VEChat app icon

Packet Radio Reborn

Modern FX.25 packet chat for iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Get Started Learn More
Coming Soon to the App Store

The Revival

In the 1980s and 90s, packet radio connected ham operators worldwide through a revolutionary digital network. BBSs, DX clusters, and real-time chat flourished over the airwaves.

Today, packet radio is more relevant than ever. In an age of fragile infrastructure and internet dependency, amateur radio offers something unique: truly decentralized communication.

📡 No servers required
🌐 No internet needed
⚡ Works off-grid
🆘 Emergency ready

Features

📱

Software TNC

Use your phone as a TNC — just connect an audio cable to your radio. No extra hardware needed.

🔗

KISS TNC

Mobilinkd Bluetooth TNC support plus Direwolf network connectivity for desktop setups.

🛡️

Error Correction

FX.25 Reed-Solomon encoding with 16-byte error correction and bit-flip recovery.

📻

HF Ready

300 baud mode for HF bands — reach stations thousands of miles away.

🍎

Universal App

One purchase for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. Native performance on all your Apple devices.

💬

Modern Chat

Direct messages with delivery confirmation, group conversations, and global broadcast.

See It In Action

VEChat main screen showing groups and direct messages
Groups and direct messaging
VEChat CQ global broadcast conversation
Global broadcast (CQ)
VEChat direct message with delivery confirmation
Delivery confirmation
VEChat settings showing TNC mode options
Multiple TNC modes
VEChat audio monitor showing channel activity
Channel monitoring
VEChat showing FX.25 error correction stats
FX.25 error correction

How It Works

📱
Your Device
→
🔌
Audio Cable
→
📻
Your Radio
→
〰️
RF Waves
→
👥
Others

Three Ways to Connect

Software TNC

VEChat processes audio directly. Use a simple audio cable, or a Digirig for clean audio with automatic PTT control.

Bluetooth TNC

Use a Mobilinkd TNC3 or TNC4 for wireless connection to your radio. Clean audio, no cables to your device.

Network TNC

Connect to Direwolf or other KISS TCP servers on your network. Ideal for home station setups.

Technical Specifications

Protocol AX.25 v2.0 compliant
VHF/UHF Speed 1200 baud AFSK
HF Speed 300 baud FSK
Error Correction FX.25 Reed-Solomon (16 bytes)
Hardware Interface KISS protocol
Channel Access p-persistent CSMA
Wire Protocol VECHAT destination address
Platforms iOS 17+, iPadOS 17+, macOS 14+

Getting Started

What You Need

  • ✓ iPhone, iPad, or Mac running iOS/iPadOS 17+ or macOS 14+
  • ✓ A ham radio (VHF/UHF HT or mobile, or HF transceiver)
  • ✓ Audio cable or Bluetooth TNC (Mobilinkd TNC3/TNC4)
  • ✓ Valid amateur radio license

Recommended Starter Setup

Baofeng UV-5R + Audio Cable

The UV-5R is one of the most popular entry-level radios. Pair it with a Baofeng-compatible audio cable (3.5mm TRRS to Kenwood 2-pin) and you're ready to go.

  1. Connect the audio cable to your radio and device
  2. Set your radio to a packet frequency (e.g., 145.010 MHz)
  3. Launch VEChat and configure your callsign
  4. Start chatting!

For detailed setup guides, troubleshooting, and advanced configurations, check out the in-app documentation.