Why limit yourself to your small screen on the phone? Run HamGPS, an app by Miguel A. Vallejo, EA4EOZ, best experienced on your PC or Mac with BlueStacks, the world’s #1 Android emulator.
HamGPS feels like one of those small, no-nonsense tools radio folks actually use. It launches into the current Maidenhead locator and pushes it to silly precise, up to 10 digits. There is a simple readout, no clutter. The app lets a user set target locations in two ways, by grid locator or by latitude and longitude, then it spits out bearing and distance to each one. That is exactly what someone wants when pointing a VHF, UHF, or microwave antenna for DX work. No network needed and no fancy map tiles loading, so it keeps working in the middle of nowhere and does not waste battery or data. It is barebones, in a good way, and the focus is accuracy and repeatable numbers rather than flashy visuals.
On a PC with BlueStacks, it makes even more sense in the shack. Big screen, easy to read bearings at a glance, and typing coordinates with a full keyboard is much less fussy. It behaves fast because it is not trying to draw maps. Just set a few targets, check the angle and distance, and rotate hardware until it lines up. If someone wants a map, repeater database, APRS, or social features, this is not that app. If what matters is precise grids and clean bearings, it hits the mark. The 10 digit locator might be overkill for casual use, but for careful alignment it is strangely satisfying.
Eager to take your app experience to the next level? Start right away by downloading BlueStacks on your PC or Mac.
