GPS Training

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GPS Training

• Usage of the Magellan Sportrack PRO
• Sean Crager
• GIS Coordinator
• 05NOV2003

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Magellan Sportrack PRO

• Accurate
• WAAS Enabled
• 3 meter accuracy
• 12 channel receiver
• Expandable
• Upload 23mb of detailed map data
• Already has 9mb of base map data installed
• Water and shock proof
• It floats!
• Two AA batteries

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Unloadable Maps

• Highly detailed maps for features such as roads,
  exits, services, etc..
• Can improve ability to locate features while
  using GPS unit

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How GPS Works

• 24 Satellites in sky
• Maintained by US Military
• Each satellite transmits a signal with embedded
  time
• GPS Unit receives signal and records time
• Position is calculated using triangulation by
  determining how long each signal took to leave
  satellite and to then be received by the GPS unit

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How GPS Works

• Must have at least three satellites locked on
  to triangulate
• Four Sats will give most accurate reading
• Other factors can affect accuracy
• Weather
• Proximity to tall buildings or tree cover
• Location data is corrected with WAAS technology

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Deflection of Signals
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WAAS

• Wide Area Augmentation System
• Ground Stations receive signal, make corrections
  and then retransmit signal to GPS units
• Accuracy 3 meters

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WAAS in action
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Button Description
Rocker Pad
Zoom In
Zoom Out
Enter
Nav
Escape
Power / light
Menu
Go to / mark
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Collecting Data

• 2D or 3D status in right hand corner means signal
  is locked-3D preferred
• Satellite status noted by the black bars
• Hollow bars means that the satellite is visible
  but not locked on yet
• Does not count towards signal lock until solid
  black
• You need a minimum of 3 sats for a reading four
  is preferable

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Collecting Data

• Map screen
• Shows roads and local features such as cities and
  towns
• Curser can be moved to get the name of a road or
  feature
• Maps can be made more detailed with Map Send CD
• Zoom in and Zoom out
  features

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Collecting Data

• Latitude and Longitude can be read in top portion
  of the screen
• Time and Date
• Quality of position fix
• WAAS is the most accurate
• When standing still, it will say it averaging
• When less than 3 sats it will say that it
  searching for sats

13
Coordinate system

• Data is collected in DEG.DDDDD format
• Example 44.23212N 77.32123W
• Datum used is NAD 83
• If unit is left without batteries it will need to
  be initialized again and the coordinate system
  and datum must be set to the proper settings

14
Resetting Unit

• Pushing the MENU button will bring up the
  menu
• Select SETUP from list
• Select INITIALIZE
• Follow onscreen directions to set Country, State,
  date and time
• Use ENTER button to confirm choices

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Resetting unit continued

• Next select COORD SYSTEM
• Select PRIMARY (dont worry with secondary)
• Select LAT/LONG
• Select DEG.DDDDD
• Next select MAP DATUM
• Select Primary (again dont worry with secondary)
• Select NAD83
• The unit is now ready to collect data
• Remember to hit the enter button after
  each selection to confirm selection