# Packet Pad — user reviews > 30 indexed App Store user reviews of Packet Pad by Black Cat Systems, rated 3.80/5 from 16 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/packet-pad/id385609173/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/packet-pad/id385609173.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 8 · 4★ 4 · 3★ 0 · 2★ 0 · 1★ 4 ## Newest reviews (10 of 30) ### 4/5 — +1 Bendhoward *2020-01-18, version 1.5* I was ready to write a trash review until I plugged the iPad directly to the rig’s audio. Now it works after a year of non-decoding 😺 ### 4/5 — Works for me *2015-09-12, version 1.4* Catches 3/4 of the packets I hear. ### 4/5 — Works if RX is clean. *2014-08-25, version 1.3* I wanted to verify packet traffic recvd on 145.825 mhz was actually coming from space. Holding my iPhone with this app up next to the speaker of my receiver decoded the sound into discern-able characters. Lots of fun. N1RY ### 3/5 — Good but missing some features... *2014-05-16, version 1.3* Good but missing some features: - 300 bd mode with waterfall - base91 decoding - map plotting - TX mode - iGate RF -> net ### 4/5 — Works great next to speaker *2013-12-25, version 1.3* I haven't tried a direct connect yet. Using iphone 5 mic picks up packets great. ### 4/5 — APRS user *2012-10-23, version 1.2.1* Works as advertised! Would love to see it also decode the compressed packets. ### 3/5 — Pretty good *2012-05-02, version 1.2* App does exactly what it says it will, and seems to do it very well, even just using the mic. Just wish you could save a log file of the packets received!! ### 2/5 — Great Potential, Disappointing Presentation *2011-12-24, version 1.2* App works decently, however it needs to improve dramatically to be worth the price. The ability to encode and decode packet information would make this worth the price an maybe even more. Otherwise, it's a sad disappointment because of the huge potential that just isn't met here. ### 4/5 — Tip for people using the iPhone microphone: *2011-06-01, version 1.1* I was unable to get this to work by placing the iPhone near my radio's speaker. What I found was that the speaker is unable to reproduce some of the higher pitched tones required to decode AFSK packets. What DID work is using a pair of nice earbuds and placing them near the iPhone mic. After some experimenting I can verify that this app definitely works! ### 3/5 — Klappt gut *2011-05-22, version 1.1* Arbeitet wie beschrieben auch gut mit 3GS sofern die Pakete mit ausreichend Flags zum synchronisieren hörbar sind.auf Einstellung des squelch achten. Ein logfile schreiben wäre zu wünschen. Danke für diese App. Ein APRS TX Generator wäre cool. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Nicht funktionstüchtig *2020-09-24, version 1.5* Auf aktuellen iOS-Geräten funktioniert die App nicht mehr. Das letzte Update war vor 4 Jahren. Weder mit Lautsprecher an iPhone halten (mit allen möglichen Lautstärken) noch verschiedene USB-Soundkarten über den Lightning-USB-Adapter konnten von der App nicht dekodiert werden. Ich habe die Rückgabe bei Apple beantragt. Nicht kaufen! ### 1/5 — Absolute Garbage *2019-11-04, version 1.5* Frankly, an embarrassment to amateur radio. The worst piece of software I have ever used for any purpose. ### 1/5 — Deprecated, not working any more *2019-07-16, version 1.5* Not working for iPhone X iOS 12 - the app does not pick up audio from mic or an external mic. ### 1/5 — Works sometimes, but not enough to be worth more than $.99 *2018-10-12, version 1.5* Often takes restarting the app two or three times before it even recognizes most transmissions, and then when it finally does, the error rate is close to 25%. This is pretty much the way this developer works. Just get a cheap Android, and free software for ham radio. It'll work better, and you won't be paying a premium for trashy apps. ### 1/5 — Does not work with iPad *2017-08-24, version 1.5* Will not decode packets even when placed on speaker. Might be better on iPhone but so far all I get is garbage. ### 1/5 — Packet decoder rip-off *2015-03-28, version 1.4* Do not waste your money. This packet decoder does not work. I am in engineer that has worked on the design and development of packet radio and multiple applications for iPad. This decoder is absolutely faulty and should not be on this website for sale. ### 1/5 — Hate it *2013-10-29, version 1.3* It does not work and I want my money back. ### 1/5 — Dead on ios7 *2013-09-28, version 1.2.1* Does not work on iPhone 5, iOS 7. No audio indication, no decode. App has microphone permission. Waste of money til fixed. ### 1/5 — Horrible *2012-10-03, version 1.2.1* This program wont receive a single packet. It is like it is deaf and dumb. Save your money. What a waste! ### 1/5 — Doesn't work for me *2011-02-04, version 1.1* Tuned my Kenwood TM-D710 to 144.390 and tried various audio levels and distances from the speaker but couldn't get it to decode anything. It didn't even produce garbled text. Maybe this app isn't for the iPhone 4? ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Just what I needed *2025-06-07, version 1.6* All I needed to do was use the microphone on my phone to decode the aprs packets coming in over my radio. Tried about a dozen apps that said they could do this until I found this one. $3 well spent! ### 5/5 — Receives ISS fine *2025-05-21* I have used this app to receive data from the ISS as well as ground packet stations just placing phone next to radio. May have to juggle its position but will work in a quiet room G4BTI. ### 5/5 — Works as intended. *2016-05-12, version 1.5* It does what it is supposed to do. Decodes packets. Not a problem just holding up to the speaker. It will help me with my packet work. ### 5/5 — Packet *2016-02-06, version 1.5* Shows packets even if the checksum doesn't pass. I like that. I know it's receiving. Can attach the radio to the phone and bike ride! ### 5/5 — iOS 9.2 Scrolling problem fixed with 1/4/16 update *2016-01-05, version 1.5* With today's update the scrolling problem under iOS 9.2 is fixed. The app works just as it should. Five stars! ### 5/5 — 1200 afsk packet decoder *2015-03-10, version 1.4* it works great on aprs, even without a cable (acoustically coupled). the sstv app also works great with pix from the ISS. that was recommended by Clint B / k6lcs on the amsat bulletin board. i bought the 4- pak, but have not tried the psk-31 or cw decoders yet. buy it. 73 ### 5/5 — Work as described *2013-03-22* Tested bcd996xt - Irig - ipad min ### 5/5 — Tut was es soll *2011-12-04, version 1.2* Ich war ein wenig skeptisch, aber es funktioniert wirklich. Einfach das IPad, IPhone oder IPod in die nähe der Paketausgabe legen und schon wird dekodiert. Ich finde die App bisschen zu teuer. 73 Dg9mf ### 5/5 — It Works! *2011-03-01, version 1.1* Very well, in fact. Impressed my son in law a lot. He's a high level ITT expert and not easy to impress. He actually (after knowing me for 10+ years) asked me how he could become a ham! He never took an interest before, and I've shown him my station many times. The combination of an IPad and small 2 meter radio finally aroused his interest. Well worth buying! ### 4/5 — Pas mal *2020-04-17, version 1.5* Bien pratique pour décorer facilement ISS par exemple mais trop peu de fonctions’ j espère que ça évoluera --- *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 2026-07-29.*