Saturday, 27 September 2025

Amateur Android

Google is continuing to increase its security measures restricting the Android system and making it more difficult for niche developers to have their software published, particularly in the amateur radio community. Despite Android tablets being a promising platform for digital radio modes over ten years ago, in 2025, amateur radio enthusiasts are once again exploring Android, with several FT8 applications emerging after an initial decline in Android amateur applications.

Second User

Technology's rapid advancement allows second-user devices to be available at a significantly lower price just five years post-manufacture. This trend can be beneficial, as older versions of the Android operating system will support many of the earlier applications that have been removed from the app store. I believe utilising a second-hand Android device for portable operating is the safest and most economical way of entering this facet of the hobby. 

Finding APK's

Finding amateur communication apps can be challenging since many are not listed in the Google app store. Users may need to resort to APK files, which can be side-loaded onto Android devices if security settings are modified.  

An APK (Android Package Kit) file is a compressed archive file type that contains all the materials required for an Android app to install successfully on an Android device. It is the format of all Android applications; however, those that fail to make it to the Google Play Store, which guarantees them as safe and certificated, can be found in a variety of software archives.

My favourite archives, and maybe the easiest to use, are listed below. These sites are best viewed with a closed browser, such as Brave, because APK archives are generally flooded with adverts, using such confusing layouts that you could easily end up downloading a variety of unwanted products. Modern certified apps are obviously available from the Google App Store. But if you would prefer not to put a Google account on your Android device, you can source most of the modern apps from non-certified sources as APK files. 

Never install APK files on your main device, be it a phone or tablet. Doing so will make the device worthless in a part-exchange deal and may also introduce a virus that could mess with your personal data. That is why I have suggested employing a second-user device specifically for portable amateur operation. 

Worthwhile

Many of the worthwhile communication apps are not detected by the search engine in the APK archives, as they are mainly geared to pushing games; making it necessary to conduct an initial search using your browser. The following is a list of applications I've installed on my portable operating device; the list is not definitive. Some are not communication-oriented, but I've included them as helpful ancillary applications.




 
















Modes

SSTV

Sending and receiving images in the digital and analogue systems can be accomplished with the following application:

Droid SSTV
Robot36
SSTV Encoder
Assempix
Shedpix


Sending images in a digital format can be accomplished with the Assempix & Shredpix applications which are an Android-only experience, as this mode is not recognized by other digital SSTV programs such as EasyPal and QSSTV (QSSTV is an excellent Linux application that decodes & sends in both digital and analogue formats). 

Annotating photos with text before transmission can be achieved with the Add Text application.

Hellschreiber Feld Hell is a form of SSTV text messaging, using mini raster scans of each letter in turn that are then displayed during reception, on a graphic moving tape, using the human eyes and brain to differentiate the text from the noise. It’s a cool mode that works in noisy conditions with a bandwidth of 31Hz. It has been around since WWII and the reference to tape is a hangover from the original receiver hardware which used paper tickertape to show the incoming message. 

Texted

The applications using text to communicate are reasonably self-explanatory and are listed below: 

Droid PSK
Droid RTTY
FT8TW
AndFlmsg
Rattlegram*


AndFlmsg is a cut-down version of the popular PC-based communications suite FLdigi, and while it doesn't cover all modes, it does cover many of the MFSK modes used for mixed text and pictorial data. AndFlmsg was developed as a tablet-based messaging app to be used in emergency communications; it's worth a look, as is FLdigi, if you are not familiar. 

*Rattlegram may be new to you; in Android circles, this is a quick text mode with error correction. It enables packet-like texting between two Android devices and is great for sending and receiving short messages on both HF and VHF.



Logging & Satellites

Portable logging is in my mind, a task best carried out using pencil and paper, but pencils break, and paper can get soggy. Plus, when it's all over, you still have to transfer the data to a computer if you want to enter for an award, so I guess using a tablet-based app has got some benefits.

Ham2k PoLo
HamRS

Both of the above apps are ideal for portable logging, as they output data in the ADIF file format (Amateur Data Interchange Format) recognized by POTA, SOTA, and many other award-based radio events. In my view, HamRS is the easiest to use, whereas Polo leans more towards POTA and SOTA entries. 

W1ANT Satellite Tracker

The above app is not really a communications program, more of a passport to LEO satellite operating. I did a quick survey of the tracking applications, and this seemed to be the most useful. There is a free version to try before going pro, but I was so impressed I purchased the upgrade. 

Beacon Mode 

Week Signal Propagation Reporting (WSPR) is a useful mode for determining band conditions, and I've included two applications, WSPR Beacon and Loud Bang. WSPR Beacon is a transmit-only program and access to the internet is necessary to map your signal (Wi-Fi hot spotting from your mobile phone is an option), while Load Bang enables receiving as well. Like all the applications that transmit, they all rely on the accompanying transceiver to operate via VOX, as there is no hardware transmitter control. 


Utilities 

While many of the above applications provide your locator information via the devices GPS, it is always useful to have one that generates your operating site as an OS grid reference or Lat/Long coordinates. The inclusion of OS Locate is as a nod to the WAB square hunters, as it provides your location's OS grid reference. Work ALL Britain (WAB) squares use the National Grid Reference (NGR) map letters and the first two numbers of your Easting and Northing square. If my location NGR were SU058011, then my WAB square reference would be SU00. In addition, this application also gives you your spot height and a compass, once correctly set.

Amateur Tool Box does what is says on the tin. Its full of useful equations, everything from working out distance between maidenhead locator squares to calculating the length of your antenna and so much more. I use it almost every other week so it’s on all my phones and tablets.  

Installing APK

Installing APK files is not difficult. Transfer the file to your device via USB port adapter or download it straight onto the device. Find the APK in your download folder or wherever you transferred it to, click on it, and follow the prompt. It will warn you that installing such a file may be a security risk and ask if you would like to proceed. This process may seem a little daunting; but the risks are minimal if a dedicated second-user tablet or phone is used solely for this purpose. Just disable the security when asked, and the app should load.

Finals

Those of you that want to make a more permanent connection between their transceiver and Android device, might like to view the YouTube link below showing a simple interface build for use with one of the many cheap Chinese rigs.  Using a Yaesu FT817 like myself, you could build the same interface, but connected  via a ready terminated lead available from Amazon or Ebay at approximately £3.00. As most are plug-to-plug leads, once chopped in half you could offer the other section to a fellow ham maybe in the local radio club.  Pin out data for the FT817 is given in the user manual and in the data found in the Github project linked below.

The beauty of an Android device is that it's self-contained and generally lighter than a PC. A 7-inch tablet or large phone could shrink down your digital QRP station to easily fit in a rucksack; when combined with a tiny Chinese rig and a simple wire end-fed antenna, you are all set to go and enjoy the day and some DX.

73, Rick G6AKG


Search Amazon or Ebay for:  Mini DIN Male Electrical Plug to Plug 6 Pin lead

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