dustystar

Thanks! It will be interesting to see what is more fun and rewarding, the geocache or the interaction with the residents.

You can read the cache page (with the exception of the coords) without an account, so you wouldn't have to give the account password to everyone...only those who would need to edit the cache page would need to know it. Thanks! The meeting with the activities director was today and went well. She is setting up a time for me to start the classes. I hope to get a lot of input from these residents so they will take "ownership" enough to protect and perserve the cache.

I am working on providing retirement village residents with an introduction to geocaching. The idea is to inform them about geocaching, then have them help design and place a geocache on or near their property. I am working with the managers so permission is not a problem. The benefits to the residents is they can watch the geocachers hunt the cache and read the logs on the web site. However, how do I register a name or group so everyone can access the web page/logs and yet not have total access to make changes to the cache post page? Thanks for any advise. Dustystar

Most folks I've talked to with new units and being off 30 or more feet have not changed the datum to what there were using on the old unit. Check that first.

quote:Originally posted by Blindman:

I have a STP and don't remember ever taking 10 minutes to lock on sats - as long as I'm not indoors. I'd exchange it. Hope you bought it from a reputable company. I did compare with a Merrigold on a day where sats were pretty rare and the gold did track better as well as WAAS'd faster. After the STP finally locked on to WAAS, it seemed to be more accurate.

Before I read that traveling caches were taboo, I searched for and found one. I (and another geocacher) researched a prime spot to place it and did so. It was fun and I have it on my watch list to see it on it's mission. Now I feel so dirty! Not!

What they mean, is find an area where you can get a signal. Note the distance and direction. Step off that distance in that direction and mark the place with something like a blaze orange hat. Walk to a different spot that you can get a good signal and repeat the process. Somewhere near those two places should be the intended location. There is nothing special about which GPSr you have in order to use this method. However, the Magellan should out perform the eTrex in keeping the signal in heavy tree cover.

Thanks, I just could not find where to make the change. I'll give it a try. I agree that the start position line is not worth much. Magellan finally copied a feature of the Garmins to give better information to the users.

Under "set up" then under "nav units", you can change from mile/ft to just miles on my Magellan STP. I'm betting you can on the 315 as well.

Does anyone with version 4.03 Sportrack Pro understand the new feature of a second line from current position when executing a goto? I thought this would be a continually changing line as the unit got closer to the destination but I have yet to have seen it. I think the current line from the starting point to destination is pretty much worthless.

When I had my eTrex, I called it the Yellow Crow - being yellow and always showing direction "as the crow flies". Now, with my SporTrakPro, it is "night hawk".

I'm almost wondering if Saturday is too soon anyway. Maybe a little more notice would be good. What do you think? I think a little more notice would be good. This might give a few other geocachers a chance to see the post/announcement and respond. Also might be a good idea to put it on the ICASH web site?

But what are the coords? Can't find the meeting place without coords!

Yes, it appears that the Illinois DNR is making policy for geocaching in the state parks. Geemack asked to put a cache in at the Rock Island Trail State Park and after meeting the "regs" was granted permission - see Chimps Tale. "Hello All... About a month ago I contacted the Site Superintendent at the Rock Island State Trail regarding permission to hide a cache in an area along that trail. I talked with a gentleman named Jason, Site Superintendent for the Rock Island Trail as well as Acting Site Superintendent for Jubilee College State Park. My request for permission came when the subject of geocaching was being considered at various levels in the Illinois state parks system. I sent Jason some information regarding the geocaching sport/hobby in general, and regarding my request for placing a specific cache. After a few rounds of communication with his superiors, Jason got back with me to provide some excellent information about their current and future policy about geocaching on those premises. For the time being (nothing carved in stone, of course), it appears the geocaching activity is being looked upon very favorably throughout the Illinois state park administration system. Some of their common concerns have been addressed by information on the geocaching.com web site, and some by way of a letter I sent to Jason. (A copy of that text available to anyone interested). They do, however, have some stipulations that may change a couple of the caches currently located in Jubilee State Park and along the Rock Island Trail. I have been asked to forward this request to those of you who currently manage caches hidden on either of these premises. The gist of their requirements for providing permission to hide caches is this: (a) They would like the hider/owner of the cache to fill out a small form at the respective Site Superintendent's office. This form lists the coordinates of the cache, the name, address, phone, and email contact information of the hider, and asks for a short physical description of the cache container. They would really like a photograph of the container to attach to that form, as well. ( They would like all cache containers to be made of materials that allow viewing the contents without opening the container. This will restrict the use of certain types of containers, but is intended to make the activity more comfortable for those that aren't "in the know". In particular, ammo boxes are being frowned upon, and further permission to use them probably won't be considered. © They would like to know that caches are not being buried, which is already against our rules, of course. (d) They also do not want cache containers attached to any vegetation. This does affect a couple of caches that have been placed in these parks. (e) They don't want any cache to contain food items or anything that might get the unwanted attention of wildlife. Again, a rule we already apply to ourselves." If anyone wishes to have their input known, you need to contact your favorite site supervisor and meet with them - in person at first. Then e-mail your ideas and concerns so they can easily convey that to the policy makers. Personnaly, I archived the two caches that I had in those parks (with permission from the former superintendents). They did not comply with the transparent rule. I have since expressed my ideas to Jason Beverlin both in person and via e-mail. He welcomes your input as he is a cooperative person - most site supervisors are. Go to the IL state park web site if you need e-mail addresses.