MisterT

I read the forums several times a week. There are many intersting topics here, but by the time I read a thread where I have an opinion, there are usually so many replies and my point has been already covered by many posters, I just don't bother. I was just reading the thread on who uses other cache listing sites, which was quite interesting. I enjoy geocaching and using my GPS, but there are so many other outdoor activities you can do with your GPS. I also enjoy the gpsgames.org site, particularly their new game Shutterspot.

Thanks for the replies. The home coordinates search is accurate and I will use it from now on. However, I am still curious as to how the postal code search works. I have observed that you can't just make up any postal code because you will get an 'invalid postal code' message sometimes if you just make up the last 3 characters (even if the FSA is correct). This suggests that it's looking up the postal codes in a table. Also, many rural areas here in Alberta have postal codes that start with T0A, therefore the last 3 characters are also required in these cases to give you the location. It seems like sometimes it uses 3 characters while other times it uses all 6.

Does anyone know the algorithm used when searching for caches by postal code? Does it use the full 6-character postal code, or does it simplify somehow (e.g. use only the first 3 characters of the postal code). I've noticed that if I use various postal codes around my area, the search results are always the same (including the distances to the nearest caches) if the first 3 characters of the postal code are the same. So I'm thinking it may use only the FSA (first 3 digits of postal code), which makes me wonder which point in the FSA it uses as the search location. My FSA is roughly 6km by 3km, so this would make quite a difference in a search. Any ideas?

Last summer my friend worked in a crew that fights forest fires in British Columbia. They were issued a yellow eTrex, given an area to cover to look for hot spots and would radio in their position every so often.

There is a cache in Edmonton that is hidden in a fake bird house attached to a dead tree in a city park. I like that idea, because it's clearly visible, but nobody would guess there's a container in there.

I am in the process of setting one up right now (in Edmonton). I just had the idea a couple of days ago and am still working out the details, such that you will be able to solve and find the cache only at night.