Top Amateur Radio Software You Can Run Using Docker: Practical Examples

Amateur radio operators often use various software for digital modes, packet radio, SDR, logging, and hotspot management. Docker containers make installing and running these apps easier and more consistent, regardless of your OS or environment.

Below is a curated list of top amateur radio software that either has official or community Docker images available — plus example commands so you can start using them immediately.

1. Dire Wolf – Soundcard AX.25 Packet TNC & APRS

Purpose: Software TNC for packet radio and APRS with soundcard interface.

Docker image: w6rz/direwolf

Run command example:

docker pull w6rz/direwolf

docker run -it --rm \
  --device /dev/snd \
  --device /dev/ttyUSB0 \
  -v $HOME/direwolf:/root \
  w6rz/direwolf

• Mounts your local config directory.
• Accesses sound and radio devices.
• Configure direwolf.conf inside your $HOME/direwolf folder.

2. OpenWebRX – Web-Based SDR Receiver

Purpose: Run a remote software-defined radio (SDR) accessible via web browser.

Docker image: cyoung/openwebrx

Run command example:

docker pull cyoung/openwebrx

docker run -d -p 8073:8073 cyoung/openwebrx

• Access the SDR web interface at http://localhost:8073
• Connect and listen from anywhere on your network.

3. WSJT-X – FT8 and Other Weak Signal Digital Modes

Purpose: Decode weak digital signals like FT8, JT65.

Docker image: No official image, but community versions exist (e.g., jks-prv/wsjtx).

Run command example:

docker pull jks-prv/wsjtx

docker run -d -p 5900:5900 jks-prv/wsjtx

• Runs a VNC server on port 5900 to access the GUI.
• Connect using a VNC client to localhost:5900.

4. Fldigi – Multi-Mode Digital Modem

Purpose: Supports many digital modes: PSK31, RTTY, MFSK, Olivia, and more.

Docker image: Community-built images exist (e.g., ka6sox/fldigi).

Run command example with X11 forwarding (Linux):

xhost +local:docker

docker run -it --rm \
  -e DISPLAY=$DISPLAY \
  -v /tmp/.X11-unix:/tmp/.X11-unix \
  --device /dev/snd \
  ka6sox/fldigi

• Access GUI directly on your desktop.
• Use sound devices for digital mode decoding.

5. Pi-Star – Digital Voice Hotspot Software (DMR, YSF, P25)

Purpose: Popular for managing digital voice hotspots.

Docker image: Community image (e.g., wm5d/pi-star).

Run command example:

docker pull wm5d/pi-star

docker run -d -p 80:80 -p 22222:22222 wm5d/pi-star

• Access the Pi-Star dashboard via http://localhost
• Configure your digital voice hotspot remotely.

6. Chirp – Radio Programming Software

Purpose: Program handheld radios easily.

Docker image: Community images available.

Run command example with GUI (X11 forwarding):

xhost +local:docker

docker run -it --rm \
  -e DISPLAY=$DISPLAY \
  -v /tmp/.X11-unix:/tmp/.X11-unix \
  yourusername/chirp

Bonus: Managing Multiple Ham Radio Containers with Docker Compose

Create a docker-compose.yml file to run multiple services together (e.g., Dire Wolf and OpenWebRX):

version: '3'
services:
  direwolf:
    image: w6rz/direwolf
    devices:
      - /dev/snd
      - /dev/ttyUSB0
    volumes:
      - ./direwolf:/root
    stdin_open: true
    tty: true

  openwebrx:
    image: cyoung/openwebrx
    ports:
      - "8073:8073"

Run all at once:

docker-compose up

Summary Table of Top Ham Radio Docker Containers

Final Thoughts

Running amateur radio software inside Docker containers lets you:

• Avoid complicated installations.
• Run your apps anywhere without changes.
• Experiment with new software without risk.
• Easily manage dependencies and updates.