Locator in logbook

[w5srm]

When I modify someones call to get the locator (grid square) from qrz it puts the wrong grid It put it a EM19fa. Can someone tell me what is wrong it work before I upgraded.

[W8BFG]

There was apparently a change in 5.1, now when you enter a callsign, the locator is based on the center of the station's country, untill you tab or mouse click out of the callsign box, which does the callsign lookup, getting the locator, or click on the QRZ button. That's with add, I don't know about Modify. There's a Post on this (by me) somewhere, but I can't find it at the moment and have to leave the house shortly.

[W8BFG]

How are you set up for QRZ lookups? As of v5.1, the Free QRZ lookups via browser was removed from the program. You either need to use the Paid QRZ XML subscription or the QRZ or Hamcall.net CD lookups. Without one of those, the program will use the geographic center of the call's country to determine locator. For US Hams, that's Toto-Land (Kansas), which gives EM19fa.

[F6FLU]

Hello,
For me, I think that HRD WILL don't write anything in the Locator File, because in this case (case if we are not a Subscriptor of QRZ) HRD write a WRONG locator into the Locator Field
The locator based on the center of the station's country is a very good new feature, but I think taht HRD will not write this center locator into the Locator Field
73
Dan

[DF5WW]

Hi Dan,
it will and it does show the center locator in the ADD window of HRDlog but not in DM780
I´ve installed both Versions (V5.0 Beta and V5.1). Work mostly with v5.0 and can pick up correct Locator over the old qrz.com web interface in logbook and DM780.
For updating LotW or eQSL i use V5.1 ..... both Versions using the same Database folders so if you have logged with v5.0 the QSO always in log if you open V5.1

[W8BFG]

Well, first off, the Web Interface lookup option has been removed in v5.1. The only lookup options are:

A.) Internet: QRZ -- None or Subscription interface

B.) One of the CDs

C.) Lookup from previous QSO with same station.

Testing, I found the following:

With QRZ XML (Subscription interface) enabled:

In Logbook, entering a US callsign results in a locator of EM19fa, until leaving the callsign box, when it becomes the correct Locator (I tested w/several local Ham's callsigns, including mine, which all have locators on QRZ).

In DM780, No locator, until I left the callsign box, then the correct locator displayed.

With QRZ XML lookups disabled (to simulate no locator being available) , as well as all other lookup options:

In Logbook, EM19fa displayed, including after leaving the callsign box, which would seem to be correct, if there was no locator available. In DM780, no locator displays including after leaving the callsign box.

Just as a reminder, EM19fa is (more or less) at the geographic center of the US.

So, it does look like DM780 needs to be tweaked regarding the locator when there's no locator available or no lookups. But logbook seems to be working as designed, assuming the design is to enter the locator based on the center of the country when the callsign has no locator, or there's no lookup.

Hope this makes sense.

****update****

After thinking about this some more:

All US Hams should have locators in their QRZ.com record. However, apparently now the lookup occurs (or should occur) only after leaving the callsign box, or so I assume. Until that happens, the locator apparently is designed to display as the center of the country, but does not seem to do that properly in DM780.

[W8BFG]

I've entered this on the Bug Site.

[F6FLU]

Hello Bernard,
I don't sure if You are right for all
I don't a Subscriber user from QRZ.com (XML subscriber) but I have a Login/pass
In HRD , on Lookup Options I had checked "Subscription Interface" with my Loggin / Password
Now on the ADD Windows I type
W8BFG
Th locator field is : EM19fa (the center of USA) that's right BUT
if I use the "Tab" key for example to select the next Field (RST Sent)
The Locator field keep EM19fa and If I valid this QSO, this QSO is writing with the EM19fa on the Locator Field, and that is wrong

My remark is about that, normally when I select one another Field the Locator Field would be erased
I understood , if You are a Subscriber , the correct Locator Field is writing into this Locator Field when You select another Field

And OK for DM780 , but W4PC Know this problem and his answer was "I have not coded this part" :-)
73
Dan

[W8BFG]

Dan,

as you're not an XML subscriber, I don't think you're getting back the same info as an XML subscriber. In fact, QRZ's XML Interface Specifications, found at

http://www.qrz.com/XML/current_spec.html

says that

Access to this interface requires user authentication through the use of a valid QRZ.COM username and password. Users may be both subscribers and non-subscribers, however, those not having a subscription will have limited capabilities.

I suggest you run a lookup test on some of the Callsigns you're having trouble with and see just what is being returned. This is of course done via Logbook's Add > Options > Callsign Lookup > Lookup Options > Test. You're most likely not getting all the info.

As has been said many times before, the Days of Free QRZ Lookups are over.

[F6FLU]

Hello,

Dan,

Access to this interface requires user authentication through the use of a valid QRZ.COM username and password. Users may be both subscribers and non-subscribers, however, those not having a subscription will have limited capabilities.

Yes , it's difficult for me to explain correctly :
It's not a QRZ.com problem, for no Subscriber : QRZ don't return the locator !!
The problem is about HRD, HRD write a locator centered of the country, it's correct to have the heading, and distance (that is a new feature)
but after, when I select an another Field into the ALE ; HRD have to delete this wrong locator, at present HRD don't erase this Field,
so ; if I write this QSO I have a wrong locator into my Log
That means : If HRD has written the locator, HRD have to delete this locator before write into the Logbook, If the locator has been written from QRZ.com, HRD have to keep this locator
73
Dan