Let me just state that this has nothing to do with being a “cheap” ham. The other thing that turned me off is that after the first year, if you wanted to continue with support or receive updates, it would cost an additional $50 annually. I’ve noticed some changes but nothing that really stuck out that was wanting me to pay for it. Thankfully they released a trial version and I gave it a go. I was excited until I went to the new website and saw the $100 price tag for a lifetime license of that revision.

I was hoping the new crew would fix the issues and the software would improve. Since I wasn’t paying for it, I didn’t mind.

I’ve had some issues with the software randomly shutting down. I was looking forward to see what the new version 6 would have to offer. Word through the grapevine was that a group of hams got together and would purchase the software from Simon and continue where Simon left off. I honestly thought HRD was going to be a lost and forgotten project. Ham Radio Deluxe wasn’t getting as many upgrades as before. I was now more on digital than compared to SSB with thanks to HRD.įast forward a few years and I noticed that Simon’s attention started drifting elsewhere. I purchased a soundcard interface and was tearing up PSK, RTTY, FELD HELL and all sorts of other modes. I then notice Digital Master 780 (DM780) and it opened my eyes up to the world of digital communications. He did a very excellent Job with the software and had it easily hooked up to my FT-857D and was logging contacts with it in no time. It was Ham Radio Deluxe (HRD).Īt the time HRD was being developed by Simon Brown. Of course I found many types of software but this one piece of software was glaring out from the rest.

There must be some kind of software that will help me out. From then on I knew I had to log my contacts. Did I make contact with the person? Their callsign sounds familiar.

I was having fun until I got my first QSL card. It was easier than I thought, I was working the world on a simple doublet antenna. I’ve upgraded my license and soon as I made my first DX contact, I was hooked. Until then I never made a true “DX” contact. I wanted to do more with hobby other than hanging out on the local repeaters. Back in 2010, I was getting back into amateur radio.

Hrd ham radio deluxe