Comparison

RST Decoder vs HamWaves

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

Head to head
About

RST Decoder

This application decodes Morse code from your microphone, acting as a practice tool to verify your keying accuracy. It offers advanced features like BPF and FFT decoders with automatic frequency and gain control, allowing for fine-tuning of reception parameters.

Highlights
  • Microphone Morse code decoding
  • Morse practice and keying check
  • BPF and FFT decoder options
  • Auto Frequency Detector (AFD)
  • Auto Gain Control (AGC)
  • Real-time CW signal display
  • Input signal recording/playback
Read full description

This is an App that decodes Morse code input from the microphone. It is a Morse practice App that you can use to check if you are keying the correct code. Signals with good S/N can be decoded correctly, but signals with bad S/N cannot be decoded correctly. Also, the performance will be degraded for extremely slow or fast signals. Usually about 5 to 10 characters are required for speed synchronization of Morse Code. Adjust the input signal so that the peak value changes from level 6 to level 7. Make fine adjustments to each parameter according to the reception status. [Additional Functions] -In addition to the decoder using BPF, a new decoder using FFT has been added so that it can be switched according to the usage. -AFD (Auto Frequency Detector) function has been added to the decoder using BPF, and BPF can be set automatically by pressing the AFD button. -The decoder using FFT automatically follows the strongest signal in the band by AFD (Auto Frequency Detector) and AGC (Auto Gain Control). You can also hold the AFD / AGC parameters by pressing the Lock button. * There will be a time lag of about 1 to 2 seconds for AFD tracking. [Control parameters] 1. Audio Input Level 2.BPF ON/OFF 3.BPF of Center Frequency 4.BPF of Band Width 5.CW Speed Control ON/OFF 6.CW Speed Control Low, Mid1, Mid2 or High 7.Delete All Decoded Text 8.Realtime CW Signal Display 9.Input signal recording / playback function *Japanese/KANA text is not supported. [Note] Since the signal after BPF is output to the audio output, it can also be used as an AF-CW filter. [URL of this App working example video] https://youtu.be/Pwp7W4m-m34

About

HamWaves

This app guides aspiring amateur radio operators in the US through the licensing process. It covers exam study, taking the test, getting on the air, and understanding radio equipment and operations. It's designed for new and prospective Technician level operators.

Highlights
  • FCC license process navigation
  • Exam study and testing information
  • Getting on-the-air guidance
  • Radio equipment selection
  • Technician level band-plan
  • Online and in-person event resources
Features
Read full description

HamWaves will de-mystify the process of getting started in amateur radio in the United States. HamWaves explains each step in the process of getting your license and provides full information on studying and taking your license exam. HamWaves has more than 30 topics for prospective and new Technician level amateur radio operators.  Topics include: - Navigating through the FCC license process. - How to study for your exam. - Options and tips for taking the exam. - Getting on-the-air. - Types of on-air activities you can participate in. - Online resources for hams. - Clubs and groups. - Live on-the-air events. - Live in-person events. - Emergency Communications. - Choosing radio equipment. - Radio Programming. - Proper online etiquette. - Learning phonetics. - Using Allstar and EchoLink for remote communications. - Technician level band-plan with frequencies and types of operations allowed. - Several other reference categories to help you. This app is a must-have for all new and prospective hams. It was written by the president of a large amateur radio club with over a decade of experience helping new hams. Best of all, it's free and will be updated regularly as information changes or new topics are suggested.

Screenshots

RST Decoder4 screens
HamWaves4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: HamWaves at none against RST Decoder's shown. HamWaves also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 67%) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). RST Decoder's advantage is ratings volume (7 vs 2). On price, rating, 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for RST Decoder against 5.0 for HamWaves. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 2 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 67% of RST Decoder's written reviews are positive against 100% of HamWaves's.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
RST Decoder versus HamWaves: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRST DecoderHamWaves
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (7 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings7 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 months—
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationAd-supportedFree — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.016.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB4 MB
Age rating17+4+
Developerkoji kamogawaBrian MILBURN

Customer experience

RST Decoder

All ratings7 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

HamWaves

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

RST Decoder

No in-app purchases

None

HamWaves

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RST Decoder free?
RST Decoder is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is HamWaves free?
HamWaves is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, RST Decoder or HamWaves?
RST Decoder and HamWaves are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 7 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do RST Decoder or HamWaves have ads?
RST Decoder shows ads; HamWaves does not.

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