Comparison

Hamilton Alerting vs RS

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

Head to head
About

Hamilton Alerting

Features
Read full description

Mach Alert is a full featured fire station alerting (FSA) solution designed to provide state of the art alerting functionality and reliability to public safety answering points (PSAP), fire and EMS facilities, and, with optional add-ons, to first responders in the field. Whether operating as a standalone system or via interface to a computer aided dispatch (CAD) product, Mach Alert is designed to minimize time spent dispatching at the 911 center and maximize the amount of critical information delivered to first responders when they need it most with tones, voice, and a robust catalog of add-ons and customization options. The Mach Alert Mobile Application is an optional companion for full Mach Alert FSA systems. Like functionality is only available with an associated services agreement.

About

RS

This app expands D-STAR transceiver capabilities over the internet using Terminal or Access Point modes. It allows communication even outside of repeater range by routing signals through your device via cellular or Wi-Fi networks.

Highlights
  • Terminal mode for internet-based transceiver communication
  • Access Point mode to function as a Wireless LAN access point
  • Expands D-STAR capabilities beyond repeater range
  • Utilizes internet, LTE, or 5G networks for signal transmission
  • Requires public IP address for gateway operation
Features
Read full description

[Features] The RS-MS3I is an iPhone or iPad application designed to expand the DV mode capability of a D-STAR transceiver using a Terminal or an Access Point mode. These modes enable D-STAR operations by sending signals from the D-STAR transceiver over the Internet, even when that transceiver is out of the range of a D-STAR repeater. The transceiver sends your voice signals using an Internet, LTE, or 5G network, through an iPhone or iPad. 1. Terminal mode By operating the D-STAR transceiver through the iPhone or iPad, you can contact other D-STAR transceivers. In the Terminal mode, the transceiver will not transmit an RF signal, even if [PTT] is held down, because the microphone audio signal is transmitted through an Internet, LTE, or 5G network. 2. Access Point mode In this mode, the D-STAR transceiver functions as a Wireless LAN access point. The D-STAR transceiver repeats the received signal from the iPhone or iPad, to other D-STAR transceivers. Refer to the instruction manual (PDF) for setting details. The instruction manual can be downloaded from the ICOM website. (URL: https://www.icomjapan.com/support/manual/) [Device requirements] iOS15 or later [Usable transceivers] (As of March 2026) - ID-52A PLUS or ID-52E PLUS Note: - This application operates on iPhone or iPad as a gateway server on the D-STAR system. Therefore, a public IP address must be set on either the iPhone, iPad, or the Wireless LAN router. - Ask your mobile carrier or ISP for a public IP address. According to the contract, communication charges and/or communication packet limits may occur. - Ask your mobile carrier, ISP, or manufacturer of your iPhone, iPad, or router about public IP setting details. - Icom does not guarantee that the RS-MS3I works on all iPhone and iPad. It may not work properly, depending on the OS version, installed applications, or other reasons. - When a Bluetooth headset is connected to the transceiver, depending on the combination of your iPhone or iPad and the Bluetooth headset, sound may be interrupted, and communication may not be possible. In such cases, please disconnect the Bluetooth headset before use. - Turn OFF the Wireless LAN function when communicating through an LTE or 5G network. - Operate your transceiver with the RS-MS3I in compliance with appropriate regulations. - Icom recommends that you operate them with a club station license.

Screenshots

Hamilton Alerting4 screens
RS4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: RS at every 4 months against Hamilton Alerting's every 44 months. Hamilton Alerting's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, 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

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hamilton Alerting ships an update every 44 months, RS every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Hamilton Alerting versus RS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHamilton AlertingRS
PriceFreeFree
Rating—2.4 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—14.3% of reviews
Number of ratings—5 — better
Update frequencyEvery 44 monthsEvery 4 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size64 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMach Alert Inc.ICOM INCORPORATED

In-app purchases

None

Hamilton Alerting

No in-app purchases

None

RS

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Hamilton Alerting free?
Hamilton Alerting is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is RS free?
RS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Hamilton Alerting or RS have ads?
Neither Hamilton Alerting nor RS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hamilton Alerting or RS?
Hamilton Alerting ships an update every 44 months, and RS every 4 months. Most recently, Hamilton Alerting was updated on October 25, 2026 and RS on October 24, 2026.

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