OERadio MCP Server – Amateur radio tools for AI assistants

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Today we are starting an exciting new project: The OERadio MCP Server! This allows AI assistants such as Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini to directly access our amateur radio computers – without you having to enter formulas or open websites yourself.

What is an MCP server?

MCP stands for Model Context Protocol – an open standard that allows AI assistants to use external tools. Imagine: You’re chatting with an AI assistant and asking “What are the band limits of the 20m band?” or “How long does my dipole have to be for 14.2 MHz?” – and the assistant calculates this for you immediately.

MCP was originally developed by Anthropic (the makers of Claude), but is now an open standard under the Linux Foundation. In 2025, OpenAI and Google also introduced MCP support.

Why is this useful?

Many radio amateurs now use AI assistants for various tasks. With the OERadio MCP Server, these assistants can now:

  • Query band plans – Which modes are allowed on which frequency?
  • Calculate antenna lengths – dipole, vertical, 5/8 lambda for each frequency
  • Determine cable attenuation – RG58, Ecoflex, LMR400 at any frequency and length
  • Calculate EIRP – For safety distances according to OENORM
  • Determine SWR losses – How much power is lost with SWR 2.5?
  • Plan battery life – How long will my 12Ah LiFePO4 last for SOTA?
  • Convert power – Watt, dBm, dBW back and forth

Practical examples

Here are some examples of what you can ask the AI assistant:

“Calculate the antenna length for a dipole at 7.1 MHz”

Answer: Wavelength 42.2m, total dipole 20.1m, each arm 10.05m

“I have 100W transmit power, 2.5dB cable loss and a 3-element Yagi with 7dBi. How much EIRP is that?”

Answer: EIRP = 281.84 watts (24.5 dBW)

“Compare all coaxial cables for 20m length at 144 MHz”

Answer: Ecoflex15 = 1.16dB, LMR600 = 0.98dB, RG58 = 7.2dB … Recommendation: LMR600

Available tools

The MCP Server offers 11 tools:

ToolDescription
get_band_planQuery IARU Region 1 band plan
list_all_bandsAll bands list
check_frequencyCheck frequency – allowed or not?
calculate_eirpEIRP/ERP for safety distances
calculate_cable_lossCable attenuation calculate
compare_cablesCompare all cable types
calculate_battery_runtimeBattery runtime for portable operation
get_antenna_gainAntenna gain look up
calculate_wavelengthwavelength and antenna lengths
calculate_swr_losslosses due to SWR
convert_powerWatt, dBm, dBW convert

Which AI assistants are supported?

MCP is now an open standard that is supported by the three major AI providers:

ProductMCPNote
Claude DesktopYesFull Support
Claude Code (CLI)YesFull Support
ChatGPT DesktopYesDeveloper Mode required (Pro/Plus/Team/Enterprise)
Gemini CLIYesSince December 2025
claude.ai (Web)NoDesktop app only
chatgpt.com (Web)NoDesktop app only

How to use the MCP server

Claude Desktop

Open the configuration file:

  • Windows: %APPDATA%Claudeclaude_desktop_config.json
  • Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
  • Linux: ~/.config/claude/claude_desktop_config.json

Add this configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "oeradio": {
      "type": "streamable-http",
      "url": "https://oeradio-mcp.oeradio.at/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Restart Claude Desktop – done!

ChatGPT (with developer mode)

Requirements: ChatGPT Pro, Plus, Team or Enterprise account.

  1. Go to Settings – Connectors – Advanced
  2. Activate Developer Mode
  3. Click on Create and enter: Name: OERadio, URL: https://oeradio-mcp.oeradio.at/mcp
  4. In chat: Click on + – More – Developer mode and select OERadio

Gemini CLI

Add the server with this command:

gemini mcp add --transport http oeradio https://oeradio-mcp.oeradio.at/mcp

No MCP client? No problem!

If you don’t use an MCP-capable assistant, the same calculations are also available as web apps:

Technology behind it

The server was developed in TypeScript with Node.js and runs as a Docker container. He is:

  • Publicly accessible – no registration required
  • Read-only – only calculations, no data saved
  • Open Source – Code available on GitHub
  • In the MCP Registry – officially listed

Links


73 de OE8YML – Questions and feedback are welcome via email or on the QRG!

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