Install on a Debian PC

Radio Remote also runs on a normal 64-bit PC (an old laptop or a mini PC next to the radio) with Debian 12 "bookworm" or Debian 13 "trixie", or later. It uses the same program as the Pi, installed from the source package.

Download the PC package

What you need

• A 64-bit PC (x86_64) with a minimal / server Debian install and no desktop. A desktop's PipeWire or PulseAudio can grab the radio's USB sound card and block the audio.
• A wired network connection and internet access during the install.
• The USB cable to the radio.

Install

1. Unpack the package

   tar xzf radio-remote-v*.tar.gz
   cd radio-remote

2. See what it will do (optional)

   sudo bash install.sh --dry-run

   Prints every action and changes nothing.

3. Install

   sudo bash install.sh --model ft991a

   The Python libraries are downloaded, so it takes a few minutes. Other models: ftdx101d, ftdx101mp, ftdx10, ft710. It also installs the RADE library (the neural FreeDV mode) by itself.

4. Open the page

   Browse to https://<the PC's hostname>.local and follow First run: create the administrator, choose the radio and port, and leave transmitting off until you have tested.

What is different from a Pi

• The name on the network. The installer adds avahi-daemon and libnss-mdns, so https://<hostname>.local works from phones and PCs that understand .local names. The name announced is the PC's own hostname: install with the default, or pass --hostname <the PC's hostname>.local, or rename the PC with sudo hostnamectl set-hostname NAME. Using the PC's IP address in the browser does not work, because the web server answers only to its name.
• Python. Debian 12 has 3.11 and Debian 13 has 3.13; both are fine (3.11 or newer).
• Audio. Plain ALSA. The program finds the radio's "USB Audio CODEC" by itself. On a desktop that runs PipeWire or PulseAudio, stop it for that card, or use a server install.
• RADE. Installed by install.sh. If that step could not run (no internet), use Admin → Config → RADE → Install RADE later, or download the x86_64 RADE file below and run sudo /opt/radio-remote/current/scripts/install_rade.sh --file <file>.
• Firewall. If the PC runs ufw or nftables, allow TCP port 443 from your network (and 22 for SSH).
• Updates work the same way: the Update now button, or sudo /opt/radio-remote/current/scripts/self_update.sh.

RADE library for x86_64

If the page does not open

Check the services on the PC: systemctl is-active caddy radio-remote avahi-daemon (all should say active). Then the troubleshooting guide lists the usual causes, including the radio's CAT rate and certificates for remote access.