Basic GPS Course

Or, Where the heck am I ???

Agenda
09:00

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Notebook and Pencil

Always carry a small notebook and
pencil (it works in the rain) when you travel in the bush. Mark down your: bearings, current position waypoint
before entering the bush.

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What is the Global Positioning System?

Space-based, worldwide radionavigation system. Constellation of 24 satellites(plus spares) in geosynchronous orbits, and a network of ground control stations. Free access, highly accurate positioning data is available to GPS receivers anywhere in the world. Developed and owned by the US Dept of Defense.

NBGSARA Basic GPS Course

Many Different Receivers

Garmin, Magellan,
Trimble etc. Handheld, surveyor, permanent mounted in vehicles.

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How Does GPS work?

Satellites
constantly transmit a stream of coded signals at low power. GPS receivers are programmed with the general positions of the satellite constellations, and their identifier data.
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How Does GPS work?

If the distance to:
3 satellites is known
a 2-dimensional position can be determined. 4 satellites is knowna 3-dimensional position can be determined. Note: this is what you always want to have.

More satellitesmore
accurate position.

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How Accurate is it?

Depends on the type of receiver, and
terrain. Average handheld receiver:
10 to 15 meters newer models 5 meters

Graphic of person standing in a 10 m circle

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Before Proceeding!
Need to cover some basic
background material. Give you a better understanding of what your GPS is telling you!

NBGSARA Basic GPS Course

First things first! A Review!

Need to know about maps and
coordinate reference systems: Universal Transverse Mercator

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Positioning/Mapping Review
When we discuss our position, we always use
some form of reference frame. We do this automatically:
Im about 10 feet in front of you; or He lives next to the Tim Hortons; or Im at Grid reference 318 765.

The last statement uses a Grid reference an

artificial grid of lines drawn on a map to provide a standardized reference frame for all users.

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Universal Transverse Mercator

We use the UTM (Universal Trans Mercator)
grid reference system, since it is over-laid on all topo maps, and is widely accepted for terrestrial operations. Maps are by necessity flat representations of the curved surface of the earth. They use Projections to approximate the curves of the earths surface. Mercator projections peel back the curved surface of the earth, and represent areas as flat Zones on maps.

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Each UTM Zone is Centred on a Meridian

66 63 60 84N 75N 60N 45N 30N 15N 0N (Equator) 8,000,000m 6,000,000m 4,000,000m 2,000,000m 0m 10,000,000m 8,000,000m 6,000,000m 4,000,000m 2,000,000m 0m 500,000m 1,000,000m 10,000,000m

The UTM coordinate system is overlaid on top of the geographic (lat/long) coordinate system. The two systems coincide in each of 60 UTM zones at:
The equator Each zones central meridian (63in eg)

15S 30S 45S 60S 75S 80S 0m

Boundary of each UTM zone defined by meridians 3 east & west of central meridian (66 & 60 in eg)

UTM zones of Canada

New Brunswick is in zone 19 & 20 T

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 Horizontal lines measure Northing Vertical lines measure Easting. UTM positions are read Easting first, then Northing.

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UTM for Our Area - 20 or 19T

U T 19 20

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So.if we look at the map..

We are 5,124,000 meters or 5,124 km from the equator in Zone 20 This measurement is called the northing.

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A Grid Square (1 km x 1 km)

What is the UTM for the X ?

Read as: 60 (easting), 38 (northing)

UTM Example
UTM Zone No. Easting Value

20T 383000 5124000

(Buctouche Map)

20T 382000 5041000 (Alma Map)

UTM Latitude Band Letter
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Northing Value

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Easting & Northing

The Northing numbers mean actual distance
North of the equator.
Since Canadas Southernmost point is over
4,620,000 m north of the equator, all Northing figures will be above this number.

The Easting numbers measure from an

imaginary line 500,000 m to the west of the zones central meridian.
This means that lines to the left of the central
meridian will be lower than 500,000, and those to the right higher.

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MGRS A subset of UTM

Divides UTM in smaller 100,000m
squares identified by two letterseg. LG An MGRS is made up of 5 parts:
1) A zone, 2) latitude band, 3) MGRS square identification, 4) an easting, and 5) a northing
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MGRS example
UTM Zone No. MGRS square Easting Value

Versus 383000 5124000 (Buctouche Map) (Alma Map) Versus 382000 5041000

20T LG 830 240 20T LR 820 410

UTM Latitude Band Letter

Northing Value

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All those things to set ?

Why do we care about all these numbers?
Because all GPS units are configured to work with
multiple reference frames, anywhere in the world. They give far more information than is required for local navigation. Practically, this means YOU must be able to configure a GPS to work correctly in YOUR zone (with your maps) and be able to extract the important numbers from a position screen.

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Which of the 36 Grid Systems????

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Datum
Once a grid system is chosen, that system must itself be referenced to the land-masses shown on the maps. This refers to the DATUM of the topographical map you are using. DATUM is the set of survey data used to create the map. It is shown on the map, in a title block.

It is critical that your GPS be set to use the same DATUM as your map!
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Which of the 127 Datums to Use????

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Check Datum
Incorrect datum settings can result in errors in position of hundreds of meters you may be using another country!
CHECKING and setting the position format, or grid, (UTM, MGRS) and the DATUM (usually NAD 83, NAD 27, or WGS 84) is the first thing to do EVERY time you turn on a GPS.

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Now Back to the GPS

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What can a GPS do for you?

Provide your current position
anywhere, anytime. Display a line of past positions (a track) and store them. Store a large number of known locationswaypoints. Give you real-time estimates on your travel progress.
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What the GPS will NOT do?

Will not:
Give much useful data without a map. Replace map and compass. Necessarily give an accurate indication of
magnetic north or current heading. Assist you in getting home unless you can tell it where home is. Be accurate over short distancesless than 15m. Be of any use without batteries or a clear view of sky.
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Satellite Reception Screen

All have basic satellite reception screens

Number and ID of satellites received. Indication of signal quality. Estimated position accuracy. This is a key item for
accurate navigating.

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Setup Screens
All have system and navigation set-up screens

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Setup Position Format, Map Datum

Set-up position format and map datum to match paper map. If not using same map datumcan be out 100s of meters.

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Setup of Heading
Which way is north?

True Magnetic Grid

In our area the difference between True and Magnetic is approx. 18 - 19West

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Setting Waypoints
All have screens to set waypoints.

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Waypoint GOTO
Once you have a waypoint, you can navigate to it using the Goto command. Newer models have a choice of: Follow roads Follow off-road Normally directs you in a straight lineas-the-crowflies.

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Navigating to Waypoint
Navigating to a waypoint:
Gives compass bearing, Distance to point, Estimated time to get there, based on current rate of travel.
Heading:
Your moving direction. The direction from your current location to a destination.

Bearing:

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Be Careful with GOTO

GPS tells you to go 3.8km at a bearing of 248 true. Have to look at the map to see what terrain is between the start and end position. Need to plan your route!

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Setup of Tracks
Turn Track Log
On Set colour to something other than transparent.

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A Point About Accuracy

Training exercise, Irishtown Nature Park: 28 Aug 2004, 9 to 11pm

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Position Formats
Position: Decimal degrees (hddd.ddddd) Map Datum: WGS84 North Ref: True
Position: Map Datum: North Ref:

Position: Degrees, decimal minutes (hdddmm.mmm ) Map Datum: WGS84 North Ref: True

Position: Map Datum: North Ref:

MGRS NAD27/WGS84 Grid

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SAR Uses

Finding start positions Marking end positions Mapping trails found Route planninggetting around unsafe areas Navigate to another team, waypoint, etc. with a GOTO What happens if the GPS failshow do I get back home?
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Downloading/Uploading
Can download/upload:
Waypoints Tracks Routes
to/from GPS units into mapping software

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Always Remember!
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Allow unit to lock on to 4 or more satellites. ALWAYS save your starting point as a waypoint (lets call it home)write it in your field notebook. Clear the track log & old waypoints before starting a task. Set the odometer/trip to zero. Keep extra batteries and keep GPS warm. Does NOT replace map & compass. Take map & compass with you. Always check/set (according to map reference): Position format Map datum North reference

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The only way to ..

be comfortable with your GPS is to practice, (on your sofa)
..practice, (out for a walk) ..practice (in your car) !

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So, Dont forget!

Which North Reference? Grid Magnetic True

Which Position Format or Grid?

Which Map Datum?

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GPS Specific Screens

Lets run through the screens for
GPSmap60Cx or 76Cx

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GPSmap 60Cx / 76Cx

Satellite Main Menu Map Trip Compass

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Main Menu

Setup

Page Seq

Track Log

Setup

Do not leave this as transparent or no track will show on screen.

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Main Menu

Setup Heading

Units

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Map

Push Menu

Choose either North Up or Track Up

Lock on Road: if turn OFF, when you do a GOTO, there will be a choice of either : Off Road, or Follow Road
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Trip

Push Menu

Choice of 7 items to reset.

Suggest choosing these fields for SAR purposes

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When a GOTO is Active.

Compass

Push Menu

ALWAYS..
Note: Heading Field Bearing Field
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Best to use: Bearing Pointer for SAR

STOP Navigation when finished with a GOTO.

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Creating a Waypoint
Push Mark
Push Enter , inside name field to get on-screen keypad

Push Enter , inside Location to get on-screen keypad

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Finding a Waypoint
Push Find List Push Menu

Goto Waypoint

ALWAYS..
STOP Navigation when finished with a GOTO.
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Hands-On!
Now lets put some waypoints into
our GPS and see what we can find!

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Outdoor Exercises

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Reference Material

Electronic Maps
Mapquest find latitude/longitude
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/main.adp?for
mtype=latlong&cat=&address=&city=&state=& zipcode=

Google Earth: http://earth.google.com/ Map Source: (from Garmin)

Topographic maps Metro Guide maps

Service NB NB Atlas:
http://www.snb.ca/gdam-igec/e/2900e_1.asp
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Reference Material
Two good manuals:
http://www.garmin.com/aboutGPS/manual.html
GPSGuideforBeginners_Manual.pdf UsingaGarminGPSwithPaperLandMaps_Manual.pdf

US Coast Guard service interruptions

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/gps/gpsnotices/default.htm

Geocache web site: http://www.geocaching.com/ Topographic map information:

http://maps.nrcan.gc.ca/topo101/index_e.php http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/maps/topo/map

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