Install SDR--

Choose a desktop app for local use or a server to control from a browser. Both provide the same receiver and interface.

Desktop application

Download your platform's installer from GitHub Releases, install it, and open SDR--. The app starts its server automatically on a private local port.

Portable server

Download and unpack the sdrmm archive for your operating system and processor from GitHub Releases. Run the binary:

./sdrmm

On Windows, run sdrmm.exe. Open http://localhost:8080 on the server or http://<server>:8080 from another computer.

The server listens on all network interfaces without authentication by default. Configure a shared token and HTTPS before allowing untrusted network access.

Homebrew

Add the tap:

brew tap newspicel/tap

For the macOS desktop app:

brew install --cask sdrminusminus

For the server on macOS or Linux:

brew install sdrmm
brew services start sdrmm

The cask installs into /Applications. The service runs the server in the background and starts it at login. Open http://localhost:8080.

Nix

With flakes enabled, install and launch the desktop app on x86_64 or aarch64 Linux:

nix --extra-experimental-features 'nix-command flakes' \
  profile install github:Newspicel/sdrminusminus
sdrmm-desktop

The flake exposes the desktop package as sdrmm-desktop, sdrmm, and default. To build it from a checkout:

nix --extra-experimental-features 'nix-command flakes' build

The result is result/bin/sdrmm-desktop.

The Nix package uses SoapySDR for local radios. Select their modules with soapyPlugins. This NixOS example assumes the repository is declared as the sdrminusminus flake input:

environment.systemPackages = [
  (inputs.sdrminusminus.packages.${pkgs.stdenv.hostPlatform.system}.sdrmm.override {
    soapyPlugins = with pkgs; [ soapyrtlsdr soapyremote ];
  })
];

hardware.rtl-sdr.enable = true;
users.users.your-user.extraGroups = [ "plugdev" ];

Keep only the modules and hardware options you need. The package provides the SoapySDR core; modules and USB permissions come from your configuration.

Container

On Linux, start the supplied Docker Compose service:

git clone https://github.com/Newspicel/sdrminusminus.git
cd sdrminusminus
docker compose pull
docker compose up -d

Open http://localhost:8080. The service persists its database and recordings in sdrmm-data. For USB radios, set group_add to the host group that owns the device. See container setup for permissions, authentication, and HTTPS.

Connect your radio

Open a Device node and select your receiver. Many radios work with the built-in drivers; others need a vendor library or SoapySDR module. The hardware guide lists the requirements for each receiver and package.

If a radio is missing, select Check hardware on an unbound Device node or run sdrmm --doctor.

Stable and nightly builds

Use a stable release for regular use. Desktop apps check for stable updates at startup. The rolling nightly release follows main and may change saved-data formats without migration support. Stable apps do not automatically update to nightlies.

Build from source

Follow Build and test to develop SDR-- or choose custom backends.

Next step

Follow Your first receiver to listen to broadcast FM with an RTL-SDR.