Users of the VR-N76 VHF/UHF radio may be interested to know that a new beta firmware update has been released, adding support for Smart Beaconing and Mic-E encoding—two major features for APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) users.

This update brings smarter location reporting capabilities, aimed at reducing unnecessary transmissions and improving overall efficiency during mobile or portable use.

What’s New in the Beta?

The firmware adds Smart Beaconing, which adjusts position reporting based on movement and activity, rather than just fixed intervals. The system will now trigger location reports under the following conditions:

• Heading change exceeds 30 degrees
• Speed changes by more than 30 km/h and remains changed for over 2 minutes
• It has been more than 30 minutes since the last position report
  And the standard “Share Location” interval has passed

In addition, Mic-E encoding is now supported—allowing for more compact APRS transmissions using fewer bytes.

Important Notes for Testers

This is a beta release, which means:

• Some bugs or performance issues may still exist
• Updates are only available to a limited number of testers
• If the firmware cannot be updated using the steps below, it likely means the beta test is full

Users who are unfamiliar with Smart Beaconing or prefer a more stable experience are advised to wait for the official public release.

How to Install the Beta Firmware

To access the beta firmware on a VR-N76:

1. Open the radio’s device settings
2. Tap on the firmware version number
3. When “NO updates are Available” appears, tap that message at least 10 times rapidly
4. A hidden firmware update screen will appear. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the update

The beta firmware version will be shown as 0.8.8. As long as this version is installed and the Smart Beacon menu appears, the update has succeeded.

Where to Get the VR-N76

The VR-N76 is available for purchase through the official VERO Telecom website. The radio has gained popularity for its integration with smartphones, APRS support, and over-the-air updates.

About VERO Telecom

VERO Telecom (VERO GLOBAL COMMUNICATION CO.) is based in Quanzhou, Fujian, China, and manufactures a line of radios, including the VR-N7500 and VR-N76, aimed at both amateur and commercial users.

The post VR-N76 Beta Firmware Adds Smart Beacon & Mic-E Support 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.

Android car players have become increasingly popular among amateur radio operators, providing a convenient interface for various apps like APRSDroid, RepeaterBook, and EchoLink. However, not all apps are readily available on the Google Play Store for car head units. In such cases, sideloading an APK is the best solution. This guide will walk you through different methods to install APKs on your Android car player and highlight how this can benefit amateur radio enthusiasts.

Why Sideload APKs on an Android Car Player?

For amateur radio operators, an Android car player can serve as an essential tool for APRS tracking, repeater lookup, and digital communication. Sideloading APKs allows you to:

• Install APRSDroid for real-time APRS tracking and messaging.
• Use RepeaterBook to find the nearest repeaters while driving.
• Set up EchoLink for VoIP-based amateur radio communications.
• Run SDR applications for real-time spectrum analysis.

If an app is not available on your Android car player’s Play Store, sideloading is the way to go.

Method 1: Using a USB Drive or SD Card

This method is ideal for Android car players with USB or SD card support.

Steps:

1. Download the APK – On your PC or phone, get the APK file from a trusted source (e.g., APRSDroid from its official website).
2. Copy the APK to a USB Drive or SD Card – Transfer the file.
3. Insert into the Car Player – Plug the USB drive or SD card into the Android head unit.
4. Enable “Unknown Sources” – In your car player’s settings, navigate to Security > Unknown Sources and enable it.
5. Install the APK – Open the file manager, locate the APK, and tap to install.

Pros:

• Simple and does not require internet connectivity.
• Works well for large APK files.

Cons:

• Requires access to a USB drive or SD card.
• Some car head units may block installations from external storage.

Method 2: Wireless Transfer via ADB (No USB Required)

For those who prefer a wireless approach, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows APK installation via a smartphone.

Steps:

1. Enable Developer Options & ADB Debugging
   • Go to Settings > About Device and tap Build Number multiple times until Developer Mode is enabled.
   • In Developer Options, enable USB Debugging and Wireless Debugging (if available).
2. Install an ADB Client on Your Phone
   • Download LADB – Local ADB Shell from Google Play on your phone.
3. Transfer and Install the APK
   • Move the APK to your phone.
   • Open LADB and use the command: adb install /path/to/apk
   • Replace /path/to/apk with the actual file location.

Pros:

• No need for USB or SD card.
• Works well for advanced users.

Cons:

• Requires some knowledge of ADB commands.
• Developer mode must be enabled.

Method 3: Using “Send Files to TV” App (Easy Wireless Transfer)

Another convenient way to sideload APKs is by using the “Send Files to TV” (SFTV) app.

Steps:

1. Install Send Files to TV on both your phone and car player from the Play Store.
2. Open the app and select Send on your phone and Receive on the car player.
3. Choose the APK file and send it to the car player.
4. Open the file manager on the car player and tap the APK to install it.

Pros:

• Very user-friendly and requires no technical knowledge.
• No cables or external storage required.

Cons:

• Requires both devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network.
• Requires initial Play Store access to install SFTV.

Method 4: Direct Download & Install

If your car player has a web browser, you can download the APK directly.

Steps:

1. Open the browser on your Android car player.
2. Visit a trusted APK website (e.g., the official APRSDroid page).
3. Download the APK and install it.

Pros:

• Fast and convenient if internet access is available.

Cons:

• Some car players may block direct APK installations.
• Risk of downloading malware from untrusted sources.

Final Thoughts

For amateur radio operators, sideloading apps like APRSDroid onto an Android car player enhances mobile ham radio operations, offering real-time APRS tracking and digital communication tools while on the go. By using one of the methods above, you can install any necessary amateur radio apps, even if they are unavailable on the Play Store.

Do you use APRSDroid or other ham radio apps on your Android car player? Let us know your experience in the comments!

The post How to Sideload APKs to an Android Car Player for Amateur Radio Applications appeared on Hamradio.my - Amateur Radio, Tech Insights and Product Reviews by 9M2PJU.