Hamalert is a free notification system designed for amateur radio operators to track specific stations, regions, or activations in real-time. Instead of manually refreshing spotting websites, Hamalert “listens” to various data sources for you and sends an instant alert to your devices when your specific criteria are met.
Why Use Hamalert?
In the fast-paced world of DXing (long-distance contact) and radio contests, timing is everything. Propagation windows can open and close in minutes. Hamalert is essential for:
- Chasing Rare DX: Get notified the second a specific callsign or a new DXCC entity appears on the air.
- POTA and SOTA Hunting: If you are working toward “Worked All States” or seeking specific summits/parks, you can set triggers for those specific references.
- Efficiency: It monitors the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN), DX Clusters, SOTAwatch, POTA, and PSK Reporter simultaneously, so you don’t have to.
- Customization: You can filter by band, mode (CW, SSB, FT8, etc.), continent, or even the time of day.
How to Get Started
Setting up Hamalert is straightforward and can be completed in three main phases:
1. Create an Account
VisitHamAlert.org and register for a free account. You will need to provide your amateur radio callsign to verify your identity as a licensed operator.
2. Set Up Destinations
Decide how you want to receive your alerts. You can configure multiple destinations:
- The HamAlert App: Available on iOS and Android for push notifications (most popular).
- Desktop/Telnet: For integration directly into your logging software.d
3. Configure Triggers
Triggers are the “rules” that tell Hamalert what to look for.
- Go to the Triggers tab on the website.
- Click the “+” icon to create a new trigger.
- Define your Criteria (e.g., “Source: POTA”, “Band: 20m”, “Mode: CW”).
- Define your Action (e.g., “Send to App”).
- Save the trigger. You will now receive a “ping” whenever a spot matches those exact rules.