Best way to plot GPS coordinates?

[dracer777]

Hi guys, I am trying to figure out precisely how this whole GPS thing works, as well as the best way to set the GPS ranges and coordinates.

I generally know very accurately what towers cover what area, just through experience. I wish I had a way to see multiple sites on a single map. Basically so I can duplicate sites and create more intricate coverage areas.

Anyone have an idea on how to do this efficiently?

Also, can I pick what systems I want it to chose from with the GPS enabled? For instance, if i am in a county, and i also have state patrol programmed for GPS in that county, can I force it to turn off state patrol temporarily?

I wish we could create squares and more complex shapes. If I kept everything is circle, I would have something like 20 sites active and 5-10 systems active in some areas.

Thanks for your input!

P.S. I'll be doing this with a 996XT and mostly a statewide P25 system.

 

[ka3jjz]

I'm not sure this answers your questions, but did you read this article from Uniden's TWiki;

BCD996XTGPSMode < UnidenMan4 < TWiki

and you didn't mention which software you are using, but FreeScan's GPS processing is detailed a bit here...

FreeScan-GPS the RR Wiki

73 Mike

 

[nosoup4u]

From my experience, the best way to over ride the gps is to create 2 systems if you have the room. 1 system with GPS, and one without. What I did was assign all the GPS enabled systems the same QC#. Then I then I can turn GPS on and off with 1 push of the button.

 

[Dewey]

Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.80 (Windows Mobile; WCE; Opera Mobi/WMD-50433; U; en) Presto/2.4.13 Version/10.00)

In addition to the answers thus far, as far as coordinates go, I use Micro$oft's Streets & Trips, and DeLorme's Street Atlas USA. Both cost around the same price ($40), and both allow you to create and save maps where a Lat/Long can be pinpointed, and a user defined radius can be created from the coordinates. While I generally prefer Streets & Trips for everything else, I find Street Atlas USA the better when it comes to creating and saving GPS radius maps.

Just one man's opinion, but I hope it helps,
Dewey
from my wireless mobile device

 

[DesertRatt]

Google Earth allows you see multiple points at the same time. I use Google Earth extensively when programming GPS. Be careful with FreeScan. I discovered that FreeScan will allow you to enter incorrect coordinates. It will even show them in Google Maps. Then when the programming is uploaded to the scanner there are no errors. However, if you look at the GPS coordinates in the scanner, the DD.MM'SS"ss are all zeros. If you try to manually program the same coordinates, the scanner will give an out of range error. I have never had this problem with Google Earth coordinates. I like the range circle in FreeScan and I still use it. However, I always verify my coordinates with Google Earth before sending them to my scanner. I also recommend verifying the coordinates that are imported from RR. I have had a few cases where those coordinates were incorrect.

 

[dracer777]

So can I create multiple range circles in the above listed programs? Basically, I'd like to create multiple(slightly overlayed) range circles on a single map and be able to see the exact coordinates and diameter of the circles.

I really appreciate everyones help.

 

[dracer777]

And yes, I am using freescan, sorry...

 

[UPMan]

Google Earth does not, but S&T and SA both allow you to draw multiple circles. The examples I used in the Location, Location, Location blog (How it Works: Location, Location, Location) were done using SA.

 

[Dewey]

In addition to the multiple circles like Paul (UPMan) pointed you towards, Street Atlas USA (SA) has better labeling for the circles if you so choose... The below radius map of DC contains one radius circle, one label for the radius circle, and copying (highlighting) the DC border lines. Again, as Paul mentioned, you can add as many items to the map as you like. Dewey.

 

[dracer777]

Awesome, thank you everyone. This makes this much easier. lol. I love you guys.

 

[UPMan]

Also check out:

Click for a Town/City Boundary Map

Lets you see the city / town boundary outline.

 

[dracer777]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1_3 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7E18 Safari/528.16)

Also check out:

Click for a Town/City Boundary Map

Lets you see the city / town boundary outline.

Wowwwwww. That's freaking cool. Thanks UPMan! My 996xt is getting here later on today via UPS. Along with GPS receiver.