Nearby users and direct Android connections
- Choose Nearby, explicitly fill an approximate location, review your optional public area and radio details, and confirm sharing. Visibility lasts 24 hours per save. Stop sharing clears the location and details. Nearby members can request a friendship; online chat starts after both accept. Neither a call sign nor a location is verified. Use your own radio for ham communication.
- Android 1.7 provides a native Nearby devices screen with Google Nearby Connections, Bluetooth classic, BLE L2CAP, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Aware and local Wi-Fi or hotspot connections. Both phones must select a supported channel, open Host/Find and compare the displayed security codes before accepting. Messages use an ephemeral encrypted device session and remain only in that screen. Google Nearby may request an additional matching-code confirmation. Android 16 phones with compatible UWB hardware can optionally measure distance after both consent; UWB does not carry the chat. Enable the relevant radios and grant only the permissions you choose. Stop, leaving the screen or a disconnected session stops communication. No ham-radio hardware interface is provided.
- Hardware, OS versions, Google Play services and network settings determine availability. BLE L2CAP and Wi-Fi Aware require Android 10 or newer. iPhone continues to use the online directory, Friends chat and the shared website features. Direct phone transport is separate from account identity; verify the intended person by comparing codes in person.
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