Android Ham Radio Apps

[VK5IR]

Hi all

A few weeks ago I became an "Androidian". I purchased a Samsung Galaxy S II smartphone running the Google Android operating system and so far I am very impressed. Haven't been able to put it down!

Anyway, looking at the app market (https://market.android.com/) there appear to be quite a few amateur radio based apps and I thought I'd start a thread where we could share any apps we thought were worthy of being mentioned.

A few that I've tried and quite like are:

Echolink
NCDXF Beacon - highlights on a map which beacons are currently transmitting
NKCCluster - DX cluster app
HamSatDroid - Satellite tracking app similar to Orbitron
Satellite AR - Uses augmented reality to show you where the sats are when you hold your phone up to the sky (very cool)
RFinder Worlwide Repeater Directory (~$5) - lists all repeaters around you (along with frequency and Echolink/IRLP nodes if applicable) within a defined radius based on your location determined by your GPS and also displays their location on a map.

There are heaps more out there but I haven't had much time to play with the ones I have as it is but so far I'm very impressed with some of these quality apps.

If you can recommend any others you've played with, please share their names with us below.

Perhaps we might see a VKLogger app one day...?

[VK2XSO]

There's a few andriod APRS users out there. Even a couple of F calls using it since the data is out of band.

[VK4APN]

There's a few andriod APRS users out there. Even a couple of F calls using it since the data is out of band.

The is also an APP for the Mini VNA Pro!
Paul vk4apn

[VK5PJ]

while thinking about other andriod apps I went looking for an app to allow me to access the raw GPS data on my Desire, I found two, one has the ability to give you your location Maidenhead (Gridsquare) format and the other just lat and long.

Both have a real time compass in them but neither can tell me where north is and one of them is 180 deg out so you would not want to go hiking with that one. I wll get both of their names later... maybe some one else knows of a good raw GPS app (not maps I just want lat long and elevation) where a compass also works

[VK4FIL]

Hi,

Another great App is IBCNU ( I Be seeing You )

This prg used for APRS Via Iphone smartphone whatever cost $1.99 I think.

Also, can be used by Foundation calls as all Data for aprs at ( www.aprs.fi ) transmitted by normal cellphone data.

Have fun.

Phil vk4fil

[VK5AJ]

Slightly off topic but ......has anyone worked out if it is possible with a Galaxy S2 to assign specific ring tones to different contacts ?

Tnx

Alan VK5AJ

[VK3HZ]

Slightly off topic but ......has anyone worked out if it is possible with a Galaxy S2 to assign specific ring tones to different contacts ?

The contact needs to be in phone memory, not the SIM, and then you can individualise the ringtone.

Back to Adroid Apps, for Aircraft Enhancement fans, there's FlightRadar24. The Pro (=paid) version has a point-and-identify function for any local aircraft you might see.

Regards,
Dave.

[ADMIN]

Perhaps we might see a VKLogger app one day...?

One day.
The Adminstrator/schmuck who writes the Logger's coding needs to get a smart phone himself first though, and it will NOT be an iPhone.
Maybe Q2/Q3 2012... just waiting on the Galaxy S3.

[ADMIN]

Tapatalk forum app
An app you can use to access phpBB discussion forums, such as the VK Logger Discussion Forum.

Download from Google Play:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... ZpdHkiXQ..

[VK5IR]

just waiting on the Galaxy S3.

Get the S2, I've got one and I love it!

Seriously though, if you keep waiting for the S3 to be released, something better will be announced at the same time and you'll want to wait for that too. How long do you wait for...?

[ADMIN]

Get the S2, I've got one and I love it!

Seriously though, if you keep waiting for the S3 to be released, something better will be announced at the same time and you'll want to wait for that too. How long do you wait for...?

Theo, true, but the Galaxy S3 will be launched next month!
Believe me, I can wait that long.

This was published today:
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/279406/ ... better.htm

Samsung Galaxy S2 was heralded one of the top smartphones of 2011 with its all-powerful features packed into a slim sleek case. Now Samsung enthusiasts are gearing up for the all all-new Samsung Galaxy S3 model.

[VK4APN]

FYI Elektor RF & Microwave Toolbox is a useful app

[VK2GOM]

What do I use... OK - let's have a trawl through my Galaxy S2 apps list for radio related stuff:

APRS Viewer
APRS Droid
Echolink
Electrodroid
glSDR
Ham Radio Ionosphere
HamSatDroid
HF Beacon
ISS Detector
Morse Code Reader
QRZDroid
RF & Microwave Toolbox
RF Calculators
SatTrack
Scanner Radio

73 - Rob VK2GOM / G0MOH

[VK5PJ]

there is an Android app written by a UK ham for locating repeaters near the location of you phone but the data in there for VK is very poor. He was given a listing of all the VK repeaters by the WIA but seemingly NOT their locations and tried to search for names and guess some locations, hence when at home it does not tell me the repeater that is 5km away is near me but tells me the Roxby Downs repearter is only 43Km away (over 500Km away in reality)

You can FWD plan a trip by putting in spot grid squares and it will give you answers in that area, display includes any SUB tone requirements, which is really handy.

More info from the WIA site is here : http://www.wia.org.au/members/repeaters/data/ I have contatced the author and hope we can export the location data from VKlogger? then he can update the app for VK repeaters.

authors web site: http://www.zbm2.com/

Regards,

[VK5ALX]

Add to the list;
DTMF decoder/encoder
Droid PSK
PocketSat3

73, Alex VK5ALX

[VK4GHZ]

Now a new Androidian!
Can't stop playing with this Galaxy S3.

DTMF Tone Extractor
Works brilliantly.
Had my Wouxun near the Galaxy S3, and it decoded 100%.

Not sure of any other apps though I really need on the phone... unless playing for the sake of playing???

[VK4GHZ]

Further to above, searching on "ham radio" in Google Play reveals 229 ham radio apps:
https://play.google.com/store/search?q=ham+radio&c=apps

Searching on "amateur radio" reveals 235 results:
https://play.google.com/store/search?q= ... dio&c=apps

QTH Locator is interesting.
Displays your location on a Google Map (map view) and your 8 character grid square; ie QG62AA01.
It's accuracy is quite spooky!
Free.

Locator Droid shows your location on a Google Map (satellite view) and displays your 6 character grid square.
It's accuracy seems to vary from a few metres away, to be in the neighbors yard.
At least it tells you what the estimated accuracy is.
Free.

Locator Widget is a simple thing that shows your 6 character grid square and accuracy in a 2-widget wide box.
If you just want to know where you are without fiddling, this does it.
I think this one is a keeper.
Free.

Maybe some CW trainers to help blow the cobwebs out and practise;
https://play.google.com/store/search?q=morse&c=apps

[VK5KX]

VK5PJ, A good GPS app is 'GPS Essentials', you can select allsorts of displays on the dashboard.

Peter (VK5KX)

[VK2GOM]

Matt, I'm more interested in your shiny knob I can tell it's not a Griffin Powermate, but what model is it? Is it USB?

73 - Rob VK2GOM / GW0MOH

[ADMIN]

Originally posted as a part of another topic, but deserves a mention here.

I found this uber cool Android app called Ham GPS.
(iOS users should look for their version, if that exists?)
Using the GPS in your smartphone, it will display your grid locator to 10 (yes, 10!) characters.
You can enter a target destination (in either lat/lon or gridsquare), and it will calculate distance and bearing from you.
There is also a compass display to help aim your antenna.

THE perfect Field Day app.