What are your favorite radio apps?

As I mentioned in a previous post, I’ve been browsing the Google Play store this morning in search of an Android app that would help one of our readers decode HF digital modes.

I suggested Tivar, which is essentially FLdigi for Android devices. The app was originally created by Dave (W1HKJ) and published on Google Play by Stephen Cooper. According to the description, the app does not have a dedicated developer, but based on reviews, it seems to work for many.

I assume this is the best (or only?) app for decoding broadcasts like the VOA Radiogram, DigiDX, etc?

Searching Google Play–and noticing a number of new apps–made me realize that it’s been a while since I’ve done a proper updated of my list of Android, iOS and Windows apps for radio enthusiasts.

What’s in your phone or tablet?

Post readers: I could use your help…

If you have a moment, please browse my list of apps and comment (on this post) with suggestions of any that you love, but I haven’t recommended.

I’ll check out each app and update the list accordingly over the next few weeks.

It would be very helpful if you note what you like about the app and if it’s available on multiple platforms (iOS, Android and/or Windows). I imagine there are many I’ve yet to check out!

Thank you in advance!

Spread the radio love

14 thoughts on “What are your favorite radio apps?

  1. Tom Reitzel

    DReaM, Quisk, and FLDigi respectively…

    Version 4 of FLDigi is much better organized than previous versions…

    Reply
  2. Mark

    You’ve mentioned Morse Pad from Black Cat Systems, but I also use other members of their Shortwave and Ham Radio bundles such as NavText, GMDSS, Weather Fax and PSK31.

    Reply
  3. Edward

    I don’t do internet based mobile devices or IOT stuff. I like over the air short wave radio. My Hammarlund does not have a touch screen to run apps on.

    Reply
    1. Jon

      > I like over the air short wave radio

      I think we all do, but these apps are to augment that and our other radio-related interests. They’re certainly not required to enjoy the hobby!

      Reply
  4. DanH

    I have no radio apps on my Android smart phone unless BBC Media Player counts. But to be honest, I don’t think that I have used it for a few years. There is a bookmark to http://www.short-wave.info/ that I keep on my Firefox for Android, though. I use it several times a week.

    Reply
  5. Bas PE4BAS

    Currently on my android phone: Solar information, Alog, DXfun, WSPR world watch, Tivar, QTH Locator, Morse Toad and Morse code trainer. 73, Bas

    Reply
  6. Robert Gulley

    One App I enjoy is UK Radio Stations (Android) – just what it says. All kinds of radio stations common to the UK. Dozens and dozens of radio stations with brief descriptions of genre.
    Also Smart Tools (Android). While not specifically radio, it has tools useful in the field – ruler, unit conversions, distance, sound, compass, light.
    Another App I like is ColorNote, a simple legal pad-type note taking/checklist app which I find invaluable for jotting down notes, ideas, needed settings etc. Intuitive and easy to use.
    Finally, Smart Voice Recorder (Android) is a great App for quick, good quality recordings. I have recorded digital modes which I have later played into my computer or copied the MP3 file into the computer for decoding; recorded satellite passes and ISS contacts between astronauts and schools, and other useful things like interference noise and similar recordings for comparisons.

    Reply
  7. Jon

    A couple not on your list:

    Ham Test Prep for Android (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.iversoft.ham.test.prep). Free. Very useful.

    US Amateur Radio Band Plan (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kimbrelk.ham). Free.

    IZ2UUF Morse Koch CW – Morse code trainer (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.iz2uuf.cwkoch). Free.

    Morse Machine – Morse code trainer (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.iu4apc.morsemachine) 99 cents.

    Morse Toad – Morse code trainer (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mikelovesrobots.morsetoad) Free

    And I noticed you don’t have an RTL-SDR section; if your phone/tablet supports USB OTG, you can plug your dongle directly in. There are a few apps:

    RTL2832U driver (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=marto.rtl_tcp_andro). Free. Required to use your dongle.

    RF Analyzer (Play store version for $1.01: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mantz_it.rfanalyzer — or you can grab it for free here: https://github.com/demantz/RFAnalyzer/blob/master/RFAnalyzer.apk). There’s a fork of this one which enables direct sampling so you can listen to shortwave/HF; caveat: you have to build the APK yourself (it’s pretty simple, and eventually you’ll find someone has already done it; if someone provides a spot for it, I can upload the one I built yesterday): Here’s that link: https://github.com/jbvoelker/RFAnalyzer/

    SDR Touch (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=marto.androsdr2). This one also does direct sampling, though the free version is limited to 60 seconds of waterfall (though audio works indefinitely). $9.99 for the full version, which is steep in my opinion.

    Reply
  8. Aaron Kuhn

    Just a heads up that it looks like AndFLMsg on SourceForge was updated May 5th, which would make it newer than the Tivar build in the App store, as well as newer than the build at:
    http://www.w1hkj.com/vk2eta/

    Sourceforge page:
    https://sourceforge.net/projects/fldigi/files/AndFlmsg/

    I can’t find a changelog or commits to indicate what may have changed. I do know I’ve run into crashes trying to decode with the build off w1hkj.com, and I think the 8PSK modes may have changed in newer FLDigi builds so the above newer mobile build may reflect those new changes.

    Reply

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