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Omani developer launches new radio app
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- 2 min read
Omani developer launches new satellite tracking app for ham radio operators
In a first for the Arab amateur radio community, an Omani enthusiast has developed a new mobile application designed to simplify satellite tracking and communication for ham radio operators around the world.
Yousuf Al Balushi, a member of the Royal Omani Amateur Radio Society, has launched ‘Ham Satting’, an all-in-one platform that combines satellite tracking, pass prediction, and contact logging tools in a single application, making satellite operations easier for users in the field.
Speaking to Muscat Daily, Al Balushi said the idea for the app grew out of his own journey into amateur radio, which began in November 2024.
“Once I started exploring ham radio, I quickly became fascinated with satellite hunting,” he said. “I experimented with different radio setups and antennas and even built several do-it-yourself solutions. It was a hands-on learning experience that was sometimes challenging but always rewarding.”
During his early experiments, Al Balushi relied on several iOS applications to track satellites, but discovered that no single platform offered all the tools needed for smooth satellite operations.
“Most of the apps I used were useful but incomplete,” he explained. “Each had certain strengths but lacked other important features. I often had to switch between multiple apps or rely on web services on my computer, which was not practical during field operations.”
Motivated to create a more efficient solution, Al Balushi began developing his own application in August 2025. After several months of development, the platform was officially launched in January 2026.
The app is designed for licensed amateur radio operators, satellite communication enthusiasts, participants in Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contacts, and grid-square hunters working toward awards such as VUCC.
One of its key features is real-time satellite visualisation, allowing users to track the International Space Station and other amateur satellites through icons displayed on an interactive map.
The application also provides detailed pass predictions, including acquisition of signal (AOS), loss of signal (LOS), pass duration, azimuth and elevation data, helping operators determine the best time to establish satellite contacts.
Users can view timeline visualisations showing multiple satellite passes in clear tables, enabling them to plan operating schedules more efficiently.
Additional tools include location mapping, which displays both saved operating locations and the user’s current position, as well as grid-square tracking that allows operators to visualise the geographic areas they have contacted via satellite communications.
The application also features a QSO logging system that enables operators to record contacts, search by callsign or satellite and export logs when required. Smart notifications alert users to upcoming satellite passes, and predictions can be added directly to calendars or shared with other operators.
According to Al Balushi, tracking of the International Space Station is available by default, while access to additional satellites can be activated using a free API key from the satellite tracking service N2YO.
“The goal is to bring everything operators need into one place. I hope the app will make satellite communication easier and more enjoyable for the amateur radio community,” he asserted.
(The application is currently available for download on both Apple and Android app stores. More information about the application is available at unixeer.com)