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Getting Started

Alpha Software

Hamtrax is currently in alpha. Features may change, break, or be removed as we iterate. The app offers a free tier with core features, and optional premium plans are available in Settings > Plans. Most importantly, back up your logs externally. Because this is an alpha, data could be cleared at any point. Export your log regularly to an ADIF file (see Exporting Contacts) so you always have a copy.

Hamtrax is a modern, offline-first ham radio toolkit available on the web at hamtrax.com and as native apps for iOS and Android. Whether you're chasing POTA activations or just logging your daily QSOs, Hamtrax gives you one place to do it all.

Creating Your Account​

Getting started takes about 30 seconds:

  1. Open hamtrax.com in any modern browser.
  2. Tap Sign Up on the welcome screen.
  3. Create an account using your email address, or sign in with Google or Apple.
  4. Optionally enter your callsign when prompted. Hamtrax uses this to personalize your experience and pull your station info. If you don't have a callsign yet, you can skip this step and add one later.

[SCREENSHOT: Sign-up screen with email and Google options]

tip

You can update your callsign later from Settings > Profile if it changes.

A Quick Tour​

Hamtrax is organized around a sidebar navigation with several main sections.

Home​

Your launch pad. The Home tab highlights the three main things you can do in Hamtrax -- hunt parks, activate a park, or view your profile -- so you're always one tap away from the action.

[SCREENSHOT: Home tab with action cards]

Log​

Your logbook. Every QSO you make is stored here, organized into folders -- automatic monthly folders for casual contacts and per-activation folders when you activate a park. You can also import, export, and bulk-edit contacts.

Hunting​

Browse live POTA activations, Reverse Beacon Network spots, and PSK Reporter decodes on an interactive map. This is where you go to find stations to work.

[SCREENSHOT: Hunting view with map showing live spots]

Activating​

Start your own POTA activation. Hamtrax automates folder creation, spot posting, and contact logging so you can stay on the mic instead of the keyboard.

Showcase​

Your ham radio identity at a glance. See your activity stats, browse your activation history and recent hunting contacts, track award progress (DXCC, WAS, WAZ), and showcase your equipment and social links.

[SCREENSHOT: Showcase tab with activity stats]

Tools​

A collapsible sidebar section with floating utility panels: Band Plan, CW Decoder, FT8 Decoder, Rig Manager, Library, Solar conditions, and a Feedback form. These open as overlay panels so you can use them alongside any tab.

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All sections are available in the web app today.

Offline-First Architecture​

Hamtrax is built offline-first. Every action you take -- logging a QSO, browsing cached spots, or viewing your stats -- works without an internet connection. Here's how it works:

  • Local storage comes first. Contacts and app data are saved to your browser's local database (IndexedDB) the moment you create them. Nothing depends on a round-trip to the server.
  • Cloud sync happens in the background. When you have a connection, Hamtrax automatically syncs your data to the cloud (Firestore). There's no sync button to press.
  • No data loss in the field. If you lose cell signal mid-activation, keep logging. Your contacts are safe locally and will upload when you reconnect.
  • Cached data for browsing. Activity data, maps, and reference lists you've previously loaded are cached so you can browse them offline.

This makes Hamtrax especially useful for portable operations -- POTA activations or anywhere connectivity is unreliable.

What's Next?​

You're all set. Here are some good places to go from here: