In a world flooded with streaming apps and online radios, sometimes you just want the real thing — good old FM radio that doesn’t drain your data or rely on Wi-Fi. That’s where RFM Radio comes in! This awesome app taps directly into your phone’s hardware FM chip , letting you listen to local stations anytime, anywhere — even without an internet connection.

What is RFM Radio?

Developed by Vladislav Veluga, RFM Radio is an open-source (GPL-3.0 licensed) app designed for Android phones with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. It’s not your typical internet streaming app — it actually uses your phone’s built-in FM tuner to pick up real radio waves. That means crystal-clear local radio right on your device, no buffering, no data fees!

Key Features That Rock:

• Real FM Tuning: Uses your phone’s Qualcomm Snapdragon FM chip to listen to real broadcast radio.
• RDS Support: Displays station info like Program Service (PS) names and Radio Text (RT) so you always know what’s playing.
• Signal Strength Meter: Shows signal strength in decibels (dB) — find the best spots for clear reception.
• Record Your Shows: Save your favorite broadcasts as .wav or .mp3 files to replay later.
• Favorites Lists: Organize your top stations into multiple lists for easy access.
• Auto Station Search: Scan the airwaves to discover all available stations nearby.
• Root Access Required: To work its magic, the app needs root access on your phone.

Which Phones Work?

Only smartphones with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors are supported — but not all models. Snapdragon 632 and 820+ are excluded due to hardware driver issues. Check the official repo for the latest supported devices!

Why Use RFM Radio?

• No Internet Required: Perfect for travel, remote areas, or if you just want to save data.
• Emergency Ready: Stay tuned to local news and emergency alerts without network dependency.
• Battery Friendly: FM radio uses way less power than streaming apps — longer listening sessions guaranteed!
• Privacy First: No internet means no tracking or data leaks.
• Open Source: Community-driven and transparent — you can even check the code yourself!

How to Get It?

Download from GitHub or better yet, use an F-Droid client to keep the app updated effortlessly. Clients like Neo Store, Droid-ify, or IzzyOnDroid have the repo enabled by default. Manual repo adding is possible for official F-Droid users.

Final Thoughts

If you love the charm of traditional FM radio and want it on your Android device without the hassle of internet dependency, RFM Radio is a must-have! Root your phone, grab this app, and tune in to your favorite stations anytime, anywhere. The perfect companion for your daily commute, emergency kit, or just chilling at home.

The post RFM Radio: The Real FM Radio App for Android (No Internet Needed!) appeared on Hamradio.my - Amateur Radio, Tech Insights and Product Reviews by 9M2PJU.

Imagine operating your entire ham radio station remotely — from anywhere in the world — using only a web browser and a Raspberry Pi. Sounds futuristic? Not anymore.

Introducing Simple Ham Radio Remote (SimpleHRR) — a lightweight, browser-based web app designed for amateur radio operators who want to remote control their transceivers over the Internet. Whether you’re using a PC, laptop, Android phone, or iPhone (Safari tested), SimpleHRR brings your station to your fingertips — no extra software, no complex wiring, no subscription fees.

What Is SimpleHRR?

SimpleHRR (Simple Ham Radio Remote) is a web-based remote control system hosted on a low-cost Raspberry Pi (or Le Potato) that connects directly to your amateur radio transceiver via USB and your home network via Ethernet.

No SCU-LAN10.
No Remote Desktop.
No TeamViewer.
Just a browser — that’s it.

Key Features

• Full Radio Control: Power, Band, Mode, VFO, TX/RX settings, filters, notch, gain — everything is right there.
• Two-Way Audio: Talk and listen directly from the browser — no need for Mumble, Skype, or other VOIP software.
• Integrated Webcam Feed: Keep an eye on your shack or monitor your equipment remotely.
• Web Server Included: Host your own station schedule or control page.
• Multi-User Support: Set up individual accounts for club members or shared stations.
• Browser-Based UI: Fully functional interface using mouse wheel and keyboard shortcuts (e.g., spacebar for PTT).
• Smart Fail-Safe: Automatically turns off radio if the connection drops — no risk of accidental transmissions.

Radios Supported

Currently tested with:

Icom: IC-7300, IC-7610, IC-705 (HF/VHF/UHF), IC-2730A
Yaesu: FT-710, FT-2000, FT-950, FT-450

Thanks to its use of CI-V and CAT protocols, many other radios may also work out of the box.

Why SimpleHRR?

• No Subscription Fees – It’s free and open for all hams.
• Headless Setup – No monitor or keyboard required. Just flash the prebuilt image to a microSD card and go.
• Runs on Raspberry Pi or Le Potato – Inexpensive, low-power devices make the setup super affordable.
• LAN + WiFi + Internet – Connect locally or remotely. Even works with mobile WiFi hotspots.

Setup Requirements

• Raspberry Pi 4 (or similar SBC)
• Raspbian Lite (preloaded image provided)
• USB cable for your radio
• 8GB or larger microSD card
• 5V power supply
• Network connection (LAN/WiFi)

Use your favorite microSD flashing tool, boot up the Pi, and access your remote shack via browser login — it’s that easy.

Works With:

• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Safari (tested on iPhone 12)
• Any modern web browser

Use Case Example: Remote Control the Icom IC-7300

With just a Raspberry Pi 4 and a USB cable, you can remotely:

• Power on/off your IC-7300
• Select bands and modes
• Use VFO tuning and filters
• Transmit and receive with integrated audio
• Monitor your shack with a webcam

All through a clean, intuitive web interface.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a truly simple, reliable, and cost-effective way to control your amateur radio station from anywhere, Simple Ham Radio Remote might just be the tool you’ve been searching for.

No frills. No bloat. Just your radio, your Raspberry Pi, and your browser.

Get started today at SimpleHRR.com and transform how you connect to the airwaves — remotely, efficiently, and with total control.

The post SimpleHRR: The Easiest Way to Remote Control Your Ham Radio Station with Just a Raspberry Pi appeared on Hamradio.my - Amateur Radio, Tech Insights and Product Reviews by 9M2PJU.

If you’re into park, summit, or other activations like—POTA, SOTA, WWFF, SIOTA—your APRS toolbox has just been supercharged. APSPOT is the most comprehensive self‑spotting gateway available, serving as a singular APRS endpoint that forwards your spot to numerous destinations. No more juggling multiple services or interfaces—just a single tap on your APRS transceiver or APRS software and app sends your activity to parksnpeaks.org, pota.app, SOTAWatch, and beyond.

What Makes APSPOT Exceptional?

• Unified Spotting Endpoint
  Whether you’re working WWFF, SOTA, POTA, or SIOTA, APSPOT simplifies your workflow: send one formatted APRS message and let APSPOT distribute it to all platforms seamlessly
• Smart Message Validation
  APSPOT guides you toward accuracy: if your spot misses a piece or misformats, it responds with precise feedback or usage tips—no guesswork
• Flexible Mode & Quantity Settings
  Recently added, the SPOTS command now supports filtering by mode—like FT8—and controlling how many spots (up to five) you receive

How It Works

1. Format Your Spot Correctly
   Using APRS, message APSPOT in the format: ! <Activity> <Reference> <Frequency> <Mode> <Optional Comment> Example: ! SOTA VK3/VN‑010 7.144 SSB AutumnFieldSummit
2. Receive Instant Feedback
   APSPOT confirms successful delivery—or explains why it didn’t. You’ll know right away.
3. Enjoy Cross‑Platform Spotting
   Your spot is posted automatically across all supported communities—no extra steps on your part

Key Details You Should Know

• Supported Activities: WWFF, SOTA, POTA, SIOTA.
• Syntax Requirements: Include frequency as a decimal (e.g., “7.144”), mode (SSB, CW, FM, DATA), and optional comments
• Activity Verification: For parksnpeaks.org (WWFF), you must be a registered user—APSPOT will check before posting
• Message Limits: Over APRS, you can request 1–5 spots at a time—no more

How to send a SPOT:

POTA

SOTA

WWFF

Beyond APRS: SMS Integration

No APRS radio? No problem. Send a text like this:

!MYCALL POTA US‑1234 14.060 CW CQ_TEST

to the APSPOT SMS gateway, and it handles the rest.

Australia: +61 4 89 905 884
Canada: +1 867 877 2605
United States: +1 866 870 5797

Why APSPOT Matters

• Simplicity: One message, all platforms—APRS, SMS, Winlink.
• Precision: Built‑in validation prevents posting errors.
• Coverage: Supports all major amateur activation programs.
• Community‑Focused: Designed by a ham radio operator for ease and reliability.

What’s on the Horizon?

Developer Josh is expanding APSPOT’s cloud infrastructure—moving it to a Docker‑based service on AWS Fargate. The next milestones include direct SOTAWatch integration (beyond parksnpeaks.org) and broader API support for more spotting systems.

Get Started Today

• Visit https://apspot.radio to explore usage instructions, FAQs, and examples.
• Format and send your first APRS message to APSPOT, or use SMS if APRS isn’t available.
• Ready for on‑the‑road or off‑grid use, APSPOT ensures you stay visible—no matter where your amateur radio adventures take you.

The post APSPOT: Your All-in-One APRS Self‑Spotting Solution appeared on Hamradio.my - Amateur Radio, Tech Insights and Product Reviews by 9M2PJU.