Comparison

HamClock 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

HamClock

This app provides a clear display of local and UTC time, along with sunrise/sunset and grid square information for amateur radio operators. It features an interactive map to find grid squares and displays the gray line. Optimized for both phone and watch, it's a useful tool for ham radio enthusiasts.

Highlights
  • Local and UTC time display
  • Sunrise/sunset times
  • Grid square locator
  • Interactive grid square map
  • Gray line display
  • Watch compatibility
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

HamClock is a handy clock with features for amateur radio operators! One screen shows your local time in 12H and 24H format along with UTC in large, easy to read text. If your location is available, your grid square, local sunrise and sunset are also displayed. An interactive grid square map lets you find the grid square for any location, and displays the current gray line. Flip to landscape mode for a larger UTC time display. Great for keeping track of things while operating. On your watch, you can also quickly display your grid square and location. HamClock is great for finding your grid square while traveling, or use it as a handy clock in your shack.

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
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

HamClock2 screens
HamWaves UV5R4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: HamWaves UV5R at 5.0 against HamClock's 3.0. HamWaves UV5R also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 4 months). HamClock's advantage is ratings volume (24 vs 1) and price ($0.99 vs $3.99). On 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

HamClock costs $0.99 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 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HamClock has 24 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HamClock ships an update every 4 months, HamWaves UV5R every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
HamClock versus HamWaves UV5R: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHamClockHamWaves UV5R
Price$0.99 — better$3.99
Rating3.0 (24 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews47.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings24 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#130 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.4 — better16.1
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBen SinclairBrian MILBURN

Customer experience

HamClock

All ratings24 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral8.3%
Negative41.7%
Written reviews23 reviews
Positive47.8%
Neutral13.0%
Negative39.1%

HamWaves UV5R

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

In-app purchases

None

HamClock

No in-app purchases

None

HamWaves UV5R

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HamClock free?
HamClock costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is HamWaves UV5R free?
HamWaves UV5R costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, HamClock or HamWaves UV5R?
HamWaves UV5R is rated higher. HamClock averages 3.0 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while HamWaves UV5R averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do HamClock or HamWaves UV5R have ads?
Neither HamClock nor HamWaves UV5R shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HamClock or HamWaves UV5R?
HamClock ships an update every 4 months, and HamWaves UV5R every 2 weeks. Most recently, HamClock was updated on September 19, 2026 and HamWaves UV5R on September 21, 2026.

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