Install on Windows
Tested on Windows 10 22H2 and Windows 11.
1. Install Python 3.12​
Grab the official installer: https://www.python.org/downloads/windows/. Check "Add Python to PATH" during setup.
Verify:
python --version
# Python 3.12.x
2. Install Git + Git LFS​
https://git-scm.com/download/win and https://git-lfs.github.com/.
3. Install VB-Cable (virtual audio cable)​
- Download VB-Cable from https://vb-audio.com/Cable/.
- Run as administrator. Reboot after install (required).
- You will now see CABLE Input / Output devices in the Sound panel.
For multi-application routing, VB-Audio Voicemeeter is recommended but optional.
4. (Optional) GNU Radio​
The official GNU Radio Windows installer (3.10.x) is the simplest route. Make sure to add GR's Python to your PATH if you want to run flowgraphs from the same shell as RFWhisper.
5. RFWhisper itself​
git clone https://github.com/jakenherman/rfwhisper.git
cd rfwhisper
python -m venv .venv
.\.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
pip install -U pip wheel
pip install -e ".[audio]"
python -m rfwhisper.models.fetch
rfwhisper doctor
6. DirectML acceleration (recommended)​
Most modern Windows machines have a GPU that DirectML can use. Install the DirectML-enabled ONNX Runtime:
pip install onnxruntime-directml
Then:
rfwhisper info providers
# DmlExecutionProvider (preferred)
# CPUExecutionProvider (fallback)
For NVIDIA GPUs with CUDA already installed:
pip install onnxruntime-gpu
7. Routing audio​
| From | To | How |
|---|---|---|
| Rig USB CODEC (IC-7300, etc.) | RFWhisper input | Choose USB Audio CODEC in rfwhisper audio list |
| RFWhisper output | WSJT-X / fldigi input | Choose CABLE Input as RFWhisper output, CABLE Output as WSJT-X input |
| Also hear it yourself | Speakers | In Sound Settings, enable Listen to this device on CABLE Output, forward to Speakers |
8. Realtime / MMCSS​
RFWhisper automatically requests the "Pro Audio" MMCSS characteristic on the audio thread on Windows. No action needed.
Troubleshooting​
error: Microsoft Visual C++ 14.0 or greater is required— install Visual Studio Build Tools with the "Desktop development with C++" workload.ImportError: DLL load failed while importing onnxruntime_pybind11_state— install Visual C++ Redistributable.- VB-Cable audio crackling — set VB-Cable's internal rate to 48000 Hz in its control panel.
- PowerShell script-execution policy blocks
Activate.ps1—Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser RemoteSigned.