The iGridSquare Amateur Radio (Ham) application for the iPhone and iTouch converts latitude and longitude into a 6-character grid square, an item often used by Ham operators to indicate their location, especially during contests or for obtaining awards.
Here are some pointers to information on grid squares:
http://www.mapability.com/ei8ic/maps/gridworld.php
http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/grid-squares/determine.html
iGridSquare is especially useful to “rovers”, Ham operators that go from location to location to provide contacts to other Hams from “rare” grid squares.
The program operates in two modes: automatic ((Longitude/Latitude Finder ON) and manual ((Longitude/Latitude Finder OFF).
In automatic mode, it uses the device’s core location service (CLS) to determine the latitude and longitude. The grid square is then automatically calculated. In an iPhone, CLS can use GPS, cell towers, and WI-FI signals. In an iTouch, only WI-FI is available.
In manual mode, the Ham operator enters longitude and latitude, perhaps from a portable GPS. Then, the grid square is calculated by pressing a button.
OPERATION:
| iPhone: |
| For the iPhone you can use the automatic mode (Longitude/Latitude Finder ON) or manual mode (Finder OFF). |
| iTouch: |
| The iTouch does not have a GPS. Therefore, automatic mode will only work with SOME WI-FI signals. Because of this, you will rarely get good results and should normally use the manual mode (Longitude/Latitude Finder OFF). In manual mode, enter latitude and longitude that you obtain from an external source such as a portable GPS unit. |
iGridSquare was written by Carl Yaffey, K8NU
www.carl-yaffey.com