If you’ve ever been involved in emergency communications, public service events, or even casual ham radio APRS tracking, you’ve likely searched for software that’s reliable, offline-capable, and easy to use. PinPoint might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Developed by Frank, AB0WV, PinPoint is a free, Windows-based APRS application that has been battle-tested by ARES volunteers in real-world field scenarios — from weather spotter deployments to emergency exercises. While many APRS tools exist, PinPoint stands out for its combination of simplicity, capability, and field-readiness.

What Is PinPoint?

At its core, PinPoint is a visual APRS tracking and communication tool designed for ham radio operators. It allows you to see the real-time location of stations (and objects) on a map, whether you’re using a TNC and radio or just listening in on APRS-IS.

But PinPoint is more than just dots on a screen. It’s a tactical tool for field operations. Imagine a storm spotter network where the incident commander can track every mobile unit’s position and guide them safely around bad weather — that’s the kind of use case PinPoint excels at.

Why Hams Like It

Here are a few reasons why PinPoint has been well-received by the amateur radio community:

• Modern, clean interface
• Built-in map support (Google, Bing, OpenStreetMap, etc.)
• Offline-capable – Maps are cached and stored locally
• Supports a wide range of TNCs and soundmodems
• No Internet required during operations
• Free for personal use

It was even featured in the September 2018 issue of QST magazine, which says a lot about its credibility.

Features That Matter

PinPoint includes some thoughtful features that are rare in other APRS clients:

• Flexible mapping: From street maps to satellite imagery — all cached for offline use.
• Mouse-friendly UI: Most actions can be done with a click — no arcane config files or obscure hotkeys.
• Tactical awareness tools: Designed with real-world deployments in mind.
• Built-in APRS-IS support for iGate (receive-only).
• Modular and straightforward setup, especially for new users.

It’s clear that the author designed this with usability in mind, without sacrificing the serious features needed for actual field use.

What You’ll Need

To get PinPoint up and running, you’ll need:

• A Windows machine (Windows 7 to 11 recommended)
• .NET Framework 4.7.2 installed
• A radio + TNC setup (or soundmodem like DireWolf or VARA)
• A GPS if you’re going mobile
• APRS-IS access if you’re operating online
• And, of course, a valid amateur radio license

Ideal For…

• ARES and RACES deployments
• Severe weather spotting teams
• Mobile APRS tracking in vehicles
• Field Day and public service events
• Any ham who wants a clean, offline-friendly APRS solution

Still in Active Development

What’s impressive is that PinPoint is still actively maintained. If you have feedback or suggestions, you can reach out directly to the author via email. Frank listens to the community, and features are added based on actual user needs. It’s refreshing to see a ham radio app that doesn’t feel abandoned.

Final Thoughts

There’s a lot to like about PinPoint. It strikes a balance between powerful features and user-friendliness. And for emergency communications, where tools need to work without Internet, PinPoint delivers. It’s free, reliable, and tailored to the kinds of real-world challenges hams actually face in the field.

If you’re a Windows user and looking for an APRS tool that’s more than just a viewer, give PinPoint a try.

Download PinPoint here

The post A Look at PinPoint APRS: Field-Tested, Feature-Packed, and Free appeared on Hamradio.my - Amateur Radio, Tech Insights and Product Reviews by 9M2PJU.

Whether you’re a seasoned ham or just getting started with APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System), generating a passcode can often feel like a chore—especially if you’re on the move. Good news: there’s now a simple Android app that does just one thing, and does it well—generates your APRS-IS passcode based on your callsign.

What Is It?

9M2PJU APRS Passcode Generator is a no-frills Android app developed for amateur radio operators who need quick access to their APRS-IS passcodes. Just type in your callsign, and the app instantly shows your passcode. Internet required.

This is perfect for:

• Setting up APRS software like Xastir, YAAC, or APRSdroid
• Anyone who wants a quick way to look up passcodes without using a PC or website

GitHub Repository:
https://github.com/9M2PJU/9M2PJU-APRS-Passcode-Generator

Download the APK

The app isn’t on the Play Store, but you can easily download the APK directly:

Download the Android APK here

Once downloaded, just install it like any other APK (you may need to enable “Install from unknown sources” on your device).

Final Thoughts

This tool is made by a ham, for hams.

Give it a try, star the repo if you find it useful, and feel free to share it with your local ham radio group.

The post 9M2PJU APRS Passcode Generator Android App appeared on Hamradio.my - Amateur Radio, Tech Insights and Product Reviews by 9M2PJU.

If you’ve ever worked with APRS, you know it’s a powerful system for tracking stations and sending small packets of info over ham radio. But what if you could take that same data and display it in a modern tactical environment like ATAK or WinTAK? That’s exactly what APRSCOT does—and it does it well.

So, What is APRSCOT?

APRSCOT stands for APRS to Cursor-on-Target. It’s a lightweight Python-based gateway that takes APRS packets—either from the air via a receiver or from APRS-IS—and converts them into Cursor-on-Target messages. Those CoT messages can then be sent to ATAK, WinTAK, or any TAK-compatible system.

In simple terms: your APRS station now shows up on a tactical map with all the other players, in real-time.

Why This is a Big Deal

For years, APRS and TAK existed in separate worlds—ham radio on one side, military and disaster-response tools on the other. APRSCOT changes that. It makes APRS data useful for teams that rely on modern digital situational awareness.

That includes:

• Search and rescue groups
• Emergency communication teams
• Amateur radio operators involved in field exercises
• Off-grid explorers using TAK for navigation

APRSCOT gives those teams the ability to see where everyone is without complicated setups or expensive gear.

How It Works

APRSCOT listens for APRS data—either from a live radio feed or the APRS-IS network—and then uses custom mappings to decide how each station appears on the TAK map. You can configure things like:

• What CoT icon each callsign uses
• Which stations are filtered in or out
• How long each station stays on the map before it’s considered stale
• Whether updates are sent over TCP, UDP, or multicast

You can even run it headless as a background daemon. It’s made for real deployments, not just tinkering.

Who Should Use It?

• Field operators running both radio and TAK
• Amateur radio clubs coordinating public events
• Tactical comms teams bridging analog and digital tools
• Anyone who wants APRS and TAK to finally speak the same language

APRSCOT isn’t a toy. It’s built for actual use in the field. It gives your radio-based tracking system modern map support, without needing to rip and replace your entire setup.

Getting Started

You can install APRSCOT on any decent Linux system using pip or a Debian package. The config is in plain text and easy to customize. Once it’s running, just point your TAK client to the IP and port where APRSCOT is broadcasting, and you’re live.

No cloud, no proprietary BS, and no unnecessary bloat. Just a clean bridge between APRS and TAK that works.

Final Thoughts

APRSCOT does one thing and does it right: it puts APRS on the map—literally. Whether you’re tracking volunteers in a disaster zone, coordinating a community event, or experimenting with TAK as a ham radio operator, APRSCOT gives you a way to bring those worlds together.

Visit https://aprscot.readthedocs.io/en/latest/

The post APRSCOT: Bringing APRS into the Tactical World appeared on Hamradio.my - Amateur Radio, Tech Insights and Product Reviews by 9M2PJU.

Introducing RadioMail 1.5 – The “Robust Packet Radio” Release

RadioMail is a modern Winlink client designed for iOS, providing an intuitive and visually appealing way to send and receive messages over the Winlink network. Whether you’re deep in the wilderness or responding to an emergency, RadioMail ensures you stay in touch when the internet isn’t available.

Why RadioMail?

• Send & Receive Emails via Winlink – Exchange messages with Winlink users and regular email addresses.
• Optimized Mobile Experience – Enjoy a polished and user-friendly interface designed for iPhone.
• Global Connectivity – Access Winlink gateways worldwide for email and position reporting.
• Emergency & Disaster Ready – Trusted by emergency responders for reliable off-grid communication.

A valid amateur radio license is required to use RadioMail.

Powerful Features

Station Directory – Automatically retrieves station info from Winlink, sorted by proximity.

Favorites List – Save frequently used stations for quick access by mode and band.

Winlink Forms – Fill and submit over 100 standard forms with auto-filled GPS coordinates.

TNC & Modem Support – Works with B.B. Link, Mobilinkd TNC, DigiRig, and VARA modems.

Built-in Packet Modem – 1200 baud AFSK modem support with compatible audio interfaces.

Digipeater Support – Extend your range with up to two digipeaters.

Camera & Attachments – Capture and send images, annotate files, and share PDFs.

APRS Integration – Send position reports directly to the APRS network.

Push Notifications – Get real-time alerts when new messages arrive.

Flexible Addressing – Send emails with tactical addresses or secondary accounts.

Meet B.B. Link – Seamless Connection for Kenwood TH-D75 & TH-D74

The B.B. Link adapter is a game-changer for Kenwood radio users, allowing iPhones and iPads to interface directly with the built-in KISS TNC on the TH-D75 and TH-D74. No more complicated setups—just plug in the adapter, turn on your radio, and start sending emails over Winlink.

Compatibility

Supported Client Applications:

• Winlink Express
• Pat
• WoAD

Works with These Gateways:

• RMS Packet
• RMS Trimode
• BPQ32

Compatible Radios:

• Kenwood TH-D74 / TH-D75 (Requires B.B. Link Bluetooth adapter)
• BTECH UV-PRO
• VERO VR-N76
• RADIODDITY GA-5WB
• PicoAPRS V4

Modem & TNC Support:

• B.B. Link Adapter (for TH-D74/TH-D75)
• Mobilinkd TNC3 / TNC4
• LiNK500 TNC (Robust Packet)
• Dire Wolf & Soundmodem software TNC
• VARA FM & VARA HF software modems

What Operators Are Saying

“RadioMail is a gorgeous app allowing us Winlink connections on the iPhone. Compatible with the Mobilinkd TNC, Dire Wolf, VARA FM, and VARA HF.”
— Jason KM4ACK

“My new favorite ham radio app is RadioMail. Since I always have my iPhone on me, I can take a small radio pouch and retrieve my Winlink emails on the go! Great job!”
— Josh KI6NAZ (Ham Radio Crash Course)

Get Started Today!

Download RadioMail on the App Store (4.8 rating) Get the B.B. Link Adapter for your Kenwood TH-D75/TH-D74

Stay connected wherever you go with RadioMail and B.B. Link—the ultimate Winlink solution for iOS users. Visit https://radiomail.app/

The post Stay Connected Anywhere: RadioMail & B.B. Link for Kenwood TH-D75 appeared on Hamradio.my - Amateur Radio, Tech Insights and Product Reviews by 9M2PJU.

For many amateur radio operators, keeping track of QSL confirmations on Logbook of The World (LoTW) can be a hassle, especially when accessing the website from a mobile device. Recognizing this challenge, N1KDO developed LoTW Look, an Android application designed to provide a lightweight and efficient way to monitor QSL confirmations on the go.

Why LoTW Look?

The official LoTW website is not particularly mobile-friendly, making it cumbersome for operators who want quick access to their QSL data. LoTW Look solves this issue by providing an intuitive and responsive mobile interface that allows users to check their confirmations easily and receive timely notifications when new QSLs are received.

Features

LoTW Look is designed to be minimalistic yet powerful. The app offers the following key features:

• Automated QSL Checks: The app periodically queries LoTW for new confirmations and sends a notification when new QSLs are detected.
• Search Functionality: Users can search for specific QSL confirmations using the built-in search tool.
• Manual Refresh: A simple refresh button allows users to check for updates at any time.
• Lightweight Design: The app is optimized to use minimal storage (only 126 KB) and data, ensuring smooth performance.

How to Use

LoTW Look has a straightforward interface with three main controls:

• Search (Magnifier Icon): Enables users to find specific QSL confirmations.
• Refresh (Circle of Arrows Icon): Fetches the latest data from LoTW instantly.
• Settings (Gear Icon): Allows users to configure their preferences, including:
  • Username and password for LoTW authentication
  • Update intervals for automatic QSL checks
  • Maximum number of QSL entries stored on the device

Privacy and Security

LoTW Look prioritizes user privacy. The only data transmitted is the user’s LoTW credentials, which are securely encrypted using TLS 1.2 or later. The app does not collect or store any personal data beyond what is necessary for authentication.

Get LoTW Look

The application is available for download on the Google Play Store. Additionally, the source code is openly available on GitHub for those who wish to review or contribute to its development.

For more details, visit N1KDO’s website and explore the latest updates on LoTW Look. This app is a must-have for radio operators who want a seamless way to stay on top of their QSL confirmations—wherever they are.

The post LoTW Look: Mobile Access to Your Logbook of The World QSLs appeared on Hamradio.my - Amateur Radio, Tech Insights and Product Reviews by 9M2PJU.

Why Choose VK Port-a-Log?

Developed with the needs of portable operators in mind, VK Port-a-Log provides a feature-rich experience to simplify logging in the field. The latest version, released on 14 November 2021, offers a range of powerful features, including:

Seamless QSO Logging: Log contacts effortlessly with entries for time, call sign, operator name, location, signal reports, mode, rig, antenna, and power.

SOTA and WWFF Integration: Supports logging in formats compatible with SOTAwatch3, SOTAdata CSV, and WWFF ADIF files, making it easier to upload activation and chase logs.

SPOT Integration: View real-time SOTAwatch and ParksnPeaks SPOTs with six different alert sounds and easy QSO data entry by copying SPOT details directly to your log.

Customizable and User-Friendly: Choose between dark or light themes, set up hotkeys for quicker logging, and use an external keyboard with shortcut support.

Works on Most Android Devices: Compatible with Android 5.0 and above, making it accessible for a wide range of tablets and smartphones.

Automatic Location Tracking: Uses your device’s GPS to determine Maidenhead locators, nearby SOTA summits, VKFF/ZLFF areas, and VK shires.

Smart QSO Management: Enter QSOs live during operation or after your activation and easily review/edit your contacts using the scroll list.

Multiple Export Options: Save logs in various formats, including:

• SOTA V2 CSV for SOTA database uploads
• ADIF (Amateur Data Interchange Format) 3.0.4 for mainstream logging software
• CSV format for Excel import

Experience VK Port-a-Log in Action

Wade, VK1MIC, has demonstrated VK Port-a-Log in a home setup, showcasing its efficiency and ease of use. You can watch his video demonstration on YouTube to see the app in action.

For iPhone users, VK5AYL has developed a similar logging app. More details are available at www.vk5ayl.com.

Download and Join the Community

VK Port-a-Log is available in the files section of the vk3zpf-logger groups.io group. By joining, you can download the app, report bugs, provide suggestions, and share ideas with other users.

Download the VK Port-a-Log User Guide

Explore VK Port-a-Log Settings Screens

View VK Port-a-Log Version Info

If you’re serious about logging your portable QSOs with ease and accuracy, VK Port-a-Log is the app you need. Give it a try and streamline your portable operations today!

Reference https://vk3zpf.com/vk-port-a-log

The post VK Port-a-Log: The Ultimate Logging App for Portable Operators appeared on Hamradio.my - Amateur Radio, Tech Insights and Product Reviews by 9M2PJU.