Another mapping program

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hpaulsen
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#71

Post by hpaulsen »

avskip wrote: This is the page where you can download the FCC ULS databases either weekly or a daily update of them.
Thanks. This is actually what I was using, since the FCC doesn't have a programmatic API. That's why it broke when my server decided to change the MySQL hosting server. (Unfortunately, it adds significantly to my server's allowed processing time....)

I've just about figured out how to work around an updating error in WardMap (rather than waiting for Adobe to release an update). Once I have that, I'll have improved FCC information available. This time around, I intend to allow users to see expired licenses in WardMap as well (if desired), as well as include more information for each license.

Speaking of which, the FCC information contains a "Group Code" and "Region Code" - does anyone know what these are? I haven't been able to find anything on them. I'll only include them if they're useful....

I'm also trying to come up with a better way of finding licenses to catch mis-entries. I'm planning on something like this: query the db for active (or expired/canceled) licenses in zip xxxxx. Search these and compile a list of city/states, then query the db again for any licenses with these city/state combinations. This should do a better job catching zipcode mistakes.

Another thing I'm considering is adding census boundary information, like school districts, places, and zipcodes (though I've recently discovered that these are not really useful in that they don't necessarily reflect actual zipcodes). Thoughts/suggestions are welcome!
lajackson
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#72

Post by lajackson »

HPaulsen wrote:Speaking of which, the FCC information contains a "Group Code" and "Region Code"

I have not looked at the database, but if the Group Code is A, B, C, or D, then it is an indication of the level of qualification of the licensee, Extra, Advanced, General, or Novice.

The Region Code would probably represent one of the ten geographical regions into which the US is divided for the initial issue of a HAM radio call sign.
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hpaulsen
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#73

Post by hpaulsen »

lajackson wrote:I have not looked at the database, but if the Group Code is A, B, C, or D, then it is an indication of the level of qualification of the licensee, Extra, Advanced, General, or Novice.
The values in the Group Code field are indeed A, B, C, or D. However, there is also an Operator Class field which has values A=Advanced, E=Amateur Extra, G=General, N=Novice, P=Technician Plus, and T=Technician.

The Region Code would probably represent one of the ten geographical regions into which the US is divided for the initial issue of a HAM radio call sign.
Would this be important for someone to know?
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Mikerowaved
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#74

Post by Mikerowaved »

HPaulsen wrote:
The Region Code would probably represent one of the ten geographical regions into which the US is divided for the initial issue of a HAM radio call sign.
Would this be important for someone to know?
Probably not, as you are only displaying records for a pretty small area each time.

Which brings up my question...
How do you limit the list of hams to a single ward or stake? (Or are you?) For example, here in Layton, UT there are 2 zip codes to search with, but 11 stakes with over 100 wards and branches.
So we can better help you, please edit your Profile to include your general location.
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hpaulsen
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#75

Post by hpaulsen »

Mikerowaved wrote:How do you limit the list of hams to a single ward or stake? (Or are you?) For example, here in Layton, UT there are 2 zip codes to search with, but 11 stakes with over 100 wards and branches.
I don't. I'm using zipcodes. I spent some time creating a geocoding service based on Census 2009 data so that I could find any hams within a latitude/longitude square. Unfortunately, I ended up with only a 55% success rate at finding addresses. Those that succeeded were not as accurate as google - at least in my area. Since I can't afford to have the entire db geocoded for me, I'm back to zipcodes....
russellhltn
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#76

Post by russellhltn »

The problem with zip codes is I think those are mailing addresses. So you may be missing those who "live in a box" (a PO Box that is).
Have you searched the Help Center? Try doing a Google search and adding "site:churchofjesuschrist.org/help" to the search criteria.

So we can better help you, please edit your Profile to include your general location.
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hpaulsen
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#77

Post by hpaulsen »

The FCC information has a "PO Box" field, and several people in my area entered both a physical address and a PO Box (though many with the PO-Box-only zipcode instead of the physical-address-zipcode). But it's definitely true that some will not be mappable. I will include these in the list just as with unmapped members. Unfortunately, this is only useful at the zipcode/city-state level, since there's no way of telling which block they're in.
kharoldsen-p40
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Great Program

#78

Post by kharoldsen-p40 »

Great program! I have been using MapPoint recently. I guess I should have checked the forums sooner. One question. Is there any way to create filters based on other data contained in the membership file? For example, the membership file contains info on if the member served a mission or has been sealed. It would be great to be able to filter on this data as well.

Thanks
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hpaulsen
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#79

Post by hpaulsen »

My goal was to make something that non-clerks/bishops could use, once they got the data. As such, I am trying to not include any information that is considered confidential. I don't think missions are, so I'll see about adding that. But temple recommends definitely are.

At the same time, I can see how this could be useful. Also, it seems that clerks (ward & stake) are those that are most active in using the program. So I have been debating whether to have an option to import the recommends. Feedback is welcome.

As a side note, I'm nearly finished updating/upgrading the FCC information. Also, I recently noticed that my wiki was corrupted during the webhost's upgrade. I'll try to get to that later in the week, depending on how other things go. (I'm starting to actually get some work! Not much, but I'm hopeful that from small things.... Unfortunately, this means that the labor-of-necessity that is WardMap is being displaced as my primary time commitment. If you have any must-have feature requests, please let me know via email or these forums and I'll see what I can do - keeping in mind the rumors of an official Church mapping implementation that's been in the works which may render this obsolete.)
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#80

Post by russellhltn »

HPaulsen wrote:My goal was to make something that non-clerks/bishops could use, once they got the data. As such, I am trying to not include any information that is considered confidential. I don't think missions are, so I'll see about adding that. But temple recommends definitely are.

At the same time, I can see how this could be useful. Also, it seems that clerks (ward & stake) are those that are most active in using the program. So I have been debating whether to have an option to import the recommends. Feedback is welcome.
Hopefully, anyone who has that in their export file is authorized to have the information. The way I'd look at it, you're not the gatekeeper. Anyone looking to your app to protect sensitive information is looking in the wrong place. If it's there, use it. If it's not there, work with what's available. That's my 2¢. The only down side I see is that if it's grayed out, then people know what's potentially available.
Have you searched the Help Center? Try doing a Google search and adding "site:churchofjesuschrist.org/help" to the search criteria.

So we can better help you, please edit your Profile to include your general location.
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