Release Notes: 0.6.72-beta
September 16, 2026
QSO Director Adds Hamlib-Compatible and TCI Rig Control Servers
October 7, 2026
This release is available to anyone using the Production release channel
New Features
- Added rotator control tool window
- Enabled update hierarchy so users on beta or alpha release channels will receive Release channel updates if that version is newer
- For supported radio’s the TX indicator on the QSO Entry window now shows if the VFO/Radio is transmitting
- Added Rotator configuration to the settings
- Added Antenna Switch configuration to the settings
- Great Circle Map can now show current QSO location
- Great Circle Map can now show historic QSOs
- Great Circle Map can now control if range rings are shown
- Great Circle Map can now show Grey Line and night areas
- Adif Export now has more pre-defined field sets
- Adif Export custom field selection has been re-designed to make finding and selecting fields easier
- The Rig Control Tool window has been replaced by a new Station Device Manager window which allows you to see the connection state of all devices (Rigs, Switches, Rotators and Amplifiers) as well as manually force a connection or disconnection
- Added new Log Maintenance Health Check function to check common health issues within the logbook
- Logbook window now allows multiple selections whilst holding shift to select a block or ctrl (or command if you are running on a Mac) to select multiple individual QSOs, you can also right click to delete multiple QSOs.
- A new log maintenance tools wizard has been added, this can be accessed from the Tools -> Log Maintenance Tools menu option or by right clicking the Logbook window grid. It provides the following capabilities
- Batch Edit records
- Change one or more fields
- Find and replace text
- Shift QSO Date and time
- Re-assign QSOs to Station, Location, Operator or Event
- Repair Data
- Normalize Log book values
- Repair derived fields
- Duplicate Detection and merging
- History of maintenance operations including the ability to undo changes
- The FluidCAT system can now expose either a Hamlib Rigctld compatible or TCI compatible server for each radio connection. This can be configured in the radio connection settings under the server tab. This can then be used to allow connections to the radio from 3rd party applications without compromising rig control performance under QSO Director or requiring the need for shared virtual com ports. Hamlib itself is not used or required as the implementation of the server is done entirely in FluidCAT.
- The Escape key can now be used to wipe the QSO Entry, at least one field in the QSO Entry window must have focus for the Escape key to be active.
- A new “No Zoom” option has been added to the map zoom modes. When selected the map will not change position or zoom level when entering a QSO.
- The font size of the info bar at the bottom of the QSO Entry window can now be changed
- Added a comprehensive automatic backup process, this can be configured in Settings on the Auto Backup page.
- Added activation support for US Islands Awards Program (US IAP)
- Added Digital Voice Gateway, Voice Network and Voice Talk Group QSO fields for use when using a Digital Voice via a Gateway system.
- The map now shows the source of the location for the current QSO in order to disambiguate where it’s location is coming from.
- Added a Switch controller tool window which can be added using Window -> Add Switch Controller. This allows the control of computer controllable antenna switches.
- Added LoTW integration which allows automatic or manual uploading of QSOs to LoTW and automatic or manual downloading of confirmations. Multi-Station and Muli-Location capability is supported as are multiple certificates.
- Added eQSL.cc integration which allows automatic or manual uploading of QSOs to eQSL.cc and automatic or manual downloading of confirmations. Multi-Station and Muli-Location capability is supported as is the use of multiple eQSL.cc accounts.
- QRZ Interface now stores QRZ LogId against the local QSO for better future matching
- Callbook Credential Settings now each have a test button to allow verification that the entered credentials are correct.
- QSO Uploaders now each have a test button to allow verification that the entered credentials are correct.
- Spots can now be shown on the map by choosing Overlay -> Spots on the map context menu
- You can now double click a location on the spectrum scope or waterfall to tune to that frequency
- Multi Layout engine for QSO Entry has now been enabled, if other layouts are available they can be changed by using the three dots (…) menu on the QSO Entry window.
- Enabled the Activation Hunter QSO Entry Layout, this layout provides quick access to enter an Activation Reference, this is automatically matched against the correct activation field in the QSO. Where there is overlap in the type of activation, the user is provided with the possible activation types for fast selection and entry into the correct QSO Field.
- Added local BOTA Data download
- Added local MOTA Data download
- Added local US IAP Data download
- ACOM Amplifier interface capability has been expanded internally
- Added a new Activation Info tool window, when an activation reference is entered this window will dynamically show information about the activation. For example for POTA it will show park information, for IOTA it will show Island information etc.
- Added Activation Stats tool, this tool is only available during an activation and shows statistics about that activation
- Enabled Activation Mode, you can now select Activation as an activity when starting QSO Director
- Network Listeners can now be configured with one of 4 different modes when logging a contact, these are
- Save Automatically – Same as the old functionality where the contact is logged in the background
- Review before saving – Contacts are presented to the user for review and logging
- Review Later – Contacts are stored in a durable holding area for the user to review when they see fit and log or discard
- Added fully integrated network listener handling for Digi Modes integration with software such as WSJT-X, this is now a first class operating mode rather than just providing the capability to log contacts in the background.
- Added Network Listener Inbox tool window for visibility and control over inbound contacts from Network Listeners
- Added Network Listener Decodes tool window for visibility and control over inbound WSJT decodes
- Added WSJT-X as a supported protocol for real time network senders
- Added rotator control buttons to the QSO Entry window. Note that these are only shown If a rotator is present on the system.
- The map now supports the display of current rotator positions.
- Added Phonetics trainer to the QSO Entry window. This can be shown by using the three dots menu (…) it will show the phonetics for the current callsign.
- you can now configure beam width and colour for rotators
- Both the import and export options now remember the last folder location you used when clicking the Choose button to select a file.
- Implemented Station Context system to allow the display of stations from multiple sources (WSJT-X, Manual Input etc) on the current QSO dependent tool windows.
- Map can now show incoming Digi Mode contacts (not yet logged as QSOs)
- Map can now show incoming Digi Mode decodes
- Added callsign colour key, this can be accessed from the Help Menu
- POTA cluster integration now has two independent options under DX Cluster Settings:
- “Show POTA Activations as Spots” displays activations directly in the cluster. Off by default.
- “Merge POTA Activations with DX Spots” adds park information to matching DX spots. On by default.
- Enable POTA Cluster Enabled to show these options. Matching uses callsign, band, mode, frequency and spot age to avoid incorrect park assignments. Ambiguous matches and POTA spots older than 30 minutes are ignored, and existing park references in DX spots are retained.
- Added new option to DX Cluster settings which allows you to choose if activation details are included in cluster spot comments when sending a spot to the cluster
- Added experimental support for the FT-710 Spectrum Scope without the need for the SCU-LAN10. Note that this requires a settings change on the radio and the installation and configuration of the necessary FT4222 SPI Device Drivers on the operating system – Currently untested or verified on real hardware.
- The current callsign and source now appear in tool headers. Hover over a header for full details and an explanation of manual priority. This makes it clearer to the user where the information being displayed is coming from
- You can now QSY by double clicking a spot in an unbound band map. This will QSY the radio bound to the manual QSO Entry window.
- Cluster filtering now supports sub modes such as USB and LSB, FT2 and FT4 etc. Select modes and sub modes from the same list; a spot passes the mode filter if either matches your selection. Selecting a parent mode such as SSB continues to include all its sub modes.
- Added Rotate SP and Rotate LP to spot right-click menus in the Band Map and Cluster window. Turn your rotator towards a spotted station using its short-path or long-path bearing. If multiple rotators are configured, choose which one to turn from the submenu.
- Callsign Is now displayed as a section in the call information tool
- Added JTTY as a supported mode (Sub mode of MFSK in line with up-coming ADIF 3.1.8 standard)
- Added change log location option to allow easier re-location of your logbook folder
- Added “Auto match activations” option to Network Listeners, this allows control over whether activation information (currently just POTA) is automatically matched against an incoming contact. It is on by default.
- Manual QSO Entry now integrates with WSJT-X, JTDX and MSHV through “Monitor Only“ network listeners.
- Double-click a network decode to fill Manual QSO Entry with the station’s callsign, locator, frequency, mode and received report. Selecting a decode does not start transmission.
- Reply from Manual QSO Entry when a suitable current CQ/QRZ decode is available even when the callsign was entered manually or selected from Cluster, Bandmap or another source.
- Reply availability updates automatically as matching decodes arrive, expire or are cleared.
- Halt TX stops transmission in the associated application, independently of Reply availability.
- Optional current-contact synchronisation fills Manual QSO Entry when you select a new DX callsign in the source application. Enable “Populate Manual QSO Entry from the current contact” in the listener’s Contacts settings; it is off by default.
- WSJT-X contact preparation can update DX Call and Grid and generate messages even without a matching decode.
- Multiple-radio support lets you associate each listener with its radio. Commands remain unavailable when the destination is ambiguous.
- Continue logging with the normal Log button. Existing automatic logging, Contact Inbox and ordinary SSB/CW/FM operation remain unchanged.
- You can now change the number of decimal places shown on frequency readouts, this can be configured in Settings -> Radios
- POTA Cluster now supports both POTA Activations and POTA Spots. Choose which sources to include using the new “Include POTA Activations” and “Include POTA Spots” checkboxes in DX Cluster settings. Both are enabled by default.
- You can now edit LoTW and eQSL sent and received statuses and dates in the Edit QSO dialog’s External Logbooks tab.
- You can now choose which statistics to show or not in the Statistics Tool Window. You can also re-arrange the items within the statistics tool window by right clicking.
- Added “Show previous QSOs in Logbook tool” to Logbook Settings. When enabled, the Logbook shows previous contacts for the callsign selected by the station context, returning to the full logbook when no callsign is present. Your column layout stays unchanged. The option is off by default.
- Added support for the following antenna switches
- 4O3A Antenna Genius 8×2
- 4O3A Antenna Genius 8×1
- Added support for the following amplifiers
- Linear Amp UK Gemini HF-1k
- Linear Amp UK Gemini DX-1200 Amplifier
- KM3KM Mercury Lux Amplifier support
- SPE Expert 1.3K-FA Amp Support
- SPE Expert 1.5K-FA Amp Support
- SPE Expert 1K-FA Amp Support
- SPE Expert 2K-FA Amp Support
- SPE Expert 1.5K-Taurus Amp Support
- Elecraft KPA1500
- Elecraft KPA500
- Elecraft KXPA100
- ICOM PW2 Amp Support
- 4O3A Power Genius XL
- 4O3A Power Genius XXL Twin
- 4O3A Power Genius XL – 3Way
- Added support for the following rotators
- Generic – Dummy Rotator
- Hamlib – NET rotctl
- YO3DMU – PstRotator
- csntechnologies.net – S.A.T. Satellite ctl
- Easycomm – EasycommI
- Easycomm – EasycommII
- Easycomm – EasycommIII
- Idiom Press – Rotor-EZ
- Idiom Press – RotorCard
- Hy-Gain – DCU-1/DCU-1X
- DF9GR – ERC
- Green Heron – RT-21
- Hy-Gain – DCU2/DCU3/YRC-1
- SARtek – SARtek-1
- Yaesu – GS-232A
- Generic – GS-232 Generic
- Yaesu – GS-232B
- F1TE – GS232/F1TE Tracker
- Yaesu – GS-23
- Yaesu – GS-232
- Kenpro – GS-232
- Kenpro – GS-23
- AMSAT – LVB Tracker
- FoxDelta – GS232/ST2
- Yaesu – GS-232A azimuth
- Yaesu – GS-232A elevation
- Yaesu – GS-232B azimuth
- Yaesu – GS-232B elevation
- Yaesu – GS-23 azimuth
- Kenpro – GS-23 azimuth
- AF6SA – WRC
- Heathkit – HD 1780 Intellirotor
- SPID – Rot2Prog
- SPID – Rot1Prog
- SPID – MD-01/02 (ROT2 mode)
- M2 – RC2800
- M2 – RC2800_EARLY_AZ
- M2 – RC2800_EARLY_AZEL
- Celestron – NexStar
- DG9OAA – Ether6 (via ethernet)
- Prosistel – D azimuth
- Prosistel – D elevation
- Prosistel – Combi-Track az+el
- Prosistel – D elevation CBOX az
- Meade – LX200/Autostar
- SatEL – SatEL
- Radant – AZ-1
- Radant – AZV-1
- BG5DIW – GRBLTRK
- FLIR – PTU Serial
- Apex – Shared Loop
- Generic – SAEBRTrack
- 4O3A – Rotator Genius
- MicroHAM – ARCO
- MicroHAM – Station Master (when connected to a Rotator) – use DCU Protocol
- MicroHAM – Station Master Deluxe (when connected to a Rotator) – use DCU Protocol
- Added support for the following radio’s
- ICOM IC-706
- ICOM IC-706MkII
- ICOM IC-706MkIIG
- ICOM IC-703
- ICOM IC-2730
- ICOM ID-5100
- ICOM ID-5200
- ICOM ID-4100
- ICOM ID-31
- ICOM ID-51
- ICOM IC-92D
- Yaesu FT-747GX
- Kenwood TS-50S
- Xiegu X5105
- Xiegu X108G
- Xiegu G106
- Labs599 TX-500
- QRP Labs QMX
- QRP Labs QDX
- QRP Labs QCX
- QRP Labs QCX+
- QRP Labs QCX Mini
- DL2Man (tr)uSDX
- Guohe Q900
- Guohe PMR-171
- Alinco DX-SR8
- Alinco DX-SR8T
- Alinco DX-SR8E
- Alinco DX-77
- McHF mcHF
- HF Signals sBitx
- HF Signals sBitx v2
- HF Signals sBitx v3
- HF Signals zBitx
- HF Signals zBitx v2
Changes
- General Internal code cleanup and restructuring
- Internal code restructuring for hardware interfaces
- Duplicate calls in CTY.DAT are no longer reported as warnings
- Spectrum Scope memory and performance enhancements
- LoTW – Added “Reconcile All LoTW History” option to recover missing statuses.
- The Band Map out of band visual warning has now changed, the background colour no longer changes but the frequency labels now change to red instead when you are out of band.
- The Debug log (system.log) no longer stops writing entries when the maximum size is reached, the log entries are now rotated.
- Reduced unnecessary database activity when refreshing Previous QSO and Worked Matrix, improving lookup efficiency during callsign changes.
- Improved database upgrade reliability, allowing fixes to be applied only where needed.
- Each database now tracks its version and completed upgrades, avoiding repeated fixes.
- Failed upgrades can safely resume the next time the application starts.
- Cluster spots now include multiple complete activation references within the 30-character comment limit.
- References are prioritised: POTA, SOTA, WWFF, then other programmes. IOTA only is included when no other activation reference is present. References that cannot fit are omitted rather than cut short. Remaining space is used for QSO comments.
- Added a new “Populate Activation Fields” setting in the callbook settings, this is off by default. If it is off then activation references will not be populated by callbook lookups, if it is on then they will be populated if the callbook provides them.
- Improved handling of logbook folders where the preferred database access mode is unavailable. QSO Director now displays a startup warning recommending local storage, uses improved database write settings
- POTA Activation Matching – Stations can change frequency, band or mode and still match their recent POTA activation.
- Improved manual frequency entry when QSO Entry is unbound from a radio, with clearer styling, visible units, and band information. Frequencies can be entered in Hz, kHz, or MHz, with inline validation and smoother keyboard editing. Press Enter to apply and return to the callsign, or Escape to cancel the frequency edit without clearing the QSO.
- Faster startup, with optional update checks and background preparation moved out of the initial loading sequence.
- Smoother splash-screen animation that continues during loading and while startup dialogs are open.
- Faster, more responsive callsign suggestions when working with large logs.
- More efficient statistics updates after adding, editing or deleting contacts.
- Smoother cluster updates, with less flicker and better responsiveness during busy spot activity.
- Improved responsiveness when navigating and filtering cluster spots.
- Updated cty.dat lookup data takes effect without restarting the application.
- The Worked Matrix now distinguishes between worked and confirmed contacts. Amber badges with a dot indicate worked but unconfirmed contacts; green badges with a tick indicate at least one confirmation via paper QSL, LoTW or eQSL. Hover over a badge to see the band/mode, status, total QSOs and confirmed count.
- Cluster Spot Mode detection improvements
- When double clicking a spot on a band map, it will now only populate the QSO entry window if that band map is bound to the same radio that the QSO Entry Window is also bound to. Unbound band maps will continue to populate the QSO Entry Window regardless of radio binding.
- Moved check for new updates much earlier in the startup process
Bug Fixes
- Icom UDP handshake failures are reported as successful connections
- Icom UDP fallback can create a connected but unusable transport
- Icom UDP Sequence rollover can cause an infinite loop
- Icom UDP data handler’s dispose path can cause errors
- Hardware control parser resynchronisation can strand or discard a valid frame causing dropped messages
- Enabling debug logging breaks ACOM2020S connections
- MQTT Connection types were not honouring the configured ws path
- ACOM Amplifier interface fixes
- Improved field naming consistency
- Various fixes for the RGO One radio interface
- On Linux some real hardware serial ports were not being discovered correctly and shown in the list
- The WSJTX Listener now detects if it is receiving ADIF data and no longer generates an error in the logs. This is expected from some applications such as MSHV which can send both WSJT and ADIF data to the same port.
- Real-time listeners were starting too soon on application load-up which could cause background errors when receiving data from 3rd party applications
- Improved reliability when uploading contacts to QRZ.com. Uploads now pause automatically during log imports and resume afterwards. This reduces failed uploads when other logbook operations are running and better protects recent contact edits.
- Fixed “Filtering logbook…” occasionally remaining on screen after a refresh finished.
- Reduced repeated logbook refreshes when receiving contacts from network listeners.
- Fixed database errors preventing subsequent logbook refreshes.
- Reduced database overhead and lock waits for faster, more responsive logbook updates.
- Logbook and Previous QSOs Tools were not retaining customised column widths
- Fixed an error that could prevent successful realtime uploads to HRDlog.Net, Club Log and HamQTH from being marked as uploaded. Improved handling of contacts edited or deleted while an upload is in progress.
- Fixed an issue that could prevent QSO History or Previous QSO from loading when sorting by an unsupported column. Unsupported columns are now excluded, and affected saved layouts automatically return to newest-first sorting.
- Improved hardware connection logging: timeouts and unresponsive devices, including Icom UDP handshake timeouts and SCU-LAN10 session timeouts, are now logged as warnings instead of errors. Genuine failures, such as rejected logins and unexpected faults, continue to be logged as errors.
- Fixed misleading database error reports when background operations or logbook refreshes are cancelled. Improved cleanup of database resources when initialisation is interrupted.
- Fixed an error that could occur when closing QSO Director while an ACOM 1400S or 2020S amplifier connection was starting or failing. Improved hardware connection cleanup during shutdown.
- Fixed an issue where DX cluster connections, including GB7MBC, could fail to recover after disconnecting. QSO Director now detects dropped connections promptly, logs back in correctly, and resumes receiving spots automatically. Also improved login handling for clusters that display welcome banners.
- Improvements in Sync error handling for cancellation and timeouts
- Improved diagnostic logging to help identify the cause of database write delays.
- Improved network listener startup feedback: if another application or service is using the configured port, a notification now identifies the affected listener and port and explains how to resolve the conflict. These conflicts are logged as warnings instead of errors.
- Cluster spots that fail due to rate limiting now show a warning notification explaining the failure and advising you to try again later. These failures are logged as warnings instead of errors.
- Fixed an issue that could cause radio connections to fail or report errors when reconnecting, changing device settings, or closing QSO Director.
- Improved connection cleanup and reliability for radios.
- Space weather download timeouts are now logged as warnings instead of errors.
- Fixed band maps showing an old radio name after the radio was removed from configuration.
- Improved serial-port connection failure handling. Missing, inaccessible or busy ports now generate a warning and a notification identifying the affected device and port, with guidance on resolving the issue.
- Improved external data updates to prevent database locking errors and keep the interface responsive. Existing data is now preserved if an update fails.
- Improved DX Spot Activation reference detection for spots where the format omits a dash, i.e. PT-0094 spotted as PT0094
- Improved Icom network connection reliability. Temporary network interruptions can now recover without disconnecting the radio. If communication cannot recover, the radio disconnects cleanly instead of remaining in an unresponsive state.
- System File and Folder selection dialogs on Linux were showing too small
- Improved handling of disconnected or unavailable radio COM ports. QSO Director now shows a clear message explaining which port is affected and what to check
- Improved usability and visibility of the notifications as some text was being truncated and could not be read
- Fixed a crash when saving station details or adding a location while background synchronisation was running.
- Reduced delays when importing contacts while other database activity is running.
- Improved cloud-sync processing for large updates.
- Corrected the IC-756PROII’s default CI-V address to 0x64.
- Docked Tab overflow arrows were not being displayed
- Removing a radio’s custom CI-V address did not restore its default address on reconnection, potentially preventing communication with the radio.
- Radio disconnecting over TCP could produce an unnecessary error message. These disconnects now follow normal disconnect handling without being reported as application errors.
- Fixes to the IC-756ProII interface to correct for Ci-V collisions when the radio or serial connection is becoming saturated by high speed messaging resulting in corrupted or dropped commands.
- Improved Retry handling for cloud sync operations when a connection reset occurs.
- Fixed a misleading internal error that could appear when disconnecting an Icom IC-756PROII or closing the application.
- Issue where an unreachable network device showed a detailed error instead of the standard connection-failed notification.
- Issue where an Icom radio closing its network connection showed a detailed error instead of the standard disconnected notification.
- Fixed a crash during external data updates, including when the database is busy. Failed updates now display a failure status and log the error, allowing other updates and application startup to continue.
- Intermittent issue where the spectrum scope could remain blank after startup on Icom radios connected over LAN/UDP, requiring an application restart.
- Added automatic recovery when Icom spectrum data stops arriving.
- Improved handling of out-of-range scope data to preserve frequency information and clear stale spectrum samples.
- Multiple Fixes to the Statistics engine.
- Serial connection error caused by invalid Stop Bits settings. Removed the unsupported “None” option and added validation. Devices with invalid saved settings now report a clear message explaining how to correct them.
- Fixed an issue where panels could remain floating and refuse to dock after switching to a saved layout.
- Issue where valid WSJT-X status updates could trigger “Failed to parse WSJT-X datagram” errors. Improved connection compatibility with older WSJT-X versions and compatible applications, and corrected several protocol-handling details for more reliable integration.
- Inconsistent station-location lookups between manually entered callsigns and selected spots.
- Callbook locators sometimes failing to populate or being replaced by calculated values.
- Latitude and longitude fields can now be cleared.
- Scope meta data issues on the TS-890S and TS-990S
- Significantly improved the handling of radio specific data modes such as USB-D1 etc. This allows the most appropriate radio mode to be set when clicking spots running modes such as FT8, FT4 etc.
- Fixes to the ACOM2000A Interface
- TS-890S Scope issues when using the scope in Fixed mode.
- Fixed a crash when opening Log Maintenance Tools from a floating Log Book window.
- Improved statistics tool layout when the window is resized to a smaller size
- Icom radio interfaces no longer force the scope to display on the rig, this was causing unexpected layout changes for the radio’s display. For the scope to work the user must choose to show the scope on the radio.
- Issue where the selected COM port in Radio Settings could show as blank even though it was set correctly previously.
- Improved QSY Auto Store reliability when switching between spots, preventing delayed updates from clearing the newly selected contact.
- Improved handling of rapid spot selections and protected edits made while tuning.
- Log Entry now fills in the selected callsign when frequency tuning succeeds but mode selection fails, while retaining the current mode and displaying a warning.
- Reduced unnecessary error logging when tuning is requested without a connected or bound radio.
- Fixed a crash when closing Log Maintenance while a validation message was opening.
- Fixed closed wizards responding to activity in another wizard.
- Prevented duplicate navigation requests and navigation continuing after a wizard closes.
- Improved error handling for Log Maintenance wizard operations.
- Fixed dialogs failing to open from floating windows and other windows without a name scope.
- Ensured dialog blur effects are restored correctly when a message box closes or cannot open.
- Improved handling of serial-device connection failures. QSO Director now shows a clear warning with steps to check device power, USB connections, drivers and port settings.
- Improved cleanup after failed connection attempts.
- Fixed QSY Auto Store overwriting a cluster spot after double-clicking it which caused cluster spots to disappear from the cluster spot grid.
- Adjusted Edit QSO Window width to accommodate slight font size differences between platforms causing wrapping of tabs.
