Comparison

Radio Reference vs HamWaves UV5R

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

Head to head
About

Radio Reference

This app provides quick access to useful information for radio communication. It offers phonetic spellings, the full phonetic alphabet, Morse code learning, and a lookup for common radio abbreviations and Q signals.

Highlights
  • Phonetic spelling lookup
  • Phonetic alphabet reference
  • Morse code learning
  • Radio abbreviation lookup
  • Q signal definitions
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Radio Reference is a handy app for information you might need while communicating over your radio. Need to spell something phonetically? Type your word or phrase to get the phonetic spelling. Or view the whole phonetic alphabet. Learn Morse Code. Heard a Q signal or other abbreviation you don't recognize? Look it up here. Let me know what other stuff you'd like to see in here.

About

HamWaves UV5R

This interactive field guide provides experienced amateur radio operators with essential information for their Baofeng UV-5R radio. It offers clear explanations of menus, controls, and programming, even without an internet connection.

Highlights
  • Interactive radio guide
  • Menu item explanations
  • On-the-fly programming
  • Offline access
  • Control and display identification
  • FCC certifications
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

As radio users, we never seem to have manuals available when we need them. HamWaves Radio Guides are published to fix this problem! Now you can have interactive guides for your specific radio written by experienced amateur radio operators who actually own and use them. Baofeng UV-5R are notorious for their poorly translated user manuals and difficulty in setting them up and programming channels. HamWaves Guides provide well organized sections and topics to help you operate your radio and add or change settings on the fly, when you most need assistance. No one carries their manuals with them, but you always have your iPhone! HamWaves Guides do not require internet access to operate (except for updates) so if you are a hiker, camper, four-wheeler or someone who sometimes gets out of service range, you will still have the information you need. Covered topics include: - Feature list - Specifications - FCC certifications - Front and side controls - Keypad identification including shortcut items - Display icon identification - Accessories and after-market details - Extensive menu item explanations so you will know what those arcane items actually do - Programming simplex and repeater frequencies on the fly - Other resources to help you be a better and more knowledgable radio operator

Screenshots

Radio Reference4 screens
HamWaves UV5R4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: HamWaves UV5R at 5.0 against Radio Reference's 1.0. HamWaves UV5R also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 37 months). Radio Reference's advantage is price ($1.99 vs $3.99). On ratings volume, 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

Radio Reference costs $1.99 and HamWaves UV5R $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

HamWaves UV5R holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Radio Reference ships an update every 37 months, HamWaves UV5R every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 8, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Radio Reference versus HamWaves UV5R: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRadio ReferenceHamWaves UV5R
Price$1.99 — better$3.99
Rating1.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings11
Update frequencyEvery 37 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#192 — better#197
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better16.1
Further details — not scored
Size0 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKoral Oztan SchemelBrian MILBURN

Customer experience

Radio Reference

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

HamWaves UV5R

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

In-app purchases

None

Radio Reference

No in-app purchases

None

HamWaves UV5R

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Radio Reference free?
Radio Reference costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is HamWaves UV5R free?
HamWaves UV5R costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Radio Reference or HamWaves UV5R?
HamWaves UV5R is rated higher. Radio Reference averages 1.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while HamWaves UV5R averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Radio Reference or HamWaves UV5R have ads?
Neither Radio Reference nor HamWaves UV5R shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Radio Reference or HamWaves UV5R?
Radio Reference ships an update every 37 months, and HamWaves UV5R every 2 weeks. Most recently, Radio Reference was updated on October 8, 2026 and HamWaves UV5R on October 8, 2026.
Which is more popular, Radio Reference or HamWaves UV5R?
Radio Reference currently peaks at #192 in the App Store charts, and HamWaves UV5R at #197. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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