AudioStation
Amateur Radio Audio Recorder & Playback System
Overview
AudioStation is a Windows application for amateur radio operators to record, store, and instantly play back audio messages — CQ calls, contest exchanges, emergency announcements, station ID, and more. All recordings are saved in mp3 format.
Getting Started
On launch, AudioStation automatically detects your recording and playback devices and loads 8 empty audio slots. No setup is required — just select your devices (if needed) and click Record.
Main Interface
| Section | Purpose |
|---|---|
| VU Meter | Real-time display of input audio level |
| Record / Play Buttons | Start/stop recording and playback |
| Level Controls | Adjust recording input and playback volume |
| Device Selection | Choose microphone and speaker/output |
| Audio Slots (1–8) | Quick-access buttons for stored recordings |
| Save Set / Load Set | Save or recall a collection of slot assignments |
| Output PTT to | Select which program asserts PTT |
| Status Bar | Shows current activity |
Recording Audio
- Click Record — the button turns red and reads “Stop Recording.” The VU meter becomes active.
- Speak your message.
- Click Stop Recording.
You’ll be asked: “Save this recording to a slot?”
- Yes → choose a slot (1–8) and give it a custom name.
- No → the recording isn’t lost — it’s automatically saved as
Last Recorded.wavin your AudioStation folder.
Playing Audio
Play any file: Click Play, browse to any .wav file, and it plays. Click Stop to end early.
Play from a slot: Click any numbered slot button (1–8). If assigned, it plays immediately.
Audio Slots
Assign right after recording: Choose “Yes” when prompted after stopping a recording, then pick a slot and enter a custom name (e.g., “CQ Contest,” “Emergency Net”).
Assign an existing file: Ctrl+Click any slot button to browse for a .wav file, then enter a custom name.
Play a slot: Just click it (no modifier key).
| State | Appearance |
|---|---|
| Empty | Gray, labeled “Slot 1,” “Slot 2,” etc. |
| Assigned | Light blue, labeled with your custom name |
Saving and Loading Slot Sets
Save Set writes all 8 slot assignments (file paths + custom names) to an .xml file. Load Set restores a previously saved configuration, updating all slot buttons.
Tip: Keep separate sets for different scenarios — ContestSet.xml, EmergencyNetSet.xml, DailySet.xml — and load whichever fits your current activity.
Audio Device Selection
Choose your Recording Device (microphone/interface input) and Playback Device (speaker/headset/interface output) from the dropdowns. If you plug in new hardware while the app is running, click Refresh Devices to rescan without restarting.
Level Controls
- Recording Level — scales VU meter sensitivity and recording “hotness”
- Playback Level — adjusts playback volume in real time
The VU Meter
- Green — safe level
- Yellow — approaching hot
- Red — too strong; reduce recording level or backing off the mic
File Locations
Documents\AudioRecorder\Contains named slot recordings, Last Recorded.wav, and any saved .xml set files.
Troubleshooting
No sound recorded / VU meter idle — check Recording Device selection, click Refresh Devices, check Windows mute settings.
Silent playback — check Playback Device selection and Playback Level slider.
Slot won’t play — it’s likely empty; Ctrl+Click to assign a file.
“No audio file assigned” — the slot is empty or its file was moved/deleted; reassign with Ctrl+Click.
Distorted recording — lower the Recording Level slider; your input is too hot.