Category: KiwiSDR

Radio Silence: A Native iOS App for Listening to Public KiwiSDRs

Thank you to 'Radio Silence Dev' for writing in and sharing the beta release of his iOS native app, Radio Silence, designed for listening to public KiwiSDR receivers around the world on an iPhone or iPad.

The app streams live audio from the KiwiSDR network, with a live directory showing each node's signal quality, load, and online status. If a receiver drops out mid-session, the app will automatically fail over to another one. There is also a tap-to-tune live spectrum waterfall.

Radio Silence also includes CW, RTTY and FT8 decoders, which all run on-device rather than on the receiver, printing text under the dial as it comes in. Audio keeps playing with the screen locked, and captures are saved to a logbook tagged with frequency, mode, node, S-meter reading and UTC timestamp, with export to ADIF, CSV and WAV. Captures can also be shared as QSL-style reception report cards stamped with the solar flux and Kp index at the time of the catch. NAVTEX and SSTV decoders are in development.

The developer notes that the app is written to be a good citizen on the KiwiSDR network, releasing its channel slot when listening stops and handing it back automatically if playback is left running unattended. Streaming uses about 22 MB per hour.

Radio Silence is free during the beta, and listening is set to remain free at launch, with any future subscription covering software features only. Beta invites can be requested via radiosilencesdr.com.

Radio Silence: Waterfall View
Radio Silence: Waterfall View
Radio Silence: Decoding FT8
Radio Silence: Decoding FT8

VibeSDR Now Available on the Apple App Store + Running on an Apple Watch

Back in June, we posted about VibeSDR, an AI vibecoded free and open-source mobile SDR client for rtl_tcp and UberSDR/KiwiSDR/OpenWebRX servers developed for iOS and Android. Recently, Stuart Carr (Stuey3D) wrote in again to let us know that VibeSDR is now available on the Apple App Store for £2.99 and is soon to be available on the Android Play Store too.

In terms of updates, Stuart also notes that he's now developed VibeServer, which provides a more network-efficient way to share RTL-SDRs remotely via an Android phone. VibeServer compresses the data and transfers it at 120KB/s instead of the full 4.8MB/s required by rtl_tcp. 

Stuart has also developed an Apple Watch Buddy app version of VibeSDR which runs directly on an Apple Watch, allowing you to view and listen to the spectrum on your wrist. The watch version is still in beta, but Stuart notes that you can join the free beta on TestFlight.

As before, the latest open source code can be found on the VibeSDR GitHub https://github.com/stuey3d/vibesdr.

Finally, Stuart has provided us with 20 free promo codes to give away for the Apple App Store version of VibeSDR. To win a promo code, simply comment on this post (making sure to enter an email in the email field), reply to the X post, or comment on the Facebook Post (note that for Facebook you must montior your comment for a reply as Facebook does not allow private messages). 

Update: All promo codes have now been allocated, thanks!

AI-Disclaimer: This software was vibecoded with Claude.

VibeSDR Running on an Apple Watch
VibeSDR Running on an Apple Watch
Introducing VibeSDR Jr: A full SDR Client on your wrist.

SwR Shortwave Radio: A New Android App for Listening to Public Online Shortwave Receivers

Thank you to RTL-SDR.COM reader Ladislav for submitting information about the release of a new Android app by Alexsxxx called "SwR - Shortwave Radio". This is an Android-only app that lets users easily listen to KiwiSDR and Web-888 receivers. The app appears to be free, with no in-app purchases.

SwR is a client for the worldwide network of public shortwave receivers. Tune in to live shortwave radio from hundreds of volunteer-run receivers around the globe — right from your phone.

Features:
• Connect to any public receiver
• Live spectrum and scrolling waterfall display
• Drag the spectrum to tune; drag the waterfall to pan the band
• Nixie-tube style frequency display with per-digit tuning
• AM, LSB, USB, CW and FM demodulation
• Zoom from the full band down to a narrow window
• World map of receivers — tap one to start listening
• Volume and mute controls

SwR - Shortwave Receiver App
SwR - Shortwave Receiver App

VibeSDR: A Mobile-First iOS and Android Receiver App for Remote SDR Servers and RTL-SDRs

Thank you to Stuart Carr (Stuey3D) for submitting news about his new software release, VibeSDR, a free and open-source mobile SDR client he has developed for iOS and Android. VibeSDR is designed to be touch-first rather than a desktop interface shrunk down to phone size. It is a fully native client for UberSDR, OpenWebRX/OpenWebRX+, and KiwiSDR with its own GPU-rendered waterfall and spectrum. It also supports local RTL-SDR dongles via RTL-TCP on both platforms and over USB on Android with no extra driver install required.

VibeSDR comes with a long list of features. The app has on-device decoders for RTTY, WEFAX, NAVTEX, SSTV, Morse, and FT8/FT4, plus access to server-supplied decoders, Leaflet-based HFDL and digital spot maps, FM stereo with RDS, a local bookmarks engine with daily EiBi schedule downloads, and full background audio. It also has band-aware blind tuning, where using lockscreen, headphone, or in-car media controls to tune across a band boundary automatically switches to the correct demodulator and step rate for that band and ITU region. The app also has Android Auto support with browsable bookmark and band plan lists and steering wheel tuning, and on iOS, it offers Siri voice commands to work around the current lack of full CarPlay approval.

Stuart is upfront and mentions that VibeSDR was AI vibecoded with Claude, hence the "vibe" part of the name. He notes that while he did not write code himself, he designed, extensively tested, and reported bugs over weeks of late nights. The app is not available on any app store at the moment, but he notes that the app will always be free and open source, with full source, APKs and IPAs available on the VibeSDR GitHub Releases page. He also plans to eventually list it on the App Store and Play Store for a fee of around £3 to cover store and development costs.

AI-Disclaimer: This software was vibecoded with Claude.

VibeSDR Screenshots
VibeSDR Screenshots

Echo: KiwiSDR, OpenWebRX, WebSDR and FM-DX iOS Browser App now Officially Released

Back in February, we posted about the beta release of Echo, an iOS app designed for browsing global web-based KiwiSDR, OpenWebRX, WebSDR, and FM-DX software-defined radios. Mark, the developer of Echo, has now officially released the app on the Apple App Store for free.

Echo turns your iPhone and iPad into a global radio receiver. Browse 2,000+ KiwiSDR, OpenWebRX, WebSDR, and FM-DX servers to hear shortwave, aviation, numbers stations, and distant FM in real time.

More information can also be found on the new echosdr.com website.

Echo iOS KiwiSDR, OpenWebRX, WebSDR and FM-DX Browser App
Echo iOS KiwiSDR, OpenWebRX, WebSDR and FM-DX Browser App

Wavelingo: Real-Time AI Shortwave Translation for the KiwiSDR Network

Thank you to Christophe (F4DAN) for writing in about his new project called Wavelingo, an AI real-time shortwave radio translator. The software currently works with the KiwiSDR web SDR network. Christophe has a live public example running at wavelingo.app, however, with a 60-second timeout due to hosting cost constraints. Christophe writes:

Are you listening to a QSO in a foreign language on your transceiver? Click on the closest SDR (KiwiSDR fleet for now, more SDR to come in the future), and get real-time translations.

I opened a telegram channel to share updates and feedbacks on this projects - and provide support.

The software is open source, with the code available on GitHub.

Wavelingo - Real time AI translationfor shortwave radio stations received via the KiwiSDR network.
Wavelingo - Real-time AI translation for shortwave radio stations received via the KiwiSDR network.

Echo iOS KiwiSDR & OpenWebRX App now in Beta Testing

Back in January, we first posted about "Echo", an upcoming iOS app designed for browsing global web-based KiwiSDR and OpenWebRX software-defined radios.

Mark now notes that Echo is now in beta, and has been released to testers via TestFlight. He notes that new users can access the beta by making a small donation on his Ko-fi page. Mark writes:

Users have already reported being able to listen to some euro ham chat on their bike ride today. Where they’d usually have to put their entire iPhone in that locked guided access mode to block touch inputs on Safari, Echo allows multitasking & lock screen playback. For every SDR, any frequency. Someone else throwing the phone in their pocket & taking their walk with AirPods in their ear listening to CW. This was truly the most requested feature by far.

I’ve made several improvements since we last talked, even added support for not just Kiwi & OpenWebRX but also WebSDR & FM-DX. All built in. Over 2000+ global tuners at people’s fingertips. 11,000+ frequencies in a categorized database.

If you were unaware, OpenWebRX is a piece of server software that allows you to access and share SDRs over a network connection, such as the internet, via a web browser interface. OpenWebRX is a core component of the KiwiSDR, an SDR designed to operate as a shared receiver over a network connection. Around the world, many people have set up public KiwiSDR, RTL-SDR, and other SDR systems accessible via OpenWebRX. Echo is designed to make it easy to search for and view public OpenWebRX receivers on iOS devices.

EchoSDR Beta Screenshots
Echo iOS Beta Screenshots

Echo – A Native iOS Client for KiwiSDR & OpenWebRX

Thank you to Mark Garrison Jr. for writing in and sharing with us a new iOS app he's developing called "Echo". Echo is an app designed to provide a streamlined mobile companion for the KiwiSDR and OpenWebRX ecosystems. Note that the app is currently not yet released, but Mark is planning a TestFlight beta in February. Follow his Twitter/X @SDRecho for updates, and sign up to the beta tester waiting list if you are interested.

OpenWebRX is a piece of server software that allows you to access and share SDRs over a network connection, such as the internet, via a web browser interface. OpenWebRX is a core component of the KiwiSDR, an SDR designed to operate as a shared receiver over a network connection. Around the world, many people have set up public KiwiSDR, RTL-SDR, and other SDR systems that can be accessed via OpenWebRX. Echo is designed to make searching for and viewing public OpenWebRX receivers easy on iOS devices.

Mark writes:

[Echo] is a native iOS app built entirely in SwiftUI, designed to provide a streamlined mobile companion to the KiwiSDR and OpenWebRX ecosystems.

The goal is to offer a modern interface optimized for iPhone, making it easier to explore the spectrum on the go.

Key Features:

• Global Connectivity: Access any public KiwiSDR or OpenWebRX server via a live global map with 500+ active stations.

• Smart Scans: Station scanner with presets for Shortwave, Ham, and Military bands.

• Audio Intelligence: Integrated recording with speech-to-text transcription for logging signals.

• Native Performance: 100% SwiftUI for smooth waterfall rendering and low battery impact.

The app is currently in active development. I am sharing progress updates and will be announcing the upcoming TestFlight beta over on Twitter at @SDRecho. I’m planning to launch a beta in February.

Echo iOS App for KiwiSDR and OpenWebRX
Echo iOS App for KiwiSDR and OpenWebRX
Echo for iOS: The Native SDR Experience