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README.md

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+# Dire Wolf #
+
+### Decoded Information from Radio Emissions for Windows Or Linux Fans ###
+
+In the early days of Amateur Packet Radio, it was necessary to use a “Terminal Node Controller” (TNC) with specialized hardware.  Those days are gone.  You can now get better results at lower cost by connecting your radio to the “soundcard” interface of a computer and using software to decode the signals.
+ 
+Dire Wolf is a software "soundcard" modem/TNC and [APRS](http://www.aprs.org/) encoder/decoder.   It can be used stand-alone to observe APRS traffic, as a digipeater, [APRStt](http://www.aprs.org/aprstt.html) gateway, or Internet Gateway (IGate).    It can also be used as a virtual TNC for other applications such as [APRSIS32](http://aprsisce.wikidot.com/), [UI-View32](http://www.ui-view.net/), [Xastir](http://xastir.org/index.php/Main_Page), [APRS-TW](http://aprstw.blandranch.net/), [YAAC](http://www.ka2ddo.org/ka2ddo/YAAC.html), [UISS](http://users.belgacom.net/hamradio/uiss.htm), [Linux AX25](http://www.linux-ax25.org/wiki/Main_Page), [SARTrack](http://www.sartrack.co.nz/index.html), [RMS Express](http://www.winlink.org/RMSExpress), and many others.
+ 
+ 
+## Features ##
+
+- Lower cost, higher performance alternative to hardware TNC.
+Version 1.2 decodes more than 1000 error-free frames from [WA8LMF TNC Test CD](http://wa8lmf.net/TNCtest/).  
+
+- Ideal for building a Raspberry Pi digipeater & IGate.
+
+- 300, 1200, and 9600 baud operation.
+
+- Interface with applications by
+      - [AGW](http://uz7.ho.ua/includes/agwpeapi.htm) network protocol
+      - [KISS](http://www.ax25.net/kiss.aspx) serial port
+      - [KISS](http://www.ax25.net/kiss.aspx) network protocol
+      
+- Decoding of received information for troubleshooting.
+
+- Logging and conversion to GPX file format.
+
+- Beaconing for yourself or other nearby entities.
+
+- Very flexible Digipeating with routing and filtering between up to 6 ports.
+
+- APRStt gateway - converts touch tone sequences to APRS objects.
+
+- APRS Internet Gateway (IGate) with IPv6 support.
+
+- Compatible with software defined radios (SDR) such as [gqrx](http://gqrx.dk/)  and [rtl_fm](http://sdr.osmocom.org/trac/wiki/rtl-sdr).
+
+- Includes separate raw packet decoder, decode_aprs.
+
+- Open source so you can see how it works and make your own modifications.
+
+- Runs in 3 different environments:
+      - Microsoft Windows XP or later
+      - Linux, regular PC or single board computer such as Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone Black, or cubieboard 2
+      - Mac OS X
+ 
+## Installation ##
+
+### Windows ###
+
+Go to the [releases page](releases/).   Download a zip file with "win" in its name, unzip it, and run direwolf.exe from a command window.
+
+### Linux - short version for the impatient ###
+
+Download the source, unpack the files and run:
+
+	cd direwolf-*
+	make
+	sudo make install
+	make install-conf
+
+For more details see the **User Guide** in the doc directory.  Special considerations for the Raspberry Pi are found in **Raspberry-Pi-APRS.pdf**
+
+## Join the conversation  ##
+ 
+Here are some good places to share information:
+
+- [Dire Wolf packet TNC](https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/direwolf_packet/info) 
+
+- [Raspberry Pi 4 Ham Radio](https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Raspberry_Pi_4-Ham_RADIO/info)
+
+- [TAPR aprssig](http://www.tapr.org/pipermail/aprssig/)
+ 
+
+