Comparison

RST Decoder vs Ham Shack

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

Ham Shack

This app combines amateur radio programming with real-time propagation data. Listen to news, podcasts, and educational content from the ham radio community. Access a dashboard with solar flux, sunspot numbers, and HF/VHF band conditions.

Highlights
  • Stream Ham Shack Radio live
  • View currently playing program
  • Check solar and geomagnetic conditions
  • Review HF band openings
  • Simple dark interface
Features
Read full description

Ham Shack brings amateur radio programming and propagation information together in one convenient app. Listen to Ham Shack Radio wherever you go, featuring amateur radio news, podcasts, educational programs, interviews, and original content from the ham radio community. The built-in propagation dashboard provides an easy-to-read overview of current radio conditions, including: • Solar flux • Sunspot numbers • Kp index • GOES X-ray activity • Estimated HF band conditions • VHF propagation information Whether you are at home in the shack, operating portable, or traveling to your next hamfest, Ham Shack helps you stay connected to amateur radio. Features: • Stream Ham Shack Radio live • View the currently playing program • Quickly reconnect to the audio stream • Check current solar and geomagnetic conditions • Review estimated openings for popular HF bands • Simple, dark interface designed for quick viewing Propagation information is intended as a general operating guide. Actual band conditions can vary by location, antenna system, time of day, season, and local interference. Ham Shack Radio is part of HamShackTV — Live, Learn, Transmit. Welcome to the shack.

Screenshots

RST Decoder4 screens
Ham Shack3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Ham Shack at none against RST Decoder's shown. Ham Shack also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). RST Decoder's advantage is ratings volume (7 vs 1) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.5). 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 Ham Shack. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RST Decoder has 7 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RST Decoder ships an update every 2 months, Ham Shack weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
RST Decoder versus Ham Shack: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRST DecoderHam Shack
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (7 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings7 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationAd-supportedFree — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.5
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB17 MB
Age rating17+12+
Developerkoji kamogawaJosh Marler

Customer experience

RST Decoder

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

Ham Shack

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

RST Decoder

No in-app purchases

None

Ham Shack

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RST Decoder free?
RST Decoder is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Ham Shack free?
Ham Shack is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, RST Decoder or Ham Shack?
RST Decoder and Ham Shack are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 7 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do RST Decoder or Ham Shack have ads?
RST Decoder shows ads; Ham Shack does not.
Which is updated more often, RST Decoder or Ham Shack?
RST Decoder ships an update every 2 months, and Ham Shack weekly. Most recently, RST Decoder was updated on October 6, 2026 and Ham Shack on September 30, 2026.

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