Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Stefano Rampazzo, who recently contacted me regarding his new iOS app called SWList.
SWList pulls all of its radio schedule information from the excellent EiBi list and stores it locally of offline use.
Here are a few screenshots from my iPhone 12 (click images to enlarge):
If you have an iPhone or iPad, you might give this app a try. It isn’t free, but at $3.99 it’s an affordable app.
Skywave Schedules App will allow you to search a comprehensive, regularly updated, database of shortwave radio broadcasts.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Cap, who has just notified me that his shortwave radio schedules app for Android–Skywave Radio Schedules–is now available via the Google Play store.
You might recall that Cap first shared this app in Beta form and invited us to share feedback and comments. Cap has spent weeks incorporating our suggestions and making changes in the background–Skywave Radio Schedules feels refined and responsive. Best yet? It’s free and has no ads. Amazing.
Cap does note that you should uninstall any previous versions of this app before installing it from the Google Play store.
Thank you, Cap! Great job making this app a reality.
Click here to view Skywave Radio Schedules on the Google Play store.
A few months ago, long-time SWLing Post contributor, Cap Tux, designed a simple shortwave schedule application for his Android phone. Though he never intended to make the app public, he shared it with me to test on my Moto G5 Plus.
Cap has recently decided that if others in the SWLing Post community would like to Beta test his app, they’re welcome to do so. He notes:
The app was created initially to meet my own requirements as at the time I was travelling a lot for my job and other apps I tried didn’t meet the requirements e.g. Broadcast stations only, filter by Station, Freq, Time, Language and more recently ‘Target Area’ which was added to the app very recently as I was initially using the AOKI list but found that EIBI was updated more frequently and tended to be more accurate.
I do miss some of the features and simplicity of the AOKI list as programming some of the code to respond to the amount of info in the EIBI list was challenging and there is still more that can be done. There is a bug on Android v4.4 (not my bug but the frameworks bug) which I have fixed in v1.1.10 which I can send through later.
I wrote this app as I needed a phone app for my portable radios (PL-660/PL-365) so I could search for shortwave stations using any combination of Station, Frequency, Language, Time (Specific, Real-time incl. day or Any!) or Target Area. The search can even take account of the day of broadcast so if it’s a Friday and the broadcast is only a Saturday, then it won’t show it.
Shortwave List Features:
- Search the list using any combination of Station, Frequency, Time, Language, Time or Target Area
- Only broadcast stations are included in the list
- Scrollable list of stations based on search criteria
- Get Station, Frequency, Times, Language, Target, Days on-air, Transmitter location and the Broadcasters country of origin of the selected broadcast by a tap on a station
- Powerful search features with a simple interface
- Search for specific broadcast times with any combination of Station, Frequency or Language, Target area with future or past times being searchable, although this lists all stations irrespective of the day (as you may want to know a time for a broadcast tomorrow, or yesterday)
- Search for stations in real-time with any combination of Station, Frequency, Language or Target Area, so the app only lists broadcast stations on-air now (also takes the day into account, so, for example, a station listed as only on-air on a Friday will not show if today is a Saturday)
- Search for stations transmitting at any time with any combination of Station, Frequency Language or Target Area
Future features in active development:
- Update shortwave list from the internet
A few examples of use:
- You hear a station in an unknown language, Select ‘ON AIR’ and enter the ‘Freq’, ‘SEARCH’ and the app will list the possible stations
- You hear a station in English, select ‘ON AIR’ the ‘Language ‘ set to ‘English’ and enter the ‘Freq’, ‘SEARCH’ and the app will list the possible stations on that frequency right now
- Want to know when a station is transmitting at a specific time? select the specific time by selecting the UTC time, set the Hour/Minute and enter the station name in the ‘Station’ box and ‘SEARCH’
- You are listening to a SDR recording from last week and trying to identify a station, enter the ‘Freq’ and the specific UTC time (or ‘Language’ if known), ‘SEARCH’ and the app will list the possible stations
- Want to tune into broadcasts right now in your language? no problem, just select ‘ON-AIR’ and select your ‘Language’ and ‘SEARCH’
- List all broadcasts from a specific station, just enter the ‘Station’ name and click ‘SEARCH’
- List all broadcasts on right now by selecting ‘ON-AIR’ and ‘SEARCH’
Phones that have been tested and will work (You will need Android v5.0.1 or above):
- Samsung Galaxy S4/S7 (I think all the S series from S4 above should be fine as all have a good screen resolution)
- Samsung Galaxy J3
- Google Nexus 4
- Moto G5 Plus
It should be noted that due to the number of low resolution display phones out there some will not be able to operate the app correctly at present due to the current layout of the components and recommend you use a phone with a decent screen resolution around 1080×1920. I plan to address the screen res issue soon.
What I need from Beta-testers who want to file bug reports:
Phone Make/Model:
Android version:
Shortwave List version in use:
Ease of use:
Speed/Performance:
What would you change/remove/add:
Any screen issues, layout problems or difficulty using a feature:
Thank you, Cap!
Readers, please keep in mind that this application is not in the Google Play store because it’s in Beta. You’ll need to download the application to your phone, temporarily allow “Unknown Sources” (here’s a short tutorial), then install the app. It’s very important to only temporarily allow “Unknown Sources”–once this app is installed, please reinstate this security measure.
Please note: If you’re not comfortable downloading and installing an app that is not in the Google Play store, please simply wait for this app to hit the Google Play market possibly at some point in the future.
Click the following link to download the application file to install:
http://www.filedropper.com/shortwavelist-v119-no-permissions
This app requires no permissions. The trade-off is that updates to the schedules cannot be initiated without re-installing an updated app with new schedules embedded.
For what it’s worth, I really like this app! Very simple, effective and works offline.
Here are a few screenshots–I love how he’s kept the interface clean and simple:
Thanks again, Cap, for opening Beta testing to our community.
Please submit your feedback on Cap’s Twitter account: @swbcdx
SWLing Post reader, Neil, writes:
“An app specifically made for the Elecraft KX3 is KX3Companion (www.kx3companion.com). There are free and paid versions on Google Play (does not work on Kindle Fire).
The same author has created KX3 KeyApp to give a virtual set of keys for KX3 users. It comes with two predefined templates (CW, and default) with KX3 macros setup for use.
Finally, he created QRSS Beacon – A fully featured QRSS (Slow CW) Beacon on Android. You can select a DIT duration from 1 to 60 seconds and choose one of the 3 supported modes: QRSS, FSK/CW and DFCW. This works on any radio, connect the audio out of your Android device to the audio in of your radio and an enable VOX.
Also, HamLog is available on iOS & Android (there’s even a MAC version).”
Many thanks for sharing this, Neil! I will add the KX3 Companion apps to our comprehensive list of ham/shortwave radio apps.
A smartphone app that I find quite useful is Shortwave Broadcast Schedules by Chris Smolinski at Black Cat Systems.
Chris has just announced an update which adds features like the ability to enable schedule reminders as well as keep track of your favorite broadcasts.
I’ve been using this app for a year and have noticed frequent schedule updates–indeed, A14 schedules were ready at the beginning of the season.
It’s an ideal app to use for one bag travel–indeed, you don’t even need an Internet connection to browse the listings. Admittedly, the typical smartphone screen is fairly small to display such a large amount of broadcast data, but Back Cat’s interface is designed with this in mind. I find the app easy to use and very useful while I’m on the go.
I have only used the iOS version on my iPhone. Black Cat also offers an iPad version which, I believe, would be ideal. I have not tested the Android version of the app.
Shortwave Broadcast Schedules is available on the iPhone/iPad ($2.99) and Android ($0.99) devices.
Click here to check out our comprehensive, frequently updated list of radio apps.
Last update: 25 March 2022
Since applications are constantly being developed, I update this posting regularly. If you would like to suggest an app that I have not considered, please comment or contact me!
The Android App “Scanner Radio” is my pick for streaming scanner feeds from across the globe.
Advances in technology have always gone hand-in-hand with our radio hobby-–indeed, in many cases, those advances originated with our hobby. Because of this, it should comes as no surprise that in a world where we are rapidly replacing home computing with mobile computing, radio hobbies are “app-ly” supported in the the mobile realm.
Although it’s beyond the scope of this article to include a comprehensive list of all radio-hobbyist-themed apps for the iOS, Android and Windows, nor will it include proprietary apps (those which compliment a particular radio or accessory), I offer here an overview of select apps that I myself have used and reviewed for iOS and Android––with, of course, a focus on those I’ve found especially useful as a radio hobbyist.
I’ve recently added a number of Windows phone apps that readers have recommended. Since I don’t currently own a Windows phone device, I appreciate reader recommendations (simply comment or contact me).
In the list below I have linked to both the iTunes, Google Play and Windows Phone stores, when applicable. I’ve also noted pricing for each app, but please understand that application developers can change pricing without notice.
If you’re an amateur radio operator, you’re in luck when it comes to apps. There are a multitude out there, and most are either free or very inexpensive. Below, I’ve categorized these by major function, beginning with those apps that help you get your ham radio license in the first place.
HamStudy.org’s new app has a fluid, responsive interface.
HamStudy.org (iOS; $3.99, Android; $3.99) HamStudy.org, a free online test preparation site, released apps for Android and iOS devices in the spring of 2018. While their online system is free, the app costs a one time $3.99 fee, but allows users to practice and study offline and includes all ham exams, including Canadian exams and other FCC exams. I believe this is quite a good deal and the best of the ham radio study apps. I taught the tech license to a high school homeschool group and almost all of the students used this app and passed their test.
Amateur Radio Exam Prep (iOS; $4.99) This app is simple, adaptive, and keeps track of the elements and questions you incorrectly answer. While it costs $4.99 per exam (Tech, General and Extra), you can try the free version first, which allows you to explore and learn two of the exam elements before buying. Still, a much better deal and far more portable than an exam book.
Ham Radio Exam (iOS; Free) A very simple exam study tool, Ham Radio Exam allows you to cruise exam question pools and note the correct answer. You can also take sample tests and focused quizzes. While not quite as versatile as paid apps (like Amateur Radio Exam Prep, above), it may be all you need to get your ticket!
No more fumbling through a thick repeater atlas when you’re traveling! Repeater Book uses your phone’s built-in GPS and a large database of repeater frequencies to discover local repeaters.
EchoLink (iOS/Android; Free) Why not turn your smartphone into an HT? After all (as I often say), phones are actually radios…right? I only recently discovered the EchoLink app, but it has quickly become the most useful ham radio app I use. From this app you can talk to any repeater connected to the EchoLink network; all you need is a WiFi connection or cellular data service. I traveled to Belize City several years ago and used EchoLink to connect with hams in the US and Canada and even check in on a net. It worked flawlessly from the WiFi network at my guest home. I couldn’t recommend it more. Did I mention it’s absolutely free, with no ads?
Repeater Book (iOS/Android; Free) An absolutely revolutionary app, in my opinion. Using your phone’s GPS, you can quickly reference local repeaters––any band, any mode––with full details, as you travel. This free app has replaced my need for the annual repeater atlas (which I’ve always found to be a little unhandy to use). Live in, or traveling to, the UK, Australia, Europe, and/or New Zealand? Repeater Book has a global version as well.
QRZ Callsign Search (iOS/Android; Free) The companion app to the popular callsign database site, QRZ.com. Their app is very basic, but makes it easy and convenient to do callsign lookups…although I do wish you could log contacts to QRZ.com via the app (hint, hint, developers!). Also check out HamRadio Call (iOS/Android; Free) as it even shows a map pinpoint for the QTH address on record.
PSK31 (iOS; $2.99) Launch this app, place it in front of your radio which you’ve tuned to a PSK31 signal, and it decodes on the fly. Very simple to use, and quite effective as long as your microphone is near the radio speaker. Meanwhile, Droid PSK (Android; $5.49) will decode and even encode PSK31, if you want that feature.
Tivar (Android; free–note, no longer in the Google Play store) Tivar is an Android app that provides read-only access to nearly all of the digital signals associated with fldigi. The main objective of this development is to provide a low power highly-portable, as in mobile or backpack, fldigi read-only solution. There is no facility to transmit any signal.Hellschreiber (iOS; $2.99) Decode and send Hellschreiber text without a PC: place your mobile device near the speaker of your transceiver and this app will decode Hellschreiber on the fly. Connect the audio output from the headphone jack of your mobile device to your transceiver and you can even send Hellschreiber.
Pocket HAM bands Transceiver (Android; Free) This application remotely control several ham radio sources via an Android smart phone or tablet. It can link to Ham Radio Deluxe, control any Yaesu FT8x7 transceiver via Bluetooth or USB cable (bi-directional CAT only, no sound) and multiple WebSDR servers around the globe. Not exactly plug-and-play as some connection methods require configuration and audio via an IP source. Read their notes and watch videos of Pocket HAM Bands Transceiver on the developer’s website.Ham Radio Reference (iOS; $1.99) This is a simple app that puts a few vital pieces of information in front of you. I wish I had this in my early days on the air, as it has a simple list with all of the Q codes, US & Canadian Amateur Band Limits, Country Codes, Band Plans, Radiogram Numbered Messages, Grid Square and Location, Q Codes, Local and UTC Time, RST, The Phonetic Alphabet, Unit Abbreviations, Metric Prefixes and more. Also check out HamIAm (iOS; Free).
Ham Radio Tools (Android; Free) A very simple reference guide that includes logging (even the ability to export and import logs). It also has short Q code reference sheet, common formulas, and an antenna calculator. It has a very intuitive interface and no ads.
HamLog Mobile Logging (iOS; $0.99) An all-in-one app for the mobile operator. This app will export your logs to most any logging program, including Logbook of the World. The newest version even includes a rig control interface. This app also includes many ham reference guides.
HamAntCal (iOS; $0.99) Need to calculate the length of a resonant dipole for the field? HamAntCal is a very simple application to help you do just that. Simply choose a configuration (Half Wavelength, Quarter Wavelength or Inverted Vee) and it will do the math for you.
Morse It for iOS is a great tool for learning CW. In this case, I placed it in front of my receiver and decoded a CW exchange between two hams at 19 WPM.
Morse It (iOS; $0.99) This app not only reads but teaches CW. This is a 99¢ app, which, like many, offers several premium add-ons at additional cost. I like the interface and simplicity of this morse trainer. It also serves as a morse code reader. Simply place your iOS device in front of your radio’s speaker and watch it decode Morse code in real time. I’ve noticed that it decodes CW fairly well around 13-20 WPM; any slower or faster sometimes leads to more error. Still, it’s a great app for those who want to learn code, or who want to translate what they hear on the radio.
MUF Predictor (Android; Free) Enter your transmitter and receiver location, and this simple calculator will help you determine maximum usable frequency.
iCluster DX DB (iOS; $2.99) This app allows you to create alarms for needed DX countries, call signs, modes and more with a nice, simple layout. You can also filter spot results with the same criteria. Use multiple cluster servers, including your own, via telnet or the web. The app is free, but if you pay a $1.99 sponsorship fee, it enables a map mode which shows DX on a map. DX Hunter (iOS; $9.99) is more advanced and even sends push notifications from spot servers.
SOTA Goat (iOS; $2.99) If you like to activate summits (via Summits On The Air) or log them, this is a fantastic app. It’s one of the best designed apps for this purpose I’ve seen. SOTA Goat has a clear, intuitive interface, and is true to the iOS look and feel. Hands down, it has the best user interface of any ham radio application. With SOTA Goat in hand, you can plot and activate a summit while notifying the SOTA community automatically. Best yet, most of the app’s functions (including their summit database and map) are available offline! Yes, it’s $2.99, but if you’re into SOTA, it’s worth every penny.
CommCat Mobile (iOS; Free) With CommCat, you can watch DX spots, control your radio, and log contacts from anywhere an Internet connection is available. SWLing Post reader, Michael, comments: “With CommCat Mobile you can not only control your rig remotely, but you can log contacts and even sync that log with your home log! Not many programs allow that. Also, there’s a complete DX spotting list available, so with a single finger click, you can tune your remote rig right to the DX and then key the mic and talk into the iPhone / iPad to work the DX! With another single click the entire thing has been logged and sent to your home station!”
The Elecraft KX3
KX3 Companion (Android; Free and $5.99 version) The KX3 Companion in an app that will allow unleash the power of your Elecraft KX3 without the need for a PC. KX3 Companion will let you send and receive CW, PSK31 and RTTY by using your mobile phone or tablet keyboard. Optionally you can use an external Bluetooth keyboard connected to your Android device. It has a long list of features, and is regularly updated. The free version is limited to 5 minutes of use and will not allow you to save settings and macros.
Skywave Schedules App will allow you to search a comprehensive, regularly updated, database of shortwave radio broadcasts.
Shortwave Broadcast Schedules (iOS; $2.99/Android; $0.99) I used this app on my iPhone while traveling in Central America this summer, and could immediately pull up shortwave schedules even without an Internet connection. It has a very easy function for updating schedules, and can even be set to check for updates each time you open the app. Best yet, you can sort listings by what’s on the air now, by station, by time, by frequency, and more. Also, you can quickly pull up frequencies for a particular meter band at the touch of a button.
SSTV makes easy work of decoding SSTV messages. You can change modes, Phase and Skew on the fly. In this example, I decoded the eQSL of pirate radio station, Wolverine Radio.
Global Tuners (Android/Free) Note that the Global Tuners app seems to have been deleted from the Google Play Store. This is a unique app that allows you to actively control remotely-linked receivers scattered across the globe. Whether you want to tune a receiver in France during your morning commute on the train, or if you’re a ham and want to check if your signal can be heard in Asia, Global Tuners can help. Click here for a recent post about Global Tuners.
HF Weather Fax (iOS; $4.99/Android; $9.99) A super-simple app for decoding HF weather fax transmissions on the fly. Simply start the app and place your device in front of the radio speaker.
SSTV (iOS; $2.99) As with HF Weather Fax, simply launch the app, and place it in front of your radio. You can even leave it unattended and it will decode and save the images automatically. Supports all major SSTV protocols. This is also the best app I’ve seen for decoding pirate radio eQSLs on the go! Though I have not personally tested it, Android users might wish to consider DroidSSTV (Android/$6.99) which allows you to receive and send SSTV images.
Virtual Transceivers
Scanner Radio (Android; Free) A brilliant free scanner application which streams scanner feeds from across the planet—intuitive and easy to use. Scanner Radio Pro (Android/$2.99) eliminates ads.
Action Scanner Lite (iOS; Free) Easy to use, and loaded with scanner feeds. Although I prefer the search functionality in Scanner Radio (above), Action Scanner is a great app for iOS with many accolades. The developer has also published Action Scanner (iOS/$1.99) which has more Police, Fire, EMS and Amateur Radio feeds and Action Scanner Pro (iOS/$2.99) which has the most comprehensive list of feeds and features.
Police Scanner 5-0 Radio (Windows; Free) Police Scanner 5-0 includes scanner feeds from across the globe: United States, Canada, Australia, Chile, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Switzerland, Netherlands, Venezuela, Spain, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Argentina, Sweden, New Zealand, Antigua and Barbuda and Austria. Police Scanner 5-0 Radio Pro is available for $.99 at the WindowsPhone store.Following are a couple of handy apps that, while not necessarily intended for ham radio, SWLing, or scanning, are nonetheless indispensable to me as a radio hobbyist; you may find them just as useful as I do:
Radio Garden’s global interface
TuneIn (iOS/Android; Free) This remarkable app turns your Android or iOS device into a web radio—it makes your local station a global one. I use TuneIn to listen to AM stations in Australia, music from Paris, The International Radio Report on CKUT, and even some international broadcasters that are no longer on shortwave radio. Indeed, only recently, TuneIn radio began streaming our own Shortwave Radio Audio Archive. I now have TuneIn on all of my mobile devices. TuneIn Radio Pro (iOS/Android; $0.99) gives you the ability to record streaming live radio directly on your phone. Note that (sadly) the Pro version does not eliminate ads.
1 Radio News (Android; Free, $2.99 Pro) 1 Radio News is an Android-only app that focuses on news radio with both headlines on-demand and live streams from multiple sources all in an easy to use package. What I like about 1 Radio News is that it is a curated list of international broadcasters–many of whom are on shortwave. 1 Radio News Pro is a version which sports 3 times more streams than the free version and is ad-free for $2.99 on Google Play.TeamViewer (iOS/Android; Free) TeamViewer is a remote access program that allows you to login to and use your home computer. I routinely use it to control my WinRadio Excalibur SDR while traveling.
As I mentioned before, this list is, by no means, comprehensive–these are simply some of the apps I feel are well supported and have had enough time on the market to shake out some of the bugs.
Do I really need a smartphone to experiment with apps?
I know many people who do not care for a smartphone and prefer the standard-featured flip phone. I, too, would be in this camp if I didn’t travel so often. The good thing is, there’s no need to buy a smartphone and then pay for 3G or 4G services to use the apps listed above. There are many devices that run iOS and Android that are not phones at all, and simply use WiFi connections for Internet access.
If you like Apple’s iOS platform, then you will want to consider an iPod touch, iPad or iPad Mini. If you prefer the Android operating system, then look at a no-contract Android phone or one of the many tablets on the market, like the Nexus 7. While the Kindle Fire is also based on the Android operating system, I’ve noticed that many of these apps are simply not available through Amazon. You’ll note that I did not cover the Windows mobile operating system; this is because there simply aren’t a lot of apps out there to choose from for this system.
In short, if you wish to use mobile apps for your radio activities, I would encourage you to consider only iOS or Android-based devices. A smartphone? That’s entirely optional.
I would love to see a comprehensive app come along that has the functionality and utility of PC programs like FLdigi. This would make a mobile device perfect for decoding digital text programs like VOA Radiograms; it would also make them available to people who can’t afford or don’t have the infrastructure for a standard computer (as in many developing countries or even DXing locales). This may take more innovation on the processing front and more global adoption, but it is happening at a very rapid pace.
I would also like to see the ARRL develop an app for the popular Logbook of the World; for the serious DXer who needs mobile verification, this would be quite handy.
Ironically, mobile technologies have drawn many who might otherwise have become ham radio or shortwave radio enthusiasts––after all, these technologies make global communications seem effortless. Still, I find that nearly any technology ultimately compliments these hobbies: I turn to my smartphone for shortwave schedules, to conveniently decode Pirate Radio SSTV QSL cards, to listen to scanner feeds, and even connect to local repeaters and check in on nets. Indeed, the rapid pace of innovation on the app front is both encouraging and energizing, but also makes it challenging to keep up!
If you like, ckeep checking back here on The SWLing Post and my ham radio blog, QRPer.com, where I plan to post updates and reviews of new apps as they become available.
Many thanks to Chris Freitas, who informed me that the excellent Global Tuners website, has produced an app for Android-based smart phones. With this app and a free Global Tuners account, your smart phone can remotely control a number of receivers across the globe.
Best of all? It’s free!
Click here to view Global Tuners in Google Play.
You won’t find the app through categorical searches via your phone–you must search for the term “Global Tuners” in the Google Play. Indeed, this app has been available since 2012, but none of my categorical searches had ever unearthed it.
To my knowledge, there is no Global Tuners app for iPhones/iPads as of yet (iOS).