# Dire Wolf

> free and open source software "soundcard"

**Wikidata**: [Q126913545](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q126913545)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dire-wolf

## Summary
Dire Wolf is a free and open-source software "soundcard" designed for packet radio and digipeater applications. It is distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0, and supports multiple operating systems including Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Raspberry Pi.

## Key Facts
- **License**: GNU General Public License, version 2.0 (since 2015-07-27)
- **Platforms**: Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Raspberry Pi
- **Initial Release**: Version 1.0 on 2015-08-04
- **Latest Stable Version**: 1.8.1 (as of 2025-11-13)
- **Author**: wb2osz (GitHub username)
- **Instance Of**: Free software, Packet radio, Digipeater
- **Operating Systems**: Microsoft Windows (inception: 1985-11-20), macOS (inception: 2001-03-24)
- **Website**: [packet-radio.net/direwolf](https://packet-radio.net/direwolf/)
- **Source Code**: Hosted on GitHub at [github.com/wb2osz/direwolf](https://github.com/wb2osz/direwolf)

## FAQs
### Q: What is Dire Wolf used for?
A: Dire Wolf is primarily used for packet radio and digipeater applications, allowing users to transmit and receive data over radio frequencies.

### Q: Is Dire Wolf free to use?
A: Yes, Dire Wolf is free and open-source software, licensed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0.

### Q: Which operating systems does Dire Wolf support?
A: Dire Wolf supports Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Raspberry Pi.

### Q: Who developed Dire Wolf?
A: Dire Wolf was developed by wb2osz, as indicated by the GitHub repository.

### Q: Where can I download Dire Wolf?
A: The source code and releases can be downloaded from the official GitHub repository at [github.com/wb2osz/direwolf](https://github.com/wb2osz/direwolf).

## Why It Matters
Dire Wolf plays a crucial role in the amateur radio community by providing a free and open-source solution for packet radio and digipeater operations. Its availability under the GNU General Public License ensures that users can freely run, study, modify, and distribute the software. This makes it accessible to a wide range of users, from hobbyists to professionals, who rely on reliable communication tools. By supporting multiple platforms, Dire Wolf ensures broad compatibility, allowing users to integrate it into various setups. Its continuous development and updates reflect its importance in maintaining effective communication in the radio community.

## Notable For
- **Open-Source Development**: Dire Wolf is developed and maintained as open-source software, allowing for community contributions and continuous improvement.
- **Cross-Platform Support**: It supports multiple operating systems, including Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Raspberry Pi, making it versatile for different user needs.
- **Packet Radio Focus**: Specialized in packet radio and digipeater applications, Dire Wolf is tailored for data transmission and reception over radio frequencies.
- **Active Maintenance**: Regular updates and releases, including the latest stable version 1.8.1, demonstrate ongoing support and development.
- **Community-Driven**: Hosted on GitHub, Dire Wolf benefits from community contributions and collaborative development.

## Body
### Overview
Dire Wolf is a free and open-source software "soundcard" designed for packet radio and digipeater applications. It is licensed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0, and is developed by wb2osz. The software is available for multiple platforms, including Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Raspberry Pi.

### Development and Releases
- **Initial Release**: Version 1.0 was released on 2015-08-04.
- **Latest Stable Version**: Version 1.8.1, released on 2025-11-13.
- **Development History**: Dire Wolf has seen multiple releases, with versions 1.1 through 1.7 released between 2015 and 2023, and version 1.8 planned for 2025.

### Technical Specifications
- **Platforms**: Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Raspberry Pi.
- **Operating Systems**: Microsoft Windows (inception: 1985-11-20), macOS (inception: 2001-03-24).
- **Programming Language**: C (as indicated by the source code repository).

### Availability
- **Website**: [packet-radio.net/direwolf](https://packet-radio.net/direwolf/)
- **Source Code**: Hosted on GitHub at [github.com/wb2osz/direwolf](https://github.com/wb2osz/direwolf).

### Usage
- **Primary Use**: Packet radio and digipeater applications.
- **License**: GNU General Public License, version 2.0.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "SoftwareApplication",
  "name": "Dire Wolf",
  "description": "Free and open-source software soundcard for packet radio and digipeater applications",
  "url": "https://packet-radio.net/direwolf/",
  "operatingSystem": ["Linux", "Microsoft Windows", "macOS", "Raspberry Pi"],
  "license": "GNU General Public License, version 2.0",
  "applicationCategory": ["Packet Radio", "Digipeater"],
  "sameAs": ["https://github.com/wb2osz/direwolf"]
}

## References

1. [2015](https://github.com/wb2osz/direwolf/blob/8978f2de6c3aed3847678e20377f26f4c724cd38/LICENSE-dire-wolf.txt)
2. [Release 1.0. 2015](https://github.com/wb2osz/direwolf/releases/tag/1.0)
3. [Release 1.1. 2015](https://github.com/wb2osz/direwolf/releases/tag/1.1)
4. [Release 1.2. 2015](https://github.com/wb2osz/direwolf/releases/tag/1.2)
5. [Release 1.3. 2016](https://github.com/wb2osz/direwolf/releases/tag/1.3)
6. [Release 1.4. 2017](https://github.com/wb2osz/direwolf/releases/tag/1.4)
7. [Release 1.5. 2018](https://github.com/wb2osz/direwolf/releases/tag/1.5)
8. [Release 1.6. 2020](https://github.com/wb2osz/direwolf/releases/tag/1.6)
9. [Release 1.7. 2023](https://github.com/wb2osz/direwolf/releases/tag/1.7)
10. [Release 1.8. 2025](https://github.com/wb2osz/direwolf/releases/tag/1.8)
11. [Release 1.8.1. 2025](https://github.com/wb2osz/direwolf/releases/tag/1.8.1)
12. [2015](https://github.com/wb2osz/direwolf/commit/8978f2de6c3aed3847678e20377f26f4c724cd38)
13. [Source](https://github.com/wb2osz)