What is HamClock?

HamClock is a free, real-time information display designed for amateur radio operators - commonly known as "hams." Running on a Raspberry Pi or Linux computer connected to a monitor, it turns an ordinary screen into a live shack display packed with everything a radio amateur wants to see at a glance.

Think of it as a smart, always-on dashboard for your radio room.

What does HamClock actually show?

At any given moment, your HamClock display can show:

• A live world map - showing day/night regions, propagation paths, and DX cluster spots plotted in real time

• UTC and local time - always accurate, always visible

• Solar and space weather data - including solar flux, sunspot number, Kp index, and X-ray flux

• DX cluster spots - live amateur radio contacts being made around the world

• Your callsign and grid square

• Satellite tracking - for those interested in working satellites

• Band conditions - so you know which frequencies are open right now

All of this updates automatically. You just leave it running and it does the work.

Do I need to be an expert to use it?

No. That's exactly why this site exists.

HamClock was originally written for a small microcontroller chip, then ported to run on Linux and Raspberry Pi. The installation used to involve a lot of Linux commands and configuration - enough to put many people off. We've simplified that process so that if you can follow a recipe, you can install HamClock.

You don't need to know Linux. You don't need to be a programmer. You just need a Raspberry Pi, a monitor, and about an hour.

What hardware do I need?

What you needNotesRaspberry PiA Pi 4 is ideal. A Pi 3B works too, just a bit slower. A Pi Zero 2 W also works.MicroSD card16GB or larger. A basic SanDisk card is fine.MonitorAny HDMI monitor. An old spare works perfectly.Power supplyThe official Raspberry Pi PSU is recommended.Internet connectionRequired for live data. Ethernet or Wi-Fi both work.

That's it. Most hams already have most of this.

What is OHB - and why does it matter?

HamClock originally relied on a data backend run by ClearSkyInstitute (CSI), managed by its developer Elwood Downey WB0OEW. Sadly, Elwood passed away in January 2026, and the CSI backend closed in June 2026.

Without a backend server, HamClock can't fetch its live data - solar indices, DX spots, propagation maps. It goes dark.

Enter open-hamclock-backend (OHB), developed by Dave N9DK. OHB is a community-maintained, open-source replacement that keeps HamClock working exactly as before - same display, same data, same experience. It's free, it's reliable, and it's the right way to run HamClock today.

Our install guide sets up OHB automatically. You don't have to do anything extra.

Why use HamClock instead of a website or app?

A few reasons hams love it:

• It's always on. No clicking, no loading - it's just there when you walk into the shack.

• It's a dedicated display. Not competing with browser tabs or notifications.

• It updates in real time. Solar data, DX spots, and propagation refresh automatically.

• It's completely free. No subscription, no ads, no account needed.

• It's customisable. You choose what panels to show, what maps to display, and how it looks.

Ready to get started?

If you've got a Raspberry Pi and a spare monitor, you're already most of the way there.

👉 Follow our step-by-step install guide → - it takes a few minutes and we walk you through every command, every click, and every decision.

Already have HamClock installed but need to switch to OHB after the CSI shutdown? Jump straight to the quick fix →