diff --git a/simgear/io/socktest.cxx b/simgear/io/socktest.cxx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..76ce67e5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/simgear/io/socktest.cxx
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+#include <unistd.h>
+
+#include "sg_socket.hxx"
+
+int main() {
+
+    SGSocket s( "", "5500", "tcp" );
+
+    if ( !s.open( SG_IO_BI ) ) {
+	cout << "error can't open socket\n";
+    }
+
+    char buf[256];
+
+    while ( true ) {
+	if ( s.readline( buf, 256 ) > 0 ) {
+	    cout << "result = " << buf;
+	}
+	sleep(1);
+    }
+}