Getting started

Installing on a Mac (Apple silicon) ↑

1. Open the disk image, KaikuSDR-<version>-arm64.dmg.
2. Drag KaikuSDR to Applications.
3. Open KaikuSDR from Applications.

KaikuSDR is not yet notarized by Apple, so the first start takes a few extra clicks. macOS reports that it cannot verify the developer. Open System Settings › Privacy & Security, scroll to Security, and choose Open Anyway. On macOS 13 and earlier, right-click KaikuSDR in Applications and choose Open instead. This is asked once.

KaikuSDR opens in a window of its own. To quit, press Cmd+Q or close the window. Any recording in progress is completed first, and all settings are kept for the next start.

Installing on Windows (10 or 11, 64-bit) ↑

1. Open KaikuSDR-win-Setup.exe.
2. Windows SmartScreen reports Windows protected your PC, because the installer is not yet signed with a Microsoft certificate. Choose More info, then Run anyway.

The installer places KaikuSDR in your user folder, so no administrator password is needed, adds it to the Start menu and starts it. Updates are installed from inside the app, from Settings › About, only when you ask.

A receiver needs two or three things set up once on Windows: the dongle's USB driver, rtl_tcp.exe, and on some computers Microsoft's Visual C++ runtime. The app tells you which is missing, and Your receiver has the steps.

To quit, close the window. Any recording in progress is completed first, and all settings are kept for the next start.

The first start ↑

On the first start, a short guide asks three questions. Each answer can be changed later in Settings, and the guide can be opened again from there.

1. Your receiver. A receiver found on the computer is offered: choose Use it. Without one, choose Try the demo. The demo plays simulated transmissions on the bands of your region, so that you can learn the app before a receiver is connected. A receiver can be added at any time (Your receiver).
2. Your location. Radio bands differ between countries. The band list comes from public band plans; Where does this list come from? names the source. If something is wrong for your area, please tell us.
3. What you want to hear. Aircraft, boats and ships, amateur radio, walkie-talkies, FM radio, or everything. FM radio is a choice of its own: while it is selected, nothing else is scanned.

Then choose Start listening.

Laws on receiving, recording and sharing radio communications differ between countries. You are responsible for making sure that your use of KaikuSDR complies with the laws that apply where you use it.

The main page and the settings ↑

The main page shows the chart of the band, the channels that are open right now, and your lists. The squelch and the volume are at the top.

All settings are in Settings, behind the gear at the top right. Settings has a page for each subject: What to scan, Receivers, Listening, Recording, Speech to text, Chart, Sharing, Profiles, Licence and About. About shows the version and where the app keeps its files. Settings opens on the page you used last.

The waterfall under the chart has a switch of its own on the main page, Show the waterfall, because drawing it takes some of the computer's power.