The new Command Bar feature has now been rolled out across all macOS and iPad versions of the Ham Radio Apps. Designed with power users in mind, the Command Bar provides a customizable interface to enhance and streamline radio operations.
This feature allows users to create buttons displayed on the Main Panadapter Screen, which can be configured to:
- Launch external applications
- Open websites
- Send CAT commands directly to the radio
Each of these actions can also be triggered using keyboard shortcuts or controller buttons, offering fast and flexible control.
On macOS, this means a single tap can launch favorite external software tools. While iOS limits direct app launching, the Command Bar supports Apple Shortcuts. By entering commands such as shortcut://run-shortcut?name=test, users can run custom Shortcuts that execute a variety of tasks—even scripts.
More on Apple Shortcuts can be found in Apple’s official Shortcuts User Guide.
The Send CAT Commands feature adds even greater versatility. Depending on the specific CAT protocol used by the radio, various operations can be triggered:
- FlexRadio:
profile global load testloads a global profile named “test” - Elecraft:
SW153;activates the function assigned to PF1 - Icom:
060302switches the mode to CW (hexadecimal format)
This powerful functionality allows advanced users to fine-tune their radio environment and automate tasks, improving overall workflow and responsiveness.
For full documentation visit the Ham Radio Apps Manuals.
