# ControlDeck - SDR Hot Keys — Touch Macros & Slice Control > Touch control surface for FlexRadio transceivers, offering macros and VFO tuning. (iPhone/iPad app by THOMAS ALLEN BOWLES.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/controldeck-sdr-hot-keys/id6762167078 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [THOMAS ALLEN BOWLES](https://appshunter.io/developer/1878443968) - Category: Utilities, Entertainment - Price: $19.99 - Rating: 5.00/5 from 2 App Store ratings · 2 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 17.0 · 3 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2026-05-20 - Data updated: 2026-07-30 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/controldeck-sdr-hot-keys/id6762167078/reviews.md ## What is ControlDeck? Why ControlDeck? ControlDeck is a touch-first control surface for FLEX-6000, FLEX-8000 and Flex Aurora radios. Customize a button grid, drag to tune the VFO, key the transmitter, and run multi-step macros from your iPhone or iPad. It's a different approach to the same problem a Stream Deck solves — programmable hot-key control of your radio — without dedicated hardware, host-computer software, or per-station configuration. The app connects directly to the radio over the network, at the desk or via SmartLink. Key Features • Macros: chain 50+ built-in actions into multi-step sequences • Rearrangeable button grid — long-press to edit, drag to reorder, search to find any control • Show or hide individual controls to match your operating style • Drag-to-tune VFO with five step sizes and haptic feedback • Direct frequency-entry keypad with per-model tuning limits — type a frequency and go • Editable per-mode filter presets — dial in your preferred bandwidth once, recall it with a tap • In-use filter fine-tune: enter exact width, set low/high cut, drag the passband, or save a new preset • Filter width stepper with a raw-Hz readout and accelerating hold-to-repeat • Audio and DSP controls: volume, pan, NB, NR, AGC, APF/ANF, RF Gain, Squelch — all drag-adjustable • Multi-slice support with slice selector and +SLICE creation • SmartLink remote access using your existing SmartLink account • Global Profile hotkeys • Monitor/Sidetone hotkey with drag to adjust volume • MOX and PTT transmit keying with slide-to-lock — momentary or latched, interlock-aware • TX control: power, ATU, TUNE with safety timeout, CW speed, mic gain • RIT/XIT offset tuning • Bands 160M through 6M; modes LSB, USB, AM, CW, DIGL, DIGU, SAM, FM, NFM, DFM, RTTY • Memories — save, recall, and manage your radio's memories • Works alongside SmartSDR (or any other SDR software) or Maestro on the radio • Responsive layout for iPhone and iPad, portrait and landscape — with a master-detail Settings layout on iPad • Optional Keep Screen Awake mode for long operating sessions • Built-in Demo Mode to explore the interface without hardware How It Works 1. Open ControlDeck — radios on your local network appear automatically 2. Tap a radio to connect, or sign in to SmartLink for remote access 3. Customize: hide what you don't use, reorder the rest, build macros for routine operations Requirements • A FLEX-6000 series transceiver (FLEX-6300, 6400, 6400M, 6500, 6600, 6600M, 6700), FLEX-8000 series transceiver (FLEX-8400, 8400M, 8600, 8600M), or Flex Aurora series transceiver (AU-510, AU-510M, AU-520, AU-520M) • SmartSDR, Maestro, or any other SDR Software running as the GUI client • iOS 17.0 or later • iPhone or iPad • Local network access (for local discovery) or a SmartLink account (for remote operation) — ControlDeck is an independent, third-party companion app and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by FlexRadio Systems, Inc. "FlexRadio," "FLEX-6000," "FLEX-8000," "SmartSDR," "SmartLink," "Maestro" and "Aurora" are trademarks of FlexRadio Systems, Inc., used here solely to indicate hardware compatibility. ## Key features - Customizable button grid - Drag-to-tune VFO - Multi-step macro creation - Direct frequency entry - Editable per-mode filter presets - Audio and DSP controls - SmartLink remote access ## Recent user reviews (2 of 2) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/controldeck-sdr-hot-keys/id6762167078/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Ease of Use *2026-06-14* Just a great little app For on the go and when in the shack Love the ability to have my iPad at the guest radio In multi Op contests with simple one button selection of common items and all other controls hidden ### 5/5 — Fantastic Addition *2026-05-20* Love being able to use my iOS devices both iPhone and iPad to quickly Hot key my Flex. An creating MACRO’s is so cool. Making this a must have tool for quick mode changes. ## Frequently asked questions about ControlDeck ### What radios does ControlDeck support? ControlDeck is designed for FLEX-6000 series, FLEX-8000 series, and Flex Aurora series transceivers. It requires compatible hardware to function. ### How does ControlDeck connect to my radio? The app connects directly to your radio over the network, either locally or remotely via a SmartLink account. It does not require host-computer software. ### Can I customize the controls in ControlDeck? Yes, you can rearrange the button grid, hide unused controls, and reorder them to match your operating style. You can also build macros for routine operations. ### Does ControlDeck have ads? No, ControlDeck does not contain advertisements. It is a paid application. ### What is the price of ControlDeck? ControlDeck is available for a one-time purchase of $19.99. ### What iOS version is required for ControlDeck? You will need iOS 17.0 or later to run ControlDeck on your iPhone or iPad. ### Can I try ControlDeck before buying? ControlDeck includes a built-in Demo Mode that allows you to explore the interface and its features without needing hardware. ### How often is ControlDeck updated? The latest version, 1.3.1, was released on June 16, 2026, indicating active development and updates. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.4 — 2026-07-26 • Save, recall, and manage your radio's memories right from ControlDeck — with a full editor for offset, tone, and repeater settings, and one-tap "Save Current" to capture what you're listening to now. • Recall from the button grid with a searchable picker, or pin the memories you use most as their own one-tap buttons. • Recall a memory from a macro, so one button retunes everything. • New RF Gain control that adapts to what your radio supports and follows the antenna you're on. • New squelch control — SQL on/off and level, right on the grid. • Control-grid text is now properly sized for iPad, and the grid packs in tighter with more room for labels. ### 1.3.1 — 2026-06-16 This update sharpens transverter operation and tightens the all-buttons layout. • Tuning with the VFO or frequency keypad now reaches the full transverter range instead of snapping back to 54 MHz. • Typing in a frequency that crosses a transverter boundary keeps the correct band button highlighted. • The frequency keypad now accepts any band your radio can reach, not just the transverter you're currently on. • With every button shown, the control grid sizes itself correctly on the screen. ### 1.3 — 2026-06-11 • Tap the left or right side of the VFO bar to step frequency, with a clearer tuning scale • DAX channel hot keys • Transverter band support • “Hide all buttons” option in the buttons settings • New Support & About sections in Settings • Macros: drive any control, added a search bar for the action list, and made button icons optional ### 1.2 — 2026-06-06 • New MOX and PTT buttons with an interlock-aware TX cluster (MOX/PTT/TUNE/ATU) and PTT slide-to-lock. • Editable per-mode filter presets, plus an in-use fine-tune sheet — width entry, low/high cut, and save-as-preset. • Direct frequency-entry keypad with per-model tuning limits. • Redesigned master-detail iPad Settings with a sidebar and in-place editors. • Filter width stepper with a raw-Hz readout and accelerating hold-to-repeat. • Reliability: storage hardening, correct RF power on first connect, and connection/disconnect fixes. ### 1.1 — 2026-06-01 • NEW Global Profile hot keys • NEW MONITOR/SIDETONE hotkey with drag to adjust volume. • Slider buttons now show a slim slider track so you can see what's adjustable before you drag. • Phone and tablet ship with thoughtful default button layouts — drag and drop to rearrange. • In landscape, buttons show their label and value inline to make better use of realestate • Optional consolidated filter picker — one button per antenna, with RX/TX split. • VFO tuning snaps to step boundaries with a sharper detent haptic. • PAN control stays highlighted when centered. • Selected filter detected correctly on first connect. • Profile cells drag-reorder individually instead of as a cluster. Questions or feedback? https://controldeckapp.com --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-30.*