FAQ — Radio Bench

What is Radio Bench?: A native desktop SDR console for HF operators: GPU spectrum and waterfall, AM/SSB/CW/FM demodulation, QSO logging, Hamlib CAT rig control, noise reduction, and digital voice with full receive and transmit — one app for macOS, Windows, and Linux.
Is it a subscription?: No. One payment buys a perpetual licence for the major version you purchase, including the updates published for that version.
Can I try before buying?: Yes — trial keys come through the same checkout. A trial is fully functional and expires at the end of the trial period; after that, the app functionality is disabled until a paid licence is activated.
How many computers can I use it on?: Your key activates up to the device limit stated at purchase. Moving to a new machine is self-service: deactivate the old one in Settings → License. If a device is lost or broken, contact us and we'll release its activation.
Does it work offline?: Yes. The app validates your licence online when it starts, and keeps working offline for a grace period between successful validations. If we ever discontinued the licensing service, we've committed to shipping an alternative activation method so purchased licences keep working.
What hardware does it support?: Airspy HF+ natively and RTL-SDR, plus RTL-TCP and SpyServer network sources and IQ WAV replay. Rig control covers hundreds of transceivers via Hamlib. Details on the hardware page.
What does “beta” mean here?: The software is complete enough to use on the air daily, and still being built and validated — the digital modes in particular. Beta buyers get a big discount and keep their licence for good to show our gratitude for supporting development.
What about refunds?: 14 days after purchase, full refund, no interrogation — see the refund policy.
Does it phone home?: The app sends no telemetry — no analytics, no crash reports. It talks to the licensing API to validate your key, to the update server for updates, and to services you configure yourself. The privacy page lists every connection.
Who builds it?: Radio Bench is one-person software, built by VK3DTX. It is built with an idea of exploring how good HF operating software could be. The about page has the longer story.
How do I get help?: Use the contact form. Bug reports with your OS and radio details get fixed fastest. Notice a missing feature or something you'd like included? - Let us know.