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Field Spotter is a **web-based spotting tool** specifically engineered for portable amateur radio operations such as POTA, SOTA, and WWFF. It presents real-time activity on an interactive map, allowing users to visualize activator details, park/summit codes, distance, and spot age, with older spots gradually fading for clarity. The interface includes robust filtering capabilities by program, mode, and band, alongside extensive display configurations for map styles, the **terminator (greyline)**, Maidenhead grid, CQ zones, ITU zones, and WAB/WAI grids. Users can customize spot display duration, show QRT and pre-QSY spots, and select from various map providers like OpenStreetMap and ESRI. Authored by Ian Renton M0TRT, Field Spotter also incorporates features for re-spotting and provides convenient popup links to external callsign lookup services, program websites, and WebSDRs, including a 750Hz offset option for CW reception. The platform operates with a strong emphasis on user privacy, collecting no personal data and storing any location or callsign information exclusively on the user's local device, ensuring a secure and private spotting experience for portable ops.

HamStream, a versatile ham radio control software, integrates real-time DX cluster data directly into the operator's workflow, eliminating the need for constant alt-tabbing. As an Extra Class operator, I appreciate how it instantly displays callsign, country, distance, bearing, and QRZ profile data for spotted stations, mirroring the efficiency of a well-organized shack. The software acts as a comprehensive radio controller, reading frequency, mode, and S-meter in real time from connected rigs, supporting CAT via serial, CI-V, _HAMLIB_, and direct connections to _FlexRadio SmartSDR_ and Apache Labs ANAN (via Thetis). Key features include instant QRZ lookups, distance and bearing calculations with a live great-circle minimap, and favorite alerts for specific callsigns. The one-click logging functionality is particularly useful, populating callsign, frequency, and mode into _N1MM+_, Log4OM, DXKeeper, Logger32, StationMaster Pro, and Ham Radio Deluxe via UDP, streamlining contest and casual logging alike. Its smart radio auto-detection for port, baud rate, and model simplifies setup, a welcome relief from manual configuration. Beyond core operating, HamStream also displays 'Also on this frequency' information and can tune the radio to spotted frequencies, enhancing situational awareness. For those who stream their operations, it offers an OBS overlay with live viewer counts and chat integration, making it a compelling tool for modern amateur radio engagement.

This study analyzes the antenna pattern of the Utah Amateur Radio Club's 146.760 MHz repeater following antenna relocation in 1997. Noting degraded transmission toward the north, a customized signal mapping system using a Yaesu FT-817, GPS, and software was developed to log real-time signal data. Calibration techniques extended the radio's signal range, enabling precise field measurements. The method allowed continuous signal strength monitoring while driving, revealing anomalies in coverage likely due to tower modifications. Findings helped assess and visualize the antenna’s actual radiation pattern and highlighted environmental impact on signal distribution.