direwolf ☆

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Description:
Software "soundcard" AX.25 packet modem/TNC and APRS encoder/decoder

Type: Formula | Latest Version: 1.8.1@1 | Tracked Since: Dec 17, 2025

Links: Homepage | formulae.brew.sh

Category: Networking

Tags: amateur-radio aprs ax25 packet-radio ham-radio

Install: brew install direwolf

About:
Dire Wolf is a software TNC (Terminal Node Controller) that emulates a packet modem and AX.25 network stack, allowing computers to communicate over radio without specialized hardware. It serves as a high-performance APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) encoder and decoder, acting as a robust IGate or Digipeater. This tool is essential for amateur radio operators looking to implement digital communications using standard soundcards.

Key Features:

Software TNC replacing hardware modems
APRS encoder, decoder, IGate, and Digipeater
KISS and AGWPE protocol support
Differential GPS (DGPS) support
Low latency and high performance

Use Cases:

Setting up an APRS IGate to forward radio traffic to the internet
Running a digital mode station using only a USB soundcard
Digipeating packets to extend network coverage

Alternatives:

soundmodem – Soundmodem is a Linux kernel AX.25 driver, whereas Dire Wolf runs as a user-space application with more features like built-in IGate functionality.
Multimon-ng – Multimon-ng is primarily a decoder for various digital modes, while Dire Wolf acts as a full TNC with bidirectional encoding/decoding and network bridging.

License: GPL-2.0-or-later AND ISC AND LicenseRef-Homebrew-cannot-represent

Dependencies: gpsd, hamlib, alsa-lib, systemd

Bottles available for: arm64_tahoe, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, sonoma, arm64_linux, x86_64_linux

Version History

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