While ham radio may be an older tech, amateur radio enthusiasts have really leaned into how modern technology can benefit their hobby. There are dozens and dozens of ham radio apps on both Google Play and iOS stores. Download a few of these and an already exciting hobby gets better.
We have a ton of ham radio apps on our phones. We use many of them each time we want to dabble in the world of amateur radio (which is pretty much every day). Here are some of our favorites.
HamStudy.org
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hamstudy-org/id1371288324
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.hamstudy.mobile
If you already have an amateur radio license, then you can give this one a skip. If you are studying for an amateur radio license, then HamStudy.org offers the best app in the business. It is packed full of useful information that will teach you more about how to use your ham radio. You can also take all sorts of practice tests. We are positive that you will pass your exam with flying colors if you use HamStudy.org!
EchoLink
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/echolink/id350688562
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.echolink.android;hl=en
EchoLink is one of the coolest apps on this list, and it seems to be getting cooler by the day.
EchoLink is essentially a network of repeaters and EchoLink members. When you have an account with EchoLink, you can communicate with anybody signed in. It doesn’t matter where they are in the world. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of potential people to chat with each time.
The cool part is that the people you talk with don’t have to be using EchoLink. You can connect to repeaters, and those repeaters will often reach other ham radio operators. It is a great app to check out if ham radio opportunities seem to be lacking in your local area.
Do bear in mind that EchoLink works with your phone only. You can’t use it with your ham radio setup. You will be doing all your communication through your mobile device. Still, it is great if you fancy ham radio communication ‘on the go’. We have even seen people use EchoLink to check in back home when they head out on vacation.
HamGPS or HamSquare
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ham-square/id400450610
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ea4eoz.HamGPS
If you communicate regularly on ham radio, you will have probably been asked countless times to share your Maidenhead location. Experienced ham radio operators may already know what theirs is, but how do you work out if you are new to the hobby? Well, you do what every sensible would do and download an app!
If you have iOS, then you will want to use HamSquare. It is a simple app that will show your Maidenhead location and nothing else.
If you have Android, then get HamGPS from the Google Play store. While the core functionality is still displaying your Maidenhead location, it has a few other features too. This includes GPS satellite tracking and temperature/barometer tracking. Although, for the latter two, you will need some special sensors.
Repeater Book
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zbm2.repeaterbook
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/repeaterbook/id606820166
Repeaters are key to the modern ham radio hobby. If you aren’t connecting to repeaters, then you will have a limited number of people to talk to. In the past, if you wanted a list of repeaters, you would need to buy an expensive, and pretty heavy, book. Even then, the listings would probably be out of date in a few months.
The Repeater Book app is a list of public repeaters. You have their exact information, and details on how to connect them. There are repeaters listed in the Repeater Book app that we didn’t even know existed!
QRZ Callsign Search (iOS Only)
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/callsign-search/id680180116
Once you start getting into amateur radio, you will be using QRZ.com a lot. It is the best way to look up callsigns.
The QRZ Callsign Search app just makes this a little bit easier. When you hear a callsign, just tap it into the app and get all the details that you need. It is a basic app, but it works. It also means you don’t have to navigate the QRZ.com site which, while packed with features, uses a pretty old-school design.
ISS Detector Satellite Tracker
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.runar.issdetector;hl=en
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/iss-detector/id1198597805
Alright. Your average ham radio user probably isn’t going to care where the ISS is. Sure, it is nice to see it orbiting the planet, but it isn’t massively useful information. Tracking the ISS isn’t why you are downloading this app.
The reason why you are downloading it is so that you can upgrade to the premium version. The premium version allows you to track orbiting satellites that you can use for your hobby. Using satellites is a fantastic way to reach people you wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.
Ham Radio Tools (Android Only)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=chris.ham.radioTools
It’s a shame that Ham Radio Tools is only available for Android devices because it is one of the most feature-packed ham radio apps on the market. Look at the features it offers:
- Logging
- Formulas for various ham radio-relevant calculations
- Details on bands
- Q codes
- Antenna length calculators
- Callsign Search
- and more.
If you are an experienced ham radio operator, then this may be the only app that you really need.
HamAlert
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.hamalert.app;hl=en;gl=US
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hamalert/id1200759798
HamAlert is a website used by scores of amateur radio enthusiasts. It allows you to track stations and receive alerts should that station appear on any of the following:
- DX cluster
- Reverse Beacon Network
- SOTAwatch
- POTA
- PSK Reporter
It also allows you to view information on those stations. Don’t worry if you don’t know what this all means. As you get deeper into the hobby, you will find HamAlert and similar platforms incredibly useful.
The app does pretty much what the website does. This means sending push notifications. It means you can stay up to date with the relevant stations no matter the time of day!
Final Thoughts
Remember, this is just scratching the surface of the best ham radio apps. However, we reckon that you would be off to a flying start with anything we have listed here! Remember, you should also check whether your ham radio’s manufacturer has an app. Many modern ham radios have ‘smart’ features, and an app is the best way to get the most out of them. If it doesn’t, not to worry. People were using ham radios for a long time before apps came out. You’ll be fine!
