This week in Apple Ham Radio, we see what’s new in software, loop back to a well-known Apple developer, get DStar on your Apple devices, go bush wth POTA and take a look at an unusual Apple Watch edition for Ham Radio.
Mac Ham Radio updates
Mac Ham Radio reports that APRS-FI was updated this week to version 2.7.2, introducing new functionality and bug fixes. This app works on iOS and iPadOS devices.
Rogue Amoeba apps in amateur radio – Piezo
Rogue Amoeba is a long-standing, popular, and well-regarded software developer specialising in audio apps. While it doesn’t have ham radio-specific apps, two of its products have applications in amateur radio. Piezo is a simple sound recorder that captures audio from any source, whether digital or analogue. This can be handy for recording QSOs, QRM as part of the identification process, and signals when SWL DXing.
Rogue Amoeba apps in amateur radio – Loopback
Loopback is an audio routing program. It can be helpful in ham radio for integrating programs like SDR Control for Icom, Yaesu, Elecraft, Kenwood and WSTJ-X. See the “Audio Interface” section of the SDR Control for Icom manual. Developer Markus Roskosh advises in the manual: “As a courtesy to users of my apps, I’ve negotiated a 25% discount with Rogue Amoeba. To obtain your coupon, please use the “Contact Developer” button found under Settings → Information & Support.” Here’s how to hook things up from Remote Ham Radio and Joatmon.
DSar Hospot, ID-52A Plus and Icom app integration
Dstar is a fantastic yet cumbersome, complex and confusing technology and medium. But when it works, it is very impressive. I don’t live in an area with a DStar repeater. This week, I took delivery of a USD50 MMDVM Hot Spot built on PiStar via AliExpress. I connected my Mac to its SSID, had it join my network, made a few customisations, connected the radio, and away I went. It wasn’t plug and play out of the box, but it wasn’t far off. Being on Dstar with my ID-52A Plus is one thing. Being able to use Icom’s iPhone and iPad apps, as well as using them on my M-Series Mac, is another advantage. There are three notable apps: the general rig control app (RS-MS1I), the photo transmission (ST-4001I) app, and the Terminal or Access Point mode app (RS-MS3I). Why Icom doesn’t ship DStar radios with a HotSpot or sell them is a mystery to me.
For the Aussies interested in POTA
I’m in Australia, which has an active, diverse and experienced amateur community, many of whom are on Apple gear. One of the great local apps is ParksAndPeaks, available for iOS and iPadOS, for use in Parks on the Air (POTA). VK and ZL amateurs’ spot here before POTA.app. Here’s a good overview of the program from VK3TBS. I’ve been in contact with the app developer, and she’s very responsive. I asked about making the app compatible with M-Series Macs and said she’d look into it. Apparently, it’s much more than just ‘flicking a switch’.
Radio interface on your Apple Watch? There was an app for that
It appears that the pp has come and gone, but MCMCQ did it, just because, with his Icom IC-7610.
Digital shortwave
Soon, I will post on digital shortwave and Apple devices. There’s a lot of interesting stuff happening for us hobbyists and the broader population. I posted on the latter this week.
That’s it for this week, 73’s
Andrew, VK2AWN
31 August 2025