfo=None
    *1:rig_get_freq: elapsed=431ms
    rig_lock: client lock disengaged
    *1:rig.c(2722):rig_get_freq returning(-5) Communication timed out

    rigctl_parse.c(2201):rigctl_get_freq returning2(-5) Communication timed out

    Communication timed out

    Any ideers what I’m doing wrong please?

    Reply

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