WSPRlite
To get started with your WSPRlite, download the configuration app and follow these instructions:
Download instructions (English, PDF) - updated 2022-06-28
Some tips on fault finding if it doesn't work:
WSPRlite fault finding - configuration / PC connection (PDF) - updated 2022-07-11
WSPRlite fault finding - transmitting (PDF) - updated 2022-06-28
Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) - updated 2018-07-17
Important update to instructions 2017-10-23: Your WSPRlite can be damaged by excessive reverse RF. This can occur either from a direct connection to a transmitter, or if the WSPRlite is connected to an antenna when you are transmitting on another nearby antenna (due to coupling between the antennas). We recommend limiting reverse RF to less than 100 mW to avoid problems.
Instructions on how to update the firmware (the software inside your WSPRlite):
WSPRlite firmware update instructions (PDF)
Or if you don't yet have a WSPRlite, buy one here.
Have you been asked to give a talk on your new WSPRlite at a local ham
gathering or radio club? We have made it easy with this downloadable
MS PowerPoint presentation. Feel free to alter it to suit your own
audience. Let us know how it went!
WSPRlite presentation
Configuration app
The WSPRlite configuration app is used to change the callsign, locator, and other settings for your WSPRlite. It works with both the Classic and the Flexi versions.
Websites that can be used to determine your locator include: https://www.whatsmylocator.co.uk/ and https://www.levinecentral.com/ham/grid_square.php
Download latest version:
Windows
Android (Google Play)
Android (direct APK download)
What's new in the desktop app (latest version v1.2.5, released 2024-03-14 - see changelog for full version history)
- Update website link for finding locator
- Reduce flickering of controls on Windows when loading WSPRlite settings
System requirements (desktop): Windows Vista / 7 / 8 / 10.
Windows XP and older are not supported. Linux version might be available at some point. Mac is not officially supported. The source code is cross platform, and is tested on Windows and Linux.
System requirements (Android): Android 4.0 or later. Also, your Android device must support USB On-The-Go (OTG), and you will need a USB OTG cable (such as https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/on-the-go-y-lead-for-wsprlite-to-go/) to connect the Android device to your WSPRlite.
If you cannot or do not want to use Google Play, you can download the APK here. This will not auto-update though.
We have no plans for an iOS version.
Drivers
Before using the config app on Windows, the "CP210x USB to UART Bridge VCP" driver needs to be installed. Note: the zip file must be unzipped into another folder before installing.
Download:
USB drivers
Instructions (PDF)
The downloads are in the "Downloads" tab on the Silicon Labs webpage, see the instructions linked above for details of which file to download and how to install. At the time of writing, the correct file for Windows 10 and 11 is the 'CP210x Universal Windows Driver'.
Installation of drivers can sometimes be skipped as Windows may install them automatically when the WSPRlite is connected to your computer.
For recent versions of Windows (10 or 11), the correct file to download is the "CP210x Universal Windows Driver". See the ‘release notes’ text file in the extracted folder for how to install. More detailed instructions can be found here.
Firmware update
Firmware updates may occasionally be released to add features or fix problems with your WSPRlite.
Download latest version (v1.1.6, released 2019-01-03):
Firmware update
Instructions (PDF)
What's new (see changelog for full version history):
- Minor improvements to the self-test performed when powering on: more accurate test for timing signal, and fix unresponsiveness to the config app if the timing signal test fails
Changelogs
Configuration app changelog
- Current version v1.2.5
- Released 2024-03-14
- Update website link for finding locator
- Reduce flickering of controls on Windows when loading WSPRlite settings
- v1.2.4
- Released 2018-07-16
- Add support for extended WSPR (type 2 and 3 messages) - this allows compound callsigns and six character locators to be used. But please read about why extended WSPR should be avoided if possible first.
- v1.2.3
- Released 2018-02-13
- Update 80m frequency to match latest version of WSJT-X (centre frequency changed from 3.594100 MHz to 3.570100 MHz)
- Add the two commonly used 60m frequencies (5.288700 and 5.366200 MHz). However, note that it is not legal to transmit on them in all countries - check local regulations before transmitting. In particular, it looks like the USA and Canada do not currently (Feb 2018) allow transmission on either frequency.
- Include band in DXplorer link - the website should now show the correct band as soon as you open the link
- v1.2.2
- Released 2018-01-11
- Fix firmware update when the existing firmware was erased before connecting
- v1.2.1
- Released 2017-11-27
- Trim whitespace from callsign before saving it to the WSPRlite
- v1.2.0
- Released 2017-11-10
- Add support for WSPRlite Flexi (still works with Classic too - all config app releases from this version onwards will be compatible with both Flexi and Classic)
- v1.1.0
- Released 2017-09-11
- Add support for some slightly updated hardware (PCB v1.3, which has no extra functionality, just some altered components)
- Fix some potential crashes when enumerating USB devices, particularly on Windows
- v1.0.8
- Released 2017-02-15
- Add 630m band
- v1.0.7
- Released 2017-02-15
- Add a setting to transmit a callsign using morse code after each WSPR transmission
- More accurate power output at lower frequencies
- v1.0.5
- Released 2017-01-19
- Add a warning for old firmware versions
- v1.0.4
- Released 2017-01-17
- Fix random frequency bug on Windows
- This is a critical update. All users who have programmed their WSPRlite
using an older version of the config app should download the latest version of the app and reprogram their WSPRlite by changing band twice for continued optimum
performance (assigns new random frequency). Once this is done, use as
normal.
- v1.0.3
- Released 2017-02-15
- Add ability to update WSPRlite firmware
- v1.0.1
- Released 2016-11-24
- Added note about the limited precision of the transmitted locator
- Added icon for executable
- v1.0.0
- Released 2016-11-18
- Added transmit frequency randomisation. ±50 Hz around the centre of the WSPR band, randomised whenever the band dropdown is changed in the config app.
- Improved serial port dropdown default - it should now select the WSPRlite port automatically if the port is present when the program is started
- v0.4.0
- Final beta test version
Firmware changelog
- Current version v1.1.6
- Released 2019-01-03
- Minor improvements to the self-test performed when powering on: more accurate test for timing signal, and fix unresponsiveness to the config app if the timing signal test fails
- v1.1.5
- Released 2018-07-16
- Add support for extended WSPR (type 2 and 3 messages) - this allows compound callsigns and six character locators to be used
- v1.1.4
- Released 2017-12-18
- Turn on amplifier bias early, to preheat the WSPRlite (preheat time depends on selected band, only enabled above 14 MHz). This reduces drift during transmission.
- Fix a bug which sometimes caused the WSPRlite to transmit in a smaller percentage of timeslots than it should. Note that this changes the selection of transmit timeslots, so for synchronised transmissions ensure that both WSPRlites have their firmware updated.
- v1.1.3
- Released 2017-10-12
- Add support for WSPRlite Flexi (still works with Classic too - all firmware updates from this version onwards will be compatible with both Flexi and Classic)
- v1.1.1
- Released 2017-09-05
- Add support for some slightly updated hardware (PCB v1.3, which has no extra functionality, just some altered components). This firmware still works on the original hardware too (PCB v1.1).
- v1.0.7
- Released 2017-05-02
- Random selection of transmit timeslots is now the same for all WSPRlites (if they have the same repeat rate setting), instead of being different every time the button is pressed. This allows WSPRlite transmissions to be synchronised.
- v1.0.6
- Released 2017-02-15
- Add a setting to transmit a callsign using morse code after each WSPR transmission
- 630m band now works properly
- v1.0.5
- Released 2017-01-19
- Fix a rare lockup when using certain transmission frequencies
- v1.0.4
- Released 2017-01-09
- Minor internal changes - no new user functionality.
Note: WSPRlites can be updated directly to the latest version of the firmware each time, they do not need to have each intermediate update applied in sequence. Downgrading to older versions is not well tested but will probably work, except that Flexis and newer Classics will not work with firmware from before support was added for the newer hardware (listed in the changelog).