Sure. Ham radio may not be anywhere near as popular as it was a couple of decades ago, but there are still tons of people involved in the hobby, and we have awesome new ham radios being launched all the time.
One area that has had a lot of focus in recent years has been the development of software that can be used alongside ham radios. One of the most prominent of these is Ham Radio Deluxe.
Now, we know that Ham Radio Deluxe is a little bit more expensive than some of the other software options on the market. So, we have put together this review. We want to cover whether it is worth spending the extra cash to pick up Ham Radio Deluxe, or whether you should probably pick up one of the cheaper options.
What Is Ham Radio Deluxe?
Ham Radio Deluxe is a software package designed to make using a ham radio much easier.
The software consists of five modules. This includes everything from a digital logbook to providing greater control over the way that your ham radio works.
Essentially, Ham Radio Deluxe will allow you to control everything about your ham radio from your computer.
The software is easy enough for newbies to use, and in-depth enough for experienced ham radio operators to squeeze even more functionality out of their ham radios.
How Much Does Ham Radio Deluxe Cost?
The initial purchase of Ham Radio Deluxe will set you back $99.99. This will give you the software download. You will also get all updates and customer support for a year.
At the end of the year, the updates will end. You will only have access to the last version of Ham Radio Deluxe that you downloaded. If you want updates to continue (highly recommended!) then you will have to pay $49.95 for a further year.
Basically, Ham Radio Deluxe is a subscription package where you don’t really need to purchase a subscription plan, but it is highly recommended or the software won’t work correctly.
Ham Radio Deluxe Is Only Compatible With Certain Ham Radios
Before you read any further into this Ham Radio Deluxe review, we do want to point out that this software is only compatible with some ham radios. We urge you to check out this page to know whether you can use this software, otherwise, there is no point in purchasing it:
The software should be compatible with the vast majority of modern ham radios. This is because the Ham Radio Deluxe team has gone to huge lengths to liaise with major ham radio manufacturers. This is why the Ham Radio Deluxe software is constantly updated. It ensures that the software is able to take advantage of the latest advancements in ham radio tech.
Generally speaking, if you have a modern ham radio made by one of these companies, then you should be able to use most of the features in Ham Radio Deluxe, although you may not be able to use all of them (we will discuss more about that in a short while):
- Alinco
- DZ Company
- Elecraft
- FlexRadio
- ICOM
- JRC
- Kenwood
- Microtelecom
- SDR-Radio
- Ten-Tec
- Yaesu
The Ham Radio Deluxe Feature Suite
As we said, there are five different modules in Ham Radio Deluxe. All of these are designed to make using your ham radio easier.
Due to the wealth of features loaded into Ham Radio Deluxe, it is already a cut above other competing software products. In fact, we can’t think of a single piece of ham radio software that comes even close to what Ham Radio Deluxe is able to provide. For that reason alone, we find the price of entry more than worth it. Yep. We are telling you that before we even talk about the features, that is how excited we are to tell you about them!
Rig Control
This is one of the best features in Ham Radio Deluxe. You will be able to take advantage of it if you have a ham radio with CAT control. This normally means Yaesu, ICOM, Kenwood, Elecraft, and FlexRadio. However, most CAT ham radios will be supported. Just have a look at the supported radios list on the Ham Radio Deluxe website to know whether your ham radio is compatible.
The Rig Control module of Ham Radio Deluxe will allow you to control your ham radio from your computer. This means selecting radio options, filter settings, etc. Basically, you will be able to control almost everything you could possibly want to do with your ham radio without touching your ham radio.
The Rig Control module will even allow you to tap into settings that you wouldn’t normally be able to if you were just playing about with your ham radio. This will unlock even more possibilities when it comes to your communications.
In our experience, the Rig Control module is superior to competing products. This is because Ham Radio Deluxe has made it its mission to work with the major ham radio operators. This means that the team at Ham Radio Deluxe is able to tap into controls and features that other companies can’t.
Logbook
You can’t operate a ham radio without a logbook, and the logbook module provided by Ham Radio Deluxe is easily one of the most powerful digital logbooks we have seen. There is a reason why it is used by over 40,000 amateur radio operators around the world.
The logbook will allow you to quickly log all of your communications (you can do this directly from the Rig Control module). You can quickly search for old communications in your logbook too.
If you want to find out more about your contacts, you will be able to interface Ham Radio Deluxe with a variety of online services, including QRZ.com.
Going through all of the features loaded into the logbook could easily be longer than this Ham Radio Deluxe review. There is just so much to do there, and the features are basic enough for new users, and complicated enough for experienced ham radio operators that are looking for somebody new to chat to, or perhaps find out more about their contacts.
In our opinion, the logbook is worth the entry price alone. The fact that it comes bundled with 4 other modules makes the deal even more worth it.
Digital Master
Digital Master is a module that will allow you to extend your communication options. It will make use of your computer’s soundcard and can tap into the following digital modes:
- CW
- RTTY
- SSTV
- PSK31
- MT-63
Digital Master will integrate easily with the Rig Control and Logbook modules.
Obviously, Digital Master is going to be a feature reserved for those that have a bit more experience with ham radios. There are some pretty complicated features here. However, we don’t think that there is a single piece of competing software that comes even close to this.
It is dead simple to get set up too, and if you still have active support on your Ham Radio Deluxe subscription, then the team will gladly walk you through how you can unlock these features in a short phone chat.
Ham Radio Boost: Lessons Learned in Amateur Radio
“New hams (and old hams) will find lots of practical advice in this book. It won’t help you operate the latest digital mode, or help you work more DX, but it will help you get more out of amateur radio.” -Dan, KB6NU, author and blogger
Satellite Tracking
This module is pretty self-explanatory.
With the satellite tracking module, you will be able to view real-time data of satellite positioning. You will also be able to see predicted passes, predicted elevations, etc.
The Satellite Tracking will integrate well with the Rotator Control module (more on that next) to allow the automatic positioning of antennas to best line up with satellites.
Yes. You probably will be able to find better satellite tracking software out there. After all, it isn’t just something that ham radio operators need. However, the fact that the Satellite Tracking integrates with the other modules of Ham Radio Deluxe ensures that it is a piece of software that you are likely going to be using a lot.
One thing that we do want to point out here, and an area where Ham Radio Deluxe seems to do things better, is the interface. There are a lot of complicated controls in the Satellite Tracking module, and there will be a ton of data displayed. However, the interface is incredibly easy to navigate, and you will be able to see the exact information that you need with no more than a quick glance. Fantastic if you don’t want to spend hours and hours trying to work out where certain satellites are positioned.
Rotor Control
This module will allow you to automatically control beam headings for your ham radio. This is assuming that you have a computer interfaced rotor controller. Again, supported options will be listed on the Ham Radio Deluxe website.
The Rotor Control module will easily interface with both the Satellite Tracking and Logbook modules to quickly position your rotor. You will also be able to quickly find rare DX to start making some more unique calls using your ham radio.
We absolutely love this feature. if you have a compatible rotor, then you will love it too. Everybody knows that one of the most irritating parts of owning a ham radio is positioning your beam perfectly. With Rotor Control, you don’t have to worry about that. All you need to worry about is having good conversations over your ham radio.
Pros Of Ham Radio Deluxe
- The company works with actual hardware manufacturers to ensure the best features.
- Several modules that work well with one another
- One of the best rotor control systems we have used
- One of the more advanced logbooks for ham radio operators.
Cons of Ham Radio Deluxe
- The yearly subscription price for support and updates.
- The company has had controversy in the past, albeit controversy that has now been cleared up!
Ham Radio Deluxe – Is It Worth It?
Yes.
If you are a ham radio operator, then you will be no stranger to spending quite a bit of cash on ensuring that you have the perfect rig. What is an extra $99? In fact, what is an extra $49 a year? Ham Radio Deluxe can make your life easier in ways that additional hardware won’t be able to do. The features are there to properly unlock the potential of your ham radio rig.
While you can operate your ham radio without picking up Ham Radio Deluxe, why would you want to? You would be spending more time playing about with your settings than chatting with ham radio operators around the world.
If you have a computer-controlled interface on your ham radio, then you owe it to yourself to take advantage of it. Ham Radio Deluxe allows this.
Sure, there are other pieces of software out there, but none of them come even close to what Ham Radio Deluxe is able to provide. Whether you are a new or experienced ham radio operator, this is an absolute must-buy.
Ham Radio Boost: Lessons Learned in Amateur Radio
“New hams (and old hams) will find lots of practical advice in this book. It won’t help you operate the latest digital mode, or help you work more DX, but it will help you get more out of amateur radio.” -Dan, KB6NU, author and blogger
