# Packet Commander — Terminal for Packet Radio

> Mobile terminal application for packet radio communication and traffic monitoring. (iPhone/iPad app by Island Magic Co..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/packet-commander/id6743951365 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Island Magic Co.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1529387252)
- Category: Utilities
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.90/5 from 44 App Store ratings · 8 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 18.2 · 10 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2025-06-12
- Data updated: 2026-08-17
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/packet-commander/id6743951365/reviews.md

## What is Packet Commander?

Packet Commander brings a classic terminal experience for packet radio to your iPhone or iPad.

Try it free. The download includes 5 full connection sessions so you can explore the features and confirm compatibility before purchasing. After that, a purchase is required to continue connecting. Note: An amateur radio license is required to operate on the air.

Powerful Terminal
• Full-screen terminal for interacting with packet nodes and BBS over amateur radio
• Classic color themes inspired by iconic computers
• Adjustable fonts and layout for readability and screen efficiency
• YAPP protocol support for file transfers
• Dictation-ready for composing messages hands-free
• Smart filename selection — double tap to highlight and copy

Smarter Packet Connections
• Location-aware digipeater routing: automatically recalls the last-used path at each location
• Seamless iCloud sync for nodes and digipeaters across all your devices
• Compatible with popular packet node software including BPQ32, URONode, and others

Over-the-Air Monitor
Connect to your radio and decode over-the-air traffic in real time. AX.25 frames are decoded and presented in an easy-to-read format.
• Filter traffic to display exactly what you’re looking for
• Search by address or content
• Export the log to a file for later analysis

Works with the Gear You Love
• Auto-discovery of Bluetooth and TCP TNCs, including Dire Wolf on DigiPi
• Automatic frequency set/restore on supported radios
• Built-in, high-performance 1200 baud AFSK software modem
• Optimized for VHF/UHF packet at both 1200 and 9600 baud

Compatible with the Following Radios and TNCs:

Radios with Built-in TNCs (Auto-sets and restores frequency on those radios)
· BTECH UV-PRO, UV-50PRO
· VERO VR-N76, VR-N7600
· RADIODITY GA-5WB, DB50-B 
· Kenwood TH-D74*, TH-D75*
· PicoAPRS V4

*Requires B.B. Link Bluetooth adapter

Portable KISS TNCs
· Mobilinkd TNC3, TNC4
· LiNK500 TNC
· DigiPi
· Dire Wolf Software TNC

Audio Interfaces (Using built-in software modem)
· Digirig Lite
· Digirig VOX PTT Cable
· AIOC (All-In-One Cable)


Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

## Key features

- Full-screen terminal for packet nodes and BBS
- Classic color themes and adjustable layout
- YAPP protocol support for file transfers
- Location-aware digipeater routing
- Seamless iCloud sync
- Over-the-air traffic decoding
- Auto-discovery of TNCs

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Yearly Subscription | $8.99 | per year |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| One-Time Purchase | $24.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (8 of 8)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/packet-commander/id6743951365/reviews.md

### 5/5 — 🤘🏼

*2026-03-30*

What an awesome app! Well done!

**Developer response:** 🙏💚

### 5/5 — What an amazing tool!

*2025-10-27, version 1.1.0*

I have recently discovered the joy of using ax25 via bluetooth tnc and this is now my go to tool!

### 5/5 — So easy to use!

*2025-07-08*

What a perfect manifestation of a much needed app that is easy to use. Just another example of Georges bringing ham radio to the 21st century.

**Developer response:** 🙏💚

### 4/5 — Hoping for frequency monitoring

*2025-06-24*

Really loving this app. My only wish is that it had a monitor function.

**Developer response:** Thanks for the feedback. Starting with version 1.1, the app includes a monitor function that lets you decode AX.25 traffic in real time. Frames are displayed in a clean, readable format to help you follow over-the-air activity. Give it a try. And if it hits the mark, we’d be grateful if you considered updating your rating.

### 5/5 — Amazing!

*2025-06-23*

Best thing to happen to Packet radio since Winlink. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Makes the TNC4 priceless now.

**Developer response:** 🙏💚

### 5/5 — Game changer

*2025-06-21, version 1.0.0*

This app works fantastic. I was easily able to connect to my bbs via BT to my Mobilinkd tnc from the car. It’s just what we iPhone users needed! Thank-you so much! VA7LM

### 5/5 — Awesome!

*2025-06-20*

I am so glad that you got this out finally  it works great.

**Developer response:** 🙏💚

### 5/5 — Excellent

*2025-06-13*

Packet Commander functions flawlessly and precisely as advertised. I am using it in conjunction with a BB Link and a Kenwood TH-D75A, and I am thoroughly satisfied with its performance.

**Developer response:** 🙏💚

## Frequently asked questions about Packet Commander

### What is Packet Commander?

Packet Commander is a mobile application that provides a classic terminal experience for packet radio communication. It allows users to connect to packet nodes and BBS, transfer files, and monitor over-the-air traffic in real-time.

### Is Packet Commander free to download and use?

Packet Commander offers a free download that includes 5 full connection sessions for exploration and compatibility testing. A purchase is required to continue connecting after the trial period. It also has a yearly subscription option for $8.99.

### What hardware is Packet Commander compatible with?

Packet Commander is compatible with various radios and TNCs, including BTECH, VERO, RADIODITY, Kenwood, PicoAPRS, Mobilinkd TNC3/TNC4, LiNK500 TNC, DigiPi, Dire Wolf, Digirig, and AIOC.

### Do I need an amateur radio license to use Packet Commander?

Yes, an amateur radio license is required to operate on the air using Packet Commander. The app itself facilitates the communication but does not grant license privileges.

### Can I monitor radio traffic with Packet Commander?

Yes, Packet Commander allows you to connect to your radio and decode over-the-air traffic in real time. AX.25 frames are decoded and presented in an easy-to-read format, with options to filter and search traffic.

### How often is Packet Commander updated?

Packet Commander was last updated on January 5, 2026, with version 1.1.2. This indicates a recent update, suggesting ongoing development and support.

### What devices does Packet Commander support?

Packet Commander is supported on iPhone and iPad devices, indicated by its compatibility with iOS. The age rating is 4+.

### Does Packet Commander have ads?

Packet Commander does not contain advertisements. The app is free to download with a trial, and then requires a purchase or subscription to continue using its full features.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.1.5 — 2026-08-16

* Improved packet connection reliability and recovery.
* Fixed connections through digipeaters stalling after lost frames.

### 1.1.4 — 2026-07-16

- Fixed app freezes when toggling Monitor filter options
- Added support for 1.25m band frequencies (222–225 MHz)
- Various stability improvements

### 1.1.3 — 2026-03-31

• Fixed CAT control support for the DB50-B radio.

### 1.1.2 — 2026-01-05

Added support for the AIOC (All-In-One Cable) audio interface with the internal packet modem. Ensure the AIOC is running firmware version 1.4.1 or later and that AutoPTT is enabled.

### 1.1.1 — 2025-12-04

• Added frequency change support for the VR-N7600, UV-50PRO and DB50-B mobile radios.

## Apps similar to Packet Commander

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
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| [QRV - Ham Radio Multitool](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qrv-ham-radio-multitool/id6754951380) | 4.9 (66) | Free | Utilities |
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## More apps by Island Magic Co.

- [RadioMail Classic](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/radiomail-classic/id1613839993)
- [B.B. Link Configurator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bb-link-configurator/id6476163710)
- [Radio Messenger](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/radio-messenger/id6730110865)

All apps by Island Magic Co.: https://appshunter.io/developer/1529387252

## Related topics

[winlink](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/winlink) · [btlink](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/btlink)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-17.*