Project
HAMTRC
This private site collects amateur radio, accessibility-related electronics projects. HAMTRC is a talking remote controller for amateur radio transceivers.
It lets an operator control everyday radio functions from a simple 4x4 keypad and hear the result spoken aloud. The goal is practical radio operation without relying on the radio display, especially for blind and visually impaired operators.
Meet HAMTRC
A modern amateur radio can show frequency, mode, signal strength, SWR, power and many other values on its screen. HAMTRC moves many of those actions to a small external controller. You press a key, the controller talks to the radio through its CAT or CI-V control port, and then it speaks the answer.
Short key presses usually ask the radio for information. Long key presses usually change something. The controller is designed around predictable actions: read the frequency, set a frequency, read the mode, change the mode, check meters, and move between operating banks.
Voice First
The controller speaks the radio state, so the operator does not have to read a display.
Simple Keypad
A 4x4 keypad gives fixed, repeatable actions that are easier to remember by touch.
Radio Profiles
Each supported radio profile knows how to ask and set values for that radio family.
Open Testing
The project grows through real-radio testing and feedback from radio amateurs.
Currently Supported Radios
The table below is a user-friendly summary of the documented support state. Some radios are already tested on hardware, while others have profiles that still need fresh live-radio verification.
| Radio profile | Communication | Current status |
|---|---|---|
| ICOM IC-7300 | Communication is OK: frequency, mode, power, S-meter, SWR, etc. | Tested on hardware |
| ICOM IC-7300 RS-232 | Communication is OK: frequency, mode, power, S-meter, SWR, etc. | Profile available, not recently verified |
| ICOM IC-706 CI-V / RS-232 | Communication is available: frequency, mode, meters, power, etc. | Legacy support, needs recheck on live hardware |
| Xiegu G106 | Communication is available: frequency and other CAT functions, etc. | Profile available, needs command-by-command recheck |
| Kenwood TS-480 | Communication profile is available: frequency, mode, etc. | Profile available, future expansion candidate |
| Elecraft KX2 | Communication profile is available: frequency, mode, power, etc. | Evolving profile |
| Yaesu FT-817 / FT-818 | Communication is OK: frequency, mode, S-meter, etc. | FT-817 tested on hardware, FT-818 mirrors the same path |
| Yaesu FT-857 / FT-897 | Communication is OK: frequency, mode, S-meter, split, VFO, etc. | FT-857 tested on hardware, FT-897 shares the family handling |
| Yaesu FTDX10 / FTDX101D / FTDX101MP | Communication is OK: frequency, mode, power, S-meter, SWR, VFO, split, lock, tuner, preamp, AGC, etc. | Current V3.5.5 field-test block |
Example: Reading And Setting Frequency And Mode
The keypad has sixteen keys. The lower right key, D, confirms an entry. The # key cancels. These examples use Bank 1, which is the normal starting point on many profiles.
Read The Current Frequency
- Make sure the controller is in Bank 1.
- Short-press 0.
- The controller asks the radio and speaks the current frequency.
Set A Frequency
- Long-press 0.
- Enter the frequency in kHz.
- Press D to confirm.
- The controller sends the new frequency to the radio and speaks the result.
Example: to set 14.250 MHz, enter 14250, then press D.
Read The Current Mode
- Make sure the controller is in Bank 1.
- Short-press 9.
- The controller speaks the active mode, for example USB, LSB, CW, FM or AM.
Change Mode
- Long-press 9.
- Press the digit for the wanted mode.
- Press D to confirm.
Common mode digits are 1 LSB, 2 USB, 3 CW, 4 FM and 5 AM.
Exact spoken messages and available functions depend on the active radio profile. If an entry feels wrong, press # to cancel and ask for the frequency again with Bank 1, 0 short.
Current Field-Test Focus
The newest documented work is the first practical support block for the Yaesu FTDX10 family: FTDX10, FTDX101D and FTDX101MP. The recommended first test is kept deliberately simple: select the matching profile, read frequency, read mode, check S-meter, try lock, try VFO-A and VFO-B, try split, and test noise reduction, blanker, notch and tuner commands.
HAMTRC is experimental and educational. Safe wiring, correct CAT or CI-V connections, RF safety and local radio regulations remain the operator's responsibility.
Flash HAMTRC Firmware
The current full controller firmware is available for browser flashing on an ESP32-S3 board with 16 MB flash.
Browser flashing requires Chrome or Edge, HTTPS, and a USB data cable. Put the board into bootloader mode if the browser cannot connect to it.
HAMTRC V3.5.7
Full HAMTRC firmware for the ESP32-S3 build exported from Arduino IDE.
Browser flashing is not supported in this browser. Please use Chrome or Edge.
Browser flashing needs a secure HTTPS connection.
During update, the selected port is checked as HAMTRC first.
Protected test firmware downloads
Test builds for selected colleagues are available in the password-protected download area.
Open download areaIf your installed firmware does not answer the HAMTRC check yet, use the manual update. It flashes the COM port you select without checking it first.
Browser flashing is not supported in this browser. Please use Chrome or Edge.
Browser flashing needs a secure HTTPS connection.
ESP32-S3 Wi-Fi Scan Test
This separate test firmware is only a small hardware check for an ESP32-S3-N16R8 development board. It scans for nearby Wi-Fi access points and prints the results to the serial output at 115200 baud.
Wi-Fi Scan Test Firmware
The web flasher can still install the separate Wi-Fi scan test firmware for quick hardware checks.
Browser flashing is not supported in this browser. Please use Chrome or Edge.
Browser flashing needs a secure HTTPS connection.
Serial Monitor
After flashing, open the serial monitor and reset the board to see nearby routers.
No serial connection yet.
Firmware Source
Source file: hamtrc-wifi-scan-test.ino