GPS RECEIVER TO FDRD.ORG procedure

[FDRD - Administrator]

(i) SETUP: install GPSBabel ONCE on your computer. (http://
GPSBabel.org)
(ii) CONNECT GPS receiver to your computer.
(iii) RUN GPSBabel, specifying
. . . . . input format (e.g. Garmin serial/USB protocol)
. . . . . input device (e.g. COM2 - this is unique to your computer)
. . . . . output format MUST BE HTML OUTPUT
. . . . . output file.
. . . . .
. . . . . For reporting purposes, OUTPUT FILE NAME MUST BE IN THE
FORMAT fdrd#.cymd.html
. . . . . where
. . . . . fdrd# is the FDRD assigned GPS unit ID (e.g. GPS.FDRD.Troy)
. . . . . cymd is the current date of download in the format ccyymmdd
(e.g. 20070610 for June 10, 2007)
(iv) VERIFY GPSBabel results by clicking on the output file and
viewing using a web browser
(v) REPEAT above steps until you are satisfied with the quality of the
data.
(vi) LOGON to fdrd.org
(vii) NAVIGATE to ranger menu (you may already be there)
(Viii) CLICK TRANSMIT - GPS data
(ix) FILL OUT THE FORM by entering the filename from (iii) above (e.g.
GPS.FDRD.Troy.20070610.html)
(x) GO button
(xi) VERIFY results. REPEAT steps (vi-x) until you are satisfied with
the quality of the data.
(xii) DELETE ALL WAYPOINTS ON GPS DEVICE . . . for garmin eMAP, the
procedure is "FIND | WAYPOINTS | MENU | DELETE ALL | ENT".

[fdrd...@gmail.com]

Can I get a hardcopy printout of the GPS coordinates during this
process ?

[FDRD - JoeC]

Yes, during step (iv) above, choose FILE | PRINT and print out your
results.

> > procedure is "FIND | WAYPOINTS | MENU | DELETE ALL | ENT".- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[fdrd...@gmail.com]

Can I get a flat file of the GPS coordinates ?

> > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

[FDRD - JoeC]

That is built in functionality. The file name was specified in (iii)
above.

[fdrd...@gmail.com]

Can I use a different output filename ?

[FDRD - JoeC]

Not if you want this process to function.

[fdrd...@gmail.com]

What if I use a different output format or filename ?

[FDRD - JoeC]

It will transmit but will not function in that there will be no
matches to report data submitted.

[fdrd...@gmail.com]

Can I use a different output format ? I need a different output format
for some other project.

[FDRD - JoeC]

That is why we use GPSBabel.
It's function is to convert GPS data from where-ever to where-ever.

If you have another function, use GPSBabel to convert it into that
format. FDRD.ORG uses HTML format because it is extremely portable
and
meets the USDA-FS/WRNF/DRD requirement that data be in UTM13 format.

If you want, send a request to Joe and include
a sample file format and the GPSBabel name for that format.
Joe will support it if it contains the UTM13 projection that the
USDA-FS / WRNF / DRD requires. Joe specifically selected html format
because it is UNIVERSAL, meets USDA-FS / WRNF /DRD UTM13 requirement,
and is user friendly.

[fdrd.user]

Request to be able to include GPS Tracks in forms & GPS interface
instead of specifying Stopping Point Northing and Easting.
The GPSBabel format is Garmin MapSource - txt (Tab delimited).

Also would like to be able to enter on the forms:
Starting Point Waypoint Name (at trailhead or changing trail)
Stopping Point Waypoint Name (when changing/leaving trail or
furthest point 'out' in the case of an 'out-and-back' trail).

[FDRD - JoeC]

Forms changed.
Database changed.
GPS Interface Changed.
GPS Interface Procedure Changed as follows:

GPS INTERFACE:
You may also specify a tracking file if you would like
(e.g. GPS.FDRD.Troy.20070610.tracking.txt).
IF so, repeat step (iii) but GPSbabel OUTPUT FORMAT
should be GARMIN MAPSOURCE - TXT (TAB DELIMITED)

CAPACITY eMAP:
FOR Garmin eMAP receivers, the track capacity is 10,
so you want to offload the data before you reach either
capacity (500 waypoints or 10 tracks).

CAPACITY ONE (1):
FOR older receivers with only a backtrack function, the
capacity is one (1) track and you can not name the track.
In this case you must do a GPS interface at every report
if you wish to provide tracking; and the track name on
the report should be "com" (3 letters, all lowercase).