Today I was at Newry State Forest AU-7711 on the Coffs Coast. I was on 40 and 15 meters in amongst the VK Remembrance Day Contesting. I had the IC-7300 running on an Inverted V up a tree between 0400 and 0500 UTC today, Saturday, 15 August 2026. The highlight of the day was another Continue reading A nice day by the creek in Newry State Forest AU-7711 #POTA #amateurradio #hamradio
Welcome to the first August update of Apple Amateur Radio . There have been some great new developments on the hardware, software and web based fronts in the last few weeks. Greyline FT8 for iPad and iPhone In the second July 2026 bulletin, I wrote of Greyline FT8 an app for iPhone and iPad for FT8. For my Continue reading What’s new in Apple Mac, iOS, iPad and the web based worlds for amateur…
Since getting my licence, I have been fascinated by the convergence of amateur radio and computing. I am a ‘Mac Geek’ and have spent vast (read ’too much’) time getting my Apple gear working with various hardware and software. My shack is now complete, thanks to Greyline FT8 and Digirig. I am in a good Continue reading At last! FT8 on iPad iPhone! And it’s a great experience with Greyline FT8 and…
Saturday 2/8 I was on air with a #POTA activation from north of Dorrigo on the NSW Northern Tablelands. I was on the boundary of Junuy Juluum National Park AU-1906. This was last activated mid 2024 by VK1OZ. I was on 40m and 15 metres 0415 to 0645 and spotting in POTA dot app and Continue reading Weekend #pota activations AU-7732 Boambee State Forest and AU-1906 Junuy Juluum National Park…
There are a few notable arrivals into the Apple stable for amateur radio in late July. This is my second bulletin for July, the first in July 2026 is here. Greyline FT8 This appears to be the FT8 app for iPad and iPhone ‘we have been waiting for’. Certainly, it’s been possible to do FT8 Continue reading What’s new in Apple Mac, iOS, iPad and the web based worlds for amateur radio operators – July…
I have a Google News Alert for both “Amateur Radio“ and “Ham Radio”. Each day I get sent a brief list of stories featuring both phrases, as identified by Google, and it’s mostly stories on operators, new equipment, deployments and, sadly, obituaries for “Silent Keys”. One story in particular caught my eye recently. It was Continue reading Fascinating story of how China is using amateur ham radio…
QSO Director QSO Director is an app for Mac, Windows and Linux for rig control and logging. It promotes itself as “QSO Director is a modern ham radio logging software platform designed to replace multiple tools with one seamless experience”. It’s not yet available for iOS or iPadOS. It’s a good looking app with lots Continue reading What’s new in Apple Mac, iOS, iPad and the web based worlds for…
I’m trying out a new antenna and base today (Thu 9 July 26) … a 5m whip to a mag mount and grounding mat. I know Thursday afternoons aren’t normally great but no harm in trying. I’ll be on 40and 15 until 0400/15 ish UTC. I’ll post on POTA dot app and PNP when going. Continue reading Midweek #POTA spot Bellinger River AU-10464, Thursday 9 July 0330 UTC
I have upped my Mac game this week with the arrival of a new M4 Mac Mini from the Apple Refurbished Store in Australia. I picked up a 16/256 for USD600 including Sales Tax. It s for my amateur radio operators and I ve written up a post on it. SDR Play says iOS and Android apps Continue reading What’s new in Apple Mac, iOS, iPad and the web based worlds for amateur radio operators June 2026 (Second…
This week I took delivery of a new Apple Mac Mini (M4 16/256) to be used in my “Radio Shack” with an Icom IC-7300 Mk2, SDR Play nRSP-ST and various other apps and peripherals. The Mac Mini is small, minimalist, sleek and insanely fast. Amateur radio and computers go hand in hand. Compare this amazing Continue reading The contrast between old and new ways to communicate a Mac Mini meets a Morse…