AirWSJT-X
Aircraft Scatter contacts on 23 cm and above — automated
What's New in v0.3.4
- Linux support — tested on Linux Mint 23 (Ubuntu 22.04 base), AppImage and .deb packages
- Rig dropdown — discovered WSJT-X rigs shown in a dropdown instead of free-text filter
- ADS-B Exchange feed — direct v2 API integration with priority/fallback source selection
- OpenSky OAuth2 — optional authenticated access with token caching and quota tracking
- Aircraft account panel — unified credential storage for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
- Compact locked plane tile — station/aircraft distances, altitude in feet, tighter layout
- Auto-lock fix — reliable auto-lock selection on all platforms
- WSJT-X loopback fix — active heartbeat query when passive UDP bind is unavailable
Downloads
Android
What is AirWSJT-X?
AirWSJT-X merges AirScout aircraft tracking with WSJT-X weak-signal digital modes to automate aircraft scatter contacts on 1296 MHz (23 cm) and higher microwave bands.
It treats commercial aircraft as dynamic, low-orbit reflectors. When a viable aircraft is detected between two stations, AirWSJT-X locks the rotator, configures WSJT-X for Q65-15s operation, and manages the entire QSO sequence — from airplane selection through contact completion.
The mobile app brings standalone aircraft tracking to the field — a compass rose and elevation arc for hand-pointing antennas at aircraft, with speech callouts for hands-free operation. No WSJT-X or rotator required.
Features
Aircraft Tracking
Real-time airplane position tracking with automatic selection of viable scatter targets between two configured stations.
Rotator Lock
Automated rotator control via Hamlib — locks antenna bearing to the selected aircraft and maintains tracking stability.
WSJT-X Integration
Controls WSJT-X via UDP protocol for Q65-15s mode on 23 cm+ bands. Manages frequency, mode, and QSO sequencing.
Contact State Machine
Full QSO state machine manages the contact from CQ through 73, with automatic retry and timeout handling.
Mobile Compass Rose New
Visual aircraft positions on a compass display with bearing needle and elevation arc — designed for hand-pointing in the field.
Speech Callouts New
Audible azimuth and elevation announcements for the selected aircraft, so you can point without looking at the screen.
Callsign Database New
Offline callsign lookup via callook.info with IndexedDB storage on mobile — identify operators without an internet connection.
Modern Desktop UI
Built with Tauri + React — lightweight native app with station config, plane lock panel, and rotator status display.
How It Works
Desktop (Full Mode)
AirWSJT-X enables Q65-15s operation only when all conditions are met:
- Two stations are configured (your station + target station)
- A viable aircraft is detected and selected as a scatter target
- Rotator lock is acquired and remains stable
- WSJT-X is configured for a supported 23 cm+ band (1296 MHz and up)
- The operator explicitly starts the QSO
Mobile (Standalone Tracker)
The mobile app operates independently — no WSJT-X or rotator needed:
- Enter your grid locator in settings
- Aircraft in your area appear on the compass rose
- Tap an aircraft to see its azimuth, elevation, and distance
- Speech callouts guide antenna pointing hands-free
Architecture
AirWSJT-X is a Tauri desktop application (Rust + React frontend) with a Python backend for radio and tracking logic. The mobile app runs standalone TypeScript — no Python sidecar needed.
Requirements
Desktop
- Windows 10/11 (x64), Windows 11 (ARM64 / Snapdragon), or macOS 13+ (Apple Silicon)
- Linux: Ubuntu 22.04 / Linux Mint 23 or newer (x64) — AppImage, .deb, or .rpm
- WSJT-X installed and configured for 23 cm+ operation
- Hamlib-compatible rotator (for automatic antenna tracking)
- Internet connection (for aircraft position data)
Mobile
- Android 8.0+ (APK sideload)
- Internet connection (for OpenSky Network aircraft data)
- No additional software required
Open Source
AirWSJT-X is free and open source software, licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0. The source code, build instructions, and contribution guidelines are all on GitHub.
FAQ
Is AirWSJT-X safe for airplanes?
Yes — AirWSJT-X has absolutely no effect on aircraft or aviation systems. It is a passive ham radio tool that reads publicly available aircraft position data (the same data used by flight-tracking apps like Flightradar24 and ADS-B Exchange) to identify airplanes flying between two ham radio stations. When a plane is in the right geometric position, operators can bounce weak VHF/UHF radio signals off the aircraft's metal fuselage to communicate with each other — a technique called aircraft scatter.
- No equipment is installed on the airplane. The aircraft is simply a passive reflector, like a building or a mountain.
- No frequencies are shared with aviation. Ham radio bands are completely separate from aircraft communication and navigation frequencies.
- No signals are transmitted to the airplane. The radio energy that reaches the fuselage is extremely weak (far less than a typical WiFi router) and reflects naturally off the metal surface.
- No aircraft systems are affected. The crew, passengers, avionics, and navigation are completely unaware of and unaffected by the process.
Aircraft scatter is a well-established technique in amateur radio that has been used safely for decades.
What's the difference between desktop and mobile?
The desktop app is the full aircraft scatter automation system — it connects to WSJT-X, controls your rotator, and manages the complete QSO workflow. The mobile app is a standalone aircraft tracker designed for field use — it shows you where aircraft are relative to your position, with a compass display and speech callouts for hand-pointing antennas.