[Ham-Mac] station co-ordinates

[Dick Kriss, AA5VU]

On 1/22/06 11:11 AM, "Slater Tubman" <s.tubman at sasktel.net> wrote:

> If government license data base is used by the program, how in the
> world can we access it to determine accuracy?
> 
> 73
> Slater Tubman VE5OA

Slater,

Are you really at DO80ik per QRZ.COM?

I can relate to your issue.  Some of the databases use the postal system
for Grid Squares and they may or may not track with maps or real GPS
coordinates.

If you know your real LAT/LOG, go to the AMSAT web page and use the
GridSquare Conversion utility.  With this neat tool you can enter your
lat/log and get your grid square or enter your grid square and get your
lat/log.

http://www.amsat.org/cgi-bin/gridconv

As Don Agro pointed out http://www.qrz.com/ recognized there are some errors
and users can correct their data. The QRZ database had me at EM10ch that was
wrong - ch is the map center of EM10.  I corrected it to EM10bg.

The AR-Cluster database says I am in EM10ch unless you use the sh/location
call command then it says I am at Station AA5VU Lat/Lon:  30 17 N 97 50 W.
To double check my location just ran the new Google Earth using my home
address and shows detailed Lat/Log of my house. I then used those
coordinates on he AMSAT web page and they convert to EM10bg.  I think the
EM10bg is correct as the Google Earth coordinates track with GPS readings
taken at the base of the tower.  BTW, the Google Earth imagery for my QTH is
at least four years old.  It shows the old tin roof that was replaced in
2000.

If you really want to waste some time, go to
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/latlong.adp and see where your QRZ coordinates
maps.  The address engine in Map Quest works okay but he Lat/Log seems to
center you in the middle of the Grid Square.

All of this confusing so I decided, like the ARRL, that EM10 is close enough
for general amateur use.

73, Dick AA5VU