====== Maidenhead Locator ======

The **Maidenhead Locator** is a geographic grid system used to identify specific locations on Earth. It is widely used in amateur radio to specify a station's location in a concise and universally understood format. The system divides the Earth's surface into grid squares that are identified by a combination of letters and numbers.

=== How Maidenhead Locators Work ===
  * The Maidenhead Locator system divides the world into a grid of **2° latitude by 1° longitude squares**, known as "fields."  
  * Each field is subdivided into smaller "squares," which are further subdivided into "sub-squares" for greater precision.
  * A Maidenhead Locator is typically represented by a combination of six characters (e.g., **FN31pr**), though additional characters can be added for even finer granularity.

=== Maidenhead Locators in RepeaterBook ===
RepeaterBook automatically calculates the Maidenhead Locator for repeaters based on their entered **coordinates**. For this calculation to occur:
  * The repeater's coordinates must be entered in **decimal format**.  
  * The coordinates must be flagged as **exact** to ensure an accurate calculation.

Once the Maidenhead Locator is calculated, it is displayed as part of the repeater's information, helping users quickly determine its location within the grid system.

=== Why Maidenhead Locators Matter ===
The Maidenhead Locator system is a compact and standardized way to convey geographic information. It is particularly useful for:
  * **Mapping and searching** for repeaters within a specific region.  
  * Supporting amateur radio activities like contesting and grid-chasing.  
  * Ensuring compatibility with global systems used by radio operators.

=== Additional Notes ===
For repeaters with approximate or alternative coordinates, RepeaterBook will not calculate a Maidenhead Locator. In these cases, users should consult the details page to review the coordinate status.

By integrating the Maidenhead Locator system, RepeaterBook enhances the usability of repeater data for amateur radio operators worldwide.