Pocket25 - P25 Radio on Android

Pocket25, by Sarah Rose from SignalsEverywhere.net, turns your Android phone into a full-featured P25 digital trunking scanner using an inexpensive RTL-SDR dongle. It’s built on the DSD-Neo decoder, bringing the same class of P25 decoding you’d normally need a desktop PC for, straight to mobile.

What Pocket25 does

Pocket25 is designed specifically for APCO P25 systems:

• Phase 1 (FDMA / C4FM) — fully supported
• Phase 2 (TDMA / QPSK) — currently in testing
• True trunk tracking — follows conversations across control channels so you don’t miss replies

Automatic system setup

Pocket25 integrates with the RadioReference database:

• Search your county or city
• Select the system
• Import and start listening

No manual frequency typing required.

Live signal data

While audio is playing, Pocket25 also shows what’s inside the digital signal:

• Talkgroup IDs, Radio IDs, and NAC
• WACN, System ID, Site ID, RFSS
• Encryption and emergency flags

You can actually see what’s happening on the network, not just hear it.

Filters and logs

• Whitelist or blacklist specific talkgroups
• Review call history and activity
• Manual tuning for conventional (non-trunked) channels

Hardware support

• Works with RTL-SDR dongles using a simple USB OTG cable
• No root required
• Built-in drivers for low-latency performance
• Can connect to remote rtl_tcp servers over a network

Under the hood

Pocket25 uses DSD-Neo and mbelib, giving you accurate, high-quality P25 decoding from well-established open-source code.

App download

https://sarahsforge.dev/products/pocket25

Requirements

• Android 8.0 or newer
• RTL-SDR V3, V4, or compatible RTL2832U dongle
• USB OTG cable

Legal note: Pocket25 is intended for authorized radio monitoring only. Always follow local laws regarding radio interception and encryption.

OpenHamClock

In the world of amateur radio, few tools have become as iconic as the original HamClock, created by Elwood Downey (WB0OEW). However, with the recent passing of its creator and the news that the original servers may cease to function by June 2026, the community has rallied to ensure this vital shack accessory lives on.

Enter OpenHamClock.com: a modern, open-source spiritual successor designed to pick up where the original left off while adding 21st-century flexibility.

What is OpenHamClock?

OpenHamClock is a community-driven initiative to recreate and modernize the classic "kiosk-style" radio dashboard. It acts as a command center for your ham shack, providing a real-time visual display of everything a radio operator needs to know about the ionosphere, the sun, and the radio spectrum.

While the original HamClock was often tied to specific hardware or fixed resolutions, OpenHamClock is built on a modern web stack, making it accessible via any browser or devices like the Raspberry Pi.

Key Features & Improvements

The "Open" in OpenHamClock doesn't just refer to the license; it refers to the architecture. Here is what makes the new version stand out:

 * Responsive Web Design: Unlike the original, which could be finicky with monitor resolutions, OpenHamClock uses modern CSS and JavaScript to scale perfectly from a 7-inch touchscreen to a 50-inch 4K TV.

 * Hybrid Propagation Modeling: It integrates the ITU-R P.533 engine, offering high-fidelity HF propagation predictions directly on your map.

 * Live Data Integration: * DX Cluster Spots: Real-time visualization of who is talking to whom.

   * Space Weather: Live solar flux, sunspot numbers, and geomagnetic (K-index) data.

   * Satellite Tracking: Real-time orbits and pass predictions.

 * Modern Map Tiles: It utilizes Leaflet.js and OpenStreetMap, allowing for much smoother zooming and higher-detail satellite views than the legacy version.

 * Easy Deployment: It can be run as a Docker container, deployed to the cloud (via Railway), or installed directly on a Raspberry Pi using provided scripts.

Why the Transition Matters

The original HamClock relied on a central server for much of its data. With that infrastructure scheduled to sunset in 2026, many "headless" Pi units and shack monitors would have gone dark.

The OpenHamClock project (found on GitHub) ensures that the backend is just as open as the frontend. By decentralizing the data sources, the project ensures that as long as there is an internet connection and a community of hams, the clock will keep ticking.

How to Get Started

If you’re ready to upgrade your shack’s "brain," you have a few options:

 * Browser Mode: Visit OpenHamClock.com to see a live production version you can use immediately.

 * Raspberry Pi: The project provides a setup-pi.sh script to turn a spare Pi into a dedicated kiosk.

 * Docker: For the tech-savvy, a simple docker compose up will have you running a local instance in seconds.

A Legacy Continued

OpenHamClock is a touching tribute to Elwood Downey’s vision. It preserves the "glanceability" of the original while removing the technical bottlenecks of the past. For the modern operator, it’s not just a clock—it’s the pulse of the hobby.

Caution! HamFest Satire

 The things you see at EVERY Hamfest..

Vibroplex Out of the Hamfest Business

Vibroplex will not be attending the 2026 Orlando HamCation or any other future hamfests, including the Dayton Hamvention.  Our business owner Scott Robbins W4PA went into mostly-retirement in July 2025.  He is no longer involved in the day-to-day operation of Vibroplex but continues to participate in customer service functions as needed.  We are continuing with business as usual as it's been the last 16+ years and look forward to a prosperous 2026.

New Baofeng Mini-5i Ultra

New Baofeng Release!

Baofeng Mini-5i Ultra Compact Two-Way Radio with OneKey Pairing and Bluetooth. 

T-Dongle C5 Release

 Information on the T-Dongle C5's listing is being prepared.

Ailunce HA2 Firmware Upgrade is now available!

👉🏻 Download here: https://www.ailunce.com/Supports/HA2/Software