hamclock-next Files

Release Date: March 13, 2026 Version: v1.0.0 Codename: "Heritage"

Overview

We, K4DRW, Gemini Cli, Claude Code and Antigravity 3 Flash, are proud to announce the v1.0.0 Stable Release of HamClock-Next.

HamClock-Next is a modern, high-performance SDL2/C++20 reconstruction of the legendary HamClock by Elwood Downey (WB0OEW). This project was born from a commitment to preserve Elwood's vision while empowering it with modern hardware, responsive design, and cross-platform flexibility.

Key Features in v1.0

1. Modern Architecture & UI Standardization

• SDL2 Core: Moving away from fixed-resolution framebuffer drivers to a fluid, hardware-accelerated rendering engine.
• Unified Theme System: 100% migration to ThemeColors tokens across all 45 widgets, ensuring perfect consistency across 7 standard themes (Default, Dark, Glass, and 4 new high-contrast variants).
• Responsive Layout: Pixel-perfect scaling from 7-inch Raspberry Pi displays to 4K monitors and high-DPI laptops.
• Anti-Aliased Graphics: Crisp typography and smooth map overlays using super-sampled rendering via line_aa textures.

2. Global Map & Projections

• Enhanced Overlays: High-fidelity layered cloud system (GFS GRIB2) at 1440x721 resolution and anti-aliased country borders.
• Seamless Date Line Overlays: "Seam Stitching" logic ensures propagation, weather, and aurora maps wrap perfectly across the -180/180 Date Line in all projections.
• Dual-Hemisphere Azimuthal Map: A classic side-by-side projection visualizing the entire globe, centered on your DE and its antipode.

3. Integrated Tactical Tools

• Internal Propagation Engine: Native C++ VOACAP-style modeling for MUF, Reliability, and TOA overlays—no external backend required.
• Asteroid Tracker: Real-time close-approach tracking with projected ground tracks and JPL Small-Body Database integration.
• Greyline DX Hunter: Real-time identification of DXCC entities entering the greyline window with time-to-peak countdowns.
• Aux Clock Timezone Cycling: Click-to-cycle through 8 preset timezones with full persistent configuration.

4. Remote Management & Connectivity

• Full REST API: 79 semantic endpoints for total remote automation, including new surgical map and rotation controls.
• Interactive Live Web UI: A real-time MJPEG mirror of the dashboard with remote input support and a tabbed configuration interface.
• Radio & Rotator Control: Seamless Hamlib integration for automatic tuning and antenna tracking.

Stability & Hardening

• Async Safety: Refactored service providers to use weak-pointer callbacks, eliminating race conditions during config reloads.
• Network Efficiency: Implemented HTTP ETag/304 support and network request deduplication.
• Raspberry Pi Optimization: Automatic low-memory mode for 1GB devices, featuring adaptive mesh density and texture cache capping.
• Security: SQL injection protection via prepared statements and private-network gating for the embedded web server.

In Memoriam

This project is dedicated to the memory of Elwood Downey (WB0OEW), who became a Silent Key on January 29, 2026. His original HamClock changed the way we look at our shacks, and his math remains the heartbeat of this reconstruction.

73 de K4DRW