Messaging
Hamtrax includes simple direct messaging so you can coordinate with other operators without leaving the app. Use it to plan on-air meetups, share a frequency, or just talk radio.
Starting a Conversation
- Open a friend's profile and tap Message, or go to the Messages section from the Community tab.
- If starting from the messages list, tap New Message and search for a friend by callsign.
- Type your message and tap Send.
[SCREENSHOT: Message thread showing a conversation between two operators]
Messaging is available only between friends. You'll need to add someone as a friend before you can send them a message. See Friends to learn how.
Finding Your Conversations
All of your conversations are listed in the Messages section of the Community tab. Conversations are sorted by most recent activity, so the people you talk to most stay at the top.
Unread messages are marked with a badge so you can spot them quickly.
[SCREENSHOT: Messages list showing conversations with unread badges]
Messaging Tips
Coordinate on-air meetups. If you see a friend spotting on a frequency, send them a quick message to let them know you're calling. It's faster than hoping they'll hear you in a pileup.
Share frequencies and spots. Paste a frequency or band/mode combo in a message to let a friend know where the action is. Great for contests or rare DX.
What Messaging Is (and Isn't)
Hamtrax messaging is designed for short, practical exchanges between operators. Think of it as a quick way to pass traffic, not a full chat platform. Here's what to keep in mind:
- Messages are text only -- no images or file attachments.
- Messages are delivered in real time when both users are online. If the recipient is offline, the message is waiting for them when they come back.
- There are no group chats. For group discussions, use your club's discussion area. See Clubs.
Messaging is not encrypted end-to-end. Don't share sensitive personal information like passwords or financial details through Hamtrax messages.