1. Scope and developer
This Privacy Policy applies to the CQFTx Android application, Google Play application ID app.cqftx, developed and published by KF0KBL. It also explains the limited processing associated with this policy page.
CQFTx does not require a CQFTx account and does not send application data to a server operated by KF0KBL. When the app communicates with a third-party service, that communication is described below and the third party's own terms and privacy policy also apply.
2. Data accessed and stored on your device
CQFTx stores data needed to operate a digital amateur-radio station. This data is held in Android app-private or app-specific storage and is not automatically uploaded to KF0KBL.
Your amateur-radio callsign, Maidenhead grid, operating jurisdiction, radio and USB selections, band, mode, transmit offset, safety settings, and interface preferences.
The most recent GPS latitude and longitude, GPS time information, derived four- or six-character grid, and whether location/time came from GPS or manual entry.
Received and transmitted message text, callsigns, grids, signal reports, frequencies, queue and QSO state, POTA/SOTA references, spot data, and QSO logs.
Radio/CAT status, audio-route and timing telemetry, workflow events, safety events, diagnostic incidents, operating-session snapshots, and local log backups.
Precise location
With Android location permission, CQFTx requests a GPS fix to derive an accurate Maidenhead grid and UTC clock for synchronized FT8/FT4 operation. The latest precise latitude and longitude are stored locally so CQFTx can reproduce the selected grid precision after restart. The coordinates can also appear in the on-device operator log and therefore in a diagnostic package that you explicitly export.
CQFTx does not continuously track a route, request Android background-location permission, use location for advertising, or send raw GPS latitude/longitude to KF0KBL.
Audio
Android classifies CQFTx's receive path under microphone/audio-recording permission. CQFTx uses the selected audio input—normally the QMX/QDX USB audio stream—to decode FT8/FT4 locally. Audio samples are held only as needed for live buffering and decoding. CQFTx does not perform speech recognition and does not save or upload received audio recordings.
If you enable Continue receiving in background, the foreground receive service can keep the selected audio input active while CQFTx is not visible. Android displays the associated foreground-service notification. This setting is optional.
3. Android permissions
| Permission or capability | Why CQFTx uses it | What happens if declined |
|---|---|---|
| Precise / coarse location | Obtain GPS time and coordinates, derive a Maidenhead grid, and support location-aware operating context. | After GPS is unavailable or times out, CQFTx offers manual UTC and grid fallback. |
| Record audio | Read the selected radio/USB audio input for local FT8/FT4 decoding and receive-path testing. | Live receive and decode features cannot operate. |
| USB host / connected device | Communicate with a selected QRP Labs radio through USB CAT and USB audio. | The radio cannot be controlled through that device path. |
| Internet / network state | Read POTA, SOTA, and PSK Reporter data; perform activity-reference lookups; optionally send public reports and POTA spots; and avoid requests while offline. | Local radio operation and logging remain available, while Internet features are unavailable. |
| Foreground service | Keep an operator-enabled receive or connected-radio session active with an Android notification. | Background receiving is unavailable. |
4. Network services and data sharing
Network providers ordinarily receive technical request information such as IP address, date/time, user agent, and transport metadata. CQFTx uses no advertising or analytics services.
| Service | When used | Data sent from CQFTx |
|---|---|---|
| PSK Reporter | CQFTx queries recent reception reports and can subscribe to a live feed for propagation context. If you turn on Upload decoded stations to PSK Reporter, CQFTx also submits reception reports. | Queries/subscriptions include your callsign and selected mode. Optional uploads include your callsign and grid plus decoded station callsign/grid, frequency, mode, SNR, and timestamp. Upload is off by default. Queries and live subscriptions use encrypted transports; the standard PSK Reporter IPFIX upload uses UDP and is not transport-encrypted. PSK Reporter data is intended to be public. |
| Parks on the Air (POTA) | CQFTx downloads public spots and looks up park references. If you enable automatic self-spotting for a POTA activation, CQFTx posts and refreshes the spot and sends QRT at the end. | Reference lookups send the requested park identifier. An enabled self-spot sends your callsign as activator/spotter, park reference, frequency, mode, source, and spot comment or QRT status over HTTPS. See the POTA Privacy Policy. |
| Summits on the Air (SOTA) | CQFTx downloads public SOTA spots and looks up summit references. Automated CQFTx SOTA writes are currently disabled; the app can open SOTAwatch for an operator-managed spot. | Spot-feed requests identify CQFTx with an anonymous API user; reference lookups include the requested summit identifier. Opening SOTAwatch transfers you to the browser and SOTA's own policies apply. |
| Esri map tiles | When the PSK Reporter map is displayed, CQFTx requests Esri World Street Map tiles over HTTPS. | Esri receives normal network request information and the requested map tile coordinates/zoom. CQFTx does not place your callsign in the tile URL. See the Esri Privacy Statement. |
| Android share destinations | Only after you choose an export action and select a destination from Android's share sheet. | The selected app or service receives the ADIF log or diagnostic ZIP you chose to share. Diagnostic packages may contain callsigns, messages, radio details, workflow state, and precise location from the operator log. |
5. Amateur-radio transmissions are public
CQFTx is communications software. When you transmit, your callsign, grid or signal report, activity designator, and exchange messages are sent over amateur-radio spectrum. Other stations and automated receivers can receive, record, decode, republish, or archive those transmissions. Amateur-radio transmissions are not private or encrypted.
This public RF disclosure is separate from Internet sharing, but it is central to how the app operates. You control whether the station transmits and remain responsible for the content and legal operation of your station.
6. Your privacy choices
- PSK Reporter upload is off by default. You can change it in Station Setup.
- Automatic POTA self-spotting is optional. Choose whether to enable it when starting an activation.
- Background receiving is optional. Disable it in Station Setup to stop receive audio when CQFTx leaves the foreground.
- Location permission is controlled by Android. You can revoke it in system settings and use manual fallback when CQFTx makes that fallback available.
- Exports are user initiated. CQFTx creates an export locally and opens Android's share sheet; you choose whether and where to send it.
- No CQFTx marketing messages. The app does not create a marketing profile or send promotional notifications.
7. Retention and deletion
Station settings, the most recent GPS coordinates, QSO logs, activity logs, and operating state remain on the device until you change or delete them, clear the app's storage, or uninstall CQFTx. Automatic log and session backups are stored in app-specific storage and rotate when the combined backup set exceeds 80 files. The diagnostic log and marked incident files are retained locally for troubleshooting; the five newest marked incidents are included in a diagnostic export.
CQFTx disables Android cloud backup and device-to-device transfer for its app data. Files you export to another app, email provider, cloud drive, or filesystem are outside CQFTx's control and remain there until deleted from that destination.
Deletion controls
- Swipe a QSO in the log viewer to delete that contact, or use Clear Normal Log to clear the Normal log. CQFTx creates a local safety backup before these actions, so a deleted entry can remain in rotating backups temporarily.
- Reset Operating State removes current workflow, queues, prepared transmissions, and retained decodes; it intentionally preserves completed logs.
- To remove all CQFTx-managed data immediately, use Android Settings to Clear storage / Clear data or uninstall the app. Exported copies must be removed separately.
- Public PSK Reporter or POTA records are retained under those services' policies. KF0KBL does not control their deletion systems.
Support data sent to KF0KBL
If you voluntarily email a diagnostic package or other support material to KF0KBL, it is used only to investigate the issue, retained only as long as reasonably necessary for that work, and then deleted. You may request earlier deletion by using the contact address below.
8. Security
CQFTx uses Android app-private/app-specific storage, excludes its data from Android cloud backup, disables cleartext HTTP, bounds network responses, and uses HTTPS or TLS for supported Internet services except the optional standard PSK Reporter UDP upload described above. Export files are shared through Android content URIs with temporary read permission.
No system can guarantee absolute security. Protect access to the Android device, review diagnostic packages before sharing, and choose export destinations you trust.
9. Accounts, children, and international use
CQFTx does not provide account creation, purchases, social profiles, or direct messaging. It is specialized licensed amateur-radio software and is not directed to children under 13. KF0KBL does not knowingly collect children's personal information through CQFTx.
Public amateur-radio and Internet services can process data in countries other than your own. Their policies and applicable amateur-radio rules govern those services.
10. This policy page
This static page is hosted through Cloudflare infrastructure. When you visit it, the hosting and security provider may process routine connection data such as IP address, browser/user-agent information, requested URL, request timing, and security cookies. KF0KBL does not place advertising or behavioral analytics on this page.
11. Changes to this policy
This policy will be updated when CQFTx's data practices materially change. The effective date at the top identifies the current version. Material changes will be reflected here and, when appropriate, in the app or Google Play listing.
12. Contact
For privacy questions, support-data deletion requests, or concerns about CQFTx's handling of data, contact KF0KBL:
Email is the privacy point of contact for this independently developed application.