They measure 2.5 minutes latitude by 5 minutes longitude, roughly corresponding to 3 × 4 miles in the continental US. Reference grids can be applied to rectangular map frames only. These more precise locators are used as part of the exchange in the 10-GHz contest. Map, view, convert, distance and bearing your locations latitude and longitude using Maidenhead grid square locator system to a geographic co-ordinate. Each column and row is labeled, allowing every square in the grid to have a unique identifier. World Grid Square Map PDF This free PDF file contains two Worldwide grid square maps. CLICK HERE for a Downloadable PDF copy of this fileincluding grid squares for Alaska & Hawaii Permanent link to this article. The method for doing this is the Universal Transvers. If you operated from a grid boundary or corner you can add up to four adjoining grids to one station location by separating the grid with a comma. To add or change your grid square (or US State and County) simply edit your station location. A grid square is indicated by two letters (the field) and two numbers (the square), as in FN31, the grid square within which W1AW, ARRL's Maxim Memorial Station, resides.Įach subsquare is designated by the addition of two letters after the grid square, as FN44ig. As noted by others the military grid square keeps a parallel orientation to the edges of the map. Your grid square is identified in your station location in TQSL.

Grid squares are a shorthand means of describing your general location anywhere on the Earth in a manner that is easy to communicate over the air.Īn instrument of the Maidenhead Locator System (named after the town outside London where it was first conceived by a meeting of European VHF managers in 1980), a grid square measures 1° latitude by 2° longitude and measures approximately 70 × 100 miles in the continental US.

One of the first things you will notice when you tune the low end of any VHF band is that most QSOs include an exchange of 'grid squares.' What are grid squares? Well, they're more like rectangles and are just a way of dividing up the surface of the Earth.

Grid square map