Greenjeens

quote:Originally posted by glenn95630:I have an eMap GPSr. But, it can't find the satelites when sitting on the dashboard of my wife's car (Chevy Venture Mini-van). Yup, some windshields block signals. The Venture is listed. E-ZPass - Vehicles Requiring Exterior Tags http://www.e-zpassny.com/static/info/exteriortags.html You need an external antenna.

quote:Originally posted by Seesthewind and Redwoodmama: I certainly agree that this isn't a new topic but to some it's an important one. To me, what eventually happens to most of my caches is very frustrating and disappointing.. I don't have a ton of money to spend on geocaching but I do try to put "treasures" in that are worth say $2.00 to $5.00 each. There are too many caches that are filled with Dollar Store stuff or just plain junk. The Dollar Store things are OK if that's all one can afford. Geocaching is, after all, a hide and find activity - not Christmas. I try to put something in my caches for all members of a family (mom, pop, boy-kid, girl-kid and even dog/cat). I put things in that I think folks would really like to have and keep (or use up like a can of 100% DEET Off). I put things in that people would feel good about putting into someone else's cache if they didn't want to keep them for themselves. Here's how I avoid degrading caches that I find: I keep a collection of things in my geo-pack of various levels of cost and quality. These things range from one step above junk all the way to $5.00 to $10.00 items. I make sure that all items are fairly small so they don't take up to much room in my pack or weigh me down. If I find a junky cache, guess what I put in. I also believe in the TNLN method. Will have to make an effort to carry at least one premium item to trade across and put some better stuff in my cache and see what happens. I understand (even more) the principle of trading like value for like value, but this is nowhere in any Geocaching rules or FAQs that I, or especially a new user, could find. I happen to appreciate YOUR rules about cache items, but wouldn't expect anyone else to know what they are, let alone follow them. Maybe some new languge could be included in the FAQs? If the cache owner demands reciprocity, they could always make it clear in the cache instructions and ASK! Although this principle of reciprosity may seem obvoius, I think some education is required, otherwise caches wouldn't be comming up depleted. Cache depletion appears to be a predictable and "natural" occurence, why expect otherwise? Here's the "official" info on cache item exchanges... "Step 4 ? The Find Huzzah! You found the cache! Congratulations! Now what? Usually you take an item and leave an item, and enter your name and experience you had into the log book." What are the rules in Geocaching? Geocaching is a relatively new phenomenon. Therefore, the rules are very simple: 1. Take something from the cache 2. Leave something in the cache 3. Write about it in the logbook "Remember, if you take something, its only fair for you to leave something in return. Items in a bucket cache could be: Maps, books, software, hardware, CD's, videos, pictures, money, jewelry, tickets, antiques, tools, games, etc." ---------- Greenjeens

Choosing a special item from a cache can be an extra thrill. Not discounting the foibles of human nature... to reach out and taking a good thing, it's not surpising how caches degrade. I always thought the beauty or uniqueness of a location should stand on its own, but a cache is obviously many things to many people. Kind of like life. Geocaching is also about discovering various levels of finesse and personal styles, as all these values lessons keep cropping up. Here's more food for thought... ************************************** On Giving You often say, "I would give, but only to the deserving." The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture. They give that they may live, for to withold is to perish. Surely he who is worthy to receive his days and his nights, is worthy of all else from you. And he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to fill his cup from you little [cache]stream. Kahlil Gibran **************************************

quote:Originally posted by Sissy-n-CR:Anyone know if this works on the AllTel network? Much of my experience is with Verizon network and phones. Alltel and Verizon are partners and share the same technologies. Analog and CDMA digital bands. Any particular parts of "this"? Try calling a phone number from the unactivated phone and see what happens. If you can only get Alltel customer service then you need to switch network settings (probably B to A also called non-preferred) or reprogram the number in the phone. The cellular system intercept calls from old phones, since that phone number is/was used on the network and send it to CS. A reprogrammed phone can use the handsets original digital network carrier to make credit card/other calls. If available, digital network calls can not be overheard on a scanner and the battery lasts much longer.

Hello all, If you carry an unactivated emergency cell phone for Dialing 911, the correct phone number (MIN) to have programmed in the phone is 123-456-7890. This earlier thread had some info... Carrying a disconnected cellphone Y/N? - Topic Powered by Infopop http://opentopic.Groundspeak.com/0/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=1750973553&f=3810966883&m=8600947874&r=7690972335 One question...Would any 911 operator be able to take a coordinate location and if so which mapping standard would they likey use (in the USA)? Programming codes can be found for many older phones on the internet under, "NAM programming" and the make and model number. Model number is usually located under the battery. NAM=Number Assignment Module. Test calls can be made to 611 which is customer service and free. Credit card calls are sometimes possible on these phones, especially once the number has been reset to 123-456-7890. This means any number, like a tow truck, can be called, not just 911. Switching system/network between A and B, if there is such a setting, even without reprogramming the phone number, may allow connection to an automated credit card billing system, like the American Roaming Network. Calls are around $2-3 a minute with a $2-3 set up fee. Collect calls are also possible and calls using a major Telco calling card MAY be used. Major Telco, means... the kind of calling card from your local phone carrier that uses the home phone billing number and a PIN. Prepaid cards will NOT work. *Disclaimer* For any number of technical reasons, calls from a deactivated cell phone may not work. There is NO call back number to such a phone! A practice call is recommended. **************************************** Also, calling #HOPE (#4673) connects to Domestic Abuse Hotline from an unactivated cell phone as well. Verizon press report indicates this is national, at least on their network. Worked in California but the sound quality was terrible. National Domestic Violence Hotline Website http://ndvh.org/ **************************************** FCC Takes Steps to Improve the Ability of Public Safety Agencies to Assist Wireless Callers Using Non-Service-Initialized Phones http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Wireline_Competition/News_Releases/2002/nrwc0202.html "- required that non-initialized handsets donated through carrier-sponsored programs and newly manufactured "911-only" phones be programmed with the code 123-456-7890 as the "telephone number," to alert a PSAP that the 911 call is being made from a wireless phone that lacks call-back capability;" **************************************** Greenjeens

quote:Originally posted by asporeprint:so there i am hanging out on my boat in watagua lake we jump off to go mess around an i find this here box cabled to a tree with a lock on it something about a game well i did what the rules said but i dont know where to post what i found/ took / left and i did see there is a nother player trying to find it so i want to post before he/she does..lol email me at mozey2@hotmail.com lets have some fun! want to find the one on watuga lake TN. email for boat ride i wont tell ya where if ya dont want me to Well you found one, and it sounds like your having fun already! That's how I started out...finding a geocache by accident. Look out, it is habit forming. Geocaching is a good excuse to get out and find new places and much, much more. Try reading the intro pages at geocaching.com to get a feel for how the game works. Cache: (GC11EB) Watauga Lake Stash by Peck and Melissa http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?ID=4587 Greenjeens

quote:Originally posted by Schmidt-Family:I might be a little sick...but I've actually thought about this....on the back side of my own gravestone, the coords, a little box built into the granite.......my find/hidden count....my caching name....why not. No, a "little sick" would be making-out in the cemetary, but I guess it's all relative I always thought about scattering, because all those headstones seem to have little use and take up space. But a fake, hollow marble like urn, on top a headstone might make a good cache container, unless some vandal broke it off Maybe a flushmount stone or metal memorial with a strong hinged top plate over a cavity? That would be good hidey-hole and have lots of room. Would have to figure out drainage though...hummm. --------- Greenjeens

quote:Originally posted by Schmidt-Family:I might be a little sick...but I've actually thought about this....on the back side of my own gravestone, the coords, a little box built into the granite.......my find/hidden count....my caching name....why not. No, a "little sick" would be making-out in the cemetary, but I guess it's all relative:) I always thought about scattering, because all those headstones seem to have little use and take up space. But a fake, hollow marble like urn, on top a headstone might make a good cache container, unless some vandal broke it off:( Maybe a flushmount stone or metal memorial with a strong hinged top plate over a cavity? That would be good hidey-hole and have lots of room. Would have to figure out drainage though...hummm. --------- Greenjeens

quote:Originally posted by Little's Cache:Actually some cemetries are identifyinh gravesites with coordinates. My wife worksd at one that has worked on such aproject. Problem is accuracy. Gravesites aren't real big! So, I guess when I get buried we had better call it a virtual site? Not at all, just wear lots of jewelry and get buried very shallowly or better yet, in an above ground crypt. A coffin would be an unusual cache container, but I guarantee it would be a hit in geocache circles... for eternity! The geocacher's motto "you are the search engine".... in life, "the prize" in the next:> ---------- Greenjeens

quote:Originally posted by maleck4:I'm wondering if ticks will climb on you if you are wearing off?I am a little worried about my children getting ticks on them maleck4 Sometimes when I go out I'll get 4-6+ ticks or more! Good news... is by wearing light colored long sleave and pants I pick them off before they can finally climb up pants and tucked in shirt, getting up to my head/neck. They seem to latch on from small shrubs and then quickly head upwards lookng for some tender fold of skin. Of course never going off the trail or brushing foilage is the best way to avoid ticks, it makes for a pretty tame life. There is a short trail, with large lupine bushs on either side, where I can count on getting several ticks from every time. Not so very often in grass, at least for the local kind of ticks here in coastal California. I have pants with an inner elastic cuff and after lots of miles, ticks haven't gone past the cuff to the bare leg. When I pass through suspect brush, I'll do a quick inspection on pants to get the ticks off before they have a chance to "sprint" any higher up. The light color clothing makes a fast check MUCH easier. Since kids are shorter and the foilage higher, your going to need to check around their head/neck hairline very well even with good protective clothing. I'm not a DEET fan and won't put that stuff on my skin, but carry it just in case anyway. I've ben told to put DEET on clothing as well. Kids are not recommended to use higher concentrations of DEET, so read the lablel! It's important not to squeeze the ticks body when removing it, so the fluids/potential diseases won't get injected into the host. The slim "pry bar" type have worked well to get between the tick body and the skin, to pull the tick out. I don't know if that method is going to work very well if the tick gets deeply embedded over time. Tick bites start to burn quickly (on some people) soon after a bite, so I try to pay attention for the "burning sensation". The bad news are there is a time in the tick's life cycle when they are very small and almost impossible to see. I've never noticed these myself, but these can apparently spread diseases as well. SEE... Tick Research Laboratory http://www.riaes.org/resources/ticklab/ticks.html

OK, so the big E "Equinox" is a celestial event viewable from where, equator, space, virtually? What about my local day and night being of equal lengths? Still good for a notch on the local "sun god monolith" or sacrificing a virgin? I was just hoping this darned gps sun/moon sw upgrade could provide some fun info. ---------- Thanks, Greenjeens quote:Originally posted by Zahrim:The Equinox is not related to a 12 hour day. The Merriam-Webster definition is this.... Main Entry: equinox Pronunciation: 'E-kw&-"nks, 'e-kw&- Function: noun 1 : either of the two points on the celestial sphere where the celestial equator intersects the ecliptic 2 : either of the two times each year (as about March 21 and September 23) when the sun crosses the equator and day and night are everywhere of equal length Zahrim If you happen to live on the equator, then you would have a 12 hour day/12 hour night. If you do not live on the equator, then when the equinox happens at the equator, it will not be 12/12 anywhere else in the world above or below the equator, though it may be close to that.Zahrim....

The sun/moon info on my Garmin GPS unit indicates the sun rose at 7AM and sets at 7PM today. I'm on the west coast USA. Think I uncovered part of the reason why the sun rise/set times don't coincide the true Equinox. Something about what point on the sun is measured in rising or setting. Apparently consumer GPSr aren't very good at predicting celestial events (ooops), let alone a exact physical locations. Anyone else have more of a clue on this disparity? Autumnal Equinox brief "A minor point ... if you look up the rising and setting time of the Sun in the newspaper, it'll look as if the day is still a bit longer than the night. That's mostly because "sunset" and "sunrise" are defined by the top edge of the Sun, not the middle of it, and the middle of the sun sets (rises) a few minutes before (after) the edge does" http://marple.as.utexas.edu/~ideas/equinoxdoc.html ---------- Greenjeens

quote:Originally posted by ooga booga:Boy, I dunno...that just reeks of an urban legend to me. And the best source the ranger has is that he heard it from someone who heard it from someone. Hmm. Uninformed land managers/rangers tend to view caches with suspiciousness and as a potential threat. I've seen this crop up before. A land manager "once" discovered a cache near a archeological/historical/whatever site. I think caching threatens their usual power and control methods and they immediately try to find how this unfamiliar activity violates compliance of some code. Can't blame them...caching can be a new land use activity that looks pretty strange to the uninitiated. I try to inform locals/managers, in a friendly way, what I'm up to while caching, if observed. I'd like to think they would not be so surprised and defensive when they see others wandering around at some later date. Like..."Oh yeah, there's another GPS treasure hunter", they're ok." It's not the correct term, but non-technical people seem to immediately understand and be disarmed with "treasure hunt". Spies and others have been using dead drops, bus lockers, Christian Science reading rooms (saw it in a movie), as drop offs/exchanges. It use to be pagers and cell phones that were associated the drug dealing. Now look around everyone is using these tools. Cell phones are even using GPS! I'm sure there is some nefarious way to use GPS. Maybe that GPSr on some boat isn't pointing to a submerged fishing spot? Just because a GPSr could be used for some other purpose, there's no connection with the Sport of Geocaching. ---------- Greenjeens

quote:Originally posted by Rubbertoe:And the argument about the cave being open to the public misses one point... the caves are open to the public, and the reason for people going there was to see the caves. Place a cache there without permission brings a whole new group of people to the location - with their main concern not being the caves, but instead finding a geocache. Any land manager would be wise to have concerns about this. This experience has been a valuable lesson in cache placement. A few points.. "Vandals" already know where the cave is and they didn't have a GPS. Putting the "Cavers" on the defensive is not a good strategy to developing a relationship of trust for future cooperation. Humans/groups are extremely territorial, protective and possesive about most everything, what's the surprise? Acceptance/permission may require following certain arbitrary customs and rules by whatever group is power. There's a lot more to life than everyone having access to the coordinates. There's a tendancy to push back when threatened by legal BS. I'd say the reputation and integrity of Geocaching, as displyed by the cache owner, in dealing with this other group is more important, than trying to win a challenge or "get even". Maybe just saying sorry, no harm intended and delisting the cache coordinates wouldn't be a bad start. There other secrets more worthy of a fight, IMO, than any hidden place. Hey, it's just a hole in the ground after all:) ---------- Greenjeens

quote:Originally posted by Rubbertoe:And the argument about the cave being open to the public misses one point... the caves are open to the public, and the reason for people going there was to see the caves. Place a cache there without permission brings a whole new group of people to the location - with their main concern not being the caves, but instead finding a geocache. Any land manager would be wise to have concerns about this. This experience has been a valuable lesson in cache placement. A few points.. "Vandals" already know where the cave is and they didn't have a GPS. Putting the "Cavers" on the defensive is not a good strategy to developing a relationship of trust for future cooperation. Humans/groups are extremely territorial, protective and possesive about most everything, what's the surprise? Acceptance/permission may require following certain arbitrary customs and rules by whatever group is power. There's a lot more to life than everyone having access to the coordinates. There's a tendancy to push back when threatened by legal BS. I'd say the reputation and integrity of Geocaching, as displyed by the cache owner, in dealing with this other group is more important, than trying to win a challenge or "get even". Maybe just saying sorry, no harm intended and delisting the cache coordinates wouldn't be a bad start. There other secrets more worthy of a fight, IMO, than any hidden place. Hey, it's just a hole in the ground after all ---------- Greenjeens

quote:Originally posted by Rubbertoe:And the argument about the cave being open to the public misses one point... the caves are open to the public, and the reason for people going there was to see the caves. Place a cache there without permission brings a whole new group of people to the location - with their main concern not being the caves, but instead finding a geocache. Any land manager would be wise to have concerns about this. This experience has been a valuable lesson in cache placement. A few points.. "Vandals" already know where the cave is and they didn't have a GPS. Putting the "Cavers" on the defensive is not a good strategy to developing a relationship of trust for future cooperation. Humans/groups are extremely territorial, protective and possesive about most everything, what's the surprise? Acceptance/permission may require following certain arbitrary customs and rules by whatever group is power. There's a lot more to life than everyone having access to the coordinates. There's a tendancy to push back when threatened by legal BS. I'd say the reputation and integrity of Geocaching, as displyed by the cache owner, in dealing with this other group is more important, than trying to win a challenge or "get even". Maybe just saying sorry, no harm intended and delisting the cache coordinates wouldn't be a bad start. There other secrets more worthy of a fight, IMO, than any hidden place. Hey, it's just a hole in the ground after all ---------- Greenjeens

quote:Originally posted by GeoCraig:On the way back, I was stopped by a Park Ranger, handcuffed, and was accused of public lewdness. The cop couldn't understand what I would be doing in the bushes that wasn't illegal. I was falsely ID'd by an officer for car theft and arrested in my front yard. Cops tend to look for anyone handy, especially when they get pumped up and then make mistakes. When police saw a dozen bindles, full of brown powder on my desk, which were Chinese Herb concentrates from my acupuncturist, it went from bad to worse:-( The sitution was a combo of "Fugitive" and "Mignight Express." All charges were quickly dropped, but the psychological effect of being falsely accused, not believed and then jailed, lasted a long time. Now the acupuncturist MUST put his card in with the herb powders! I NEVER will go out of the house to help law enforcement open a gate. Suspect this kind of thing happens to people of color often. Don't expect an apology, it's not going to happen, they were just doing their job. Maybe some other guy was in the bushes nearby. I bet 99% of men in the bushes in that park are up to mischief. Usually, if it looks like a duck..... Would advise the cache owner to move the cache, a Gay cruising park may not be the best location. Or... this might be an opportunity to inform the rangers about the cache. Taking an active role in interacting with the local authorities, under more favorable circumstances, might help you get past the perceived personal violation and false accusation. Good luck, remember it was nothing personal, just being in the wrong place.

quote:Originally posted by desertratz: I just read a link, on another forum (earthquake),that the military has taken back control of the GPS system and that co-ordinates will now be off? I assume this is related to the military build-up? Is this true, and if so, will the GPS units still be accurate enough for geocaching? Thanks for asking this question. Lately it seems that some of the points I have entered in my GPS and visit often, are suddenly off by 30 feet or so. It's easy to blame the military, but the fault may be in my GPS unit (E-MAP). I wonder if temperature, battery strength or some other factors are causing this deviation to show up? Geocaching is still a "horseshoes and handgrenades" accuracy sport, definitely more towards the handgrenade end of the spectrum. I'm continually surprised how much looking around is involved with Geocaching, despite all the fancy electronic equipment. Still harboring this FANTASY.... if I got a new GPS unit with a better antenna (quadrafiler?) like the Garmin 76 or the Garmin V, would I get more repeatable and higher accuracy AND better coverage under trees? Overhead foilage often is the biggest problem in getting a good satellite signal. I could try a GPSgeek.com antenna, but the thought of trying to deal with a long wire attached to my GPS sounds way too cumbersome. Any ideas? ---------- Greenjeens

quote:Originally posted by Alan2:actually there is one http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.asp?ID=23407 No one's logged an entry. Hmmm. ALan *Contains Cuban Cache Spoilers* Let's see... creeping around in low light with a GPS mapping device a a heavily trafficed historical war monument in communist Havana on the edge of a cliff? Got to pretend the GPS is a camera and then leisurely scope out the location during the day:> Of course, I wouldn't want to try explaining geocaching to the local authorities in such a situation. Maybe that cache needs a cigar. ---------- Greenjeens

quote:Originally posted by Alan2:actually there is one http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.asp?ID=23407 No one's logged an entry. Hmmm. ALan *Contains Cuban Cache Spoilers* Let's see... creeping around in low light with a GPS mapping device a a heavily trafficed historical war monument in communist Havana on the edge of a cliff? Got to pretend the GPS is a camera and then leisurely scope out the location during the day:> Of course, I wouldn't want to try explaining geocaching to the local authorities in such a situation. Maybe that cache needs a cigar. ---------- Greenjeens

Let's just play by Geocaching.com rules. Those rules could even be tightened up a little more to excluding even legal and non-perscription drugs. Even though I think some Benedryl, Contact and Aspirin/anti-inflammatory could be very useful to many geaocachers. Another reason for no tobacco. Let's say I have this "friend", who use to smoke a lot of good cigars and picked geocaching as a way to get healthy excercise and kick a nicotine addiction. I'm afraid if this guy stumbled upon a cigar cache and unwittingly opened it, smelling that a fragrant, aged maduro tobacco wrapper wafting up, might, in a weak moment, restart an expensive and deletarious habit. However, if some group wants to cache on private land, with the owners permission and have an adult verification and adult theme calling the hunt something totally different (Cigar Hunt) well.... About the legality of Cuban cigars... Two groups of associates recently came back from Cuba. One with Cuban Rum and Cigars. Boy did my "friend" pick the wrong time to give up his vices. Anyway, appears the folks who where part of a charter group, educational "conference," flying out of Florida could bring back x boxes of cigars and x bottles of rum. NO Problemo! Something about it being a chartered business function. The "vacationeers" group, who flew out of Mexico were severely restricted as to what they could bring back. Nada! Any geocaches in Cuba? Maybe Fidel would be interested in setting up Cigar-Rumhunt.com? Any volunteers:-) ---------- Greenjeens

quote:Originally posted by Criminal:Just bring the toothless helper monkey. He can run for help, screech really loud, and render aid to you if it becomes necessary. The first time I saw this come up in the forums was http://opentopic.Groundspeak.com/0/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=1750973553&f=3000917383&m=2700927125&r=4710963325#4710963325 Speaking of "accidents" and "risks" in a broader terms. No one has mentioned bringing along condoms? Never can tell what that "Helper Monkey" has been/will get up to:> ---------- Greenjeens

quote:Originally posted by Marty Fouts: If the cache is close, I don't take the kit, but I prefer the caches that are long hikes. I'm guessing that about 1/4 of the caches I've gone after have been > 3 miles in one direction. and almost every one that's not been urban has been in an area with no cell phone coverage. I often use a Geocache hunt as an excuse for, or as a point of interest on a much longer hike. Geocaching has been an aid to discover new areas for hiking, not always end in itself. Not all cell phone carriers are created equally Cingular GSM, Voicestream, T-Mobile or digital only Sprint handsets have VERY limted rural/off highway use. A carrier with back up ANALOG roaming like, Verizon, ATT, and analog enabled TDMA/Cingular and Sprint, are much better choices for more out of the way cell coverage. I'm amazed where Verizon analog coverage is available in the hills around the Bay Area. ATT is good too. Sometimes there is just no cell tower nearby though. Walking higher up a hill is often the key to getting a cellular call out. ANY cell phone can dial 911 for free, (even old unactivated cell phones) but have to use a compatible network, of which there are several in the US. Analog capable phones have the greatest coverage. Test calls can be made to 611 (customer service), NOT 911. There is no call back number available with unactivated cell phones. Unactivated phones phones benifit from having their numbers reprogrammed to 123-456-7890 (universal unactivated cell number). This may allow for non-emergency credit card calls to be made as well. Generalized info... YRMV. --------- Greenjeens

Just got FRS radios. Looking forward to augmenting cellular for emergency purposes. Have met Hams while out Geocaching and exchanged info. I see a license in my future. A couple of questions and comments. What would be the agreed upon term to contact other Geocachers? Is there a universal FRS Emergency channel? I agree with setting up a standard soon as long as those familiar with FRS radios and traffic patterns see no major conflicts. --------- Greenjees

Just got FRS radios. Looking forward to augmenting cellular for emergency purposes. Have met Hams while out Geocaching and exchanged info. I see a license in my future. A couple of questions and comments. What would be the agreed upon term to contact other Geocachers? Is there a universal FRS Emergency channel? I agree with setting up a standard soon as long as those familiar with FRS radios and traffic patterns see no major conflicts. --------- Greenjees