FAQ
This FAQ answers the most common questions about VA7ZEB.ca. What it is, who built it, how it works, and what’s coming next. It’s short, honest, and doesn’t take ten words to say something that can be said with five. If you’re curious about the project, this is a good place to start.
Who runs VA7ZEB.ca?
Reg Natarajan VA7ZEB along with my wife, Erika VA7ISI, working out of our tiny office in downtown Vancouver. I write the code, she handles the admin.
Why did you build this site?
Because I wanted it. I found the existing tools too slow, too bloated, or too closed. VA7ZEB.ca is fast, transparent, and focused. It exists to help hams find information quickly and operate more effectively, without fluff or distractions.
What is the Line of Sight tool?
The Line of Sight tool shows you what's visible from any point on Earth using NASA elevation data. Click anywhere on the map and it calculates line-of-sight in all directions, showing green where you have visibility and red where terrain blocks you. Useful for planning repeater coverage, portable operations, or just understanding your local RF environment.
How often is the data updated?
FCC and ISED datasets are refreshed automatically every night. The last update timestamp is shown on every search. NASA elevation data is static and cached locally after first download.
Do I need to log in to use the site?
No. Almost everything works without an account. Login is always optional and privacy-respecting. Some of our Roadmap features, like Sync, will require login in the future.
Is there an app?
Yes—sort of. VA7ZEB.ca is a progressive web app (PWA). Visit the Offline page to install it. Once installed, it works like a native app, loads instantly, and doesn’t require the app store. You can also download elevation data for offline use.
Can I use this offline?
Partially. Install the PWA from the Offline page, then download elevation data for your region. The Line of Sight tool will work without internet once you have local data. Callsign search still requires connectivity for now—offline callsign lookup is on the Roadmap.
Can I use this during emergencies or deployments?
Yes. The site is designed to be fast and low-bandwidth. Install the PWA and download offline maps before deployment, and the Line of Sight tool will work without internet. Multi-NCO support for emergency nets is being built with field use in mind.
What do you store about me?
Almost nothing. If you don’t log in, we store nothing beyond localStorage in your own browser. If you do log in, Google (or whatever login provider you use) tells us your name and email address, and we associate activity with your account to show you your own history, but we still don’t collect unnecessary personal info. At no point do we ask you for your address or phone number or any other personal information.
How can I support this project?
You can’t, but thank you for asking. This is just a hobby to me and I’m happy to share it in the hope that it may be useful to others.
What’s next?
Check the Roadmap for upcoming features. It changes often based on feedback, ideas, and how much time we can spare between bike rides.