Dick -- Are you referring to Dino's compilation posted as a Google Earth KMZ file at the following URL?: http://www.k6rix.com/fieldday.html If so, I commend him for his efforts, but he only provides Field Day locations for 5 sections -- not too useful for the other 66 in the country (nor was it probably Dino's intention to cover the rest). If you're referring to another site or effort, please be a bit more descriptive. While Dino did take the intiative to develop this for his sections, the concept of employing Google Earth and Google Maps to display these sorts of things (repreater locations, etc.) is hardly new or novel. It's done everywhere else -- why can't we adopt the concept as an aid for a contest we (ARRL) organize, too? Candidly, I think Bloom's work is an excellent, interactive resource that needs to be found more frequently on our very own League website. In fact, given the availability of such conveniences and technology brought to us by Google and other houses, I would be disappointed to see the League pass up the opportunity to use it. I hope I'm not stepping out of bounds by saying this, but I frankly challenge the League (be it Bloom or someone else) to modify our interactive Field Day map so the same concept can be employed on the ARRL Hamfests and Clubs pages...supplement those bland text listings with maps and such. Show the location (via the mailing address already on record from club and hamfest submissions) of every club or upcoming hamfest across a section by viewing a single, interactive map. How cool would that be from the national association of Amateur Radio? 73, Brian N5ZGT ARRL Director, Rocky Mountain Division www.RockyMountainDivision.org On Fri, 21 Mar 2008, Richard J. Norton wrote:
Since this is likely to eventually reach all of you one way or another, I thought I'd bring it up now. When the Field Day Site Locator was brought up here 3 weeks ago, I did not share the same sense of elation that was expressed here. In fact I was quite disappointed to see that paid staff was being used to do what volunteers were already doing at no cost to the ARRL budget. I was even more upset when it was pointed out that the person who was working on the site was no other than Jon Bloom, who has been brought up as seemingly being in the critical path to every software project discussed by the PSC.
BTW, there are two other components needed to make this successful:
1) Actively solicit Field Day location information. Not everyone reads ARRL bulletins and QST. Not everyone will respond without additional prompting.
2) Format the information for those less skilled with computer use.
Dino Darling, K6RIX, did all of this. He did it at no cost to the ARRL. I was not aware that he intended to go national. Anyone who read the Southwestern Division E-mailings to members could have been aware of Dino's work.
Now I'm left with stick handling this with an upset member. I don't know what to say to him. Thanks gentlemen.
73,
Dick, N6AA
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Dino Darling <dino@k6rix.com> Date: Thu, Mar 20, 2008 at 5:49 PM Subject: Field Day Locator... To: n6aa@arrl.org, n6vi@arrl.org
It looks like the ARRL liked my idea so much, they are stealing it!
This is a bit frustrating since my site was going national this year. Oh well, I'll still put the site together and see how it goes. My plans were to have a lot content besides just Field Day locations. Now I know how other companies feel when MFJ starts selling "similar" products.
I even bought 3 domains last year for the project... fielddaysite.com .org and .net
Dino - K6RIX dino@k6rix.com
-------- Original Message -------- Subject: The ARRL Letter, Vol 27, No 11 (Thursday, March 20, 2008) From: "ARRL Letter Mailing List" <letter-dlvy@arrl.org> Date: Thu, March 20, 2008 11:50 am To: dino@k6rix.com
*************** The ARRL Letter Vol. 27, No. 11 March 20, 2008 ***************
==> STATION LOCATOR SERVICE NEW FOR FIELD DAY 2008
This year, for the first time, the ARRL has put together a Station Locator to help amateurs or those interested in Amateur Radio find a Field Day site near them. According to ARRL Field Day Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, many amateurs have been asking for something like this for many years.
If your group would like to be a part of the Station Locator Service, it's easy to get started. Just go to the Field Day Station Locator Web site <http://www.arrl.org/contests/announcements/fd/locator.php> and follow the instructions.
To help you out, Henderson has prepared a FAQ for the Field Day Station Locator.
Q) How does our Field Day site get listed on the map? A) A club official or Field Day Chairman needs to go to the Web site. Once there, click on the link for "Add a Station" and follow the instructions.
Q) I put in the name of the park where we will be holding Field Day but got the message that the program can't find it. What do I do? A) You should use a street address for the location. Unfortunately, the mapping program doesn't have a 100 percent complete database of park names and public site names. You may use a latitude/longitude -- enter the values separated by a comma (e.g. 42.345N, 85.445W) and set the city to NONE).
Q) I put in a street address but the map locator put me it in a wrong location on the street. What do I do? A) While in the data input or edit screen, use your cursor to move the red "pin" to the correct location on the map.
Q) What if I put in the wrong information or something about our Field Day operation changes? A) The person who input the data will be able to edit the entry. Simply follow the "Add a Station" link and then select "Edit this entry" next to the one to correct.
Q). I tried to enter my club's information, but I was denied access. What do I do? A) To help ensure that only one person is managing a club's entry, you must be logged onto the site with your ARRL member ID and password. If you are not an ARRL member, ask a member of the club who is to be responsible for adding the club's information to the site.
Q) I am looking for a Field Day operation to attend. How do I use the site? A) Begin by typing in the city and state where you would like to search, something like "Brooklyn, New York" or "Anaheim, California." Depending on the geographic location, the map will take you to the area you list. If a Field Day operation has been registered for that general area, a red "pin" will show on the map. If you click on the red pin, the details for that site will appear in the box on the right hand side of the screen. If you don't see a red pin, scroll out a level to find one near the location you listed. It is also possible to drag the map to other areas by holding down the left button on your mouse and then moving the map around. You can also scroll in and out using the +/- buttons on the left side of the map. You may also zoom in and center by double-clicking with the mouse near the red pin.
Q) I found a red pin near where I will be. Where do I find the information on that site? A) Each entry has a contact person with either an e-mail address or phone number who should be able to help you. It will appear on the right side of the box when you click on the red pin for an entry.
Q) I found an entry with wrong information. What should I do? A) Please contact the person whose name appears as the contact person for that site. ARRL HQ does not have detailed information on the site.
Q) I want to check on our club's information. What should I do? A) Type in the call sign that will be used and you will be taken to the location and club information.
ARRL Field Day will be held June 28-29. For more information, please visit the Field Day Web page <http://www.arrl.org/fieldday>.
ARRL Director, Rocky Mountain Division On the web at www.RockyMountainDivision.org