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    Activity C1 L - Creating New GPS Waypoints 08-22-06

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    runneals
    This document provides instructions for an activity to teach students new ways to create GPS waypoints. The activity has three exercises: 1) entering coordinates manually to create a waypoint, 2) projecting a new waypoint at a set distance and direction from an existing waypoint, and 3) electronically transferring waypoints between a GPS receiver and computer using mapping software. The activity takes about 2.5 hours and provides practice examples for each technique. Background information explains how knowing different ways to create waypoints is useful for many GPS tasks.

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    Activity C1 L - Creating New GPS Waypoints 08-22-06

    Uploaded by

    runneals
    59 views4 pages
    This document provides instructions for an activity to teach students new ways to create GPS waypoints. The activity has three exercises: 1) entering coordinates manually to create a waypoint, 2) projecting a new waypoint at a set distance and direction from an existing waypoint, and 3) electronically transferring waypoints between a GPS receiver and computer using mapping software. The activity takes about 2.5 hours and provides practice examples for each technique. Background information explains how knowing different ways to create waypoints is useful for many GPS tasks.

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    This document provides instructions for an activity to teach students new ways to create GPS waypoints. The activity has three exercises: 1) entering coordinates manually to create a waypoint, 2) projecting a new waypoint at a set distance and direction from an existing waypoint, and 3) electronically transferring waypoints between a GPS receiver and computer using mapping software. The activity takes about 2.5 hours and provides practice examples for each technique. Background information explains how knowing different ways to create waypoints is useful for many GPS tasks.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    59 views4 pages

    Activity C1 L - Creating New GPS Waypoints 08-22-06

    Uploaded by

    runneals
    This document provides instructions for an activity to teach students new ways to create GPS waypoints. The activity has three exercises: 1) entering coordinates manually to create a waypoint, 2) projecting a new waypoint at a set distance and direction from an existing waypoint, and 3) electronically transferring waypoints between a GPS receiver and computer using mapping software. The activity takes about 2.5 hours and provides practice examples for each technique. Background information explains how knowing different ways to create waypoints is useful for many GPS tasks.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    of 4

    Activity C1 Creating New GPS Waypoints

    Note: the procedures described below are for use with the blue Garmin eTrex Legend
    GPS receivers (the model supplied in the Advanced Virginia 4-H GPS Educational Kits).
    The instructions can easily be altered for use with other GPS receiver models.

    Introduction:
    In the activities so far, your students have created waypoints by directly marking the
    position with a GPS receiver that was in active contact with the satellites. There are other
    ways to load new waypoints into a receiver however. Now your students will explore
    how to create new waypoints by entering coordinate numbers, by projecting at a desired
    direction and distance from a position, and by electronically transferring waypoints into
    their receivers. These techniques can be very useful in a variety of GPS endeavors.

    Time Involved: 2 ½ hours – easily split into 50 minute segments

    Materials Needed:
    • GPS receivers (exercises A and B)
    • GPS receivers, computer, connector cable, digital mapping programs (exercise C)
    • World atlas, globe, and/or wall map

    Getting Started:
    Review this entire activity. If you have the computer access necessary for your learners
    to complete Exercise C, you will need to investigate the digital mapping / waypoint
    management programs listed under Resources. Choose one or more programs that suit
    your situation and load the program(s) in your learners’ computers. Become familiar
    with the features and operations of the selected program(s).

    Also see “Preparing GPS Receivers for Group Activities”

    Do the Activity:

    Exercise A. Entering Coordinates to Create a New Waypoint

    Most GPS receiver models allow you to create a waypoint by entering new coordinates
    and a new name. Connection to the satellites is not necessary, so this can be done
    indoors. The process is usually fairly simple. “Mark” a waypoint as you would normally
    do outside, but before hitting the “OK” button, highlight the coordinate field and change
    the numbers and letters to those of the new waypoint. OK the changes, then highlight
    and change the name too. Some models also allow you to enter a new elevation and other
    data. OK all of your changes and you will then have a new waypoint.

    To practice this exercise, here are three coordinates to enter. These locations all have
    something in common, as your learners will see. Have your learners do a GoTo to see
    Activity C1- Legend
    Mike Clifford
    08-22-06 rev.
    what the direction and distance is to each waypoint. Then use the coordinates to try to
    find the locations in a world atlas. Identifying the countries should be easy; the specific
    towns may be more difficult. See the answer key below if necessary.

    COORDINATES TO ENTER DISTANCE DIRECTION TOWN & COUNTRY

    N53° 54.996’ W008° 01.994’

    S33° 12.916’ E138° 36.819’

    N37° 12.487’ W76° 46.461’

    Exercise B. Projecting a Waypoint

    Many GPS receiver models allow you to project a waypoint. This is the process of
    creating a new waypoint by entering a specific direction and a distance from an existing
    waypoint. This technique is often used when there is a need to follow a straight line, with
    designated stops along the way. A forester’s cruise line is a good example. The process
    is fairly simple. Mark or select a beginning waypoint. Pull up that waypoint’s page and
    select the Project Waypoint in the options menu box at the top of the page. Enter the
    desired distance and direction bearing, edit the name (and elevation if you have that
    option), then OK your work. You now have a new projected waypoint in your GPS
    receiver.

    For some inexpensive GPS models (like the yellow eTrex), the shortest projected distance
    that you can enter is 0.1 miles (statute) or 0.1 km (metric). This equals 528 feet and 100
    meters respectively, which may be too far for some uses. However for most GPS models
    (such as the eTrex Legend), the shortest projected distance that you can enter is 0.01
    miles (52.8’) or 0.01 km (10 m). This equals 528 feet and 100 meters respectively, both
    of which can be very useful.

    Practice activity # 1. To practice this technique, have your learners mark a beginning
    waypoint, then project waypoints at distances of 0.01, 0.02, 0.03 miles, all at a bearing of
    90°. If done properly, on their GPS screen they should see four waypoints in a straight
    line, all at equal distances apart.

    Practice activity # 2. To make a perfect square on the GPS screen, have your learners
    mark a beginning waypoint, then project a waypoint at 0.01 miles and a bearing of 90°.
    From that new waypoint, project another waypoint at 0.1 miles and 180° bearing. Repeat
    twice more using 270° and 0° to produce the square.

    Activity C1- Legend


    Mike Clifford
    08-22-06 rev.
    Exercise C. Transferring Waypoints

    The quick and easy way to enter new waypoints into GPS units is to electronically
    transfer the coordinates from a computer into the receivers. The transfer works both
    ways, so you may just as often want to move data from your receiver to the computer.
    To do this, you need a PC-GPS connector cable, a computer with a waypoint
    management/ digital mapping program installed. The correct connector cable is often
    supplied “in the box” as part of the purchase package for many GPS models (including
    the eTrex Legend). If not, they can be purchased separately, but sure you get the correct
    cable for your particular GPS receiver. Some receivers now come with a waypoint
    management and/or digital mapping program in the box. A couple of very useful
    freeware programs are available too (see the Resources list below).

    Your GPS receiver’s manufacturer most likely offers a variety of cartography options (for
    purchase) designed for your particular model. These programs not only store and
    manipulate data (points, tracks, and routes), but they also provide maps for loading into
    suitable GPS receivers. Note that these programs are proprietary: Garmin mapping
    programs are designed to work with Garmin receivers and Magellan mapping programs
    are designed to work with Magellan receivers. (The Garmin eTrex Legend can accept
    up to 8 MB of Garmin MapSource US Topo, MetroGuide, and other map products).

    Once you have decided which of the waypoint management/ digital mapping programs
    that you want to use, study the particular techniques for manipulating and transferring
    waypoints and other data. Most of them provide easy ways for your learners to
    accomplish the tasks in exercises A and B above.

    Background Information

    Knowing how to enter new waypoints into a receiver is important for many GPS tasks.
    Your learners are already familiar with marking waypoints when in active contact with
    the satellites. This activity explores three other methods:
    1. manually entering coordinate numbers
    2. projecting new waypoints in a desired direction and distance from an existing position
    3. electronically transferring waypoints into their receivers from a computer.

    Even the basic beginner level GPS models are usually capable of performing these three
    tasks. More advanced models provide some additional waypoint creation options. Many
    GPS models (including the eTrex Legend) allow the user to scroll across the map page
    with a panning arrow, and then mark a selected position as a new waypoint. Receivers
    with installed data bases allow the user to find points of interest and to save them as
    waypoints - places like restaurants, hospitals, emergency services, recreational facilities,
    service stations, and many more. On some models, the user can enter a street address to
    find and mark a new waypoint.

    Activity C1- Legend


    Mike Clifford
    08-22-06 rev.
    Resources:
    Digital mapping / waypoint management programs (several include freeware*)
     GPS Utility * http://www.gpsu.co.uk/
     Waypoint+ * http://www.tapr.org/~kh2z/Waypoint/
     USAPhotoMaps * http://www.jdmcox.com/
     Easy GPS* http://easygps.com/
     Google Earth* http://earth.google.com/
     Garmin http://www.garmin.com/cartography/
     Magellan http://www.magellangps.com/en/products/software.asp
     MapTech http://www.maptech.com/
     Delorme http://www.delorme.com/
     Topo! http://maps.nationalgeographic.com/topo/

    Digital Grove http://www.digitalgrove.net/


    GPS Information http://gpsinformation.net/

    Answers Key
    Exercise A.

    N53° 54.996’ W008° 01.994’ Jamestown, Ireland

    S33° 12.916’ E138° 36.819’ Jamestown, SA, Australia

    N37° 12.487’ W76° 46.461’ Jamestown, VA, USA

    (distance & direction answers will vary according to your location)

    Note: Comments and suggestions regarding this activity and other components of the Virginia
    4-H GPS curriculum are appreciated. Please contact Mike Clifford at:
    [email protected] / 804-561-5411 / 11131 Amelia Springs Rd., Jetersville, VA 23083

    Activity C1- Legend


    Mike Clifford
    08-22-06 rev.

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