kc5goi
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Posts posted by kc5goi
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I am a new member to geocaching, I am an Amateur Radio operator and it is in a few ways geocaching is similar to foxhunting with hidden trasmitters except for the large difference of no signal to track. Are there any other Hams out there if so have you implemented APRS into geocaching for situational awareness, as some places are more out of the way? I am setting up a Kenwood TM 710A with a small ACER and UI-View software and it seems to work pretty good. The kenwwod is great when there is no cell signal for sending short email messages and the mapping is great to note information such as landmarks and weather info for SKYWARN on excursions out away from town. Always looking for more information. 73's
trackNV, Welcome to the hobby. I have been geocaching for 9 years now. From time to time I do turn on my D700 when I am out caching. You will find my status text reflects it when I am. I have not used it for situation awareness when I am caching though. I mainly have APRS on just to let my area know what I am up to and promote geocaching.
That said, when I was shopping for a new GPS to replace my GPSMap 76, I made sure to get one that has the same connector as the GPSMap 76 and my GPS II+. It is ready to work with my D700 and D7A. I went with a GPS Map60CSx.
73
Guy
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I think I found something but it needs more testing because I have only run the test on one PQ that I built just to test. I need everyone that is watching this to understand I have not pointed a finger at any one thing specifically. I am now ready to do that.
To the moderator of this forum, if the links in the post are a problem, I apologize but I do not know how to show the exact data without posting them.
I ran a specific query on my coordinates. That created the standard pair of of gpx files. I took a look at both and the <type>text/html</type> tags are not present. That fits something I saw with a PQ I got last night. I had not trouble with Google Earth displaying correctly. I opened the query based on my coordinates in Google Earth and it displayed like it should as well. I did notice the gpx file I have has a different xml declaration statement and I did not catch that before. Frankly I was not looking at the declaration, I did a search for text/html. Here is an example from the file I first noticed my problem:
<gpx xmlns="http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1"'>http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1" version="1.1" creator="EasyGPS 3.57" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1 http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1/gpx.xsd http://www.topografix.com/GPX/gpx_style/0/2 http://www.topografix.com/GPX/gpx_style/0/2/gpx_style.xsd http://www.topografix.com/GPX/gpx_overlay/0/3 http://www.topografix.com/GPX/gpx_overlay/...gpx_overlay.xsd http://www.topografix.com/GPX/gpx_modified/0/1 http://www.topografix.com/GPX/gpx_modified...px_modified.xsd http://www.geobuddy.com/cache/1/1 http://www.geobuddy.com/cache/1/1/cache.xsd http://www.geobuddy.com/GPX/0/1 http://www.geobuddy.com/GPX/0/1/geobuddy.xsd">
The PQ I ran today for the same area straight out of the zip file is:
<gpx xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" version="1.0" creator="Groundspeak Pocket Query" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/0 http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/0/gpx.xsd http://www.Groundspeak.com/cache/1/0 http://www.Groundspeak.com/cache/1/0/cache.xsd" xmlns="http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/0">
So for the test I took the PQ from today and used EasyGPS to merge the two new gpx files for the PQ I created for today and the merged file has the following:
<gpx xmlns="http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1"'>http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1" version="1.1" creator="EasyGPS 3.57" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1 http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1/gpx.xsd http://www.topografix.com/GPX/gpx_overlay/0/3 http://www.topografix.com/GPX/gpx_overlay/...gpx_overlay.xsd http://www.topografix.com/GPX/gpx_modified/0/1 http://www.topografix.com/GPX/gpx_modified...px_modified.xsd http://www.geobuddy.com/cache/1/1 http://www.geobuddy.com/cache/1/1/cache.xsd http://www.geobuddy.com/GPX/0/1 http://www.geobuddy.com/GPX/0/1/geobuddy.xsd">
The original statement from the PQ has been changed and is much larger.
There is something else I noticed, the two files I got today totaled up 2.242 megs in size. The merged file using EasyGPS is 1.736 megs. I get that the xsd extension is, in a basic sense, the style sheet.
Part of my mystery is solved. I doubt I am going to take time to run file comparisons to see exactly what was removed and added that caused the reduction in file sizes when merged. I also noticed the merged file, when I open it in Google Earth does not display the cache info below like the unmerged file does. That could be the bulk of the missing data causing the reduction in file size in the merged file.
EasyGPS is altering the files and adding the <type>text/html</type> to the merged GPX file. Since the merged file still works on the GPSrs I have, it is of little matter to me. As far as Google Earth, I will not used the merged file. The waypoints file I get with the PQs does not get used by me there anyway. It works in EasyGPS due the xsd file used for format the data in EasyGPS is different than the xsd file that is used in Google Earth.
I now know to not use the merged file in Google Earth. If the merged file was causing issues there due to the formatting changes in the gpx file, then it is possible the merged file would be an issue in other places too.
Robert, if you want to see the two files I can post them to my site or email them to you. If you do not want to see them, that is okay too.
Guy
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I consider myself in the top 75% of those that understand GPX, PQs, Google Earth, and how they all fit together. (Oh, I happen to have written Google Earth's handler for GPX in general and PQ's specifically? I helped develop GPX? OK, top 74%.)
Detailed steps to reproduce what you're describing are key. The mangled GPX (?) fragment you're describing makes no sense in isolation. If you can describe hot to create what you're seeing, we developers can point to the revelant specifications that describe the bits and bytes of the files and can point fingers and mock and humiliate and shame each other into conformance.
But when the search domain is "I do clicky stuff" and "some unnamed version and mode of (GSAK/Earth/GPSMap60CSX)" in either "upload or download" just "don't handle it well", developers are going to roll their eyes and send you to the support groups.
If a GPX/PQ from this site is sending you a file that claims to be GPX byte contains <type> tags that include MIME download specicifications, that would be clearly broken. Steps to reproduce it would be welcome and the programmers here that really understand such things can help assign blame and give wedgies to their peers to get it fixed.
Let me see if I still have the original PQs that have the entry <type>text/html</type> and see if the PQs I got today still have them. I am a IT Admin by trade so I understand your point but I have found each developer wants different criteria and that makes my end when I see something difficult. I will let you know what I find but at this point I think this needs to go off the forum.
Guy
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I simply am NOT literate in these matters . . . but I place my PQ in GSAK, export a text file for MS-Streets & Trips where I then install the caches on that map with the external receiver (antenna) to my laptop giving me turn-by-turn navigating, visually, for the greatest efficiency in covering an area. I hope this makes sense and helps simplify . . . if I can do it, it must be simple.
I am not using GSAK. I have installed it but not used it yet. I am getting what I want out of the PQ results and I have built them for specific areas. I do not blame EasyGPS or Google Earth. They are only reading the file. The PQ I got today did not have the <type>text/html</type> either. There for I am going to over look it as a fluke. I dump my PQs to my GPSMap60CSx and my Nuvi 205w to achieve similar results as you do with Streets and Trips. I use EasyGPS to move it to the receivers instead of GSAK. I see value in GSAK, I have not started to use it just yet on a regular basis.
I totally agree on things needing to be simple. I want to put my time on caching not playing with data. I am going to watch my PQs to see if the tag returns. If it does on some and not others, I am going to look at the PQs and see what is different.
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I can offer a simple solution. Open Google Earth. Open an explorer window and navigate to the area where you GPX file is located. Click on and drag the file over to the Google Earth window and drop it. I just checked to see if there was any change and it opens just fine and displays the name of the cache for me. When I click on the icon, it opens a window in Google Earth that gives a representative cache page. You can click on the GC number for the cache and it will open it in the browser for you.
I don't know why you are needing to edit out the tags, but it seems like you are doing a lot of work for nothing.
I received a PQ this morning and the <type>text/html</type> is not present when I look at the gps file in Notepad. It renders correctly in Google Earth. I was not going from an explorer window and dropping the gps file in Google Earth, I was using Open and navigating to the file. I will keep an eye on my PQs. I have a few due tomorrow.
Thanks.
Guy
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I have started to have a problem with my PQs in Google Earth a couple of weeks ago. When I open the gpx file from my PQ the names say text/html. I opened the gpx files in Notepad and removed the attribute <type>text/html</type> and that takes care of the name display problem in Google Earth. The other method was to upload to my GPSr the have Google Earth grab it. That is not exactly an ideal solution. Has anyone else seen this too? Below is an example of one of the entries in my PQ. I found the attribute is locate just after the <text> attribute. Google Earth seems to be ignoring <text> and using <type> for the label on the map.
Uploading the PQs to my GPSr and downloading to my iPhone do not have this issue displaying the name.
The download from my GPSr does not have the <type>text/html</type> attribute.
I know some basics about xml but I do not consider myself and expert.
<wpt lat="33.22571700" lon="-97.11820000">
<time>2008-11-15T08:00:00Z</time>
<desc>D"E"NTON by aeav8r, Traditional Cache (1.5/2)</desc>
<link href="http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=3a85d5f6-1bae-4433-bb94-00c7c6fb0fb9">
<text>D"E"NTON</text>
<type>text/html</type>
</link>
I do not know how Google Earth makes decisions on who to render the gps file but it seems to like <type> over <text> for the location names. They render correctly on the map. EasyGPS does not have this issue. My guess is that Google Earth is using a style sheet that uses the <type> attribute where EasyGPS knows to ignore it. I am not being critical of the PQ results just curious. Could there be something in my PQ settings causing this, is it a glitch in Google Earth, or something else?
Guy
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I do it for three main reasons:
1. Support Groundspeak.
2. Pocket queries.
3. Ability to download the gpx file. I go after gpx files and then do a single upload instead of spending time with the widget on the site. I download in batches of 10 or more so letting the browser widget do that takes for ever. If I was doing one to 5 transfers to my receiver then I use the widget.
Guy
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I think I figured out my issue. I turned off the "Lock On Road" option before I went caching today and did not have a single problem. As a matter of fact I located a cache that had two DNFs before we got it. The more I use my 60CSx the more I like it. It was a big change to go from my GPSMap 76.
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I had the same thing going on yesterday if I understand your posting. I was out caching and the map screen seemed to freeze and I would power cycle my 60CSx too. Today before I went out I was looking over the unit again and it dawned on me that it may be "locking on road". I was on that the receiver had but it would not indicate me getting any closer to the cache. I went to the map page, hit menu, setup map and turned off "Lock On Road". I did not have any trouble today. Give it a shot. I was ready to blame the firmware update to 4.00.
Guy
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I received a GPSMap 60CSx for Christmas this year. I did the upgrade out of habit since I have on my GPSMap 76 (2001 purchase) and the Nuvi 205w I got last year. I went caching today and noticed a bug that was very annoying. If I left the receiver on the map page for an unknown period of time, the map would not update as I moved around. I would have a cache on the display move around and nothing on the screen except the data fields changed. It had 3.70 on it and I now have 4.0 on it. I do not know if the upgrade caused the problem or not. I started a support request today but I do not expect a reply until the middle of next week. I did not see that behavior earlier in the week when I was caching in Oklahoma earlier this week. I am curious to see if anyone else has seen it happen too.
Guy
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I have had my nuvi 205w for a year now. I have found that it is not as ideal for my Geocaching as my GPSMap 76 and GPSMap 60CSx. I have tried pedestrian mode and did not see an improvement. I have had it get me to many P+G caches but not ones off the beaten path. I use my 205w in conjunction with my hand held units. I use the 205w to get me in the general local and the hand held unit to get me to the final gz. Please do not let that turn you off the 205w. Over the period of the year, I have found it invaluable. I treat it as a tool in my caching tool kit.
Guy
GPSMAP 60CSx EXTERNAL ANTENNA
in GPS technology and devices
Posted
I also have an external antenna that works with two of my Garmins. I found it to be a hassle when caching. Extra cable and all that. You will maintain a lock a little bit longer but I never have seen accuracy improvement. It does help out when the receiver is in the car. It gets the receiver a better look at the sky and keeps the receiver in view.
I originally bought it for my Amateur Radio activities.
Guy