SharpCAT

SharpCAT is a C#/.NET cross-platform library and Web API server for CAT (Computer Aided Transceiver) radio control. It supports serial port CAT operations, modern async programming, and provides a REST API for remote radio control.

---

Features

• Core Library: .NET Standard-based, works with .NET Core and .NET Framework
• Cross-platform Server: ASP.NET Core Web API server, works on Windows, Linux, and macOS
• REST API: Endpoints for serial port management and sending arbitrary CAT commands
• Swagger/OpenAPI: Interactive API docs and testing interface
• Async/Await: Modern async support for non-blocking IO
• Extensible: Designed for adding radios and protocols (FT818, ID-4100A, TH-D74A, etc.)
• Built-in Logging and Error Handling

---

Quick Start

Prerequisites

• .NET 8.0 SDK or later

Running the Web API Server

cd Server/SharpCAT.Server
dotnet run

The server listens on http://localhost:5188 by default.
Open http://localhost:5188 in your browser for the Swagger UI.

---

Usage Examples

List Available Serial Ports

curl http://localhost:5188/api/cat/ports

Open a Serial Port

curl -X POST http://localhost:5188/api/cat/open \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"portName": "COM3", "baudRate": 9600}'

Send a CAT Command

curl -X POST http://localhost:5188/api/cat/command \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"command": "FA;"}'

---

Project Structure

Library/                # Core CAT library (cross-platform)
Server/SharpCAT.Server/  # ASP.NET Core Web API server

---

Development

Build Everything

dotnet build

Build Just the Core Library

dotnet build Library/Library.csproj

VS Code Tasks

This repo includes VS Code tasks for building, cleaning, restoring, publishing, and watching changes.

---

Roadmap & Ideas

• Implement generic IRadio interface and radio-specific drivers
• Support multiple concurrent radios
• Fully async serial operations
• Remote sharing of serial ports
• Implement flrig protocol support
• Potential AGWPE integration
• Service/daemon operation support
• Additional radio protocols (CAT, CI-V, etc.)

---

Why?

While Hamlib and HamLibSharp exist, there is a need for a modern, pure .NET CAT control library and server for direct integration with C# projects, without C++/PInvoke dependencies.

---

Contributing

Contributions are very welcome! Please open issues, submit PRs, or share your ideas.

---

License

This project follows the same license as the parent SharpCAT project.

---

Credits

• Inspired by FT818, ID-4100A, TH-D74A, Yaesu FT991a, and others
• Thanks to all open source contributors and radio amateurs for protocol documentation and ideas

---

If you wish to help, let me know or create a pull request. I'm not a pro developer, just a hobbyist building tools for myself and others.