HAM Distance: Grid & Callsign is a specialized utility for amateur radio operators to calculate distances and log contacts on iOS.
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
Operators need a reliable way to track signal distance and contact history, but the current authentication failure with external databases prevents this workflow.
For Amateur radio operators requiring precise distance calculations and contact logging.
What does it look like?
Key features
Resolves amateur radio callsigns to coordinates using QRZ.com or HamQTH.com databases
Computes great-circle distances between two points using the Haversine formula
Synchronizes saved distance pairs across iOS devices using private iCloud storage
How much does it cost?
The app operates on a free model with no ad-insertion, relying on voluntary user tips.
Velocity
Maintenance developmentUX improvementsplatform expansionShow more...
With only one release in the observed window and 165 days since the last update, the app is currently in a maintenance phase. The latest release was a substantial rebuild, introducing native iOS features, iCloud sync, and a statistics dashboard, but no subsequent updates have followed. Development appears to have stalled following this major overhaul, with no further feature additions or maintenance patches recorded in the last five months.
Who built it?
Mircules
5 apps tracked · Utilities
User Sentiment
What do users think recently?
Fresh user feedback skews upset.
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
What users say, by theme
- The application fails to authenticate with external radio logging services, preventing users from accessing their account data
1 of 1 recent reviews analyzed · limited sample
Read the full review analysisUnlock 1 more frustration theme, each backed by review evidence.
Access the full report for freeCompetition
Competitive landscape for HAM Distance: Grid & Callsign
How's the Utilities market?
HAM Distance: Grid & Callsign occupies a niche utility space for amateur radio operators, but the lack of recent functional updates (165 days since the last release) undermines its utility.
Read the market outlookThe rivals identified
Unlock the deeper market read.
Access the full report for freeThe Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for HAM Distance: Grid & Callsign
Where is it heading?
The amateur radio utility market requires high reliability for logging and distance tracking. HAM Distance: Grid & Callsign is currently failing this requirement, which will lead to continued user loss until the authentication issues are resolved.
- Authentication failures with external services render the app non-functional, leading to immediate churn among amateur radio operators.
- The 165-day update gap suggests the app is in maintenance mode, leaving critical bugs unaddressed for the user base.
The SWOT
- Haversine-based distance calculation provides precise metrics
- iCloud sync enables multi-device data availability
- Restore external API connectivity to regain utility
Next best moves
Audit external API authentication logic because users report credential failures → restore core callsign lookup functionality
The counter-intuitive read
The app's free, ad-free model is a liability here…
Read the full takeBottom line
Restoring external API authentication is the only path to utility, as the current failure prevents the primary job-to-be-done. Addressing this will stabilize the user base and prevent further churn to more reliable logging alternatives.
Unlock 2 critical frictions, 1 market threat and the analyst’s take.
Access the full report for freeFAQ
Is HAM Distance: Grid & Callsign free to use?
Does HAM Distance: Grid & Callsign work with QRZ.com?
Is HAM Distance: Grid & Callsign reliable for logging contacts?
Sources
- [1] App Store, source
Report last updated