Using Smartphones for Radio Control

[Jimru]

I'm not sure where to post this thread, so I am starting here and hopefully a moderator can advise!

I have an iPhone 4S. I have recently downloaded various apps that are designed to program and control radios, such as CommCat and iSDR.

Although I have not used these apps yet, my question is this:

What sense does it really make to use your smartphone for radio control?

If you are like me, you are using your device for frequent texting, email and, even (gasp!) phone calls (not to mention posting to and reading at Radio Reference) . So, how are you going to sit there running your rig and at the same time run your life?

I could see using these apps perhaps to program your radio, either late at night or early in the morning, before friends, family and co-workers are trying to reach you, but that is usually a set and forget situation.

Are any of you using your smartphone with either of the apps I mentioned, or other apps, to run your radios?

What are your experiences so far, regarding what I have asked above?

Looking forward to your comments!

73,
Jim

 

[Jimru]

Nothing? Crickets?

 

[n9mxq]

Have you looked at Pignology's stuff?

He has a "pigtail" that allows control via WIFI..

Pignology, LLC

 

[Jimru]

Have you looked at Pignology's stuff?

He has a "pigtail" that allows control via WIFI..

Pignology, LLC

Thanks!

What's your experience using your smartphone for radio control?

 

[n9mxq]

Thanks!

What's your experience using your smartphone for radio control?

Absolutely nil. But I've heard good things about his stuff, and am a user of his logging program for iOS..

I was looking into getting a Pigtail for my IC-706MKIIG, but since it's early demise I've given up on that idea and will be using the money to some day get the rig fixed.

 

[Jimru]

Cool. What I'm interested in is how folks use their smartphones, in particular, to log and/or control radios, for the reasons I mention in my original post.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[n9mxq]

I got his logging program when I had my 703+ and did more mobile HF work. It was great, I always had a way to log my contacts..

I kept a notepad to scribble notes and would enter them when I wasn't driving.

His cloud sharing makes it easy to keep the log on my phone sync'd with my main logging program on my computer (HRD Suite).

 

[Jimru]

So, at any point, did you find that using the phone during that time was a problem because people were trying to call, text or email you while you were using it as a radio logging device?

It just seems to me (based only on my experience as an iPhone user), that depending too much on a phone as a radio control/logging device could be an issue if you are a heavy phone caller/text user/email user.

Am I making any sense?

 

[n9mxq]

If you're a heavy phone user (voice/text) you'll have notifications popping up all the time (calls will interrupt) and I wouldn't suggest using iPhone logging for a contest, such as Field Day, or when you're the bottom of a big pile up.

I'm not a heavy phone user, and I have a backup iPod touch I can run HamLog on if worse comes to worse.. I used it for field day last year and the only problems I had were my fat fingers...My dream for it would be an iPad (better for fat fingers).. I really like the logging setup and adapted to it quicker than other PC based systems.

 

[Jimru]

If you're a heavy phone user (voice/text) you'll have notifications popping up all the time (calls will interrupt) and I wouldn't suggest using iPhone logging for a contest, such as Field Day, or when you're the bottom of a big pile up.

I'm not a heavy phone user, and I have a backup iPod touch I can run HamLog on if worse comes to worse.. I used it for field day last year and the only problems I had were my fat fingers...My dream for it would be an iPad (better for fat fingers).. I really like the logging setup and adapted to it quicker than other PC based systems.

That's what I'm getting at!

I depend on my iPhone exclusively, as I have no "home phone", so it just doesn't make sense to use an app. The iPod Touch would make sense, but not a phone.

I'm wondering if anyone else has this dilemma. Simply curious, with too much time on my hands!

Thanks & 73,
Jim