Comparison

A3Calc vs HAM

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

Head to head
About

A3Calc

Features
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A3 Small Format Interchangeable Core Calculator (sister app of A2Calc and A4Calc) ---Programmed by a Locksmith, for Locksmiths--- Automatically calculates the pinning chart for A3 SFIC. Built for 6 or 7 pin systems, however, less can be achieved by using a decimal to erase a chamber. Minimum of a control and master key are required to make a chart. Additional change key available for all devices; 2 change keys available for 16:9 screen devices. Randomize function will generate completely random charts each time it is triggered. "Lock/Unlock" toggle disables/enables all inputs and functions to prevent unwanted/lost changes. Control Finder is an added bonus by reverse engineering a core to determine the control key's bitting. This is perfect when needing to remove multiple cores in a building when the control key has been lost. There are two methods for achieving the control key: 1. using the master, control, and bottom pins, or 2. using only the top/driver pins. Up to 16 different projects can be saved at any one given time. All projects are encrypted and protected with a passcode when stored on your device. All projects can be exported via AirPrint and Email. Compatibility: iPhone / iPod touch on iOS 8.0 or later and iPad on iOS 12.0 or later. Found a bug? Something not working? Have a suggestion? Feel free to contact me via email: farren@phoxlocks.com

About

HAM

This utility app offers a comprehensive suite of tools for amateur radio operators, including band conditions, DX-Cluster monitoring, and a logbook. It features direct radio integration for tuning and automatic logging, along with various calculations and resource information.

Highlights
  • DX-Cluster and PSK-Reporter activity monitoring
  • Bandplan, Glossar, and AWG resource information
  • Built-in radio integration for direct tuning
  • Fully featured logbook with QSO editing
  • LOTW and QRZ.com log submission
  • Calculations for Ohm's law, VSWR, and antennas
  • CW Encoder and Decoder
Features
Currently charting
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The ultimate utility App for every HAM-Radio Operator HAM-Toolbox provides a variety of useful Tools to help you operating your HAM-Radio. The Tools are ranging from activity monitoring Tools like DX-Cluster and PSK-Reporter, to Tools helping you with resource information like Bandplan, Glossar, AWG and many more Tools. HAM-Toolbox also has a built-in radio integration, so that you can directly tune to spots from the DX-Cluster and other tools. During logging, the appropriate fields for the frequency and mode will be automatically filled. With a one-time purchase you gain access to all of the following Tools on your iPhone, iPad and Mac. · TOOLS: + Band Conditions + POTA + DX-Cluster + PSK-Reporter + Reverse Beacon Network + Call-Lookup + Locator + Beacons (especially NCDXF) + Repeater + DTMF Generator + CW Encoder and Decoder + Frequency List + QSL Card Designer (design, preview, print and export your own QSL cards) · LOGBOOK: HAM-Toolbox comes with a fully featured Logbook. + Inspect and edit your existing QSOs + Easy-to-use logging interface + Maintenance (Data completion from QRZ.com, Duplicates finder, Mass change) + LOTW and QRZ.com log submission + Integrated Call-Lookup with possibility to update QSO + Worked/Needed statistics for CQ-Zones, ITU-Zones and DXCCs + Map with worked grid locators representation + iCloud-Sync with multiple devices (compatible with SDR-Control and SmartSDR) · Radio-Integration: + Frequency and Mode + Logbook integration + Direct tuning from various Tools like DXCluster, POTA, Frequency List + Supports all major Brands and Radios via Network or USB + YAESU: FT-710, FT-991, FT-DX10, FT-DX100 + Icom: IC-705, IC-7300mk2, IC-7300, IC-7610, IC-7760, IC-9700, IC-R8600, + Kenwood: TS-890, TS-990 + Elecraft: K4 + HamLib · CALCULATIONS: + Ohm's law + VSWR + Dipole-Antenna + Groundplane-Antenna + HB9CV-Antenna + Helix-Antenna + dB Conversion + Wavelength · RESOURCES: + Bandplan + Glossar + Morse + AWG + CTCSS-Codes + Formulas + Q-Codes + Abbreviations + Constants Find out more here: https://ham-toolbox.com Read the Manual: https://go-to.me/hamtoolbox-manual

Screenshots

A3Calc4 screens
HAM4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: A3Calc at $1.99 against HAM's $14.99. A3Calc also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 18.6). HAM's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 18 months) and chart position (#195 vs unranked). On ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

A3Calc costs $1.99 and HAM $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

A3Calc ships an update every 18 months, HAM monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
A3Calc versus HAM: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterA3CalcHAM
Price$1.99 — better$14.99
Rating—4.0 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—69.2% of reviews
Number of ratings—7 — better
Update frequencyEvery 18 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Paid
Best chart rank—#195 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB83 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFarren DomeniciMarcus Roskosch

In-app purchases

None

A3Calc

No in-app purchases

None

HAM

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is A3Calc free?
A3Calc costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is HAM free?
HAM costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do A3Calc or HAM have ads?
Neither A3Calc nor HAM shows ads.
Which is updated more often, A3Calc or HAM?
A3Calc ships an update every 18 months, and HAM monthly. Most recently, A3Calc was updated on October 26, 2026 and HAM on October 24, 2026.

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