K3iNetwork vs ControlDeck
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
K3iNetwork
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K3iNetwork provides remote control of the Elecraft K3, K3S, KX3 or KX2 radios via a WiFi network and PC or Mac connected to the radio serial port. The user can control many functions of the K3, K3S, KX3 or KX2 radio using their iPhone. CW, RTTY and PSK31 QSOs are possible. The user can watch text from the radio VFO B window stream to their iPhone in the Terminal window, and send CW, RTTY, or PSK, as appropriate, in response. K3iNetwork has windows patterned after the Command Tester and Terminal windows of the Elecraft K3 Utility program. It provides similar functionality, and it can all be accomplished remotely using the iPhone. Once the user establishes communication with the K3, K3S, KX3 or KX2 via a WiFi network the iPhone is used to control the radio.
ControlDeck
This app provides a touch-first control surface for specific radio transceivers, allowing users to customize button grids, tune frequencies, and run multi-step macros from their mobile devices. It offers an alternative to hardware solutions for programmable hot-key control.
- 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
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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.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: K3iNetwork at $3.99 against ControlDeck's $19.99. ControlDeck's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 7 months). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
K3iNetwork costs $3.99 and ControlDeck $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
K3iNetwork ships an update every 7 months, ControlDeck every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on September 12, 2026 and September 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | K3iNetwork | ControlDeck |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 — better | $19.99 |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 2 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | Every 6 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | — | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.2 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 23 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mike Downs, ks7d | THOMAS ALLEN BOWLES |
In-app purchases
K3iNetwork
No in-app purchases
ControlDeck
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is K3iNetwork free?
Is ControlDeck free?
Do K3iNetwork or ControlDeck have ads?
Which is updated more often, K3iNetwork or ControlDeck?
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