land survey map

[ggilbert]

front markers in calculator

[ggilbert]

I downloaded the software I am lost after that.

is what we are trying to do take multiple readings at one point over a period of time. then average those together to get a better reading?

does the software just tell when to take the readings?

[Indrid Cold]

Yes, the software will show when it is best to take readings.

You gps has an "Average" function when marking waypoints, but Trimble Planning will calculate when the birds are best to take these readings for the best data.

I won't be back in the office with these tools until Monday. Rushing will only give you rushed results. The lot descriptions you posted look very good and you can get decent results with what you have to work with. The terrain will provide a masking effect on available gps birds so this should be factored in. Les wrote a pretty good tutorial on using DEMs to make a mask for Planning with MICRODEM:
http://freegeographytools.com/2007/determining-local-gps-satellite-geometry-effects-on-position-accuracy

http://freegeographytools.com/2007/assessing-terrain-effects-on-gps-accuracy

Almanac downloads

[ggilbert]

I appreciate your help. I will try and read up on all of this tomorrow. I have dad looking for the other deed now. No rush, I am just excited about all of this. I am new to this gps. I have big plans making trail maps after this.
Thanks again
Gary

[Indrid Cold]

OK, I've attached some data to get started with:

• Week 661 Almanac as current.alm file, YUMA format
• A DEM file of the area of interest as DEM.dem
• An Obstruction file for Trimble Planning as obs1.txt

[Indrid Cold]

First off, you want to get Trimble Planning configured.

Update the Almanac:

• Almanac->Import->YUMA->[Files of type=All files(*.*)]
• Select the current.alm
• Select the OPEN button

Planning will import the current almanac and preset a status window.

Next, you want to program a Station for you reading location:

• File->Station...
• Name the station
• Enter N 37° 07' for Latitude
• Enter W 82° 49' Longitude
• Select the Obstacles button
• Select the Read button
• Select the obs1.txt file
• Select the Open button
• Select the OK button
• Select the Apply button
• Select the OK button

Now lets find out when to take readings:

• Select Lists->Elevation/Azimuth...
• This will open a Hyperpage window.
• Print this page, as it will display the best time to take readings

Note how some of the time windows will be better than others for marking your waypoints. On your GPSMAP62s, you want to use the Average function during the the best time frames presented by Planning.

[Seldom]

I may have missed it, but I didn't see any description of how the OP is to turn angles from his corner points.  To do that he should know that angles are measured in degrees and minutes from north or south.  So North 45D 0M 0S East is 45 degrees compass bearing, but South 45D 0M 0S East is 135 degrees compass bearing, and North 45 D 0M 0S West is 315 degrees compass bearing.  Sneaky of you Indrid to hide all that in a link.

[ggilbert]

I may have missed it, but I didn't see any description of how the OP is to turn angles from his corner points.  To do that he should know that angles are measured in degrees and minutes from north or south.  So North 45D 0M 0S East is 45 degrees compass bearing, but South 45D 0M 0S East is 135 degrees compass bearing, and North 45 D 0M 0S West is 315 degrees compass bearing.  Sneaky of you Indrid to hide all that in a link.

this is is over my head.

[Indrid Cold]

I may have missed it, but I didn't see any description of how the OP is to turn angles from his corner points.

Ah, we really aren't at that point just yet. We want to get a real good reading of the start point as all others come from that and errors are cumulative.

[ggilbert]

OK i got to the page of times to take readings. The best time looks like 19:50 I could possible see 8 birds. That is the only time i can see that many sat.

I may have to wait until Friday or Saturday to take these readings. That is a little late for me to stay up on a work night.

This stuff is pretty interesting. I will look at the times to take readings after work later in the week maybe there will be a earlier time to take readings.
thank you

First off, you want to get Trimble Planning configured.

Update the Almanac:

• Almanac->Import->YUMA->[Files of type=All files(*.*)]
• Select the current.alm
• Select the OPEN button

Planning will import the current almanac and preset a status window.

Next, you want to program a Station for you reading location:

• File->Station...
• Name the station
• Enter N 37° 07' for Latitude
• Enter W 82° 49' Longitude
• Select the Obstacles button
• Select the Read button
• Select the obs1.txt file
• Select the Open button
• Select the OK button
• Select the Apply button
• Select the OK button

Now lets find out when to take readings:

• Select Lists->Elevation/Azimuth...
• This will open a Hyperpage window.
• Print this page, as it will display the best time to take readings

Note how some of the time windows will be better than others for marking your waypoints. On your GPSMAP62s, you want to use the Average function during the the best time frames presented by Planning.

[Indrid Cold]

Yes, those time will vary by the day so be sure to check it daily to plan when to read.

Also, you will want to update the reading date for the station.

• File->Station...
• Change the Start Date (selecting the .. button will get you a calendar)
• (or Select the Today button for today)
• then select the Apply button, then OK button

[Seldom]

I may have missed it, but I didn't see any description of how the OP is to turn angles from his corner points.  To do that he should know that angles are measured in degrees and minutes from north or south.  So North 45D 0M 0S East is 45 degrees compass bearing, but South 45D 0M 0S East is 135 degrees compass bearing, and North 45 D 0M 0S West is 315 degrees compass bearing.  Sneaky of you Indrid to hide all that in a link.

this is is over my head.

Until Indrid shows you his undoubtedly snazzy way of dealing with this, let me explain that the notation refers to the days when guys were standing in the field with a transit.  The transit would be set up over a point on the ground and aligned with a plumb bob.  The surveyor would then align the transit to North and South and measure an angle East or West from North or South.  Then he'd send some peon like myself out into the poison ivy with a tape following the angle he set with the transit.  When I got the required distance away, the surveyor would have me move so that the target on my plumb bob aligned with the cross hairs in the transit telescope.  If I was at the right distance, my plumb bob draped over a tape measure would define the next point.