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).

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

The following chart compares the accuracies of the old (red) and new (green) postprocessing engine for the GeoXT handheld with the internal antenna from 26 points from Trimble’s Test Site 2 (suburban) environment.  The base station is within 10 km.

The following chart compares the accuracies of the old (red) and new (green) postprocessing engine for the Juno SB handheld with the internal antenna from 26 points from Trimble’s Test Site 2 (suburban) environment.  The base station is within 10 km.

According to Trimble’s latest “White Paper” article titled, “Trimble Mapping & GIS Products:  New Postprocessing Enginge,” the “new settings ensure optimal postprocessed accuracy due to the engine’s ability to select and use the GPS satellite measurements.”  Simply put, a new and improved GPS satellite selection application will allow you to produce better results by connecting to more satellites.

Position yield potential is also greatly increased around environments such as Trimble’s Test Site 2 (typical) and Test Site 3 (extreme) where obstacles could effect postprocessed data accuracy.  According to Trimble, yield in a suburban (Test Site 2) area can increase by 20% and over 40% in a forested environment (Test Site 3).

GEO-Jobe GIS is the Authorized Sole Source Trimble Dealer for Mapping & GIS Solutions in Tennessee and is the only vendor in the State authorized to handle Trimble Sales, Training, Service, Support and Rentals. GEO-Jobe GIS is also an Authorized ESRI Business Partner, Consultant, Reseller, Developer, and offers Authorized ESRI Training throughout the State. In addition, GEO-Jobe GIS is the Authorized Reseller for LaserTech Laser Offset devices and LizardTech MrSID technology.

The Trimble Seminars will be held in Johnson City, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville, Jackson, and Memphis. We will be giving away a free 1GB iPod Shuffle to one lucky attendee at each of our seminars.

Each half-day seminar will include the following:

• GPS Theory Basics
  • What is GPS
  • Real Time vs. Post Processing
  • Learn about GLONASS (Russian), Galileo (European), and other satellite constellations
• Trimble Product Reviews
  • GeoExplorer 2008 Series (GeoXM, GeoXT, GeoXH)
  • Pathfinder Series (ProXT, ProXH, ProXRT)
  • Nomad
  • Juno ST/SB/SC
  • NetR5 Reference Station
  • Centimeter Level Trimble GPS (Trimble R8GNSS)
  • Hurricane & Zephyr Antenna’s for better Accuracy and use in tree canopy
• H-Star Technology Overview
• Real-Time Mapping – Do YOU want a High-Accuracy Real-Time Mapping Solution? – Come see it in action!! Requires no post processing for decimeter-level (4″) accuracy.
• Laser Offset Technology – For collecting assets in low satellite signal areas such as when you are close to buildings or under heavy tree canopy. If you can see it, you can capture it.
• Digital Photography – Our inventory is stocked with BRAND NEW 8 megapixel cameras with WiFi capabilities. These cameras allow you to capture high resolution imagery for assets in the field and then automatically transfer the image to the GeoXH/XT handheld maintaining a permanent link to the asset. As the data is exported out to the ArcGIS environment, the picture and link are automatically maintained and available for viewing back in the office.
• GIS/GPS Field to Finish Solution – Now you can get more done in less time with this turnkey package by GEO-Jobe GIS. Featuring out of the box solutions for Water, Gas, Electric, Stormwater, Wasterwater, Telecom, and more. We bring the complex down to a manageable workflow. With training added in, you’ll be up and running in no time.
• Mobile Editing - With so many handhelds and PDA devices now in the field, updating data in real time is not just possible, it’s now readily available. Access your data out in the field on the PDA and perform edits and updates which allows synchronizing back to the office as often as you see fit.
• In-Vehicle Mapping - GEO-Jobe GIS is a reseller of Panasonic Toughbooks and has already outfitted several utilities with In-Vehicle Mapping Systems. The latest Toughbooks come with internal GPS and broadband cards which provides flexibility for automated locating and updating in the field. This means workorders, for example, can be transmitted to and from vehicles from the office. Plus, add Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) technology and your fleet will be more efficient at responding to incidents when they occur.
• Fleet Equipment Management – GEO-Jobe GIS provides complete packages for your crews. From Toughbooks loaded with ESRI ArcGIS and ArcPad to Trimble GPS hardware and software packages, let us help you standardize your fleet so all of your employees are outfitted with the same equipment, fully setup and configured at GEO-Jobe, and delivered ready to go.
• Training – Do you need GIS or GPS Training?  GEO-Jobe offers a wide range of standard and customized Training Programs
  • ArcPad, GPScorrect & GPS Analyst
  • TerraSync & Pathfinder Office
  • Custom onsite Training
  • ArcGIS Desktop I
  • ArcGIS Desktop II (formerly Intro to ArcGIS I)
  • ArcGIS Desktop III (formerly Intro to ArcGIS II)

Forget capturing distance and bearing by hand on a notepad and then working your calculus back at the office. Let the new TruPulse 360B do the job for you automatically. GEO-Jobe is an authorized LaserTech distributor and we use this in our data collection projects too. Give us a call if you’d like to learn more or for a demo. 615-883-0085.

• Fundamentals of GPS
  • Satellite requirements
  • Working with base stations
  • Real-time vs. Post-processing
• Overview of TerraSync
  • Importing and using a data dictionary
  • Importing background layers
  • Logging features
  • Logging attributes
  • Saving your work to transfer
• Overview of Pathfinder Office
  • Transferring data from the Trimble unit
  • Post processing data
  • Exporting to shapefile
• Working with ArcGIS
  • Loading data into the geodatabase
  • Editing loaded data
  • Analyzing data

There will be plenty of opportunity for question and answer sessions. We know that the application of Trimble and ArcGIS technology are different for each of you. Make sure you have your Trimble hardware and mapping software available so you can try some of these topics during the session.

Upon registration, you will receive login information for the training. You will need high speed internet connection and a phone for the audio part. The next course is available on June 11th. Cost is $500 per person. Register HERE or call 615-883-0085 for more info.

High resolution VGA screen

• 3.5 inch VGA (480 x 640 pixel) display
• For crisp and clear viewing of maps and data

Wireless connectivity

• Wireless LAN (802.11b/g)
• Bluetooth
  • Cell phones for Internet connection to get VRS corrections for real-time high accuracy and/or background data
  • GeoBeacon receiver for cable free corrections
  • Laser-rangefinders and barcode scanners

Ruggedized

• Integrated stylus so it can’t be dropped or misplaced
• Slip-resistant grip, shock, and vibration resistant
• Integrated Li-ion battery good for a full day’s work in the field

Windows Mobile version 6 operating system

All in all, this is a powerful unit.  For more info, contact GEO-Jobe at 615-883-0085.

In addition, all handheld models in the GeoExplorer 2008 series run the Windows Mobile® version 6 operating system, have high resolution VGA screens, and provide the connectivity and storage options required by GIS professionals and utility workers in the field.

Richard Duncan, co-owner of GEO-Jobe, has this to say about the new GeoXH 2008:

Wow! The 2008 series GeoXH has a real time accuracy of less than a foot. This means now you can have 3 times the real time accuracy of the 2005 series, a serious improvement. Even better news is when using the zephyr antenna kit you get 4 inches of real time accuracy (10 times better real time accuracy than the 2005 series). What amazes me is Trimble is only asking $400 more per unit than the 2005 series. Basically, the new GeoXH 2008 series has the capabilities of the ProXRT/Nomad solution minus the GNSS (Russian Satellite) capability. There is one catch you need access to a basestation via cell phone for the real time accuracy. This is not a problem with GEO-Jobe’s $50/month introductory basestation service.

Give us a call to learn more or to trade-up your existing Trimble unit. Great trade-in pricing is available. 615-883-0085.