Maidenhead to Coordinates

Convert Maidenhead locator system to latitude and longitude (used by amateur radio operators)

Key Facts

Category: Geography
Input Types: text
Output Type: json
Sample Coverage: 1
API Ready: Yes

Overview

The Maidenhead to Coordinates tool converts amateur radio grid locator codes into precise latitude and longitude values. It's designed for operators who need to decode QTH locators for accurate location tracking, logging, and communication planning.

When to Use

•When decoding a Maidenhead locator received during a radio contact to obtain geographic coordinates.
•For inputting station locations into logging software or mapping applications based on grid squares.
•To verify or standardize location data in amateur radio databases or records.

How It Works

•Enter the Maidenhead locator code (e.g., FN31pr) into the input field.
•The tool decodes the locator using the standard Maidenhead grid system algorithm.
•Output is generated in JSON format, providing latitude and longitude in decimal degrees.

Use Cases

Logging amateur radio contacts with precise latitude and longitude for accurate record-keeping.

Creating maps of station locations for club events or emergency communication planning.

Integrating locator decoding into custom scripts or applications for radio data processing.

Examples

1. Decode a Radio Contact Locator

Amateur Radio Operator

Background: After a radio contact, you receive the locator 'FN31pr' and need its coordinates for your logbook.
Problem: Convert the Maidenhead locator to geographic coordinates to accurately record the contact location.
How to Use: Enter 'FN31pr' in the locator input field and submit to get the coordinates.
Outcome: The tool returns latitude 40.7128 and longitude -74.0060 in JSON format, ready for logging.

2. Verify Grid Square for Mapping

Background: You have a list of member locators from a radio club and want to plot them on a regional map.
Problem: Need to convert each locator to coordinates to ensure accurate placement on the map.
How to Use: Use the tool for each locator, such as 'JO62' or 'EM12', by entering them one by one.
Outcome: Coordinates are obtained for each locator, allowing you to create a detailed map of station locations.

Try with Samples

geography

Hex/Unicode Encoding Format Samples

Examples of hex (\xXX) and unicode (\uXXXX) escape sequence encoding formats

task convert,decode

sample

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FAQ

What is a Maidenhead locator?

A Maidenhead locator is a geocode system used by amateur radio operators to denote locations on Earth with a short alphanumeric string, often called a grid square.

How accurate is the coordinate conversion?

Accuracy depends on the locator length; a 6-character locator like 'FN31pr' typically provides coordinates accurate to within a few kilometers.

Can I convert multiple locators at once?

No, this tool processes one locator at a time for simplicity and accuracy.

What format is the output in?

The output is in JSON format, containing keys for latitude and longitude as decimal numbers.

Is this tool suitable for real-time radio operations?

Yes, it provides quick conversions ideal for logging contacts or planning communications during amateur radio activities.

API Documentation

Request Endpoint

POST /en/api/tools/maidenhead-to-coords

Request Parameters

Parameter Name	Type	Required	Description
locator	text	Yes	-

Response Format

{
  "key": {...},
  "metadata": {
    "key": "value"
  },
  "error": "Error message (optional)",
  "message": "Notification message (optional)"
}

JSON Data: JSON Data

AI MCP Documentation

Add this tool to your MCP server configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "elysiatools-maidenhead-to-coords": {
      "name": "maidenhead-to-coords",
      "description": "Convert Maidenhead locator system to latitude and longitude (used by amateur radio operators)",
      "baseUrl": "https://elysiatools.com/mcp/sse?toolId=maidenhead-to-coords",
      "command": "",
      "args": [],
      "env": {},
      "isActive": true,
      "type": "sse"
    }
  }
}

You can chain multiple tools, e.g.: `https://elysiatools.com/mcp/sse?toolId=png-to-webp,jpg-to-webp,gif-to-webp`, max 20 tools.

If you encounter any issues, please contact us at [email protected]

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