# darthvader — downloads

Prebuilt packages for **darthvader**, the native desktop client for digital
voice (M17 / DMR / YSF / NXDN / D-STAR / P25, EchoLink, AllStar, SvxLink, APRS,
POCSAG) with DV3000 USB AMBE+2 support.

This repository contains **binaries only** — no source. Source lives in a
separate private repository; the published sources of the GPL components ship
with each package.

© 2025–2026 bjorne, SA7AUX — GNU General Public License v2 or later.

## Windows

Download from the [latest release](../../releases/latest):

| File | For |
|---|---|
| `darthvader-<version>-win64.msi` | Normal install — Start menu + desktop shortcut, uninstall entry |
| `darthvader-<version>-win64.zip` | No installer: unpack anywhere and run `bin\darthvader.exe` |

Windows 10/11 64-bit. Everything is bundled (Qt, codecs, LADSPA plugins);
nothing else needs installing.

Silent install:

```cmd
msiexec /i darthvader-<version>-win64.msi /qn
```

### Antivirus warnings

The packages are **not code-signed**, so SmartScreen warns on first run
(*More info* → *Run anyway*), and a few engines flag them on reputation alone
— Microsoft Defender on a real machine does not. Verify the SHA-256 against
`SHA256SUMS` in the release; that is what the checksums are there for.

DV3000 / ThumbDV / DVstick sticks appear as COM ports through the FTDI VCP
driver and are detected automatically. If audio stutters, lower the port's
*Latency Timer* to 1–2 ms in Device Manager → Port Settings → Advanced.

## Debian / Raspberry Pi OS

`.deb` packages in [`debs/`](debs/) — bookworm and trixie, `amd64` and `arm64`
(Pi Zero 2 W and newer):

```sh
sudo apt install ./darthvader_<version>_<arch>.deb
```

## Verifying downloads

Each release lists SHA-256 sums in `SHA256SUMS`:

```sh
sha256sum -c SHA256SUMS
```

## Support

Bug reports and questions: SA7AUX. Runs on Debian 12/13, Ubuntu 22.04+, Linux
Mint, Raspberry Pi OS (arm64) and Windows 10/11.