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Please add support for Maidenhead locator system

Jaroslav Škarvada shared this idea 9 years ago
Completed

Maidenhead Locator System (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maidenhead_Locator_System) is widely used by Amateur Radio operators. Many GPS devices have at least basic support for it (e.g. Garmin). The basic is to show/handle the locator like other coordinates system (e.g. GPS coordinates). More advanced support can include visualisation of the locator squares on the map (sometimes it's handy for AR operators to know where are located borders of the locator square).


Maybe also Amateur Radio addon would be great option. The functions mostly needed by AR operators includes: observation of locator of the current position, observation of locator of any position, finding position on the map by entering the locator, finding bearing and direct line of sight distance between two locators, showing terrain (altitude) profile between two locators (direct line of sight).

Replies (11)

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I'm sorry, but I might be missing something here. Can someone explain what MLS would add to an app designed for outdoor activity.

More add ons to the core program will bloat the app that has over 1 million users (Google Play stats for Locus Free/Pro) IMHO

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I guess you are missing everything.


Amateur radio and especially VHF/UHF is all about outdoor activity. If MLS is supported even by Garmin outdoor GPSes in their firmwares, why it cannot be supported by SW Locus?


More addons bloating such already bloated app? Do you know what is it addon/plugin? This is something you don't need to use, install or enable especially if you don't understand it.

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Hmm, ...


firstly I think that word "bloated app", "bloating" etc. isn't on correct place. If this word is 'negative', then don't use this "bloated" app. Anyway I cannot agree ;)


Secondly, I do not agree that showing some grids in Maidenhead coordinate system is basic feature for hike & bike (CaptKaos2 is correct in this case), on second side, adding Maidenhead into list of coordinate systems, so you can display coordinates in this system or add new in this system - I see no problem in this.


So added. That's all I can/want to do in this topic. I think thanks to this, you'll be able to cover most of required features.

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Menion I appologize for my wording. Maybe bloated is not the word I should have used, "A Very Function Full App" might have better described what I meant.

And as for not using Locus, that is out of the question, it fully satisfies my needs, and comparing it to other apps used by fellow geocachers I have spoken with, it out performs them. My concern is that we lose that by adding things that are niche.

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Don't worry, I understand what you talk about.


There are feature, that has big impact on whole usability of Locus. This one anyway, is just one small item in list of available coordinate systems. Nothing more I plan to do here. So I hope it won't complicate work with Locus too much ;)

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Thank you very much.

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Jaroslav Škarvada wrote:

Thank you very much.

May I take it as confirmation, that it works as expected?

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Menion wrote:

Jaroslav Škarvada wrote:

Thank you very much.

May I take it as confirmation, that it works as expected?

Yes, it's exactly what I needed. I think other hams will also benefit from it. So again, thanks.


Now please fix ar_plugin_wrong_display_of_pois, these two features are great candidates to be used together, e.g. for UHF beams targeting during field days :)

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Glad to hear it.


Add-on on AR: I'll answer to mentioned topic later

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Just looking for this as I hope to try out FT8 in some very remote places. Nice to have Maidenhead Grid Squares!

Richard/K8SQB

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Thank you for implementing Maidenhead Locator System coordinates! Very rare to see map with this functionality. For HAM activities, absolute necessity. Thanks again.

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