diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index 77ccf2c2b..23e9b44eb 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ Version 5.x -- future
 
 Version 4.6
         * 2023-11-XX -- Planned for Nov 2023
+        * Add client_version to rigctld so client can report it's version for future use/compatility/alternatives
         * Add --set-conf=tuner_control_pathname=hamlib_tuner_control (default)
           If file exists then it will be called with 0/1 (Off/On) argument
           with 'U TUNER 0' or 'U TUNER 1"
@@ -23,11 +24,13 @@ Version 4.6
         * Fix FTDX3000 rig split
 
 Version 4.5.2
+        * 2022-12-23
+        * Fix PowerSDR ability to do commands while powered off
+        * Fix TX-500 operations
         * Fix FTDX5000 to return to MIC input on closing
         * Fix rig.c calling rig_get_mode when backend does not have get_mode
         * Fix kenwood_ts890_get_level
         * Add Prosistel D elevation CBOX az to fix problem with azimuth control
-        * 2022-12-XX -- Planned for Dec 2022
         * Fix FT736R gpredict usage by adding cached get_freq
         * Fix get_powerstat problem with Log4OM/Flex and others
         * Fix -R option to not need argument
diff --git a/doc/man1/rigctl.1 b/doc/man1/rigctl.1
index 33e75464f..d68fae783 100644
--- a/doc/man1/rigctl.1
+++ b/doc/man1/rigctl.1
@@ -1321,6 +1321,11 @@ Examples:
   send_raw -1 0xFE;0xFE;0x94;0x03;0xFD
   send_raw 14 0xFE;0xFE;0x94;0x03;0xFD
 .
+.TP
+.BR client_version " \(aq" \fIString\fP "\(aq
+.EX
+  Client can send it's version to rigctld and get feedback on compatibility, deprecation, and alternatives
+.
 .SH READLINE
 .
 If
diff --git a/include/hamlib/rig.h b/include/hamlib/rig.h
index d93e7986f..eb3d9a0e9 100644
--- a/include/hamlib/rig.h
+++ b/include/hamlib/rig.h
@@ -2589,6 +2589,7 @@ struct rig_state {
     int lock_mode; /*<! flag that prevents mode changes if ~= 0 -- see set/get_lock_mode */
     powerstat_t powerstat; /*<! power status */
     char *tuner_control_pathname;  /*<! Path to external tuner control program that get 0/1 (Off/On) argument */
+    char client_version[32];  /*<! Allow client to report version for compatility checks/capability */
 };
 
 //! @cond Doxygen_Suppress
diff --git a/tests/rigctl_parse.c b/tests/rigctl_parse.c
index 1b356aaca..c1aeb8388 100644
--- a/tests/rigctl_parse.c
+++ b/tests/rigctl_parse.c
@@ -259,6 +259,7 @@ declare_proto_rig(get_separator);
 declare_proto_rig(set_lock_mode);
 declare_proto_rig(get_lock_mode);
 declare_proto_rig(send_raw);
+declare_proto_rig(client_version);
 
 
 /*
@@ -372,6 +373,7 @@ static struct test_table test_list[] =
     { 0xa2, "set_lock_mode",     ACTION(set_lock_mode), ARG_IN | ARG_NOVFO, "Locked" },
     { 0xa3, "get_lock_mode",     ACTION(get_lock_mode), ARG_NOVFO, "Locked" },
     { 0xa4, "send_raw",          ACTION(send_raw), ARG_NOVFO | ARG_IN1 | ARG_IN2 | ARG_OUT3, "Terminator", "Command", "Send raw answer" },
+    { 0xa5, "client_version",    ACTION(client_version), ARG_NOVFO | ARG_IN1, "Version", "Client version" },
     { 0x00, "", NULL },
 };
 
@@ -674,6 +676,7 @@ int rigctl_parse(RIG *my_rig, FILE *fin, FILE *fout, char *argv[], int argc,
     char arg2[MAXARGSZ + 1], *p2 = NULL;
     char arg3[MAXARGSZ + 1], *p3 = NULL;
     vfo_t vfo = RIG_VFO_CURR;
+    char client_version[32];
 
     rig_debug(RIG_DEBUG_TRACE, "%s: called, interactive=%d\n", __func__,
               interactive);
@@ -1753,7 +1756,9 @@ readline_repeat:
                 && cmd_entry->cmd != 0x8f // dump_state
                 && cmd_entry->cmd != 0xf0 // chk_vfo
                 && cmd_entry->cmd != 0x87 // set_powerstat
-                && my_rig->caps->rig_model != RIG_MODEL_POWERSDR) // some rigs can do stuff when powered off
+                && cmd_entry->cmd != 0xa5 // client_version
+                && my_rig->caps->rig_model !=
+                RIG_MODEL_POWERSDR) // some rigs can do stuff when powered off
         {
             rig_debug(RIG_DEBUG_WARN,
                       "%s: command %s not allowed when rig is powered off\n", __func__,
@@ -1778,6 +1783,10 @@ readline_repeat:
                                                 p2 ? p2 : "",
                                                 p3 ? p3 : "");
         }
+
+        // we need to copy client_version to our thread in case there are multiple client versions
+        // client_version is used to determine any backward compatiblity requirements or problems
+        strncpy(client_version, my_rig->state.client_version, sizeof(client_version));
     }
 
 
@@ -1855,6 +1864,20 @@ void version()
     printf("%s\n", hamlib_copyright);
 }
 
+declare_proto_rig(client_version)
+{
+    if ((interactive && prompt) || (interactive && !prompt && ext_resp))
+    {
+        fprintf(fout, "%s: ", cmd->arg1);
+    }
+
+    fprintf(fout, "%s%c", arg1, resp_sep);
+    strncpy(rig->state.client_version, arg1, sizeof(rig->state.client_version) - 1);
+    rig_debug(RIG_DEBUG_VERBOSE, "%s: client_version=%s\n", __func__,
+              rig->state.client_version);
+    return RIG_OK;
+}
+
 
 void usage_rig(FILE *fout)
 {