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Global Positioning System (GPS) using the Garmin eTREX VISTA Quick Start & Reference Guide

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Using the Garmin eTREX VISTA This GPS receiver has a five-way control stick (top left) and a page button (top button on right side) that allow for easy navigation of menus. 1. The page button cycles through the most commonly used pages on the unit (Satellite sky plot, Map Navigation by compass, Altimeter, Trip Computer and Main Menu) 2. At the top of each page Main menu and Page menu icons are present-- to access these options use the control stick and depress it when the appropriate menu is highlighted. 3. Data points may be collected or navigated to by first entering the Main menu then selecting Mark to take a point or Find to navigate to a point. 1. Satellites

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It is important to know what area you will be in as well as what satellites and how many satellites will be available when you plan to use the GPS receiver. A prediction of available satellites for any day and time can be downloaded through software available from manufacturers of survey-grade GPS receivers (i.e., Trimble) and the U.S. Coast Guard and Homeland Security web sites. An interactive internet program is available for personal use at http://www.calsky.com/cs.cgi When the GPS unit is turned on, the Satellite sky plot screen will be the first screen to be displayed. This screen displays the number of satellites available and the number of satellites being tracked. The sky plot shows North as well as location of the satellites. a. Wait for the GPS to locate the correct number of satellites. b. Enable the WASS (Wide Area Augmentation System). This is done by go to the MAIN MENU select SYSTEM make sure that WASS is ENABLED-- if not, change it. The WASS system is a satellite + ground stations system that helps correct the GPS signals so positions are more accurate. c. Calibrate compass using the instructions from the manufacturer. Your current position (LAT/LONG) will display on the bottom of the screen once there are enough satellites and a good satellite configuration. At the bottom of the satellite screen, a bar graph shows each satellite being tracked as well as the relative signal strengths. On the Satellite sky plot shown in the middle of the screen, the completely shaded circles are the satellites that are determining your position while all being shown on the plot are being tracked. On the satellite screen a map of the sky is provided in two concentric circles. The outside circle represents 0 degrees to the horizon while the inner circle is 45 degrees from the horizon and the point in the center is directly over the GPS unit (90-deg). To determine the direction that you are pointing the GPS receiver go to the page menu on the Satellite screen and select Track Up. This will orient the top of your screen with the direction of travel (bearing). After the direction of travel is determined attempt to block out (interrupt the signal) of a specific satellite by placing an object (a thick text book or a corner of a building) in the path between the receiver and the satellite. Trees and buildings prevent the GPS from receiving a clear path for the satellite signals. The satellite signals also bounce off of them creating multipath or mixed signals. The GPS is no longer as accurate as it was in the open. 2. National Geodetic Survey (NGS) Control Points The NGS sets control points as monuments for surveying. In Vermont, the Vermont Agency of Transportation has an interactive map of geodetic monuments of known location. http://vtransmap.aot.state.vt.us/website/geodetic The locations may be found by category on the right side of the map under 'Display Layers' (i.e. Horizontal, Vertical and USGS) and zooming in on an area of interest will display what data is available by symbol and the location of the monument.

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Measuring horizontal distance: A reference guide for the techniques of Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM), Pacing & Taping, & GPS

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1. Pacing & Taping Pacing Pacing is a method whereby you can measure distance by using a consistent stride. Once you know the average distance of your pace (or stride see figure below), you can determine distance by observing the number of paces it takes to cover the route. The precision of your pace can be calculated by comparing the pace to a distance measured using a more accurate method, (such as by steel tape).

Determining your Pace Pace between a known distance (i.e. 100 ft) four times recording the number of paces each time. Observe to the nearest pace?? Determine the number of paces per ft, and the number of ft/pace from an average of all the measurements. Keep significant digits.

Taping on level ground A typical steel tape has gradations of hundredths of a foot (0.01 feet) it is important when using steel tapes for measuring distance that observations are recorded in the units of the tape. Precision is also reported as a function of the change in length divided by the mean of the observations. To measure horizontal distance using a steel tape, the tape must be level to the extent possible, and pulled to the appropriate tension to correct for sag in the tape. The procedure is as follows. One person should hold the dumb end of the tape with a plumb bob over the point. Two people should pull the tape measure reel to the other point. Attach the tension handle to the end of the tape measure, and pull the appropriate tension to correct for sag. Holding the plumb bob over the second mark, the distance can be read on the tape to the nearest hundredth. If an estimate of precision is required, take several measurements using the method described above. The average of these measurements will have a +/- precision associated with it as a function of the data collected.

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Measuring Horizontal Distance on a Slope or Incline using Tape Often it is not possible to measure horizontal distance in one step due to excessive slope or incline. In order to determine the horizontal distance between two points using a tape, we can break the line into shorter segments that can be measured horizontally. In this case, a hand level may be used to estimate when the tape is level. The procedure is as follows. Starting at the bottom of the incline, two people with the dumb end of the tape head up the incline. Using a hand level stop when the person at the bottom of the hill has the tape at approximately waist level. Hold the tape on the ground and stick a chaining pin in the ground at a 45 degree angle to mark zero. Level the tape to the extent possible using the hand level. Using a plumb bob over the initial point, the horizontal distance to the first chaining pin may be read. This process is repeated as the person with the plumb bob moves up to the next chaining pin until the top of the incline is reached. Measuring Slope Distance and Calculating Horizontal Distance Horizontal distance may also be calculated from measurements of slope distance and the angle of the tape. Simple trigonometry is used with a taped short horizontal distance. The procedure is as follows. Pull tape from the bottom of the incline up the incline until reaching a point where horizontal distance has previously been measured. It is important that this line best represents the entire slope. Using plumb bobs to keep the tape over the points, the slope distance measurement can be read. Calculate the angle of the slope from the trigonometric relationship: Cos = adj/hyp . Once the angle of the slope is known, the same relationship will be used to calculate the entire horizontal distance. From the point at the bottom of the slope, continue by pulling the tape the entire slope distance. Using the plumb bobs, measure the slope distance and using the relationship above and the previously calculated angle, calculate the slope distance. If an estimate of precision is required, take several measurements to confirm the angle and calculate an average of horizontal and slope distances with a corresponding precision. The slope may be calculated as the change in vertical distance of the change in horizontal distance.

Slope(%) =

rise( y ) 100 run ( x )

Electronic Distance Measuring (EDM) using the TopCon Total Station In addition to measuring angles, a total station has been equipped with a laser device to measure distance. Laser beams are sent from the total station and reflected from a prism over the point to be measured back to the device where the distance is calculated and digitally displayed. The measurement can then be stored or recorded. In order to measure horizontal distance using the total station, the unit must be set up on a tripod and leveled. The optical plummet should be centered over the point. The reflecting prism may either be set up on a tripod over a point, or, a pole may be used where it is plumbed prior to the

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measurement when it is set on the point by a team member. In order for the laser to be reflected back to the instrument, the prism must be facing the instrument. Setting up a tripod with a TopCon Instrument The procedure for setting up an instrument over a point is as follows and may be used whenever required to setup the instrument over a known point. 1. Place the tripod approximately level and over a point. The legs should be evenly spaced apart and not set into the ground, but gently on the ground surface. 2. Screw the tribrac onto the top of the tripod. This should be done without fully tightening the screw, but not so that it may fall or be damaged (very important). 3. Looking through the optical plummet focus the cross hairs or target and focus on the survey point. 4. Looking through the optical plummet, move two of the legs so that the cross hairs or target is directly over the point. 5. Plant all three legs into the ground 6. Using only two of the legs adjust them up or down until the level bubble is fairly centered. 7. Fine tune the bubble over the leveling screws by using the level screws. 8. Loosen the tribrac and carefully slide it so the cross hairs or target is centered over the point. (Looking through the optical plummet) 9. Check the bubble again to make sure it is centered. Repeat steps 7 and 8 if it is not. 10. Once the tripod and tribrac are level you can lock the instrument into the tribrac. 11. Finally, fine-tune the leveling on the instrument itself. 1. Face the bubble parallel to two screws. Moving the two screws both in or both out will level the bubble. 2. Turning the instrument 120 degrees, level the bubble with the one screw you didnt use before. 3. Turn in 120 degrees again and adjust the bubble with the two screws again. 4. Check the bubble level by turning it 120 degrees once more. 12. Make sure the cross hairs are still centered over the point. Adjust as necessary from step 8. Measuring Distance Electronically Measuring the distance from point A to point B. 1. Turn the power on. 2. Make sure all of the motions (vertical and horizontal coarse adjustment) are loose. 3. Rotate the scope to initialize the instrument. 4. Measure and input HI and prism height into software for your instrument. 5. Focus the cross hairs with the small adjustment on the scope. 6. Focus the prism using the large adjustment on the scope. 7. Lock the coarse adjustment and use the fine adjustment screws. 8. Center the cross hairs on the center of the prism. 9. Push the instrument button and the horizontal measurement button. 10. The instrument will send out a signal and display a reading on the screen.

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Measuring Distance using the eTREX Vista GPS unit GPS can be used to measure distance through the tracking functions of the GPS unit. The unit tracks the routes by collecting a series of data points along the traveled way. Typically, the points are collected at set time or set distance intervals. The Vista unit has a tracks option in the main menu. Selecting Setup under the Tracks option will allow the user to turn on the Track Log. Distance based tracking can be selected by opening the page menu under the Tracks option and scrolling down to highlight the Distance or Time record method. The Distance interval can be set in terms of miles or feet.

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Measuring horizontal angles: A reference guide for using the TopCon Instrument

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Measuring Precise Horizontal Angles using Repetition: The following method describes how to measure a horizontal angle using the TopCon total station unit and a common method of repetition. Terms/Abbreviations: The following terms and abbreviations apply. BS Backsight FS- Foresight HR Horizontal Angle to the right VA Vertical Angle ZA Zenith Angle - Instrument 000000 Angle of Zero Method of Repetition (Doubling Angles): In this method horizontal angles are measured twice and the average of the two measurements is recorded. Always turn right angles. In general, a backsight is set to zero and then the scope is turned to a foresight and an angle measurement recorded. The scope is then plunged, and the turn is repeated. The second angle should be 180 degrees more than the first angle for between the backsight and the foresight. If the difference between the repeated measurements is larger than 20 seconds the whole process should be repeated. Doubling Angles (BS, FS, BS, FS) 1. Setup and level the instrument over a point, making sure the tripod legs are not in the line-of-sight to any neighboring points. 2. Set a plumb bob from the tribrac set over the backsight point(BS). 3. Turn the instrument on and initialize it by rotating the scope. 4. Backsight by placing the cross hairs on the lowest part of the plumb bob string, just above the plumb bob. 5. Set 000000 (zero). 6. The middle digital read out is the horizontal angle. The top is the zenith angle. The distance (if taken) would be displayed on the bottom readout. 7. Record your Horizontal Angle (HR) (should be 000000 at this point). 8. Turn the instrument to the right to foresight point (FS). 9. Focus the crosshairs so that they are directly in the center of the plumb bob string at the point. 10. Record HA. 11. Plunge the scope by flipping it 180 degrees so that it points in the reverse position. It is kind of like using the instrument backwards. 12. Turn the scope to the right to BS point, but dont reset zero. 13. Record HA 14. Turn the instrument to the right to FS point. 15. Record HA. 16. This completes doubling the angle. Before continuing to the next point, subtract 180 degrees from the second recorded angle (Step 15) and calculate the average measurement of the interior angle (e.g., EAB) and record it. [If the two measured angles greater than 20 seconds of each other then repeat the double angle measurement until required precision is obtained].

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Traversing: Field Measurements & Procedures

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Traversing A traverse is a field survey of a polygon where an area is delineated from measurements of horizontal angles and distances. List of Equipment: 4 to 5 nails, hub stakes, 7 control pins, survey tape, tripod, tribrac, prism, total station, survey tape Terms/Abbreviations: BS Backsight HD Horizontal Distance HR Horizontal Angle to Right HI Height of Instrument AZ- Azimuth Mark - Instrument BM Bench Mark 000000 Angle of Zero Instructions: Note: Always turn right angles and run your traverse counterclockwise. If the difference between the repeated angle measurements is larger than 20 seconds the whole process should be repeated (see double angle procedure). Setting a Traverse 1. There are control points that will give you Northing, Easting, Elevation, and Azimuth for running your traverse. Make sure you can see them from your traverse. 2. Find realistic sight distances to transfer the information (both horizontal and elevation) from the control points to your traverse. 3. Set four to five traverse points equidistant from each other encompassing your site. 4. Once you have your traverse stations marked with nails, set tie-off points for your traverse stations with a steel tape. Sketch each one of your traverse points and its ties and then sketch your entire traverse area. Each station should have 3 ties and these ties should be approximately 90 degrees to each other. 5. These traverse points will be used for future setups so they should be sketched and tiedoff accurately so they can be found again.

FS- Foresight VD-Vertical Distance ZA Zenith Angle HT Height of Target

Running a Traverse A. Transfer control point information to the traverse To transfer the control information to the site you must set up on your first traverse point and backsight the control point and double the angle to another traverse point. Be sure to record the difference in elevation between the control point and your traverse point. The table below has northing and easting coordinates (UVM grid) for four control points near the sites. Use the control point that works best for your traverse. The Kalkin Benchmark could be used as the control point for the Fleming, Cook and Angell traverses. There are also alternate control points at Old Mill Wall and Rowell. Take a compass bearing on the line from your traverse point to the control. (Assume the magnetic declination for Burlington in 2008 is 16 W.)

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Kalkin Rowell Control Benchmark Point N 722,315.2504 ft N 721,595.2847 ft E 1,458,399.6220 ft Elev. 344.51 ft E 1,459,023.4823 ft Elev. 367.05 ft

Old Mill Wall N 721,557.1253 ft N ft E 1,457,990.6137 ft E ft Elev. 370.49 ft Elev.

ft

B. Run the Traverse 1. Initially start the traverse by setting up on your first traverse point, backsight (BS) your last traverse point and turn to the control point and the second traverse point. In general, Double all angles (HA) and record Horizontal Distances as well as Vertical Distances (HD & VD). 2. Measure the height of instrument (HI) and height of target (HT (BS)) and height of target (HT (FS)). 3. Set 000000 on your backsight. Turn to your control point. 4. Record HA, HD, VD. Plunge scope and sight BS. 5. Turn the instrument to the right to the control point. 6. Record HA, HD, VD. The instrument calculates slope distance, horizontal distance and vertical distance at the same time. Instead of taking the measurement more than once you can press the recall button and then the measurement you want the instrument to display. 7. If the angles are within 20 seconds of each other then you can turn to your foresight point and repeat the measurements. 8. Set up on your next traverse point and backsight on your last traverse point. Continue doubling angles working counter-clockwise around your traverse until you close it out. 9. On Doubling Angles: Subtract the doubled Backsight reading from the doubled turned angle reading. This will give you the actual second turned angle. Average this with the first turned angle. Sketches: 1. Tie-off sketches one for each traverse point 2. Overall sketch of traverse around building 3. Detailed sketch of building footprint, with measurements of building taken with a steel tape. General Field Calculations: Sum the average angular measurements for each of your interior angles. Theoretical sum = (n-2)*180; n = number of sides of closed polygon. Calculate your angular misclosure (the difference between the measured and theoretical). Adjust your traverse and provide corrected angles and distances for each course by dividing misclosure between all angles rounded to the nearest second. Using the Compass bearing between the control point and your traverse calculate the Azimuths of your traverse courses. (Recall, the magnetic declination = 16 W) Calculate the adjusted elevation of each traverse point. Topography and Location points when setup on traverse points. The purpose of establishing a traverse, and correcting it, is to use it to locate topographical and cultural features. Cultural features may be: major building corners, trees, intersections sidewalks, parking areas, signs, utilities, hydrants, manhole covers, utility poles, phones etc. Topographical features are places where change of slope occurs. Enough measurements should be taken to accurately draw slope changes, profiles and depict site topography.

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1. To located features while set up on a traverse point: a. b. c. d. Record the station you are set up on, and the station you are backsighting. Record height of instrument (HI) and height of prism (HP). Set zero on your backsight (if not already zeroed). Turn to a feature and record HA (This is a sideshot). (You do not need to double the angle on these sideshots.) e. Measure and record the HD, VD to the feature using the method of your choice.

2. Take ground elevations in the area of your traverse anywhere the slope of the ground changes in order to accurately depict site topography and draw profiles. 3. Set up on as many traverse stations as necessary in order to collect information on your entire site to later draw your site survey map in AutoCAD. Record the new height of instrument with each new setup.

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Field Notebooks: Examples for Recording Field Survey Data

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