Ham Radio US Band Plan is a mobile reference tool for amateur radio operators that provides frequency allocations and FCC rule data on iOS and Android.
Product velocity
Active
Daily rank 🇺🇸
—
Reference
Sentiment
4.1
466 reviews
Nemesis
Fragmented field
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
The app removes the connectivity dependency required by web-based band plans, allowing operators to verify privileges in remote field locations.
For Amateur radio operators, short-wave listeners, and emergency communications volunteers.
What does it look like?
Key features
Full functionality for band plans without cellular or internet connectivity.
Visual layouts of amateur radio bands showing frequency allocations and segments.
Built-in database search to identify amateur radio operators by callsign.
How much does it cost?
The app utilizes an ad-supported model with in-app purchases, which reviewers describe as excessive for a reference tool.
Velocity
Active developmentnew contentplatform expansionUX improvementsShow more...
The app exhibits an active development cadence, shipping 6 releases over the last 6 months, which averages to approximately 0.23 releases per week. Development is currently focused on platform expansion, having recently added iOS support, alongside ongoing functional improvements like spectrum filtering and map integrations. The release history shows a stable trend of both feature additions and necessary technical maintenance. The publisher provides clear, descriptive release notes detailing specific functional changes rather than relying on generic updates.
Who built it?
BioRust Studios
2 apps tracked · Reference
User Sentiment
What do users think recently?
The recent review mood reads mixed. Users appreciate amateur radio operators value the quick access to band plans and frequency reference data and graphical representation of the radio spectrum helps operators visualize their operating rights and privileges, but report aggressive subscription prompts and paywalls frustrate long-term users who prefer simple reference tools.
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
What users say, by theme
- Amateur radio operators value the quick access to band plans and frequency reference data
- Graphical representation of the radio spectrum helps operators visualize their operating rights and privileges
- Responsive developer support encourages user loyalty and helps resolve specific feature requests quickly
- Aggressive subscription prompts and paywalls frustrate long-term users who prefer simple reference tools
51 of 51 recent reviews analyzed · high confidence · Mixed overall
Read the full review analysisUnlock 2 more frustration themes and 2 user requests, each backed by review evidence.
Access the full report for freeCompetition
Competitive landscape for Ham Radio US Band Plan
How's the Reference market?
Ham Radio US Band Plan maintains a 4.13 rating on Android and a 4.0 rating on iOS, reflecting a stable user base despite monetization friction. The consistent release cadence of roughly one update every 3-4 weeks signals active maintenance rather than abandonment.
Read the market outlookThe rivals identified
Unlock the deeper market read.
Access the full report for freeThe Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for Ham Radio US Band Plan
Where is it heading?
The amateur radio reference market is consolidating around tools that prioritize speed and field utility. Ham Radio US Band Plan remains advantaged by its offline-first design, but the current monetization friction risks ceding this position to simpler, ad-free alternatives.
- Aggressive subscription prompts and mandatory surveys erode the daily active habit, which compounds the rating drag already visible in recent reviews.
- The latest release added spectrum range filtering, demonstrating that active feature investment continues despite the current monetization-driven sentiment decline.
The SWOT
- Offline-first architecture enables utility in remote field environments
- Graphical spectrum layouts simplify complex frequency allocation visualization
- Responsive developer support loop drives user loyalty
- Introduce a one-time lifetime purchase to capture price-sensitive users
- Remove onboarding surveys to improve immediate utility for field operators
- Add specific mode indicators to band labels to address top requests
Next best moves
Pivot to a one-time purchase model because users reject the annual subscription for a reference tool → increase conversion.
+ 1 more prioritized moveThe counter-intuitive read
The app's offline-first design is a retention lever…
Read the full takeSince the last report: The app's competitive position is now defined by more granular SWOT and platform-specific rating data, while the core tension between offline utility and subscription-based monetization remains unchanged.
Bottom line
Transitioning to a one-time purchase model would resolve the primary friction point driving negative sentiment, allowing the app's core utility to drive long-term retention rather than subscription churn.
Unlock 3 critical frictions, 2 market threats, 1 more prioritized move and the analyst’s take.
Access the full report for freeFAQ
Is Ham Radio US Band Plan worth paying for?
Does Ham Radio US Band Plan work without internet?
What is the difference between the free and paid versions?
Sources
- [1] Play Store listing, source
Report last updated