A system and method for configuring a software defined radio is disclosed. In an embodiment, a smart card and smart card reader are used to access layered information pre-programmed into a software defined radio. The smartcard reader extracts configuration information from the smart card and the configuration information is used to configure the software defined radio. The configuration may include, communication protocols, modulation/demodulation techniques, digital processing protocols, coding/decoding techniques, security authorization; operational protocols, and other information. Individual users may be given different levels of access depending on, among other things, the user's service requirements, mission requirements, security clearance, and/or authorization level. The disclosed systems and methods significantly reduce the amount of time and training required for personnel to establish communications using a software defined radio.