Radio Messenger icon Radio Messenger

Getting started

These steps take you from a fresh install to your first message over the air.

Set your identity

  1. Open Settings and set your callsign.
  2. Leave the default SSID unless you need a separate identity for another app or radio.

Connect your radio

Radio Messenger works well with Bluetooth radios (for example BTECH UV-PRO, VGC VR-N76, and Kenwood TH-D75 with a B.B. Link adapter). For a handheld radio without Bluetooth, use an audio adapter such as Digirig Lite or AIOC. See Radios and audio adapters for setup details.

Bluetooth radio

  1. Turn on the radio and put it in pairing mode (Do not pair it in iOS Settings).
  2. In Radio Messenger, open Settings and choose Preferred Radio.

Audio adapter

  1. Connect the adapter to the radio.
  2. Plug the adapter into your phone. Radio Messenger detects it automatically.

Send your first message

  1. Tap Messages and start a new conversation.
  2. Enter a station’s callsign and send a short message.

The frequency your radio is tuned to decides how the message is sent. See Dual messaging modes.

If it doesn’t work

Open Settings → Monitor to see a live log from your connected radio. It’s the first place to check whether the phone is hearing anything. See Monitor for more.

  Dual messaging modes →