u/k3sbp

I have wanted a simple view of POTA and SOTA maps, in one place, but never found something that worked for me.

So I build and released a free iOS and Android app called ScoutCAT to see all the entities near you, or on your roadtrip, and when they’ve been activated last.

You can also see if an entity hasn’t been activated on a certain band or mode.

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/scoutcat-pota-sota-map/id6795701085

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.potacat.scoutcat&hl=en\_US

Website: https://potacat.com/scoutcat

If you run into any bugs, please report them on Discord: https://potacat.com/discord in the #scoutcat channel

I’m excited to share that the app I’ve been building all year is finally available for download. The app is $9.99 for lifetime.

First - the background. I own a Flex 8600 and the “Magic” of the Flex is two things: a great receiver AND a computer inside that is connected to the internet.

I spent the last few months developing https://POTACAT.com (free, open source, for Mac, windows and Linux) to let you extend your shack computer’s internet to your radio.

This means you don’t need a LAN SCU-10 if you have a DX10 or 101DX. Yes, it works with Yaesu and Icoms, Elecraft K4, G90, and like a hundred more.

POTACAT has had over 11,000 downloads and 1500 commits to the repo. It’s been a labor of love.

Repo: https://github.com/Waffleslop/POTACAT

I have users on Raspberry Pi’s running POTACAT… connecting their X6100 and using it remote.

It’s a pretty exciting advancement in remote radio for everyone who has a radio a computer can CAT control.

POTACAT also has a free “ECHOCAT Web” interface that lets you remote your rig when you’re at home on your LAN, or if you use Tailscale or another VPN, you can connect while out of the house.

I developed the iOS app because native apps are just so much better in functionality. Push notifications (when an ATNO is OTA, or your buddy is at a park), background audio, using the phone’s speaker, Bluetooth audio… all these things are more elegant (and some are solely possible) with a native app.

If you haven’t tried POTACAT, give it a shot. I think you’ll like it. And if you want to run a fully remote setup — and even swap rigs with a buddy for an hour or a weekend over the air — then check out ECHOCAT

The iOS app is here:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/echocat-ham-radio-remote/id6766321194

The Android app will be live in the next few days. It’s going thru final review at Google.

And here are 3 free iOS download codes for the early birds:

T94XA4LPM9MF
6JF6EFMT7AT7
K4TWNJ9E4XK6

There is an optional subscription. I don’t think many need it but some hams just want an easy button to press, and to support development. If you setup Tailscale, you can connect to your rig without cost. You’ll be limited in sharing your rig with others, if that even matters to you. To share your rig, I’ve developed a tunnel that punches through CGNAT and encrypts the connection and communication. This is useful for Starlink users and others behind a CGNAT that don’t want to fuss with anything and just want remote to work out-of-the-box.

I’m excited to see all the stickers that are given out at Hamvention and FDIM this week.

If you want a POTACAT sticker, head to FDIM Vendor’s Night tonight, or swing by Flea Market Spot 9962. Drop a note if you want us to hold one for ya.