Comparison

HamWaves vs Fireline Academy

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

Head to head
About

HamWaves

This app guides aspiring amateur radio operators in the US through the licensing process. It covers exam study, taking the test, getting on the air, and understanding radio equipment and operations. It's designed for new and prospective Technician level operators.

Highlights
  • FCC license process navigation
  • Exam study and testing information
  • Getting on-the-air guidance
  • Radio equipment selection
  • Technician level band-plan
  • Online and in-person event resources
Features
Read full description

HamWaves will de-mystify the process of getting started in amateur radio in the United States. HamWaves explains each step in the process of getting your license and provides full information on studying and taking your license exam. HamWaves has more than 30 topics for prospective and new Technician level amateur radio operators.  Topics include: - Navigating through the FCC license process. - How to study for your exam. - Options and tips for taking the exam. - Getting on-the-air. - Types of on-air activities you can participate in. - Online resources for hams. - Clubs and groups. - Live on-the-air events. - Live in-person events. - Emergency Communications. - Choosing radio equipment. - Radio Programming. - Proper online etiquette. - Learning phonetics. - Using Allstar and EchoLink for remote communications. - Technician level band-plan with frequencies and types of operations allowed. - Several other reference categories to help you. This app is a must-have for all new and prospective hams. It was written by the president of a large amateur radio club with over a decade of experience helping new hams. Best of all, it's free and will be updated regularly as information changes or new topics are suggested.

About

Fireline Academy

Features
Read full description

Fireline Academy transforms your phone into a high-impact training ground for firefighters of every rank. Fireline Academy delivers focused practice that fits any schedule. RAPID FIRE DRILLS 350+ short, timed quizzes sharpen decision-making and memory under pressure. Track accuracy and speed to keep skills fresh between calls. REALISTIC SCENARIOS Branching, story-driven incidents mirror real emergencies. Choose tactics, see outcomes, then rewind to explore alternate strategies without risk. QUICK REFERENCE RULES Access concise, searchable rule summaries anytime, even offline. Perfect for quick refreshers on scene or during station downtime. KEY BENEFITS Train anywhere; no internet required after the initial download. Progress analytics highlight strengths and reveal gaps. Modules scale from recruit basics to officer-level challenges. Download Fireline Academy today and elevate your readiness before the next alarm sounds.

Screenshots

HamWaves4 screens
Fireline Academy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: HamWaves at Free against Fireline Academy's $29.99. On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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

HamWaves is free to download; Fireline Academy costs $29.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
HamWaves versus Fireline Academy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHamWavesFireline Academy
PriceFree — better$29.99
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequency—Every 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.115.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB28 MB
Age rating4++12
DeveloperBrian MILBURNExamp, LLC

In-app purchases

None

HamWaves

No in-app purchases

None

Fireline Academy

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HamWaves free?
HamWaves is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Fireline Academy free?
Fireline Academy costs $29.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do HamWaves or Fireline Academy have ads?
Neither HamWaves nor Fireline Academy shows ads.

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