Install AetherSDR on Linux¶

This page walks you through installing AetherSDR on a Linux system so you can connect to your Flex radio.

Before you start¶

Confirm your Linux distribution and architecture are supported by the AetherSDR package you have obtained.
Ensure you have sufficient privileges to install software (either root access or sudo).
Verify your system has Qt6 runtime libraries available if you are installing from a pre-built binary rather than a distribution package.
Have your network connection active — AetherSDR discovers radios over the local network at first launch.

Download the AetherSDR package for Linux from the official distribution source.
Open a terminal in the directory containing the downloaded file.
Install the package using your distribution's package manager. For example, on a Debian or Ubuntu system:
```
sudo apt install ./aethersdr_<version>_amd64.deb
```
On an RPM-based system:
```
sudo rpm -i aethersdr-<version>.x86_64.rpm
```
Once installation completes, launch AetherSDR from your application menu or by running:
```
aethersdr
```
On first launch, go to Settings > Connect to Radio... to discover and connect to your Flex radio.

If you plan to use CAT control from third-party logging software, enable Settings > Autostart CAT with AetherSDR after connecting. This feature creates virtual serial ports and is available on Linux.
If you use rigctld-compatible software, enable Settings > Autostart rigctld with AetherSDR to have AetherSDR spawn the rigctld CAT server automatically on each launch.
If DAX audio bridging via PipeWire is required, enable Settings > Autostart DAX with AetherSDR.

AetherSDR does not start after installation — Confirm that Qt6 runtime libraries are installed on your system. Your distribution's package manager should pull these in automatically from the package dependencies; if not, install the Qt6 base libraries manually.
No radios found in Settings > Connect to Radio... — Confirm the Flex radio is powered on and connected to the same local network segment. Check that no firewall rules are blocking UDP discovery traffic.
Virtual serial ports for CAT are not created — Confirm Settings > Autostart CAT with AetherSDR is enabled. This feature requires the appropriate kernel modules for virtual serial ports to be loaded on your system.