HF Propagation AI — iPhone, Apple Watch & Widget
Short version: HF Propagation AI is built to keep your data on your device. There is no developer-run server, no account system, no advertising, and no analytics or tracking SDK of any kind in this app.
The app does exchange data directly with a small number of public amateur-radio and space-weather services, with Apple's own iCloud and location services, and — only if you choose to enable it — with an AI provider using an API key you supply. Exactly what is sent, and to whom, is explained below.
HF Propagation AI helps licensed amateur radio operators predict HF band conditions using solar, geomagnetic, ionospheric and live activity data. This policy explains what information the app accesses, where it goes, and what control you have over it.
The following is created by you as you use the app and is stored locally, in the app's own container. It is never uploaded anywhere unless you separately enable iCloud sync (see below) or create a backup file yourself:
Note: your QSO log entries store band, mode, country, continent and signal report — the callsign field is used for local display only and, as detailed in §6, is never included in anything sent to an AI provider.
If you grant permission, the app uses your device's location ("When In Use" only — never "Always") to help set your station grid square automatically and to support place-name lookups via Apple's geocoding and mapping services. Location is processed on-device and is not transmitted to the app developer. You can decline or revoke this permission at any time in iOS Settings, and enter your grid square manually instead.
If you enable iCloud sync, your settings, adaptive learning data and related preferences are stored in your own private iCloud database using Apple's CloudKit framework. This data is encrypted and managed under your Apple ID — the app developer has no access to it. It is used solely to keep your iPhone, Apple Watch and widgets in sync with each other. You can disable this at any time in the app's Settings.
To generate propagation predictions, the app queries public data services directly from your device. No developer-run server sits in between — your device talks to these services itself, using only the information necessary to make the request.
| Service | What's sent | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| NOAA / Space Weather Prediction Center | No personal data — public solar/geomagnetic index requests only | Solar flux, Kp/A-index, X-ray flux, flare and space weather forecasts |
| GIRO ionosonde network | No personal data | Real-world ionospheric (foF2) readings to ground MUF calculations |
| WSPRnet / WSPR.live | Your station grid area, band and time window (query parameters only) | Nearby WSPR beacon spots, used for per-band SNR evidence |
| PSK Reporter | Your contact email (required by PSK Reporter to use their API), plus grid/band/mode/time-window query parameters | Live digital-mode activity counts as propagation evidence — only if you enable this and enter an email |
| DX Cluster networks | Your login callsign, chosen cluster node, and connection/filter settings | Live DX spot data — only if you enable this |
| Apple Maps / Geocoding | Place names you type, or device location if enabled | Converting place names to coordinates and grid squares |
These are independent third-party services, each governed by its own privacy practices. This app does not control, and is not responsible for, how those services handle the requests they receive.
AI-generated propagation narratives are an optional feature. They only activate if you choose an AI provider (OpenAI, Anthropic, or a compatible endpoint you configure) and supply your own API key for that provider.
When you use this feature, a compact context block is sent directly from your device to the provider you selected, using your key. That block may include:
Callsigns are never sent to any AI provider. No photos, advertising identifiers, or unrelated personal information are included. Nothing is sent to any AI provider unless you have explicitly selected and configured one.
Any AI provider API key you enter is stored exclusively in Apple's iOS Keychain, protected by your device's security. It is never transmitted anywhere except directly to the AI provider it belongs to when you use the AI feature, and it is never shared with the app developer or any other service.
You may optionally export a password-protected settings backup from within the app. This file can include your station settings, grid reference, PSK Reporter email, DX Cluster settings, alert and confidence preferences, AI settings, and your stored AI API key. This file is created only when you choose to export it, is encrypted with the password you set, and is stored/shared entirely under your control — for example, to a location you pick via the iOS share sheet. The app developer never receives a copy.
QSO log entries are capped at 100 and older entries are pruned automatically. All other on-device data (settings, learning history, watchlists) persists until you delete it in-app or delete the app itself, at which point it is removed from your device. iCloud-synced data is removed from your private iCloud database when you disable sync and delete the associated data, or when you delete the app and its iCloud data via your Apple ID account settings.
Deny or revoke access anytime in iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services. Enter your grid square manually instead.
Toggle off in the app's Settings. Previously synced data can be removed via your Apple ID's iCloud storage management.
Each is opt-in and can be disabled independently in Settings. Simply don't enter an email, callsign, or API key if you'd prefer not to use them.
Deleting the app removes all on-device data. Disabling iCloud sync beforehand and clearing app data from iCloud storage settings removes any synced copies.
HF Propagation AI is a technical tool for licensed amateur radio operators and is not directed at children. The app does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 (or the relevant minimum age in your jurisdiction).
Credentials are stored using the iOS Keychain. Network requests to third-party services use HTTPS/TLS where supported by that service. Backup exports are password-protected and encrypted. As with any software, no method of storage or transmission can be guaranteed 100% secure, but no developer-operated server exists that could be a target for a breach of your personal data.
This policy may be updated as the app evolves — for example, if a new integration or feature changes what data is involved. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page will reflect the most recent revision. Material changes will be reflected in the app's release notes.
Questions about this policy or how HF Propagation AI handles data can be sent to: