Comparison

RF vs HAM

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

Head to head
About

RF

Features
Read full description

This tool works as an equation solver : you can choose the parameter (variable) to be computed, and fix the other parameters. It also supports multiple systems of units : American (US) and metric (SI). 1) Quarter Wave Antenna : you can compute the length of a quarter wave antenna or solve other parameters (frequency or wave length). 2) Path Loss in Free Space : you can compute the path loss in free space or solve other parameters (frequency, wave length, or distance). 3) VSWR & S11 : you can compute the voltage standing wave ratio or solve other parameters (modulus of reflection coefficient (linear or logarithmic), argument of reflection coefficient, real part of input impedance, imaginary part of input impedance). 4) Power Converter : you can convert the power between [dBm] or [W] units, and compute the tension [dBuV] (into 50 [ohms]). 5) Reflected & Delivered Power : you can compute the ratio of the delivered power to input power or solve other parameters (ratio of reflected power to input power, modulus of reflection coefficient, voltage standing wave ratio). 6) Microstrip Transmission Line : you can compute the characteristic impedance of a microstrip transmission line, or solve other parameters (relative permittivity, track’s thickness, distance from the track to the ground plane, or track’s width). 7) Stripline Transmission Line : you can compute the characteristic impedance of a stripline transmission line, or solve other parameters (relative permittivity, track’s thickness, distance from the track to one reference plane, or track’s width). Some remarks : -The microstrip solver is based on the IPC-D-317A design guidelines. -The stripline solver is based on the IPC-D-317A design guidelines.

About

HAM

This utility app offers a comprehensive suite of tools for amateur radio operators, including band conditions, DX-Cluster monitoring, and a logbook. It features direct radio integration for tuning and automatic logging, along with various calculations and resource information.

Highlights
  • DX-Cluster and PSK-Reporter activity monitoring
  • Bandplan, Glossar, and AWG resource information
  • Built-in radio integration for direct tuning
  • Fully featured logbook with QSO editing
  • LOTW and QRZ.com log submission
  • Calculations for Ohm's law, VSWR, and antennas
  • CW Encoder and Decoder
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

The ultimate utility App for every HAM-Radio Operator HAM-Toolbox provides a variety of useful Tools to help you operating your HAM-Radio. The Tools are ranging from activity monitoring Tools like DX-Cluster and PSK-Reporter, to Tools helping you with resource information like Bandplan, Glossar, AWG and many more Tools. HAM-Toolbox also has a built-in radio integration, so that you can directly tune to spots from the DX-Cluster and other tools. During logging, the appropriate fields for the frequency and mode will be automatically filled. With a one-time purchase you gain access to all of the following Tools on your iPhone, iPad and Mac. · TOOLS: + Band Conditions + POTA + DX-Cluster + PSK-Reporter + Reverse Beacon Network + Call-Lookup + Locator + Beacons (especially NCDXF) + Repeater + DTMF Generator + CW Encoder and Decoder + Frequency List + QSL Card Designer (design, preview, print and export your own QSL cards) · LOGBOOK: HAM-Toolbox comes with a fully featured Logbook. + Inspect and edit your existing QSOs + Easy-to-use logging interface + Maintenance (Data completion from QRZ.com, Duplicates finder, Mass change) + LOTW and QRZ.com log submission + Integrated Call-Lookup with possibility to update QSO + Worked/Needed statistics for CQ-Zones, ITU-Zones and DXCCs + Map with worked grid locators representation + iCloud-Sync with multiple devices (compatible with SDR-Control and SmartSDR) · Radio-Integration: + Frequency and Mode + Logbook integration + Direct tuning from various Tools like DXCluster, POTA, Frequency List + Supports all major Brands and Radios via Network or USB + YAESU: FT-710, FT-991, FT-DX10, FT-DX100 + Icom: IC-705, IC-7300mk2, IC-7300, IC-7610, IC-7760, IC-9700, IC-R8600, + Kenwood: TS-890, TS-990 + Elecraft: K4 + HamLib · CALCULATIONS: + Ohm's law + VSWR + Dipole-Antenna + Groundplane-Antenna + HB9CV-Antenna + Helix-Antenna + dB Conversion + Wavelength · RESOURCES: + Bandplan + Glossar + Morse + AWG + CTCSS-Codes + Formulas + Q-Codes + Abbreviations + Constants Find out more here: https://ham-toolbox.com Read the Manual: https://go-to.me/hamtoolbox-manual

Screenshots

RF4 screens
HAM4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: RF at $0.99 against HAM's $14.99. RF also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.6). HAM's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 8 months) and chart position (#150 vs unranked). On ads, 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

RF costs $0.99 and HAM $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RF ships an update every 8 months, HAM monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
RF versus HAM: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRFHAM
Price$0.99 — better$14.99
Rating—4.0 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—69.2% of reviews
Number of ratings—7 — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Paid
Best chart rank—#150 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB83 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJulien GeissbuehlerMarcus Roskosch

In-app purchases

None

RF

No in-app purchases

None

HAM

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RF free?
RF costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is HAM free?
HAM costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do RF or HAM have ads?
Neither RF nor HAM shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RF or HAM?
RF ships an update every 8 months, and HAM monthly. Most recently, RF was updated on October 7, 2026 and HAM on October 5, 2026.

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