SVXLink Docker Setup

SvxLink is an open-source software suite designed for the amateur radio (ham radio) community.
Originally started in 2003 as an EchoLink application for Linux, SvxLink has evolved into a powerful and flexible system supporting:

• FM repeaters
• Remote transceivers
• Reflectors
• Voice services and logic scripting

This repository provides a Docker-based setup to simplify building, configuring, and running SvxLink in a clean, reproducible environment.

✅ Compatible with Debian Trixie
✅ Supports GPIOD-based GPIO management

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Features

• Easy deployment using Docker and Docker Compose
• Run SvxLink, RemoteTrx, and/or SvxReflector from a single image
• Flexible configuration using volumes
• Environment variables to control startup behavior
• Ideal for Raspberry Pi, mini PCs, or servers

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Prerequisites

• Linux host (Debian recommended)
• Docker
• Docker Compose (v2)

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Install Docker

If Docker is not already installed on your system, install it using the official script:

curl -fsSL get.docker.com -o get-docker.sh
sudo sh get-docker.sh

Verify installation:

docker --version
docker compose version

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Build and Run SvxLink

Clone the Repository

git clone https://github.com/f4hlv/svxlink-docker.git
cd svxlink-docker

Configure and Start

Edit docker-compose.yml to match your needs, then start the container:

Retrieve Original SvxLink Files

If you want to extract the original SvxLink configuration and data files from the container:

mkdir -p config/etc config/usr/share

docker compose cp svxlink:/etc/svxlink config/etc/
docker compose cp svxlink:/usr/share/svxlink config/usr/share/

This is useful as a starting point for customization.

docker compose up -d

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View SvxLink Logs

Display the last 500 log lines and follow output in real time:

docker compose logs -f --tail=500

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Update the SvxLink Image

To rebuild the image from scratch and restart the container:

docker compose build --no-cache
docker compose up -d

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Configuration Volumes

SvxLink configuration is managed using Docker volumes.

Import Your Own Configuration

Edit or add files inside the /config directory.
You may override only the files you need or mount full directories.

Mount a Single Configuration File

Example for svxlink.conf:

./svxlink.conf:/etc/svxlink/svxlink.conf

Mount Full Directories

./config/etc/svxlink:/etc/svxlink
./config/usr/share/svxlink:/usr/share/svxlink

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Environment Variables

Environment variables allow you to choose which services start and which configuration files are used.

Enable Services at Startup

Set the value to 1 to enable, 0 to disable:

START_SVXLINK=1
START_REMOTETRX=0
START_SVXREFLECTOR=0

Select Configuration Files

SVXLINK_CONF=/etc/svxlink/svxlink.conf
REMOTETRX_CONF=/etc/svxlink/remotetrx.conf
SVXREFLECTOR_CONF=/etc/svxlink/svxreflector.conf

Log file

Example for svxlink

SVXLINK_ARGS=--logfile=/var/log/svxlink/svxlink.log

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Notes

• Make sure your audio devices and GPIO access are properly configured on the host
• Running on Raspberry Pi may require additional permissions (--device, --privileged, or udev rules)
• This setup is intended for experienced amateur radio operators

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License

SvxLink is licensed under the GPL.
This Docker setup follows the same spirit of openness and reuse.

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Author

Docker setup maintained by F4HLV
Contributions and pull requests are welcome 🚀