Tools of the Trade

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Tools of the Trade
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Tools of the Trade - Part II
GPS Communication Program
Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources DNR Garmin
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GPS Communication Programs

• Definition
• The middleware that allows a GPS receiver and a
  computer to communicate with each other.
• Not a Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  Software

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Overview

• The Big Picture
• The Language of GPS
• Review of GPS Programs
• Why DNR Garmin?

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Fire Incident Plans Cycle
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Overview

• The Big Picture
• The Language of GPS
• Review of GPS Programs
• Why DNR Garmin?

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Language of GPS

• GPS spits out lots of data
• Lat/Long, Date/Time, Elevation, etc
• Information sent to a receiving computer is the
  Language or Protocol
• Two main choices for Garmins
• NMEA 0183 and Garmin Protocol

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Language of ALL GPS

• NMEA 0183 Protocol
• NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association)
• A standard for electrical interface and data
  protocol for communications between marine
  instruments
• String of characters
• Speed of talk - 4800 baud rate

See Peter Bennetts Site http//vancouver-webpages
.com/pub/peter/index.html
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Language of ALL GPS

• Must have garmin-nmea.avi

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Language of a Garmin GPS

• Garmin Protocol
• Speed of Talk 9600 Baud Rate
• Proprietary
• Supports bi-directional transfer of waypoints,
  tracks, etc.
• A GPS Communication Program written for Garmins
  must be literate in Garmin Protocol

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Language Differences

• Not all NMEA sentences are alike!
• Manufacturers add unique sentences
• Choice of program important
• NMEA 0183 Datum changes with display
• Garmin Protocol Datum is WGS84 regardless of
  display

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Tools and Accessories

• The GPS receiver
• Computer
• Available COM port
• A cable (a serial to USB adapter if needed)
• Data - Coordinates, Date/Time etc
• Program to recognize the GPS

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Overview

• The Big Picture
• The Language of GPS
• Review of GPS Programs
• Why DNR Garmin?

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Many Program Choices

• NMEA-0183 Programs
• Garmin Protocol Programs

Fire GEEK
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NMEA-0183 Programs

• GPSNMEA simple display/logging
• GPSy For Macs
• VisualGPS display of GPS status/ stats

http//vancouver-webpages.com/pub/peter/idx_nmeapr
og.html
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Garmin Protocol Programs

• DNR Garmin Preferred Choice!
• Waypoint
• GarTrip
• Gardown11
• GarminData Monitor
• ..

24 programs
http//vancouver-webpages.com/pub/peter/idx_garmin
.html
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Overview

• The Big Picture
• The Language of GPS
• GPS Communication Requirements
• Review of GPS Programs
• Why DNR Garmin?

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Decision Factors for the Fire GPS Program

• All Garmins supported
• Software support is high
• Provide efficient data transfer to a GIS
• Cost (Program)
• Nerd Factor Scale

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Typical Use on a Fire

• Data Transfer

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DNR Garmin Specifications

• Designed by Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources
• Communicates with all current models
• Uses Garmin Protocol
• Cost - Its free!
• Two Programs in one!
• Program
• Extension

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Summary

• How GPS software fits into the Big Picture
• GPS and Computers are made for each other
• DNR Garmin as the preferred choice

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Whats in Store

• Tomorrow - next in the series
• Mapping Programs and GIS