• Intent to create new SDR ports: comms/ka9q-radio and comms/SoapyRX888

    From Larry Gadallah@lgadallah@gmail.com to muc.lists.freebsd.ports on Tue Sep 16 11:58:28 2025
    From Newsgroup: muc.lists.freebsd.ports

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    Hello FreeBSD ports maintainers,

    I'm announcing my intention to create two new ports in the comms category
    for Software Defined Radio (SDR) applications:
    Port 1: comms/ka9q-radio

    *Description:* Multichannel SDR platform based on fast convolution and IP multicasting
    *Upstream:* https://github.com/ka9q/ka9q-radio
    *License:* Mixed (primarily BSD/MIT compatible)
    *Author:* Phil Karn (KA9Q)

    *Overview:* ka9q-radio is a high-performance SDR platform that can simultaneously demodulate hundreds of channels using efficient fast
    convolution algorithms. It's designed for applications requiring many concurrent receivers (APRS gateways, monitoring systems, etc.). The
    software already has partial macOS support, providing a BSD-compatible foundation for FreeBSD porting.

    *Dependencies:* FFTW3, Opus, Avahi, ncurses, various SDR hardware libraries *Challenges:* Requires adaptation from systemd to rc.d service management
    Port 2: comms/SoapyRX888

    *Description:* SoapySDR module for RX888 wideband SDR receivers
    *Upstream:* https://github.com/cozycactus/SoapyRX888
    *License:* Open source (investigating specific license)
    *Author:* CozyCactus

    *Overview:* SoapySDR backend module for the RX888, a popular $200 16-bit
    SDR with up to 64 MHz bandwidth. This would complement existing SoapySDR modules already in ports (SoapyRTLSDR, SoapyHackRF, SoapyAirspy). The
    module already works on macOS via Homebrew, demonstrating BSD compatibility.

    *Dependencies:* SoapySDR, libusb, librx888 (may need separate port) *Challenges:* RX888 has a somewhat fragmented driver ecosystem
    Questions for the Community:

    1. *Port naming:* Are comms/ka9q-radio and comms/SoapyRX888 appropriate
    names and categories?
    2. *Dependencies:* Should librx888 be a separate port, or bundled with
    SoapyRX888?
    3. *Staging:* I plan to develop these incrementally. Is it acceptable to
    submit PRs with basic functionality while continuing development?
    4. *Conflicts:* Are there any existing ports or planned developments
    that might conflict?

    Development Timeline:

    - *Phase 1:* ka9q-radio interactive components (control, monitor) -
    leveraging existing macOS compatibility
    - *Phase 2:* ka9q-radio daemon (radiod) with rc.d service management
    - *Phase 3:* SoapyRX888 module porting from macOS implementation
    - *Phase 4:* Integration testing and optimization

    I have experience with both SDR hardware and FreeBSD systems, and I'm
    committed to maintaining these ports long-term. The SDR community has
    expressed significant interest in FreeBSD support for these tools.

    I welcome any feedback, suggestions, or offers of collaboration. Please let
    me know if there are any concerns or recommendations before I begin development.
    Related Existing Ports:

    - comms/SoapySDR (framework)
    - comms/SoapyRTLSDR, comms/SoapyHackRF, comms/SoapyAirspy (similar
    backends)
    - comms/rtl-sdr, comms/hackrf (hardware support)
    - math/fftw3 (dependency)

    Thank you for your time and consideration.

    Best regards,
    --
    Larry Gadallah, NM7A/VE6VQ lgadallah AT gmail DOT com
    PGP Sig: 0247 9AD1 FFA8 2E35 0B5B E387 F9B8 2875 FDFE DB69

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    <div dir=3D"ltr"><div><p class=3D"gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words= ">Hello FreeBSD ports maintainers,</p>
    <p class=3D"gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words">I&#39;m announcing m=
    y intention to create two new ports in the comms category for Software Defi= ned Radio (SDR) applications:</p>
    <h2 class=3D"gmail-text-xl gmail-font-bold gmail-text-text-100 gmail-mt-1 g= mail--mb-0.5">Port 1: comms/ka9q-radio</h2>
    <p class=3D"gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words"><strong>Description:= </strong> Multichannel SDR platform based on fast convolution and IP multic= asting<br>
    <strong>Upstream:</strong> <a class=3D"gmail-underline" href=3D"https://git= hub.com/ka9q/ka9q-radio">https://github.com/ka9q/ka9q-radio</a><br> <strong>License:</strong> Mixed (primarily BSD/MIT compatible)<br> <strong>Author:</strong> Phil Karn (KA9Q)</p>
    <p class=3D"gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words"><strong>Overview:</s= trong> ka9q-radio is a high-performance SDR platform that can simultaneousl=
    y demodulate hundreds of channels using efficient fast convolution algorith= ms. It&#39;s designed for applications requiring many concurrent receivers = (APRS gateways, monitoring systems, etc.). The software already has partial=
    macOS support, providing a BSD-compatible foundation for FreeBSD porting.<=

    <p class=3D"gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words"><strong>Dependencies= :</strong> FFTW3, Opus, Avahi, ncurses, various SDR hardware libraries<br> <strong>Challenges:</strong> Requires adaptation from systemd to rc.d servi=
    ce management</p>
    <h2 class=3D"gmail-text-xl gmail-font-bold gmail-text-text-100 gmail-mt-1 g= mail--mb-0.5">Port 2: comms/SoapyRX888</h2>
    <p class=3D"gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words"><strong>Description:= </strong> SoapySDR module for RX888 wideband SDR receivers<br> <strong>Upstream:</strong> <a class=3D"gmail-underline" href=3D"https://git= hub.com/cozycactus/SoapyRX888">https://github.com/cozycactus/SoapyRX888</a>=

    <strong>License:</strong> Open source (investigating specific license)<br> <strong>Author:</strong> CozyCactus</p>
    <p class=3D"gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words"><strong>Overview:</s= trong> SoapySDR backend module for the RX888, a popular $200 16-bit SDR wit=
    h up to 64 MHz bandwidth. This would complement existing SoapySDR modules a= lready in ports (SoapyRTLSDR, SoapyHackRF, SoapyAirspy). The module already=
    works on macOS via Homebrew, demonstrating BSD compatibility.</p>
    <p class=3D"gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words"><strong>Dependencies= :</strong> SoapySDR, libusb, librx888 (may need separate port)<br> <strong>Challenges:</strong> RX888 has a somewhat fragmented driver ecosyst= em</p>
    <h2 class=3D"gmail-text-xl gmail-font-bold gmail-text-text-100 gmail-mt-1 g= mail--mb-0.5">Questions for the Community:</h2>
    <ol class=3D"gmail-[&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 gmail-[&amp;:not(:last-= child)_ol]:pb-1 gmail-list-decimal gmail-space-y-1.5 gmail-pl-7">
    <li class=3D"gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words"><strong>Port naming= :</strong> Are <code class=3D"gmail-bg-text-200/5 gmail-border gmail-border= -0.5 gmail-border-border-300 gmail-text-danger-000 gmail-whitespace-pre-wra=
    p gmail-rounded-[0.4rem] gmail-px-1 gmail-py-px gmail-text-[0.9rem]">comms/= ka9q-radio</code> and <code class=3D"gmail-bg-text-200/5 gmail-border gmail= -border-0.5 gmail-border-border-300 gmail-text-danger-000 gmail-whitespace-= pre-wrap gmail-rounded-[0.4rem] gmail-px-1 gmail-py-px gmail-text-[0.9rem]"= >comms/SoapyRX888</code> appropriate names and categories?</li>
    <li class=3D"gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words"><strong>Dependencie= s:</strong> Should librx888 be a separate port, or bundled with SoapyRX888?= </li>
    <li class=3D"gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words"><strong>Staging:</s= trong> I plan to develop these incrementally. Is it acceptable to submit PR=
    s with basic functionality while continuing development?</li>
    <li class=3D"gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words"><strong>Conflicts:<= /strong> Are there any existing ports or planned developments that might co= nflict?</li>
    </ol>
    <h2 class=3D"gmail-text-xl gmail-font-bold gmail-text-text-100 gmail-mt-1 g= mail--mb-0.5">Development Timeline:</h2>
    <ul class=3D"gmail-[&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 gmail-[&amp;:not(:last-= child)_ol]:pb-1 gmail-list-disc gmail-space-y-1.5 gmail-pl-7">
    <li class=3D"gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words"><strong>Phase 1:</s= trong> ka9q-radio interactive components (control, monitor) - leveraging ex= isting macOS compatibility</li>
    <li class=3D"gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words"><strong>Phase 2:</s= trong> ka9q-radio daemon (radiod) with rc.d service management</li>
    <li class=3D"gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words"><strong>Phase 3:</s= trong> SoapyRX888 module porting from macOS implementation</li>
    <li class=3D"gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words"><strong>Phase 4:</s= trong> Integration testing and optimization</li>
    </ul>
    <p class=3D"gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words">I have experience wi=
    th both SDR hardware and FreeBSD systems, and I&#39;m committed to maintain= ing these ports long-term. The SDR community has expressed significant inte= rest in FreeBSD support for these tools.</p>
    <p class=3D"gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words">I welcome any feedba= ck, suggestions, or offers of collaboration. Please let me know if there ar=
    e any concerns or recommendations before I begin development.</p>
    <h2 class=3D"gmail-text-xl gmail-font-bold gmail-text-text-100 gmail-mt-1 g= mail--mb-0.5">Related Existing Ports:</h2>
    <ul class=3D"gmail-[&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 gmail-[&amp;:not(:last-= child)_ol]:pb-1 gmail-list-disc gmail-space-y-1.5 gmail-pl-7">
    <li class=3D"gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words">comms/SoapySDR (fra= mework)</li>
    <li class=3D"gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words">comms/SoapyRTLSDR, = comms/SoapyHackRF, comms/SoapyAirspy (similar backends)</li>
    <li class=3D"gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words">comms/rtl-sdr, comm= s/hackrf (hardware support)</li>
    <li class=3D"gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words">math/fftw3 (depende= ncy)</li>
    </ul>
    <p class=3D"gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words">Thank you for your t= ime and consideration.</p>
    <p class=3D"gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words">Best regards,<span c= lass=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small"></span></p></div><span cla= ss=3D"gmail_signature_prefix">-- </span><br><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail= _signature" data-smartmail=3D"gmail_signature"><div dir=3D"ltr">Larry Gadal= lah, NM7A/VE6VQ lgadallah AT gmail DOT com</div><div dir=3D"ltr">PGP Sig: 0= 247 9AD1 FFA8 2E35 0B5B=C2=A0 E387 F9B8 2875 FDFE DB69</div></div></div>

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  • From Tomek CEDRO@tomek@cedro.info to muc.lists.freebsd.ports on Tue Sep 16 21:55:46 2025
    From Newsgroup: muc.lists.freebsd.ports

    On Tue, Sep 16, 2025 at 8:58rC>PM Larry Gadallah <lgadallah@gmail.com> wrote:
    Hello FreeBSD ports maintainers,
    I'm announcing my intention to create two new ports in the comms category for Software Defined Radio (SDR) applications:

    Port 1: comms/ka9q-radio

    Description: Multichannel SDR platform based on fast convolution and IP multicasting
    Upstream: https://github.com/ka9q/ka9q-radio
    License: Mixed (primarily BSD/MIT compatible)
    Author: Phil Karn (KA9Q)

    Overview: ka9q-radio is a high-performance SDR platform that can simultaneously demodulate hundreds of channels using efficient fast convolution algorithms. It's designed for applications requiring many concurrent receivers (APRS gateways, monitoring systems, etc.). The software already has partial macOS support, providing a BSD-compatible foundation for FreeBSD porting.

    Dependencies: FFTW3, Opus, Avahi, ncurses, various SDR hardware libraries Challenges: Requires adaptation from systemd to rc.d service management

    Port 2: comms/SoapyRX888

    Description: SoapySDR module for RX888 wideband SDR receivers
    Upstream: https://github.com/cozycactus/SoapyRX888
    License: Open source (investigating specific license)
    Author: CozyCactus

    Overview: SoapySDR backend module for the RX888, a popular $200 16-bit SDR with up to 64 MHz bandwidth. This would complement existing SoapySDR modules already in ports (SoapyRTLSDR, SoapyHackRF, SoapyAirspy). The module already works on macOS via Homebrew, demonstrating BSD compatibility.

    Dependencies: SoapySDR, libusb, librx888 (may need separate port)
    Challenges: RX888 has a somewhat fragmented driver ecosystem

    Questions for the Community:

    Port naming: Are comms/ka9q-radio and comms/SoapyRX888 appropriate names and categories?
    Looks good :-) No minus in the name is preferred but there are ports
    with minus too :-P
    Dependencies: Should librx888 be a separate port, or bundled with SoapyRX888?
    If this can serve other applications / ports as standalone library
    then yes it can be a separate port, if only used by SoapyRX888 then it
    can be bundled. Depending on how big is the package libs may be just
    part of bigger bundle.
    Staging: I plan to develop these incrementally. Is it acceptable to submit PRs with basic functionality while continuing development?
    Yes, assuming basic port is operational, and new working features are
    added with updates these may come as port options / flavors :-)
    Conflicts: Are there any existing ports or planned developments that might conflict?

    Development Timeline:

    Phase 1: ka9q-radio interactive components (control, monitor) - leveraging existing macOS compatibility
    Phase 2: ka9q-radio daemon (radiod) with rc.d service management
    Phase 3: SoapyRX888 module porting from macOS implementation
    Phase 4: Integration testing and optimization

    I have experience with both SDR hardware and FreeBSD systems, and I'm committed to maintaining these ports long-term. The SDR community has expressed significant interest in FreeBSD support for these tools.

    I welcome any feedback, suggestions, or offers of collaboration. Please let me know if there are any concerns or recommendations before I begin development.

    Related Existing Ports:

    comms/SoapySDR (framework)
    comms/SoapyRTLSDR, comms/SoapyHackRF, comms/SoapyAirspy (similar backends) comms/rtl-sdr, comms/hackrf (hardware support)
    math/fftw3 (dependency)

    Thank you for your time and consideration.
    Best regards,
    --
    Larry Gadallah, NM7A/VE6VQ lgadallah AT gmail DOT com
    PGP Sig: 0247 9AD1 FFA8 2E35 0B5B E387 F9B8 2875 FDFE DB69
    Thank you Larry and Have Fun! Let me know if there is anything to test
    and how to test :-)
    You should find all necessary hints in the Porter's Handbook :-) https://docs.freebsd.org/en/books/porters-handbook/
    NM7A 73 SQ7MHZ / Tomek
    --
    CeDeROM, SQ7MHZ, http://www.tomek.cedro.info
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