Release SDR9700 v26.8.1 · w5jwp/SDR9700

Highlights

Added the receive-only Data Decoder for AX.25 Bell 202 (1200 baud) packets, including decode statistics, raw packet details, callsign links, and a cross-platform decoder interface prepared for future protocols.
Added a non-blocking Application Log window with category filtering, optional CI-V traffic, pause/resume, clear, and text export for field diagnostics.
Added a unified radio-session watchdog and a title-bar communications indicator to detect stalled CI-V, control, and audio activity and recover the connection.
Reworked authenticated radio shutdown so receive audio stops immediately and the application completes the radio departure and token-release sequence before closing its sockets.

Corrected S-meter rendering to use the IC-9700 raw scale directly, with values of 241 and above displayed at full scale.
Simplified the spectrum scope, removed the misleading level legend, expanded the display area, and kept the spectrum and waterfall evenly divided.
Improved macOS microphone-permission initialization and refined native menu and shutdown behavior.
Improved memory management with combined band/channel labels, clearer editor channel choices, consistent tables, alternating rows, and balanced column sizing.
Standardized dialog margins, footers, button ordering, table headers, and styling across Linux and macOS.
Improved live audio-device switching and Linux RC-28 installation support.
Added the v prefix to the version shown in the application title bar and native window title.

Fixed delayed radio reconnection after closing and reopening SDR9700.
Fixed signed receiver sentinel handling on ARM Linux.
Fixed several decoder table rendering, spacing, link, and packet-counting issues.
Cleaned up structured application logging for more readable diagnostic output.
Removed the low-contrast waiting message drawn across the empty spectrum grid before radio scope data arrives.

Full changelog: v26.07.30...v26.8.1