utility_programs.texi

Included with the Hamlib distribution are several utility programs.
Besides providing a way for developers to test new code and bug fixes,
the programs also offer a reference implementation for interfacing to
the Hamlib library functions both through the C API (Application
Programming Interface) and offering a network accessible API.

This chapter focuses on the two test programs, @command{rigctl} for
testing radio back ends and @command{rotctl} for testing rotator back
ends and the two network daemons, @command{rigctld} and
@command{rotcltd} for radio and rotator access via network sockets.
Also included are three demonstation utilities, @command{rigmem},
@command{rigsmtr}, and @command{rigswr} which provide functional
examples of how Hamlib may be used to accomplish various tasks.


@menu
* rigctl::
* rotctl::
* rigctld::
* rotctld::
* rigmem::
* rigsmtr::
* rigswr::
@end menu

@node rigctl
@section @command{rigctl}
@cindex rigctl

@command{rigctl} is the most frequently used Hamlib utility.  As the
other ctl utilities share many of the same characteristics, much of
the introductory information presented in this section is applicable
to the other utility programs.

@menu
* Introduction to rigctl::
* rigctl reference::
@end menu

@node Introduction to rigctl
@subsection Introduction to @command{rigctl}
@cindex Introduction to @command{rigctl}
@cindex @command{rigctl}, introduction to

Most likely the first of the Hamlib utility programs that is used is
@command{rigctl}.  @command{rigctl} is a character based interactive
program and a command line program able to set or query a radio's
value with a single command.  @command{rigctl} is invoked from a shell
command prompt with various options and additional commands.

In its most simple use as a @dfn{command line} program,
@command{rigctl} is used to set frequency and mode by typing commands
after any @command{rigctl} options:

@example
@kbd{rigctl F 14205000}
@kbd{rigctl M USB 2400}
@end example

@noindent
and then query those values:

@example
@kbd{rigctl f}
@kbd{rigctl m}
@end example

Entering interactive mode is a simple matter of not placing any
commands after any @command{rigctl} options:

@example
@kbd{rigctl}
@end example

@noindent
Entering @dfn{interactive mode} allows successive commands to be
entered without exiting @command{rigctl}.  Recent additions to
@command{rigctl} allow command editing and history recall through use
of the @url{https://tiswww.case.edu/php/chet/readline/rltop.html,
Readline} library.

Interactive mode is indicated by the spartan prompt:

@example
Rig command:
@end example

@noindent
Commands are given at the prompt and follow the general rule that
upper case letters set a value and lower case letters query a value:

@example
Rig command: @kbd{M}
Mode: @kbd{USB}
Passband: @kbd{2500}

Rig command: @kbd{m}
Mode: USB
Passband: 2500

Rig command:
@end example

An additional prompt is printed when more information is required by
the command.  For @kbd{M} above, @command{rigctl} prompted for the
``Mode'' and ``Passband'' values.  For @kbd{m} above, @command{rigctl}
returned the ``Mode'' and ``Passband'' values without further prompts.
The command prompt is returned after each command invocation.

The above examples invoked @command{rigctl} without specifying a radio
model.  This is a feature where the Hamlib internal radio @dfn{dummy} is
used instead.  The dummy radio provides a way to test Hamlib functions
with out the need for actual radio hardware.  However, to develop back
end capability for a given radio, having the actual radio connected to
the computer is necessary for debugging.

For example, to quickly set frequency on an Elecraft K3:

@example
@kbd{rigctl -m 229 -r /dev/rig F 3900000}
@end example

@noindent
and to query the frequency and then mode:

@example
@kbd{rigctl -m 229 -r /dev/rig f}
3900000

@kbd{rigctl -m 229 -r /dev/rig m}
LSB
2000
@end example

@noindent
The returned values do not have the prompt strings associated with
interactive mode as shown above.

The @option{-m} option takes a numeric value that corresponds to a
given radio back end model.  The @option{-r} option takes the path to
the port device on @acronym{POSIX} and the device name on Microsoft
Windows.

@quotation Note
A complete list of supported radio models may be seen by use of the
@option{-l} option:

@example
@kbd{rigctl -l}
 Rig #  Mfg              Model         Version    Status
     1  Hamlib           Dummy         0.5        Beta
     2  Hamlib           NET rigctl    0.3        Beta
   101  Yaesu            FT-847        0.5        Beta
   103  Yaesu            FT-1000D      0.0.6      Alpha
.
.
.
  2702  Rohde&Schwarz    EB200         0.1        Untested
  2801  Philips/Simoco   PRM8060       0.1        Alpha
  2901  ADAT www.adat.ch ADT-200A      1.36       Beta
@end example

@noindent
The list is long so use @kbd{@key{SHIFT}-PageUp}/
@kbd{@key{SHIFT}-PageDown} on Linux, @kbd{@key{ScrollLock}} then
@kbd{@key{PageUp}}/@kbd{@key{PageDown}} on Free BSD, or use the
scrollbar to the virtual terminal window (@command{cmd} window on
Microsoft Windows) or the output can be piped to '@command{more}' or
'@command{less}', e.g.@: '@kbd{rigctl -l | more}' to scroll back up
the list.  The list is sorted numerically by model number since Hamlib
1.2.15.1.  Model numbers of a manufacturer/protocol family are
grouped together.
@end quotation

@node rigctl reference
@subsection @command{rigctl} reference
@cindex @command{rigctl} reference
@cindex reference, @command{rigctl}

The complete reference for @command{rigctl} can be found in the
@kbd{rigctl}(1) Unix manual page.


@node rotctl
@section @command{rotctl}
@cindex rotctl

Identical in function to @command{rigctl}, @command{rotctl} provides a
means for testing Hamlib functions useful for rotator control and
@acronym{QTH} (Maidenhead gridsquare system, see
@url{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maidenhead_Locator_System,
Maidenhead Locator System}) locator computations.  As rotators have a
much narrower scope than radios, there are fewer command line options
and commands for @command{rotctl}.

@menu
* Introduction to rotctl::
* rotctl reference::
@end menu

@node Introduction to rotctl
@subsection Introduction to @command{rotctl}
@cindex Introduction to @command{rotctl}
@cindex @command{rotctl}, introduction to

@command{rotctl} is a character based interactive program and a
command line program able to set or query a rotator's value with a
single command.  @command{rotctl} is invoked from a shell command
prompt with various options and additional commands.

In its most simple use as a command line program, @command{rotctl} is
used to set frequency and mode by typing commands after any
@command{rotctl} options:

@example
@kbd{rotctl P 145.0 23.0}
@kbd{rotctl M 8 25}
@end example

@noindent
and then query those values:

@example
@kbd{rotctl p}
@end example

Entering interactive mode is a simple matter of not placing any
commands after any @command{rotctl} options:

@example
@kbd{rotctl}
@end example

@noindent
Entering interactive mode allows successive commands to be entered
without exiting @command{rotctl}.  Interactive mode allows for command
editing and history recall through the use of the @url{
https://tiswww.case.edu/php/chet/readline/rltop.html, Readline}
library.

Interactive mode is indicated by the spartan prompt:

@example
Rotator command:
@end example

@noindent
Commands are given at the prompt:

@example
Rotator command: @kbd{M}
Direction: 16
Speed: 60

Rotator command: @kbd{p}
Azimuth: 11.352000
Elevation: 0.000000

Rotator command: @kbd{p}
Azimuth: 27.594000
Elevation: 0.000000

Rotator command:
@end example

An additional prompt is printed when more information is required by
the command.  For @kbd{M} above, @command{rotctl} prompted for the
``Direction'' and ``Speed'' values.  For @kbd{p} above,
@command{rotctl} returned the ``Azimuth'' and ``Elevation'' values
without further prompts.  The command prompt is returned after each
command invocation.

The above examples invoked @command{rotctl} without specifying a
rotator model.  This is a feature where the Hamlib internal rotator
dummy is used instead.  The dummy rotator provides a way to test
Hamlib functions with out the need for actual rotator hardware.
However, to develop back end capability for a given rotator, having
the actual controller connected to the computer is necessary for
debugging.

For example, to quickly set position for RotorEZ:

@example
@kbd{rotctl -m 401 -r /dev/rotor P 100.0 0.0}
@end example

@noindent
and to query the position:

@example
@kbd{rotctl -m 401 -r /dev/rotor p}
100.000000
0.000000

@end example

@noindent
The returned values do not have the prompt strings associated with
interactive mode as shown above.

The @option{-m} option takes a numeric value that corresponds to a
given rotator back end model.  The @option{-r} option takes the path to
the port device on @acronym{POSIX} or the device name on MS Windows.

@quotation Note
A complete list of supported radio models may be seen by use of the
@option{-l} option:

@example
@kbd{rotctl -l}
 Rot #  Mfg              Model         Version    Status
     1  Hamlib           Dummy         0.5        Beta
     2  Hamlib           NET rotctl    0.3        Beta
   201  Hamlib           EasycommI     0.3        Beta
   202  Hamlib           EasycommII    0.3        Beta
.
.
.
  1201  AMSAT            IF-100        0.1        Untested
  1301  LA7LKA           ts7400        0.1        Beta
  1401  Celestron        NexStar       0.1        Untested
@end example

@noindent
The list is long so use @kbd{@key{SHIFT}-PageUp}/
@kbd{@key{SHIFT}-PageDown} on Linux, @kbd{@key{ScrollLock}} then
@kbd{@key{PageUp}}/@kbd{@key{PageDown}} on Free BSD, or use the
scrollbar to the virtual terminal window (@command{cmd} window on MS
Windows) or the output can be piped to '@command{more}' or
'@command{less}', e.g.@: '@kbd{rotctl -l | more}' to scroll back up
the list.  The list is sorted numerically by model number since Hamlib
1.2.15.1.  Model numbers of a manufacturer/protocol family are grouped
together.
@end quotation


@node rotctl reference
@subsection @command{rotctl} reference
@cindex @command{rotctl} reference
@cindex reference, @command{rotctl}

The complete reference for @command{rotctl} can be found in the
@kbd{rotctl}(1) Unix manual page.


@node rigctld
@section @command{rigctld}
@cindex rigctld

The @command{rigctld} program is a network server that accepts the
familiar commands of @command{rigctl} and provides the response data
over a @acronym{TCP/IP} network socket to an application.  In this
manner an application can access a @command{rigctld} instance from
nearly anywhere (caveat, no security is currently provided by
@command{rigctld}).  Applications using @command{rigctld} do not link
directly to Hamlib nor use its C API.

@menu
* Introduction to rigctld::
* rigctld reference::
@end menu

@node Introduction to rigctld
@subsection Introduction to @command{rigctld}
@cindex Introduction to @command{rigctld}
@cindex @command{rigctld}, introduction to

@command{rigctld} communicates to a client through a @acronym{TCP}
network socket using text commands shared with @command{rigctl}. The
protocol is simple; commands are sent to @command{rigctld} on one line
and @command{rigctld} responds to ``get'' commands with the requested
values, one per line, when successful, otherwise, it responds with one
line @samp{RPRT x}, where @samp{x} is a negative number indicating the
Hamlib error code.  Commands that do not return values respond with
the line @samp{RPRT x}, where @samp{x} is zero when successful,
otherwise a negative number indicating the Hamlib error code.  Each
line is terminated with a newline @code{\n} character.  This protocol
is primarily for use by the @code{NET rigctl} (radio model 2) backend.

A separate Extended Response protocol extends the above behavior by
echoing the received command string as a header, any returned values
as a key: value pair, and the @samp{RPRT x} string as the end of
response marker which includes the Hamlib success or failure value.
Consider using this protocol for clients that will interact with
@command{rigctld} directly through a @acronym{TCP} network socket.

Multiple radios can be controlled on different @acronym{TCP} ports by
use of multiple @command{rigctld} processes each listening on a unique
@acronym{TCP} port. It is hoped that @command{rigctld} will be
especially useful for client authors using languages such as
@url{http://www.perl.org/, Perl}, @url{http://www.python.org/,
Python}, @url{http://php.net/, PHP},
@url{http://www.ruby-lang.org/en/, Ruby}, @url{http://www.tcl.tk/,
TCL}, and others.

@node rigctld reference
@subsection @command{rigctld} reference
@cindex @command{rigctld} reference
@cindex reference, @command{rigctld}

The complete reference for @command{rigctld} can be found in the
@kbd{rigctld}(1) Unix manual page.


@node rotctld
@section @command{rotctld}
@cindex rotctld

The @command{rotctld} program is a network server that accepts the
familiar commands of @command{rotctl} and provides the response data
over a @acronym{TCP/IP} network socket to an application.  In this
manner an application can access a @command{rotctld} instance from
nearly anywhere (caveat, no security is currently provided by
@command{rotctld}).  Applications using @command{rotctld} do not link
directly to Hamlib nor use its C API.

@menu
* Introduction to rotctld::
* rotctld reference::
@end menu

@node Introduction to rotctld
@subsection Introduction to @command{rotctld}
@cindex Introduction to @command{rotctld}
@cindex @command{rotctld}, introduction to

@command{rotctld} communicates to a client through a @acronym{TCP}
network socket using text commands shared with @command{rotctl}. The
protocol is simple, commands are sent to @command{rotctld} on one line
and @command{rotctld} responds to ``get'' commands with the requested
values, one per line, when successful, otherwise, it responds with one
line @samp{RPRT x}, where @samp{x} is a negative number indicating the
Hamlib error code.  Commands that do not return values respond with
the line @samp{RPRT x}, where @samp{x} is zero when successful,
otherwise a negative number indicating the Hamlib error code.  Each
line is terminated with a newline @code{\n} character.  This protocol
is primarily for use by the @code{NET rotctl} (rot model 2) backend.

A separate Extended Response protocol extends the above behavior by
echoing the received command string as a header, any returned values
as a key: value pair, and the @samp{RPRT x} string as the end of
response marker which includes the Hamlib success or failure value.
Consider using this protocol for clients that will interact with
@command{rotctld} directly through a @acronym{TCP} network socket.

Multiple rotators can be controlled on different @acronym{TCP} ports by
use of multiple @command{rotctld} processes each listening on a unique
@acronym{TCP} port. It is hoped that @command{rotctld} will be
especially useful for client authors using languages such as
@url{http://www.perl.org/, Perl}, @url{http://www.python.org/,
Python}, @url{http://php.net/, PHP},
@url{http://www.ruby-lang.org/en/, Ruby}, @url{http://www.tcl.tk/,
TCL}, and others.

@node rotctld reference
@subsection @command{rotctld} reference
@cindex @command{rotctld} reference
@cindex reference, @command{rotctld}

The complete reference for @command{rotctld} can be found in the
@kbd{rotctld}(1) Unix manual page.


@node rigmem
@section @command{rigmem}
@cindex rigmem

@command{rigmem} may be used to backup and restore memory of radio
transceivers and receivers.

@menu
* Introduction to rigmem::
* rigmem reference::
@end menu

@node Introduction to rigmem
@subsection Introduction to @command{rigmem}
@cindex Introduction to @command{rigmem}
@cindex @command{rigmem}, introduction to

Backup and restore memory of radio transceivers and receivers.
@command{rigmem} accepts @samp{command}s from the command line only.

@node rigmem reference
@subsection @command{rigmem} reference
@cindex @command{rigmem} reference
@cindex reference, @command{rigmem}

The complete reference for @command{rigmem} can be found in the
@kbd{rigmem}(1) Unix manual page.

@node rigsmtr
@section @command{rigsmtr}
@cindex rigsmtr

@command{rigsmtr} uses Hamlib to control a radio to measure S-Meter
value versus antenna azimuth.

@menu
* Introduction to rigsmtr::
* rigsmtr reference::
@end menu

@node Introduction to rigsmtr
@subsection Introduction to @command{rigsmtr}
@cindex Introduction to @command{rigsmtr}
@cindex @command{rigsmtr}, introduction to

@command{rigsmtr} rotates the antenna from minimum azimuth to maximum
azimuth.  Every second, or time_step if specified in seconds, it
retrieves the signal strength.  Azimuth in degrees and the
corresponding S-Meter level in dB relative to S9 are then printed on
stdout.

To work correctly, @command{rigsmtr} needs a radio that could measure
S-Meter and a Hamlib backend that is able to retrieve it, connected to
a Hamlib supported rotator.

@node rigsmtr reference
@subsection @command{rigsmtr} reference
@cindex @command{rigsmtr} reference
@cindex reference, @command{rigsmtr}

The complete reference for @command{rigsmtr} can be found in the
@kbd{rigsmtr}(1) Unix manual page.

@node rigswr
@section @command{rigswr}
@cindex rigswr

@command{rigswr} may be used to measure VSWR vs frequency.

@menu
* Introduction to rigswr::
* rigswr reference::
@end menu

@node Introduction to rigswr
@subsection Introduction to @command{rigswr}
@cindex Introduction to @command{rigswr}
@cindex @command{rigswr}, introduction to

@command{rigswr} uses Hamlib to control a radio to measure
@acronym{VSWR} (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio) over a frequency range.
It scans frequencies from @var{start_freq} to @var{stop_freq} with an
optional increment of @var{freq_step} (default step is 100 kHz).  All
values must be entered as an integer in Hertz (cycles per second).

@quotation Note
@command{rigswr} assumes that @var{start_freq} is less than or equal
to @var{stop_freq}.  If it is greater, @command{rigswr} will exit
without doing anything.
@end quotation

For each frequency, @command{rigswr} transmits at 25% of total POWER
during 0.5 second in CW mode and reads @acronym{VSWR}.

Frequency and the corresponding @acronym{VSWR} are then printed on
@file{stdout}.

To work correctly, @command{rigswr} needs a radio that can measure
@acronym{VSWR} and a Hamlib backend that supports reading
@acronym{VSWR} from the radio.

@node rigswr reference
@subsection @command{rigswr} reference
@cindex @command{rigswr} reference
@cindex reference, @command{rigswr}

The complete reference for @command{rigswr} can be found in the
@kbd{rigswr}(1) Unix manual page.