V2.28 & Grid Squares

W4RXK
Novice Class
Posts: 9
Joined: 10 Mar 2023, 01:29

V2.28 & Grid Squares

Post by W4RXK »

For reasons unknown, my QSO grids are incorrect. For example, when logging field day contact this weekend, W7SP in Utah displays a grid from Nevada (DN11). The correct grid is DN40.
w7up_1.PNG
w7up_1.PNG (108.37 KiB) Viewed 2147 times
When I select the globe to update the QSO, it populates with the correct grid.
w7up_2.PNG
w7up_2.PNG (104.79 KiB) Viewed 2147 times
However, when I use the QSO manager, the grid does not change.

I noticed the problem when using a QSO mapping tool. Many of my contacts were incorrect. For example, I had zero contacts in Nevada, but several in Utah. Because of the incorrect grid for the Utah station, it maps to Nevada.

Is there an automated way to refresh the grid squares my my previous contacts? This weekend was 500+ and not an easy process to validate and update each one.

QRZ is my primary source; I am not a paid subscriber. What is the best way to ensure the grids are accurate? What is a good source? I noticed HAMCALL (online) provides the correct grid square with the full 6 characters (e.g., DN40bu).

I also cannot change the REALTIME LOGGING and HISTORIC QSO settings. There are no drop downs.
lfom_2.PNG
lfom_2.PNG (188.92 KiB) Viewed 2147 times
Last edited by W4RXK on 26 Jun 2023, 16:04, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
KI5IO
Moderator
Posts: 1948
Joined: 16 Aug 2015, 16:30
Location: Plano, TX

Re: V2.28 & Grid Squares

Post by KI5IO »

Ray,

Without having at least an XML Subscriber Membership at QRZ.com you will not get the more granular data for any callsign lookups.

As an alternative you can utilize HamQTH for the lookups. It is a 'free' source for callsign lookups. It is not as robust at QRZ.com and often relies on an individual OM to provide more granular detail for their database. Whereas QRZ.com gets a feed from the FCC on some basis.

You should tic using the CTY database as that might have helped better pinpoint some of those QSOs you made. I can't guarantee that, but would guess that might be an assist.

The changes to Realtime Logging and Historic Logging were made with V 2.24.0.0 and V 2.26.0.0 ... this was due to so many options that ended up conflicting with one another and giving virtually everyone bad / incorrect grid IDs. Using certain sort order settings was causing a lot of issues.

Lele made the changes after we tested for well over a month and have not had any issues since that time.

Save for the fact that QRZ.com provides one level of data with "no" subscription and a more in-depth level of data with at least the XML Subscription.

Screen clips below show two lookups I did for w7sp ... one with my QRZ.com "XML Subscription" and the other with my "free" login at HamQTH.

.
Attachments
w7sp-qrz.JPG
w7sp-qrz.JPG (61.63 KiB) Viewed 2140 times
w7sp-hamqth.JPG
w7sp-hamqth.JPG (62.78 KiB) Viewed 2140 times
73 - Nolan Kienitz - KI5IO
Plano, TX
W4RXK
Novice Class
Posts: 9
Joined: 10 Mar 2023, 01:29

Re: V2.28 & Grid Squares

Post by W4RXK »

Nolan, thank you for helping!

Ok, here's a headscratcher ... I have my info providers selected for QRZCQ only as 'primary' and 'web external source'. I also have CTY enabled.

For this test call sign, W4RDN in EM77WX, Log4OM returns EM83 (in Georgia). When I look the call sign up @ QRZ and QRZCW, the call sign grid is EM77WX.

If I untick CTY, I get no grid detail. I presume EM83 is a common grid for W4*

I must have something misconfigured in the settings because Log4OM will not return the correct grid location.
w4rdn1.PNG
w4rdn1.PNG (85.04 KiB) Viewed 2132 times
w4rdn2.PNG
w4rdn2.PNG (16.84 KiB) Viewed 2132 times
w4rdn3.PNG
w4rdn3.PNG (11.01 KiB) Viewed 2132 times
User avatar
G4POP
Log4OM Alpha Team
Posts: 11592
Joined: 21 Jan 2013, 14:55
Location: Burnham on Crouch, Essex UK

Re: V2.28 & Grid Squares

Post by G4POP »

If you dont have an XML subscription to QRZ you do NOT received a locator from QRZ

In the absense of a locator being found using the online source Log4OM uses internal data to select a locator at the aproximate centre of the country indicated by the call sign prefix
73 Terry G4POP
W4RXK
Novice Class
Posts: 9
Joined: 10 Mar 2023, 01:29

Re: V2.28 & Grid Squares

Post by W4RXK »

Hi G4POP, thanks for responding.

If I can manually lookup via QRZCQ.com, why would it not work in Log4OM? Based on my testing, I was able to retrieve data form HAMQTH for a few accounts. Not everyone is registered in multiple sites.

What provider(s) do you use for accurate data?
User avatar
KI5IO
Moderator
Posts: 1948
Joined: 16 Aug 2015, 16:30
Location: Plano, TX

Re: V2.28 & Grid Squares

Post by KI5IO »

W4RXK wrote: 27 Jun 2023, 01:04 Hi G4POP, thanks for responding.

If I can manually lookup via QRZCQ.com, why would it not work in Log4OM? Based on my testing, I was able to retrieve data form HAMQTH for a few accounts. Not everyone is registered in multiple sites.

What provider(s) do you use for accurate data?
Ray,

There is no perfect d/b, but QRZ.com is the best/better of them all. Yes, it costs a little bit for the XML Data Subscription (in fact I just renewed mine yesterday for 3-years), but it is good.

HamQTH is the other source we suggest, but (as you have noted) it does not have all hams in the d/b. There are many OMs who refuse to have their data in QRZ.com and only use HamQTH and/or vice-versa.

As for QRZCQ I choose to not have my data at that site.

At my station I use QRZ.com and HamQTH.
73 - Nolan Kienitz - KI5IO
Plano, TX
W4RXK
Novice Class
Posts: 9
Joined: 10 Mar 2023, 01:29

Re: V2.28 & Grid Squares

Post by W4RXK »

Thank you Nolan.
User avatar
G4POP
Log4OM Alpha Team
Posts: 11592
Joined: 21 Jan 2013, 14:55
Location: Burnham on Crouch, Essex UK

Re: V2.28 & Grid Squares

Post by G4POP »

W4RXK wrote: 27 Jun 2023, 01:04
If I can manually lookup via QRZCQ.com, why would it not work in Log4OM? Based on my testing, I was able to retrieve data form HAMQTH for a few accounts. Not everyone is registered in multiple sites.

What provider(s) do you use for accurate data?
Because when Log4OM ask's QRZ for the data its linked to your user name, password and the API facility in QRZ - QRZ know that you have not paid so THEY restrict the information they provide to that lookup request.

Personally I pay for a QRZ XML subscription the cost of which is minimal when I consider my investment in the hobby with equipment and membership to national organisations etc., If I did not subscribe to QRZ I would use HamQTH for a primary lookup.
73 Terry G4POP
W4RXK
Novice Class
Posts: 9
Joined: 10 Mar 2023, 01:29

Re: V2.28 & Grid Squares

Post by W4RXK »

Thank you Terry.
User avatar
DF5WW
Log4OM Alpha Team
Posts: 2035
Joined: 02 May 2013, 09:49
Location: Kraam, Rhineland Palatinate, Germany
Contact:

Re: V2.28 & Grid Squares

Post by DF5WW »

By the way, on QRZCQ its the same story. No payed account no complete data.
73´s .. Juergen ... ALT-512 SDR (10W) , 50 m random wire at SG-211 autotuner, 2 x Xiegu G90 (20W HF TRX) one as portable Radio. Also TS-790E (40 W) for VHF/UHF with X-50 vertical and Duoband 4-Element LPDA.
Post Reply