# SSTV Slow Scan TV

> Mobile app for decoding, displaying, and transmitting Slow Scan Television (SSTV) radio signals. (iPhone/iPad app by Black Cat Systems.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sstv-slow-scan-tv/id387910013 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Black Cat Systems](https://appshunter.io/developer/301047032)
- Category: Lifestyle, Utilities
- Price: $3.99
- Rating: 3.90/5 from 147 App Store ratings · 163 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 6.0 · 2 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2010-08-27
- Data updated: 2026-09-14
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sstv-slow-scan-tv/id387910013/reviews.md

## What is SSTV Slow Scan TV?

Want to display or send SSTV transmissions, without using a bulky computer? SSTV Pad lets you decode and display Ham (Amateur) Radio SSTV (Slow Scan TV) transmissions. Just connect your device to an HF radio (or even set it next to the radio's speaker), tune in an SSTV frequency, and watch the pictures. SSTV Pad decodes all of the popular SSTV modes, including Robot, Scottie, Martin, and more. Some modes are receive only. 

Decoding of SSTV transmissions begins automatically as soon as the start of image audio signals are detected, and the image format is automatically selected. Manual control is also available for use when receiving conditions are poor. Timing signals (phase and skew) can be adjusted to compensate for mismatches with the sending station. 

Received images can be saved - including automatically as they are received. You can leave the app running unattended, and come back to view all the received images. You can review saved images, as well as send them via email, and use iTunes file sharing to transfer them to your computer. You can even share them on your Facebook page, or tweet them to your followers, directly from the app! (iOS 6 and later)

You can also transmit images, taken from your saved photos or taken with your device's camera. Text, such as your callsign, can be added to the sent image.

Buy your copy right now, and start decoding and displaying SSTV transmissions in minutes. Just set your iPhone or iPad next to the radio speaker, and watch the pictures come rolling in.

Note: If you cannot see the transmit button, go to the Accessibility settings for your device and turn Button Shapes OFF. It makes the buttons too large so you cannot see them all. 

Also, It is very important to have a well tuned signal of good quality, and make sure you get the audio from your radio to your device without adding additional distortion, or auto start and mode detect will not work optimally. Please see this page for tips on using the app and connecting your radio: http://www.blackcatsystems.com/ipad/iPad_SSTV_Pad_FAQ.html

You can also use Bluetooth audio devices to feed audio into your device. Please be sure to use a good quality Bluetooth device, that does not distort the audio.

Modes supported for reception (not all modes can be transmitted):
B&W 8 sec
B&W 12 sec
B&W 24 sec
B&W 36 sec 
Martin M1
Martin M1
Martin M2
Martin M3
Martin M4
MP73" 
MP115 
MP140 
MP175
MR73 
MR90
MR115 
MR140 
MR175 
PD 50
PD 90 
PD 120 
PD 160
PD 180
PD 240
PD 290 
Robot 12C
Robot 24C
Robot 36C
Robot 72C
SC-1 32 sec
SC-1 16 sec
SC-1 8 sec
SC-2-60
SC-2-120
SC-2-180
Scottie S1
Scottie S2
Scottie S3
Scottie S4
Scottie DX

## Key features

- Decode SSTV transmissions
- Display received images
- Support for popular SSTV modes
- Automatic and manual decoding
- Save and review received images
- Transmit custom SSTV images
- Add text to transmitted images

## Chart rankings

- #77 in Top Paid · Lifestyle (US App Store)

## What do users think of SSTV Slow Scan TV?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 🎯 Simple and intuitive user interface
- 📡 Effective SSTV decoding from radio signals
- 🚀 No cables or special hardware required
- 📸 Successfully captures ISS transmissions
- 💰 Affordable price point
- 🔊 Works with microphone input from speaker
- 📱 Portable and convenient for field use
- 🎨 Multiple SSTV mode support for receiving

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes on modern iOS versions
- ⚠️ App crashes when accessing camera function
- 🔴 Crashes immediately on launch (intermittent)
- ❌ Transmit feature broken with '(null)' watermark
- 🚫 Limited transmission mode support
- ⏱️ No updates for 7-9 years
- 🎚️ Overly sensitive phase and skew sliders
- 🔇 Only accepts microphone input, not audio files
- 💾 Image data overwrites after 5 seconds
- 🎭 Outdated interface design
- 🔌 No auxiliary input support on iPhone
- 📱 UI elements off-screen on iPad
- ⚡ Crashes on iOS 13+ and iOS 17

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes when selecting camera to take photo
- App crashes on second launch after first use
- Crashes immediately on startup (intermittent)
- Incompatible with iPhone 15 Pro and newer models
- Crashes on iOS 13.1.2 and later versions
- Crashes on iOS 17
- Transmit displays '(null)' watermark on images
- Auto-start triggers on random ambient noise
- Auto-detect mode fails or makes incorrect detections
- Phase and skew sliders move after finger release
- Phase slider gets stuck and won't move
- Only decodes top-right section of image
- Image quality is poor and distorted
- Save to Photos function doesn't work on macOS
- Save function loses images without saving
- Received images disappear after 5 seconds
- Audio cable input does not work
- Auto-start and auto-mode features non-functional
- Transmit button off-screen on iPad
- Setup button missing on iPad
- Poor decoding quality compared to Android alternatives

**Most requested features**

- Automatic message encoding detection during receive
- Code sound indicator for transmission mode
- Support for all SSTV transmission modes (PD modes, PAD, MR)
- Modern, updated user interface
- Auto-detection of SSTV mode
- Auto-skew correction
- Ability to save raw image data for post-processing
- Save images to both app and camera roll simultaneously
- Audio file input support (not just live microphone)
- Auxiliary audio input support
- Less sensitive phase and skew controls
- Reset button for phase and skew adjustments
- Ability to disable '(null)' text overlay without workaround
- Mode lock feature to prevent accidental mode changes
- Better image quality decoding
- Apple Watch support
- macOS audio device selection

## Recent user reviews (10 of 163)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sstv-slow-scan-tv/id387910013/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Awesome app for SSTV

*2026-05-23*

I have tried a few other pieces of SSTV software, and none have been this easy to set up. The app is super easy to use and has great reception and options.

### 5/5 — Bellissimo

*2026-05-11, version 2.0*

Per un certo periodo non ha più funzionato, poi lo avete aggiornato ed ora è di nuovo in forma, bravi

### 5/5 — Absolutely awesome

*2026-05-09*

CQ SSTV by Black Cat is one of the best SSTV apps available for amateur radio operators. The interface is clean, simple, and reliable, making it easy to send and receive SSTV images whether you’re a beginner or a longtime ham. The app performs extremely well with clear decodes, stable operation, and excellent compatibility with popular SSTV modes.

What really stands out is how fast and responsive the app feels during live operation. The controls are straightforward, audio handling is solid, and it works great for portable operations, field events, and casual SSTV nets. The developer has clearly put a lot of thought into both usability and ham radio functionality.

If you enjoy SSTV, especially events like SSTV Sundays or portable operations, CQ SSTV is absolutely worth downloading. Huge thanks to Black Cat for creating such a dependable and enjoyable app for the amateur radio community!

### 3/5 — Inconvenience in use

*2026-04-09, version 2.0*

First, I miss the mode of automatic detection of the message encoding mode during Rx. Second, during tx at the beginning of the program, there is no code sound indicating the transmission mode. Thirdly, there are not enough modes for tx. Fourth, outdated interface. Fifth, when I want to take a photo using the camera in the application, it crashes. If all these points are fixed, it will be the best application on the market and sales will bring a lot of money

### 5/5 — 굳

*2026-03-15*

👍

### 1/5 — Useless

*2026-02-20, version 2.0*

I guess the last “what’s new” being from nine years ago should have been a hint. iPhone 15 pro and this app just crashes any time I try to do anything at all with it.

### 5/5 — SSTV

*2026-01-30, version 2.0*

I just tried this program for the cost it is great I couldn’t find any thing better!

### 2/5 — App is crashing on second use

*2026-01-02*

Dear developer the App is awesome in terms of the use cases but after first use its always crashing while trying to open it, im using 16 pro max and 17 pro both has same issues, as i have purchased it for professional use - now its not worth it, please fix the issue ASAP

while uninstalling and installing again i can use the app for once only.

### 4/5 — (Null)

*2025-12-26*

Some people are mentioning that the program superimposes the word NULL on your image and there’s no way to get rid of it. Not true.  If you press the transmit button, you’ll see the option to upload a photo from your Photos, or use your camera.  If you press upload photo from photos library, AND you then select your photo, THEN you will see a list of five options. Pick option three, “set text.”


You have to put something in here to get rid of the word, NULL that shows up in your transmitted picture. Leaving it blank is not an option. At least it gives you the opportunity to make the superimposed text Tiny  or Large. I picked Tiny and just put in my callsign. You might be able to get away with just dropping a period in the cell and making it tiny.

So, you can either choose to not put your call sign in your picture and let this program superimpose your call sign where it’s going to and build your photo around it, or you can create your call sign in your picture and then just have this stupid functionality put your call sign again, in super small letters and just say “whatever”.  The functionality to get rid of NULL is there, it’s just buried.

### 5/5 — .

*2025-10-03, version 2.0*

Добавьте русский язык.

## Frequently asked questions about SSTV Slow Scan TV

### What does SSTV Pad do?

SSTV Pad allows you to decode and display Slow Scan Television (SSTV) transmissions from amateur radio frequencies directly on your mobile device. You can also transmit your own SSTV images.

### What SSTV modes does the app support?

The app supports a wide range of popular SSTV modes for reception, including various Robot, Scottie, Martin, and PD modes, as well as B&W and SC modes. Some modes are receive-only.

### How much does SSTV Pad cost?

The application is a paid app. You can purchase it to start decoding and displaying SSTV transmissions immediately.

### What devices is SSTV Pad compatible with?

The app is designed for iOS devices, specifically mentioning iPhone and iPad. For sharing features like Facebook and Twitter, iOS 6 and later is required.

### How can I use SSTV Pad to receive SSTV signals?

Connect your device to an HF radio or place it next to the radio's speaker. Tune into an SSTV frequency, and the app will automatically detect and decode the incoming image signals. You can also manually adjust timing signals if reception conditions are poor.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.0 — 2017-01-10

This update from Apple will improve the functionality of this app. No new features are included.

Can now add multi line text to transmitted images.
Updates for iOS 10.2

### 1.9 — 2016-07-07

Added an option to save received images to your Photos.
Fixed a bug where some controls would not be visible on an iPad if the app was launched in landscape orientation.

### 1.8 — 2015-06-18

Support for Bluetooth audio devices.

### 1.7.1 — 2015-02-28

Eliminated blank areas in saved pictures.

### 1.7.0 — 2015-02-21

Fixed bugs that could cause a crash in iOS 8.1.3.
Corrections to the PD modes.

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## More apps by Black Cat Systems

- [WireCalc](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wirecalc/id301047029)
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- [RF Link Calc](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rf-link-calc/id303034300)
- [dB Calc](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/db-calc/id303470503)
- [Drill Calc](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drill-calc/id304434324)
- [Photon Calc](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photon-calc/id304436071)

All apps by Black Cat Systems: https://appshunter.io/developer/301047032

## Related topics

[sstv slow scan tv](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sstv-slow-scan-tv) · [sstv](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sstv) · [sstv decoder](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sstv-decoder) · [sstv encoder](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sstv-encoder) · [sstv signal desk](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sstv-signal-desk)

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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 2026-09-14.*