Scientists have recently discovered a crossbred “human-like” species from Old Hickory Lake, Tennessee.  An Environmentalist was collecting wetland data using a Trimble handheld with the Timmons Group’s WetCorrect software when he stumbled across the alien creature.  He claims that

the species might have never been found if Trimble hadn’t partnered with Timmons Group to provide an integrated system for the field collection, management, and submittal of wetland delineation data. The solution combines Trimble Mapping & GIS handheld computers with the WetCollect™ wetland delineation software from Timmons Group to comply with the reporting requirements of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) which determines whether or not a wetland is a “water of the United States” and thus regulated under the federal Clean Water Act (CWA).

The discovery of the unique being has prompted massive geographical research using waterproof Trimble GIS Mapping Equipment.  Don’t believe me?  Watch this guy collect data in his pool! I wonder we he got scuba lessons…  We have posted pictures of this unknown creature on our Facebook page. Have a WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

The high collection number not only fired up competition among the three Smyrna staff members, but also increased their productivity, satisfaction, and responsibility in the data collection process.  ”They (Smyrna Staff) were focused on getting the numbers and doing it right.  It was no longer just another day collecting manholes.”  The beauty behind the competition was that it was fertilizing business growth in an exciting and fun way.  What ensued was a three week sprout of heavy data collection, with each day getting closer to that 100 mark.  The competition ended when Mark and Smyrna staff member, Jason Schuler, collected 101 manholes before finally pooping out (those things are heavy!).  The competition pushed out short term data collection efficiency up to 200% and has since influenced their overall data collection productivity 115%.

How could such a small goal make such a big splash?  A lot of things came into play that you might not think about…  Smyrna hired three competitive employees to work with Mark on the project.  All three guys respect their co-workers to the point where “a little competition” won’t affect their personal relationships with one another.  There was no bonus or extra vacation day given to the winner.  The competition offered a mere ego boast to the winner.  The weather did not stop (because of rain/storms) their data collection efforts for longer than two days in a row, enabling a continuous catalyst for competition.  The goal was attainable and simple, making it more desirable to reach.  Mark although a major part of the project was seen as a buffer, coach, and referee enabling the workers to feel like the competition was fair to all.  The goal was set by a fellow employee, not the boss, so it was perceived as a choice rather than a “do it or get fired” necessity.

So if your other data collectors are getting a little pooped out from the “same ole, same ole,” don’t be a meadow muffin, try adding a little fun competition to their day!

Step 2 – - Using a GPS find the geocaches near the location of your geocaching event.   You could use them in your event and/or make sure that you’re caches aren’t close to those already hidden.

• Register for a free basic membership at www.geoaching.com?
• Click “Hide & Seek a Cache.”
• Enter the postal code of your event
• choose any geocache from the list and click on its name.
• Enter the coordinates of the geocache into your GPS device.
• Use your GPS device to assist you in finding the hidden geocache.

Step 3 —  While searching for the caches, also capture your geocaching event locations.  We suggest using a more accurate GPS device, like the Trimble Juno SC.

Step 4– Tranfer your points to a KML file and upload them to Google Maps and/or Google Earth.  We did this to check over our points and measure the approximate miles traveled between caches.  We don’t deem this step necessary, but it is still a lot of fun.

Transfer File into Google Maps

• Upload data from your GPS device into Pathfinder Office and save it as a KML file.
• Open Google Maps and log into your Google account.
• Go to “My Maps”
• “Create New Map”
• Import the KML file, make any editing changes, and click “Done.”

Transfer File into Google Earth

• Upload data from your GPS device into Pathfinder Office and save it as  a KML file.
• Open Google Earth
• Click “File”
• Click “Open”
• Find your saved KML file
• Click “Open”

Oh, That's Where He Hid It!

Step 5 — Purchase inexpensive containers.  We suggest purchasing small plastic paint containers (microcaches) for the event from Wal-Mart.  You can keep the paint in the container or clean them out and put other things in them.

Step 6 — The day before the event, take your points and hide the caches.  If you don’t know who is going to be apart of the event, try to avoid placing caches in dangerous/hazardous areas that could be harmful to others.  Follow along with your GPS device as if you were in the cache.  (We found a few issues with our locations that could have been avoided by following our GPS device more precisely.)

Step 7 –Email the geoacaching locations  map you created to the geocachers signed up for the event (You can also email links to the google maps you created).  Make sure each point is attributed correctly with at least the latitude and longitude, cache name, and any other comments or hints you would like to give the geocachers.  Don’t forget to include a meeting location and time in your email!

Step 8 –Create questions about each cache that could only be answered if the cache was found by the geocachers.  Print off enough for everyone in the event and make sure you bring pens/pencils for those who need them.  Also print off the latitude and longitude list of all the attributes in case the geocachers did not previously store the points from the email you sent them prior to the event.

Step 9 — Go over the rules and hand out all of the information.  Consider taking away points for people not back within a set time.  For our last event, each correctly answered cache question was worth 4 points but for any geocachers out past two hours, 1 point was reduced for each minute late.

Step 10 –Enjoy the event and make sure everyone gets back safely.  Go back and pick up the caches you placed.  If you plan on leaving the caches, fill out the online form on the geocaching website under “Hide & Seek A Cache” (you must be logged in).

Why Your Field Crew Needs the Eye-Fi and TrimPix Pro System…

Trimble’s TrimPix Pro system Datasheet explains how the immediate transfer of photos from the camera to the handheld minimizes the effort spent back in the office where you were previously required to process the images in bulk.   Your field crew can take multiple pictures of an electrical infrastructure while collecting it’s assets in on the handheld.  And like two college kids on Spring Break (some call it true love), the Eye-Fi and Trimble handheld will automatically hook up!..The pictures will automatically load as additional attributes (in TerraSync) enabling field workers to quickly check the pictures for quality and accuracy with the other assets collected.

Use the TrimPix Pro system with:  GeoExplorer 2008 Series handhelds, Juno series handhelds, and Trimble Nomad G series handhelds

Wireless, streamline, time-saving, error prevention…Romantic isn’t it???

I’m sure this post didn’t answer all your questions.  However, Trimble’s FAQ page might do the trick!

The modem was designed with the field worker in mind!  Charged with a 3,000 mAh lithium-ion rechargeable battery, the TDL 3G will work for a full day on one battery charge.  It’s designed to work in +14 degree weather (probably tested at a Chicago Bear’s game last January).  It was also tested in 140 degree scorching sunshine by a man sporting a plaid onesie and chugging hot sauce.  On a serious note, this is a seriously rugged modem and has been drop tested onto a steel surface at 3.9 ft.  Did I mention that it’s also waterproof?  I wonder if they just ran that test from the sweat off the guy in the onesie?..

At lower connection speeds (BT connection at 2G/2.5G), the TDL 3G device can last for up to 12 hours in the field.   Bluetooth connections are ideal for accessing high accuracy VRS connections over the Internet.  RTK for 12 hours could mean longer work days (if your boss is like ours), but it also means you are collecting high quality data, more quickly locating assets in the field, and removing the need for postprocessing in the office.

At normal connection speeds (Wi-Fi connection at 3G/3.5G), you will receive up to 5 hours of battery life.  Although not a full work day, most Wi-Fi connections are used only when you require high speed Internet access.  We assume you’ll be downloading project files and maps, sending/receiving email, and sending in your data to the office at the end of the day.

If you think the standard belt clip or pouch is too fancy or your pockets are full of keys and tobacco, Trimble has also created a pole mount option.  Trimble’s handheld devices can also use the TDL 3G connection within typical Wi-Fi ranges (50 m/165 ft indoors and 100 m/ 330 ft outdoors).

Have more questions?  So did we.  Find answers on Trimble’s Customer FAQ page.

Will the TDL 3G cellular modem work in my region?

Does the TDL 3G come with a cellular connection/SIM card?

Can I charge the battery in a vehicle?

Is there an extended warranty available with the TDL 3G?

GPS Status

GLONASS Status

Galileo Status

Satellite Launch Schedule

As an agency, how can you best manage your road signs?  GEO-Jobe incorporates a turn key solution for agencies to effectively manage their sign “retro-reflectivity” program.  We can customize a geodatabase to properly inventory your signs by including useful management attributes in the database such as:  maintenance records, location, incident reports, installation dates, type, retroreflectivity, environmental conditions, etc.

Want to learn more about the retroreflectivity standards?  Click Here

Trimble recently announced the new software releases of TerraSync, GPScorrect (w/ArcPad), Pathfinder Office, and GPS Analyst increase your accuracy regardless of the model year of your Trimble unit (Geo3 and forward).

GeoXH, ProXH, ProXRT receivers: these receivers will now be 10cm (4 inch) more often and in more places. It will now be easier to achieve 10cm in canopy, you can achieve it faster (eg: if it took 60-90 seconds before, it will now be 20 seconds), and with longer baselines. A rover unit could not be 200km from a dual-freq base and still achieve 10cm. The ProXRT can now post-process GLONASS as well.

GeoXT, ProXT: this product, when using these new versions of TerraSync has been re-spec’d to 50cm (20 inch) rather than just “sub-meter”. Results will now be smoother as well.

Juno: this receiver has also been re-classified to a 1-3m receiver from a 3-5m receiver. The increased post-processing ability will take this Sirf receiver reliably to 1-3m, and in practical terms closer to 1m. Increased yield and smoother accuracy in canopy are a big benefit for the Juno. Note that this applies to the Juno SB, SC, and ST.

We will host this webinar twice, please register for the date and time that best fits your schedule below.

Date: Thursday, February 11, 2010
Time: 3:00 pm
Register here - Click Here

Date: Monday, February 22, 2010
Time: 3:00 pm
Register here – Click here

Bobby Sullins from West Wilson Utility District asked us to help them utilize the device with their real-time Trimble GPS equipment.  It required a unique configuration setup to work properly.  The result was a 4in (with mapping grade equipment) to 1cm (with survey grade equipment) accuracy utilizing multiple real-time GPS devices at the same time.  Imagine having up to five data collectors in the field loading data to one source without individual connection problems and multiple cell phone payments.

In conjunction with Verizon’s state government rep, Ken Malone, GEO-Jobe is currently implementing the MiFi into their data collection efforts and can help you configure your device to your data collection equipment! Connect the MiFi to your GeoXH, utilizing real time correction from state reference stations, the GEO-Jobe base station, or your own base station, while transferring information from multiple devices simultaneously, and achieving amazing results.

Verizon is offering monthly broadband data plans for the MiFi at $39.99-$59.99 a month (not bad for an uncomplicated multi-user tethering device in an easy to use package).

Your current phone plan (voiceplan, data plan, and tetherable phone option plan) you use for RTK probably cost you more!  For more information about the device or how to configure it to your GPS equipment please contact us.  Interested parties within the middle Tennessee area can also email ken.malone@verizonwireless.com.

We know what you’re thinking, “Wow!  That’s almost as good as free gift wrapping!”  (Don’t forget about Valentine’s Day fellas).  The extended support hours enables our customers to work more efficiently, giving them more time in the evening to “shop” for their significant other (or in our case, our mothers!) for this upcoming Valentines Day!..

Starting February 4th, Drew Griswold will be available for calls before 8 a.m.  His direct line is (615) 724-5984.  You can also reach him from our main office line at (615) 883-0085 ext. 7804.