[NLRS] About that older ARRL grid map

[Jim Klassen]

It looks like some people (like N1ICS) have made shape files for the grids.
It should be fairly easy to use these with something like QGIS to generate
maps for whatever area you would want and over any basemap you would
want.  In any case, it should be a lot easier than using GIMP or Inkscape for
mapping/cartography.

Also, while not particularly relevant to contesting, US National Grid
(http://www.fgdc.gov/usng/) is becoming increasingly important in the disaster 
cleanup and emergency management communities.

73,
Jim Klassen KB0UAZ

On Jul 10, 2012, at 10:12 AM, Bruce Richardson wrote:

> 
> 
> As I recall, "grids" came out in 1983.  But the talk about them
> preceeded that.  During my senior year in college at Univ of Ill at
> Champaign-Urbana, I was a Geography student trying to specialize in
> Cartography.  I graduated in May 83 so the newly completed map was
> pressed right into service by the ARRL. I knew one of the Geography
> Prof's was Curt Roseman and a ham as K9AKS.  While I was a licensed ham,
> I was an inactive ham during college and had made a whopping 3 or 4
> contacts in my life since age 17 when was first licensed.
> 
> So in the Cartography lab was a Geography grad student named Alan
> Hobshied working on a project FOR Professor Roseman K9AKS. It was this
> grid map.  I did not have Prof Roseman for any of my classes so only
> knew of him.  I watched for several weeks while Alan put that together.
> Just found Alan Hobshied's personal website at:
> http://www.alanhobscheid.com/
> 
> I guess the odd thing for me is how coincidental and important "grids"
> have become to my ham radio activity.  I collect them and I activate
> them.  Those 2 by 1 degree lines of longitude and latitude mean a whole
> bunch to me :-) .  The last three Septembers, I traveled along the 94th,
> 98th, and 102nd Meridians just to activate grids for the Reverse VUCC
> award that CSVHFS sponsors.
> 
> The ARRL came out with a bigger and improved printed "grid" map a few
> years ago. Costs more, but it's very attractive.
> 
> Based on some line drawing maps I made of the state of Wisconsin and its
> counties for the WIVUCH program, I ought to tackle making available some
> maps for grids and the US.  I first made a line drawing in GIMP--which
> yields raster graphics.  Later, I needed to make a vector graphic of the
> same in Inkscape.  But my point is that with layers, a LARGE file can be
> offered up where the user sets the color shading for any particular grid
> they want and then save the image and spit out a .jpg from the master
> .xcf (gimp) file.  Another project for when I work the list of pressing
> projects down :-) .
> 
> 73
> Bruce Richardson W9FZ/R
> 
> ______________________________________________________________
> NLRS mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/nlrs
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:NLRS at mailman.qth.net
> 
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html