What's Happening to HamClock?
HamClock, the popular ham radio desktop application created by W0OI (Elwood Downey), is reaching end of life in June 2026. After that date, the software will no longer receive updates or data feed support. For thousands of operators who rely on HamClock's propagation maps, solar data, and satellite tracking, that means finding a replacement.
The good news: you don't need to install anything new. Modern browser-based dashboards now cover everything HamClock did — and run on any device with a web browser.
HamClock Features vs. This Dashboard
Quick reference — every HamClock feature mapped to this dashboard:
| HamClock Feature | Our Dashboard | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Propagation maps (MUF/foF2) | Propagation Dashboard | Covered |
| Solar flux & sunspot numbers | Propagation Dashboard | Covered |
| Kp geomagnetic index | Propagation Dashboard | Covered |
| Band conditions (day/night) | Propagation (N0NBH + RBN) | Covered |
| Satellite tracking | Satellite Tracker (90+ sats) | Covered |
| Pass predictions | Satellite Tracker | Covered |
| Doppler correction | Satellite Tracker | Covered |
| APRS spots | Live APRS Map (real-time) | Covered+ |
| Space weather | Propagation Dashboard | Covered |
| Grid square display | Grid Square Tools | Covered |
| — | Repeater Finder (FM + DMR) | Extra |
| — | Global Callsign Lookup | Extra |
| — | POTA / SOTA / DMR Activity | Extra |
| — | Activity Leaderboard | Extra |
| — | Contest Calendar (29 events) | Extra |
Detailed breakdown of each feature:
Propagation Maps (MUF, foF2, D-RAP)
Our Propagation Dashboard shows real-time MUF (3000km), foF2 critical frequency, and HF absorption maps from KC2G PropNET and NOAA SWPC. Interactive map with layer switching — the same data sources HamClock used.
Solar Indices (SFI, Kp, Sunspot Number)
Live solar flux index, sunspot numbers, solar wind speed and density, and Kp geomagnetic index — all from NOAA DSCOVR and SWPC. Updated every 4 hours. Plus 7/14/30-day trend charts so you can see where conditions are heading.
Band Conditions
Real-time band condition scores derived from actual Reverse Beacon Network spot density — not predictions, but what's actually happening on the air right now. Per-band ratings on the propagation page.
Satellite Tracking & Pass Predictions
Our Satellite Tracker tracks 90+ amateur radio satellites in real-time on a live map. Pass predictions with elevation, azimuth, and duration. Live Doppler correction updated every 2 seconds. Footprint visualization and ground tracks. CelesTrak TLE data refreshed every 4 hours.
APRS & Station Tracking
HamClock showed APRS spots. Our Live APRS Map goes further — real-time WebSocket streaming from the APRS-IS network. Watch packets arrive live. Station detail panels with weather data, network paths, 24-hour heard-by lists, and track history.
Space Weather & Geomagnetic Data
Kp index, solar wind speed, proton density, and Bz component — all displayed on the propagation page with color-coded ratings. Learn more in our Kp Index guide.
Features HamClock Didn't Have
This dashboard also includes tools HamClock didn't offer:
- - Repeater Finder — Search FM and DMR repeaters near any location with CTCSS tones, color codes, and ARES flags
- - Global Callsign Lookup — Search callsigns across FCC, ISED, ACMA, and DMR registries
- - POTA & SOTA Activity — Live spots from Parks on the Air and Summits on the Air
- - APRS Weather Network — Weather stations with temperature, wind, humidity, and pressure from the APRS network
- - RBN Explorer — Analyze your signal reach with Reverse Beacon Network data
- - My Station — Personalized dashboard with nearby repeaters, satellite passes, and band conditions for your location
- - Tower & Antenna Map — FCC-registered structures near your location
- - Grid Square Tools — Maidenhead converter and activity heatmap
- - Activity Leaderboard — Ranked operators by APRS grid squares, RBN reach, and POTA activations
- - Contest Calendar — 29 major contests with dates, bands, exchange formats, and duration
Why Browser-Based?
HamClock Required
- - Raspberry Pi or desktop computer
- - Software installation and updates
- - Dedicated display
- - Local network configuration
- - Manual TLE updates for satellites
Browser Dashboard
- - Any device with a browser
- - No install — just open the URL
- - Works on phone, tablet, laptop, or TV
- - Always up to date
- - TLEs and data refresh automatically
Quick Start: Replacing Your HamClock Workflow
If you used HamClock daily, here's how to set up the same routine with this dashboard:
- 1. Set up My Station — Go to My Station and enter your callsign. The page remembers it and personalizes everything: nearby repeaters, satellite passes for your location, band conditions, and your RBN activity summary.
- 2. Bookmark the Propagation Dashboard — Open /propagation daily to check solar conditions and band scores. This replaces HamClock's propagation display. Switch between MUF, foF2, and HF absorption maps.
- 3. Check satellite passes — The Satellite Tracker shows the next 24 hours of passes for your location with live Doppler correction. Select any satellite for detailed frequency and pass data.
- 4. Monitor activity — Check POTA/SOTA/DMR activity, watch the live APRS map, or explore your RBN signal reach.
- 5. Use it on a dedicated display — Open the propagation page in fullscreen (F11 on most browsers) on a spare monitor or old tablet. It auto-refreshes — set it and forget it, just like HamClock.
Data Sources
This dashboard pulls from the same reliable public data sources HamClock used, plus additional feeds:
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this cost anything?
No. The dashboard is completely free with no accounts, no signups, and no limits. All tools are available to everyone.
Do I need to install anything?
No. Just open hamradio.shaneburrell.com in any web browser. Works on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge — desktop or mobile.
Can I run this on a Raspberry Pi like HamClock?
Yes — open the dashboard URL in Chromium on a Raspberry Pi and set it to fullscreen. You get the same always-on display experience without installing any software. The Pi just needs a browser and internet connection.
How often is the data updated?
APRS and RBN data stream in real-time. Solar indices, satellite TLEs, repeaters, and activity data refresh every 4 hours. Callsign databases update weekly. The propagation maps update every 4 hours from NOAA and KC2G.
What about great circle paths and greyline maps?
The Propagation Dashboard includes a real-time day/night terminator overlay with greyline highlighting — showing exactly where long-path propagation peaks. The greyline updates every minute and overlays on top of the MUF/foF2 contour maps. The Grid Square Tools page handles coordinate conversions.
Other HamClock Alternatives
Several other tools are filling the gap left by HamClock. Here's how the landscape looks:
- - OpenHamClock — A fork of the original HamClock, runs as a desktop app or Docker container. Most faithful to the original HamClock experience but still requires installation and local configuration. See our detailed comparison.
- - open-hamclock-backend — A drop-in backend replacement that keeps existing HamClock installs working past June 2026. Good short-term fix, but doesn't solve the long-term maintenance problem.
- - HamDash — Desktop app with propagation and solar data. Requires installation.
- - DXLook — Web-based propagation tool by AK6FP, focused on DX spots.
- - VA3HDL Ham Dashboard — Another web dashboard project.
- - This Dashboard (KJ4WLC) — Free, browser-based, 20+ tools, 13 data sources, real-time APRS streaming, satellite Doppler, N0NBH band conditions, solar imagery, greyline terminator, activity leaderboard, contest calendar, personalized My Station view. No install. Works on any device.