I recently changed my callsign from KB1QAB to a new vanity callsign, W1JDD. I re-registered for eHam forums using my new callsign, but the account hasn't been activated yet, so I'm posting this from my old account.

Anyway, with my new callsign comes a new feature for Callook, thanks to a suggestion from G4AON.

Accessing http://callook.info from most mobile browsers will now automatically redirect you to http://callook.info/mobile.

For those who are curious, this feature has been implemented with the handy "Detect Mobile Browsers" drop-in PHP code available at http://detectmobilebrowsers.mobi.

73,
W1JDD

Nathan,

You're welcome! I'm glad you find the service useful!

73,

Josh, KB1QAB

I did a number of updates for Callook.info yesterday.

Changes include:

    * Access to the API via JSON
    * Slight restructuring of the site's look
    * Restructuring of existing API output formats (XML, Plain Text)
    * Format restructuring for the Callook Google Gadget and Callook Mobile

Just a heads up...enjoy!

73,
KB1QAB

Thanks, I'm glad you find it useful!

Thanks, K2GW!

I'm assuming you know about http://callook.info/mobile for cell phones?

73,

Josh, KB1QAB

Update! A new version of Callook is available for use on cell phones (iPhones, etc.) and PDAs. The page is located at http://callook.info/mobile.

Let me know what you think!

73,
KB1QAB

Frank,

Thanks for your comments!

Please see my post on the QRZ forums regarding the logistics of adding county lookup information to Callook:

http://forums.qrz.com/showpost.php?p=1227135&postcount=46

Since I've written that, I've discovered that a database of this kind is actually available for free:
http://www.census.gov/geo/www/tiger/

However, this database is extremely large, and the server that Callook is hosted on probably can't handle it very well.

Although I agree adding county information to Callook would be a useful feature (and it's now the most requested feature,) I need to figure out a way to do that without overburdening the server and without Callook's speed being adversely affected.

Thanks again for writing!

73,
KB1QAB

You're very welcome...thanks for your kind words!

73,
KB1QAB

No problem, I welcome any and all feedback!

It's actually a good thing you posted that. Just for kicks, I looked over the Yahoo! Geocoding API documentation again. Either this wasn't there before or I missed it the first time, but the Yahoo! Geocoder actually DOES accept street address information.

It was very easy to modify the Callook code to feed the Yahoo! Geocoding API this more precise information, and now Callook displays the grid square you specified earlier, when looking up your callsign.

Also, I've decided to combine the name and address fields based on another suggestion at the QRZ forums.

Thanks for making Callook even better!

Tyler,

If you look at the website's footer for any callsign lookup result:

"Geographic coordinates are based on ZIP code and are provided by the Yahoo! Maps Geocoding API.
Grid Square is in turn mathematically calculated from these estimated coordinates."

Because grid square is calculated from Yahoo!-provided geographic coordinates, which are in turn calculated from the ZIP code (NOT street address,) there will at times be some degree of impreciseness with Grid Square information. However, I believe that results are generally accurate enough to still be useful.

Regards and 73,
KB1QAB

Glad you like it!

UPDATE: The Callook.info Google Gadget now displays lookup results inside the gadget, rather than in a new window/tab, making it much easier to use.

Enjoy!

73,

KB1QAB

Glad you like it!

73,
KB1QAB

Added new feature to Callook:

Callook now displays grid square!

Hello,

I'm flattered that you chose to use Callook for your application! That's not only a fair use of the service; that type of use is encouraged. Just know that since Callook is a free service, its uptime is not guaranteed. Also, if new features are added to Callook, its XML elements may change, potentially without notice.

73,
KB1QAB

W0ZS, thanks for your compliments!

In theory, Callook would be easy to integrate into logging software (especially because of its XML and plaintext output options,) but you'd have to ask the makers of the logging software.

73,
KB1QAB