Screenshots
Description
Packet Pad lets you view Packet Radio transmissions on your iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. Just set it next to your radio, tune in a Packet frequency, and watch the decodes. Or for even better quality decodes, connect a patch cable from your radio's audio output to the microphone jack, or a USB sound device plugged into the USB-C port of your device. Raw APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) packets are also displayed. You can also save your received text to view later, or transfer to your computer via iTunes. Note: Only 1200 baud packet is decoded. The app is receive only, packets are not transmitted.
What's New
Updates for latest iOS versions
Details
- Developer
- Black Cat Systems
- Main Category
- Lifestyle
- Version
- 1.6
- Version Release
- 2024-12-04
- Initial Release
- 2010-08-10
- Size
- 2 MB
- Age Rating
- 4+
- Price
- USD 2.99
- Languages
- EN
- Bundle ID
- com.blackcatsystems.packetPad
- Version Rating
- ★ 3.76 (17)
- First Seen
- 2026-06-28
Metadata updated 2026-06-28
Rank History
Free · Max 90 days · Top 5 categories shown (Y-axis: rank, lower is better)
No rank history data
Free Rankings
No rankings
Paid Rankings
Competitive Benchmark — Lifestyle Top 10
What it takes to beat this app — comparison with the category's top apps. The orange row is the current app.
| # | App | Price | Rating | Ratings | Langs | Last Update |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spirit Talker ® | USD 4.99 | ★ 2.80 | 680 | 0 | 2025-02-26 |
| 2 | Cloud Baby Monitor | USD 6.99 | ★ 4.78 | 17,889 | 1 | 2026-06-23 |
| 3 | Stylebook | USD 4.99 | ★ 4.68 | 8,671 | 6 | 2025-06-15 |
| 4 | Ourcana | USD 0.99 | ★ 4.53 | 32 | 1 | 2026-05-17 |
| 5 | Universalis | USD 9.99 | ★ 4.92 | 8,990 | 1 | 2026-06-09 |
| 6 | ملكة: للباحثين عن شريك الحياة | USD 0.29 | ★ 4.07 | 165 | 2 | 2026-06-20 |
| 7 | Board Game Stats | USD 5.99 | ★ 4.88 | 441 | 17 | 2026-06-11 |
| 8 | B-hyve Pro | USD 9.99 | ★ 4.70 | 7,991 | 8 | 2026-06-26 |
| 9 | Baby Led Weaning Recipes | USD 5.99 | ★ 3.40 | 42 | 1 | 2026-01-25 |
| 10 | Brevard Kid | USD 0.99 | ★ 5.00 | 4 | 1 | 2026-05-28 |
| 88 | Packet Pad | USD 2.99 | ★ 3.76 | 17 | 1 | 2024-12-04 |
More by This Developer
User Reviews
All I needed to do was use the microphone on my phone to decode the aprs packets coming in over my radio. Tried about a dozen apps that said they could do this until I found this one. $3 well spent!
I was ready to write a trash review until I plugged the iPad directly to the rig’s audio. Now it works after a year of non-decoding 😺
Frankly, an embarrassment to amateur radio. The worst piece of software I have ever used for any purpose.
Not working for iPhone X iOS 12 - the app does not pick up audio from mic or an external mic.
Often takes restarting the app two or three times before it even recognizes most transmissions, and then when it finally does, the error rate is close to 25%. This is pretty much the way this developer works. Just get a cheap Android, and free software for ham radio. It'll work better, and you won't be paying a premium for trashy apps.
Will not decode packets even when placed on speaker. Might be better on iPhone but so far all I get is garbage.
It does what it is supposed to do. Decodes packets. Not a problem just holding up to the speaker. It will help me with my packet work.
Shows packets even if the checksum doesn't pass. I like that. I know it's receiving. Can attach the radio to the phone and bike ride!
With today's update the scrolling problem under iOS 9.2 is fixed. The app works just as it should. Five stars!
Catches 3/4 of the packets I hear.
Reviews are collected only for apps with detected changes (new entries or sharp risers).