Comparison

RS vs B.B. Link Configurator

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

RS

Control compatible transceivers, share voice and pictures, and view station locations on a map. Access received station information, send text messages, and manage call sign and repeater lists. Customize transceiver and application settings for a streamlined experience.

Highlights
  • Transceiver DR functions
  • Send and receive voice and pictures
  • Map repeater and station locations
  • Read and edit received station information
  • Send and receive text messages
  • Manage call sign and repeater lists
  • Import/Export data
Features
Read full description

Functional overview of the application DR functions You can use some transceiver’s DR functions. Share pictures Send and receive voice and pictures. Map See the location of repeater sites or other stations on a map using received position data, or your transceiver’s repeater list. Automatically set the transceiver’s “FROM” and “TO” fields by tapping a repeater site or a station on the map. Receive History In the DV mode, read and edit the received station’s information. Download additional information from an Internet database, such as QRZ.com or APRS.fi. Text messaging Send and receive text messages. Call Sign list Edit call signs and names used in the DR function. Also, you can add a call sign and a name in the Call Sign list. Repeater list See the detailed data entered in the Repeater list. Transceiver settings Change some of the transceiver’s function settings. Application settings Select application software settings. Import Import a Repeater list or a Call Sign list. Export Export a Repeater list, a Call Sign list, or Receive History. See the transceiver’s instruction manual for details. The instruction manual can be downloaded from the ICOM web site. Device requirements The RS-MS1I operating requirements are as follows: iOS16 or later Usable transceivers (As of May 2026) - ID-4100A/E + Bluetooth unit (UT-137) - ID-52A or ID-52E *1 - ID-52A PLUS or ID-52E PLUS *2 - ID-5200A or ID-5200E *3 - IC-705 *4 *1 Supported in RS-MS1I Ver.1.1.0 or later. *2 Supported in RS-MS1I Ver.1.3.0 or later. *3 Supported in RS-MS1I Ver.1.4.0 or later. *4 Supported in RS-MS1I Ver.1.2.0 or later. Preparation To use the RS-MS1I with a supported transceiver, you need an optional Bluetooth unit. See your transceiver’s instruction manual for details. Transceiver’s settings Set the following functions as shown below to use the RS-MS1I. [Function] > [CI-V] > [CI-V Transceive]: ON [Bluetooth Set] > [Data Device Set] > [Serial Port Function]: CI-V (Echo back OFF) Note: - The RS-MS1I may not work with all iPhones or iPads, even if they are one of the tested devices. This is because an application program on your device may conflict with the RS-MS1I. - The RS-MS1I may not be used, depending on the OS version, installed application, and so on. - Bluetooth LE is used for the connection with the transceiver, so there may be a time delay between the transceiver’s operation and the display on the iPhone or iPad. - When sending or receiving pictures using “FAST mode,” the headset audio will be temporarily interrupted because of the transceiver’s Bluetooth unit limitations. - You may need to connect to the Internet through a Wireless LAN, an LTE network or a 5G network for some functions. - The RS-MS1I supports only portrait orientation with the iPhone. It does not support Auto Rotate. However, landscape orientation and Auto Rotate are supported with the iPad.

About

B.B. Link Configurator

Configure a Bluetooth adapter to connect your amateur radio to an iOS device. This enables data exchange with apps like RadioMail and aprs.fi using the radio's TNC as a packet modem.

Highlights
  • Configure B.B. Link Bluetooth adapter
  • Pair with Kenwood TH-D74/TH-D75 radios
  • Connect radio (Bluetooth Classic) to iOS (BLE)
  • Utilize radio's TNC as packet modem
  • Data exchange with amateur radio apps
Features
Read full description

This app configures the B.B. Link Bluetooth adapter for pairing with a Kenwood TH-D74 or TH-D75 radio. The adapter facilitates a connection between the radio, which uses Bluetooth Classic, and an iOS device via BLE. This connection allows apps like RadioMail, Packet Commander and aprs.fi to utilize the radio's built-in TNC as a packet modem for data exchange over amateur radio.

Screenshots

RS4 screens
B.B. Link Configurator3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: B.B. Link Configurator at 67% against RS's 15%. B.B. Link Configurator also leads on rating (4.6 vs 1.9) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 8 months). RS's advantage is ratings volume (76 vs 8). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

B.B. Link Configurator holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 1.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RS has 76 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 15% of RS's written reviews are positive against 67% of B.B. Link Configurator's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RS ships an update every 8 months, B.B. Link Configurator every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
RS versus B.B. Link Configurator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRSB.B. Link Configurator
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.9 (76 ratings)4.6 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews14.7% of reviews66.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings76 — better8
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperICOM INCORPORATEDIsland Magic Co.

Customer experience

RS

All ratings74 ratings
Positive18.9%
Neutral8.1%
Negative73.0%
Written reviews68 reviews
Positive14.7%
Neutral5.9%
Negative79.4%

B.B. Link Configurator

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Bugs and requests

RS

Reported bugs

29 issues
  • App crashes when using map function
  • App crashes on map screen
  • App closes when opening map
  • Not staying connected to the app
  • Connection unsuccessful error message
Show 24 more
  • Bluetooth pairing not working
  • Connects and immediately disconnects
  • Does not download full repeater list
  • Bluetooth connection fails
  • App crashes when selecting a picture to send
  • Photo import force closes app
  • App bombing out when trying to add a photo
  • Attempting to transfer photos crashes every time
  • Cannot get app to pair
  • App sees radio but won't connect
  • App won't connect
  • Cannot connect app to iPhone
  • ID-52A not pairing
  • App instantly sees device but fails to connect
  • Bluetooth connection does not happen
  • App crashes trying to share photo
  • App picture send capability is INOP
  • App force closes / crashes on photo import
  • Cannot get it to connect on either device
  • App doesn't work with ICOM ID-5100
  • App doesn't work with 4100 on iOS 15
  • App doesn't work with iPhone 6s+
  • Bluetooth connection does not happen after lengthy labours
  • App has not been updated in almost a year

Requested features

12 requests
  • Add support for ID-5100
  • Add support for ID-51A Plus 2
  • Add support for ID-50
  • Add support for IC-705
  • Improve repeater list
Show 7 more
  • Import repeater lists via Files/OneDrive/Dropbox
  • Serial port support via USB
  • Add support for ID-4100A with BT module
  • Add support for IC-2820
  • Update for iOS 15
  • Update for iOS 16
  • Update for iOS 18

B.B. Link Configurator

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

RS

No in-app purchases

None

B.B. Link Configurator

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RS free?
RS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is B.B. Link Configurator free?
B.B. Link Configurator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, RS or B.B. Link Configurator?
B.B. Link Configurator is rated higher. RS averages 1.9 out of 5 from 76 ratings, while B.B. Link Configurator averages 4.6 from 8 ratings.
Do RS or B.B. Link Configurator have ads?
Neither RS nor B.B. Link Configurator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RS or B.B. Link Configurator?
RS ships an update every 8 months, and B.B. Link Configurator every 5 weeks. Most recently, RS was updated on October 26, 2026 and B.B. Link Configurator on October 24, 2026.

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