FEATURE_UPDATE.md

Rayfall Feature Update - Grid Squares & High-Res Export

Date: March 13, 2026

New Features Implemented

1. Grid Square Map Overlay

• Feature: Display worked Maidenhead grid squares on the map
• How to use:
  • After loading QSOs, check the "Show Grid Squares" checkbox in the control panel
  • All worked grid squares will be highlighted with golden rectangles
  • Grid square labels are displayed in the center of each square
  • Works with 4-character (e.g., FN20) and 6-character (e.g., FN20xa) grid squares
  • NEW: Use the grid precision dropdown to choose between 4-char or 6-char grids

Technical Details:

• Converts Maidenhead locator system to lat/lon coordinates
• Automatically extracts grid squares from QSO data
• Displays golden overlay with 20% opacity for visibility
• Grid labels shown with dark background for readability

2. High-Resolution Map Export (300 DPI)

• Feature: Export the map as a high-quality JPEG suitable for printing
• How to use:
  • Click the "Export Map (300 DPI)" button in the control panel
  • The map will be captured at 3300x2550 pixels (11"x8.5" at 300 DPI)
  • File downloads automatically as rayfall-map-YYYY-MM-DD-300dpi.jpg
  • Button shows "Exporting..." during the process

Technical Details:

• Uses html2canvas library for high-quality capture
• Temporarily resizes map to print dimensions for export
• JPEG quality set to 95% for optimal file size/quality balance
• Automatically restores original map size after export

3. Grid Precision Selector (NEW)

• Feature: Choose the precision of grid square display
• How to use:
  • Select "4-char grids" for broader grid squares (e.g., FN20)
  • Select "6-char grids" for more detailed subsquares (e.g., FN20xa)
  • Grid display updates automatically when changed

Technical Details:

• Dynamically adjusts grid square parsing based on selection
• Automatically redraws grid overlays when precision changes
• Default is 6-character for maximum detail

4. Toggle Pins Visibility (NEW)

• Feature: Hide or show QSO location pins
• How to use:
  • Uncheck "Show Pins" to hide all QSO markers
  • Useful for cleaner grid square visualization
  • Lines (if enabled) remain visible when pins are hidden

Technical Details:

• Pins are tracked but not added to map when hidden
• Instant toggle without reloading data
• All QSO data remains available for filtering

5. Toggle QTH Station Visibility (NEW)

• Feature: Hide or show your home station (⚡ icon)
• How to use:
  • Uncheck "Show QTH" to hide the operating station marker
  • Useful for focusing on worked locations only
  • Checked by default

Technical Details:

• Dynamically shows/hides QTH marker without reloading
• QTH position preserved from log data
• Marker z-index ensures it displays above other elements when visible

Files Modified

templates/index.html

1. Added html2canvas library for map export functionality
2. Added "Show Grid Squares" checkbox toggle
3. Added "Export Map (300 DPI)" button
4. NEW: Added grid precision selector (4-char vs 6-char)
5. NEW: Added "Show Pins" checkbox toggle
6. NEW: Added "Show QTH" checkbox toggle
7. Implemented maidenheadToLatLon() function for grid square conversion
8. Implemented drawGridSquares() function to render grid overlays
9. Implemented toggleGridSquares() function for checkbox control
10. NEW: Implemented togglePins() function to hide/show QSO markers
11. NEW: Implemented toggleQTH() function to hide/show station marker
12. NEW: Implemented updateGridPrecision() function to change grid detail level
13. Implemented exportMap() function for high-resolution export
14. Updated plotQSOs() to collect and display worked grid squares with precision control
15. Updated plotQSOs() to conditionally add pins based on toggle state
16. Updated placeQTHMarkerFromLogs() to respect QTH visibility toggle
17. Updated clearMap() to properly clean up grid square overlays
18. Added workedGrids Set and gridSquares array for state management

Deployment

Local Development

• Files updated in: c:\Users\chris\OneDrive\Documents\Projects\Rayfall\
• Ready for local testing

Production Server (homedash.taile9e59a.ts.net)

• Backup created: ~/qrz-map/templates/index.html.backup
• Updated file deployed to: ~/qrz-map/templates/index.html
• Application automatically restarted
• New features live at: rayfall.me

Testing Recommendations

1. Grid Square Display:

   • Load QSOs with various grid squares
   • Toggle the "Show Grid Squares" checkbox
   • Verify grid squares appear correctly positioned
   • NEW: Switch between 4-char and 6-char precision and verify grids update
   • Test with both 4-character and 6-character grid squares

2. Map Export:

   • Load some QSOs on the map
   • Click "Export Map (300 DPI)"
   • Verify the downloaded JPEG is high resolution (3300x2550 pixels)
   • Check that all map elements (markers, lines, grid squares) are included
   • Verify file is suitable for printing

3. Pin Visibility Toggle (NEW):

   • Load QSOs and verify pins appear
   • Uncheck "Show Pins" and verify all markers disappear
   • Re-check to verify pins reappear
   • Test with grid squares enabled for cleaner visualization

4. QTH Visibility Toggle (NEW):

   • Load QSOs and verify QTH (⚡) marker appears
   • Uncheck "Show QTH" and verify station marker disappears
   • Re-check to verify marker reappears
   • Test in combination with other toggles

5. Grid Precision Selector (NEW):

   • Load QSOs with 6-character grid squares
   • Switch to "4-char grids" and verify squares consolidate
   • Switch back to "6-char grids" and verify detailed subsquares appear
   • Test export with different precision levels

User Response

These features address the ham radio user's requests: ✅ Grid square (worked locator) map overlay ✅ High-resolution JPEG export at 300 DPI for printing ✅ NEW: Grid precision selector (4-char vs 6-char grids) ✅ NEW: Toggle to hide/show QSO pins ✅ NEW: Toggle to hide/show operating station

All features are now live and ready to use!