A method for securely connecting a software defined radio (SDR) (110) to a server (140) through a network is presented. A request to download a radio configuration (R-CFG) file is sent from the SDR device to the server. A determination is made that the R-CFG file is configured to control a plurality of radio frequency parameters for the SDR device solely within levels permitted by a regulatory agency. The R-CFG is then downloaded to the SDR device.