# Radio Reference vs HamWaves UV5R

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Radio Reference | HamWaves UV5R |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$1.99** | $3.99 |
| Rating | [1.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/radio-reference/id1583119869/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hamwaves-uv5r/id6499502679/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 37 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#192** | #197 |
| Size | 0 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 16.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Koral Oztan Schemel](https://appshunter.io/developer/1072267156) | [Brian MILBURN](https://appshunter.io/developer/1683168741) |

## What reviewers say

### Radio Reference

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/radio-reference/id1583119869)

**Currently charting:** #192 Top Paid · Reference (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### HamWaves UV5R

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hamwaves-uv5r/id6499502679)

**Currently charting:** #197 Top Paid · Reference (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*