Comparison

DBHamPlot vs Shortwave Guide

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

Head to head
About

DBHamPlot

Calculate distance and bearing between two locations using Maidenhead grid squares. This tool is designed for amateur radio operators to easily determine proximity and direction to other hams, featuring an interactive map for pinpointing locations and identifying grid areas.

Highlights
  • Compute distance and bearing
  • Maidenhead location input
  • Map display with annotations
  • Identify six-digit grid areas
  • Interactive map for location pinpointing
  • User-added annotation removal
Features
Read full description

Compute distance and bearing using Maidenhead location. This was originally intended for use by amateur radio operators who participate in microwave communications however it can be used by any ham in order to determine a distance and bearing to another radio amateur. This version specifically for the iPad provides map and controls all on one screen. The larger map area over both iPhone versions should prove helpful. You get a map of the source and target along with a pin annotation and an overlay identifying the six-digit grid area. If a user touches an empty location on the screen for one second a new annotation is added at that spot identifying the grid. Any user-added annotations are removed if a new source or target are entered. This feature is great because you can zoom in on a location, touch the screen, and get a 6 digit grid; this is especially handy when your microwave buddy pulls over to the side of the road to make a contact with you (or someone else) but he/she has no idea what their grid square is.

About

Shortwave Guide

This application displays a real-time schedule of shortwave radio broadcasts worldwide, sourced from the EiBi database. Users can rescan for updates, view specific frequencies, and update the entire broadcast schedule database.

Highlights
  • Worldwide shortwave broadcast schedule
  • Real-time station listings
  • Frequency viewing
  • Database updates
  • EiBi database integration
Features
Read full description

The app shows a schedule of shortwave radio broadcasting. Information taken from EiBi database. When you run the application, you will see a list of radio stations, broadcasting currently worldwide. To update the scanning time in the menu, click "Rescan". To view all the selected radio frequency specifically, use a right button. When you first launch the app, or to update the schedule database, choose "Update Database".

Screenshots

Shortwave Guide3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: DBHamPlot at Free against Shortwave Guide's $8.99. DBHamPlot also leads on iOS requirement (9.1 vs 15.6). Shortwave Guide's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 42 months) and device support (3 vs 1). On ads and in-app purchases 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

DBHamPlot is free to download; Shortwave Guide costs $8.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DBHamPlot ships an update every 42 months, Shortwave Guide every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
DBHamPlot versus Shortwave Guide: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDBHamPlotShortwave Guide
PriceFree — better$8.99
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews—20.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 42 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS9.1 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThomas SullivanVladyslav Haliuk

Customer experience

DBHamPlot

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

Shortwave Guide

Written reviews5 reviews
Positive20.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative60.0%

In-app purchases

None

DBHamPlot

No in-app purchases

None

Shortwave Guide

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DBHamPlot free?
DBHamPlot is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Shortwave Guide free?
Shortwave Guide costs $8.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do DBHamPlot or Shortwave Guide have ads?
Neither DBHamPlot nor Shortwave Guide shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DBHamPlot or Shortwave Guide?
DBHamPlot ships an update every 42 months, and Shortwave Guide every 2 months. Most recently, DBHamPlot was updated on September 8, 2026 and Shortwave Guide on September 24, 2026.

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