What This Tool Does
This is a fast callsign lookup tool designed specifically to help Net Controllers and radio operators quickly identify and keep track of stations checking into amateur radio nets. When someone calls in with their callsign, you can instantly look up their details and maintain an accurate record of net participants.
Important: This is NOT a logging tool. It's a quick reference tool for Radio amateurs to identify stations and keep track of who's on the air.
What makes this better than other apps?
- Speed: Instant lookups with minimal delay - its REALLY fast
- Simplicity: Clean, distraction-free interface
- Ad-Free: No ads or pop-ups to interfere with usage
- Lightweight: Fast loading times even on slower connections
- Mobile Friendly: Works well on both IOS and Android
Why It Was Created
The Problem
As a radio operator, I found myself constantly needing to quickly look up callsigns during nets to:
- Verify station details and locations
- Keep accurate records of net participants
- Properly identify stations for introductions
- Maintain net control standards
The Solution
I developed this tool to provide instant access to QRZ.com data without the need to navigate through multiple pages or deal with ads and distractions. Just enter a callsign and get the essential information immediately.
Technical Implementation
- Hosting: Netlify with continuous deployment. Cloudflare DNS, CDN, Protection and monitoring.
- Frontend: Modern HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript
- Backend: Netlify Functions (serverless)
- API Integration: QRZ.com XML Data Service, RadioID.net Digital Mode Databases & Open-Meteo Weather API
- Data Source: Live QRZ.com database via XML subscription, RadioID.net API (DMR, NXDN, C4FM) & Open-Meteo for weather data
Privacy & Data
The tool respects amateur radio operator privacy by:
- Not displaying street addresses or postal codes
- Only showing publicly available QRZ.com information
- Logging lookup activity for net control purposes only
- Operating with read-only access to QRZ.com
Displayed Information
The tool shows only essential information needed for operator lookups:
- Name: Operator's first name, it also displays nickname if applicable
- Email: Contact email address if available
- DMR ID: Digital Mobile Radio ID from RadioID.net (if available)
- NXDN ID: NXDN digital mode ID from RadioID.net (if available)
- C4FM ID: C4FM/Fusion digital mode ID from RadioID.net (if available)
- WX: Current weather conditions at operator's location (from grid square)
- Country: General location (country level)
- Grid Square: For distance/direction calculations
- License Class: Current license level
- Expiration Date: When license expires
- Website: If available
- Additional Info: Only works if the operator has entered this new field in qrz.com
If the data isn't in the qrz.com database it shows nothing at all, this is to keep the app responsive
The free qrz.com account does limit what this tool can return down to the way that qrz supplies free accounts
Perfect for all Radio Amateurs
Whether you're running a local repeater net, an HF net, or emergency communications, or just want to keep track of callsigns, this tool helps you:
- Quickly identify check-ins by name and location
- Maintain professional net control procedures
- Keep accurate records of participating stations
- Introduce stations properly to the group
- Verify callsigns and license status
🕷 Known Bugs
This is written in my free time, and there maybe the odd bug!
- None reported at this time (8th December 2024)
Change Log
Version 1.1.2 Public Build (Current)
- Weather Persistence Fix: Fixed weather data showing "Loading..." after page refresh
- Social Media Sharing: Added Open Graph and Twitter Card meta tags for better link previews on Facebook/Twitter
- UI Refinement: Removed colored border from callsign result cards for cleaner appearance
- Light Mode Redesign: Updated light mode with custom ocean/teal color scheme - more distinctive and professional
Version 1.1.1 Public Build
- Weather Integration: Added live weather data (WX) showing current conditions at operator's location
- Grid-Based Weather: Uses grid square to determine location and fetch real-time weather from Open-Meteo API
- Async Loading: Weather loads after main lookup completes - doesn't slow down callsign searches
- Brief Format: Weather displayed in compact format (e.g., "16°C Rainy")
Version 1.1.0 Public Build
- NXDN Integration: Added RadioID.net NXDN API integration for NXDN digital mode IDs
- C4FM/Fusion Integration: Added RadioID.net C-PLUS API integration for Yaesu System Fusion (C4FM) IDs
- Multi-Mode Digital ID Support: Can now search by DMR, NXDN, or C4FM ID - automatically searches all databases
- Parallel Digital Mode Lookups: All three digital modes (DMR, NXDN, C4FM) are queried simultaneously for faster results
- Enhanced Display: Shows all available digital mode IDs with clickable links to RadioID.net profiles
- Updated UI: Input field now indicates support for all digital mode IDs
Version 1.0.0 Public Build
- DMR ID Integration: Added RadioID.net API integration to display DMR IDs alongside callsign data
- Dual Input Support: Can now search by either callsign or DMR ID - tool automatically detects input type
- Email Display: Now displays operator email addresses when available from QRZ.com
- Christmas Theme: Added festive Christmas theme with falling snowflakes as default theme
- Theme Cycling: Updated theme toggle to cycle through Christmas, Light, Dark, and Monochrome modes
- Enhanced Clickable Links: Email addresses are mailto links, DMR IDs link to RadioID.net profiles
Version 0.9.3 Public Build
- Had to make some changes due to the API limitation. For full functionality youll need to enter your own qrz.com credentials.This is captured on your machine, we have no visibility at all on what you enter
- Multi language support removed. Ham radio is English speaking and keeping the translations running was too much work.
- Grid squares now link to Google Maps
- New monochrome mode
Version 0.9.2 Beta
- Dark mode toggle added
- Suggestion Box page added using Resend API for secure mail sending
Version 0.9.1.3 Beta
- I think the logging page is now working
- Callsigns now link to their own qrz.com page if you want further information, but it doesn't slow the lookups
Version 0.9.1.2 Beta
- Logging page disabled until I fix it!
Version 0.9.1.1 Beta
- Removed simulation code: Streamlined to use only live QRZ.com API data
- Enhanced privacy protection: Removed email addresses from display
- Improved error messages: User-friendly messages instead of technical errors
- Code cleanup: Removed unnecessary demo/testing code
Version 0.9.1 Beta
- Code structure fixes: Removed JavaScript from CSS section
- Added state and county display: Enhanced location information
- Improved footer styling: Better version info presentation
- Fixed duplicate functions: Cleaned up code organization
- Added favicon: Microphone emoji for browser tabs
- State name conversion: Full state names instead of abbreviations
Version 0.9 Beta
- Added comprehensive logging system: All lookups now logged with timestamps
- Created log viewer page: Statistics dashboard and filterable lookup history
- Export functionality: CSV export of lookup logs for record keeping
