UK & Europe VHF Contesting Maidenhead Locator Map

After I did my original UK and Europe VHF Contesting Maidenhead Locator Map I started getting more requests for a map centred on areas I hadn’t really intended the map to cover. It was originally meant for my use but many people thought it would be great to have one for their location. Also it didn’t really cover the sort of range possible by a decent QRO station in major VHF contests. So I decided to create one suitable for more areas and with more range covered.

I started by creating a base map with a MUCH larger range on a smaller scale. Several attempts were needed to get a balance of detail and file size as original tries were beautifully detailed but enormous files! Once I created that I realised it might be useful as a VHF locator square collecting map of Europe that VHF enthusiasts could use to record new squares worked on each band. I then made the contesting maps a smaller section of that map that could be centred on most of Europe:

The maps below are intended to be printed at A4 or bigger. Everything but the base map is vector based should should retain quality at many sizes. The file size is about half that of the old map. The beam headings supplied are in 30° increments like many rotator controller displays.
The colours are not quite as aesthetically pleasing as the previous maps perhaps but the colours are altered to be easier to read for the more common types of colour blindness.
Maps with a beam heading towards Wales (GW) are calculated beam heading where you will find G1YBB/P or GW1YBB/P and also several Hereford ARS contest stations such as G4ASR.

Each map centre will cover several squares around the centre point. For example I use the same map for both IO81KW and IO82LB.

Right click the VHF locator map link and use ‘Save As’ or similar to save the map to your PC.

NOTE: These maps are provided free in the spirit of Amateur Radio and are not for resale or commercial use.

NEW: After quite a few people asking same the question I have made this, which is entirely optional:
https://g1ybb.uk/buy-me-a-coffee/

If you would like a map centred on your location and one of the above is not close enough you can email me for one. Tell me you 6 figure locator in the email. Time permitting I will create you one. My email address is explained on the welcome page, and can also be found on qrz.com.

Last updated 16th November, 2024