Freescan GPS Problem - HELP

[aford66]

Hi,
I was using Freescan version 2.02 on a netbook, I recently got a new laptop and downloaded Freescan version 2.10 onto it. My old scanner was using GPS coordinates in DMS format, now the new computer and the new version of Freescan wants, or is set to DEG which is causing me a problem. All my records for many previous systems are in DMS, I would like to continue using DMS but I can't seem to get the new program to change to DMS. I went to "Set Scanner Options, Advanced" and clicked "use DMS format instead of Degree" hoping that would change the program but it didn't. I know that's for the radio, but am grasping at straws. The old program doesn't have that checked either. Is it possible to change the GPS format in the program, and if so how do you do it. Thank you Jack

 

[cpuerror]

Theres lots of websites that let you convert from one format to another. I dumped the DMS format because, while it works great on paper maps, data entry with it is cumbersome and slow. It's more prone to data entry errors and more difficult to check for errors. Plus, all the online mapping services that I know about use decimal degrees as their native format so I thought it would be easier for users to transfer over coordinates directly.The last advantage is that you can fit the both x and y coordinates on just one line, making it easier to copy and paste in between systems.

 

[aford66]

Well if I had known that initially I would have used DEG to start with, but that's what my initial program was set for, unfortunately now I have many systems with many groups all using DMS, so to start over now from scratch is too much work. Is there a way to change the format in this program, or is it designed to use just the one format? There must be others like me who started with DMS and don't want to start all over again.

 

[cpuerror]

Are your records stored in the scanner or in a .996 file? If so no changes are required on your part.

 

[aford66]

What I have done is I have a "DeLorme" mapping program. I create maps with the geographical area I want to cover. Then I print them and put them in a looseleaf book, and use them to program the computer. It is all in DMS, and my Freescan version 2.02 allowed me to enter them that way. All very easy. Although maybe not the best? I would like to continue using my "system", but the new 2.10 version is not letting me do that. Can I make a setting change in 2.10 to change GPS format, or would it be easier if I tried to go back to an earlier version of the software that would allow me not to have to go back and convert hundreds of coordinates? I don't know if it is even possible to download an earlier vesion. At this point I'd just like to continue using DMS, it would be a lot easier for me than converting everything.

 

[aford66]

To continue;
When I started using the new computer and hence the version 2.10 I transferred all my old Freescan files to the new computer, so all my old files are in the new computer. Now I wanted to add to my database, so I plotted new coordinates as I always did on the DeLorme mapping program and tried to add them to my Freescan program, but when I did it wanted the GPS information in DEG, so then when I tried to enter DMS it threw me off by a number of miles. I'm worried that if I use my old Freescan files in the 2.10 version it will mess up the scanner. I don't want to have to start plotting my maps in the different format because then I'll have some in one format and others in a different format. It would just be simpler to continue using what I have been using for years now. Thank You

 

[aford66]

OK cpuerror, I just realized that you must be "Assaf" and it's your program. When you first answered my question and said "I dumped the DMS" I thought that you were just another user and had decided to switch formats. I now think I understand that you eliminated DMS from Freescan altogether, correct? I have loved Freescan, having used both USAD, and Butel, and would like to stick with Freescan. However I loved using the DeLorme mapping as it allowed me to get precise coordinates for precise activations of systems, and DeLorme only provides coor. in DMS. Is it possible for me to download an earlier version of Freescan so I can continue to use DMS and if so which version should I go to, and where do I find it. I appreciate all the work you do for this hobby, and really like Freescan. I only I hope I can continue to have it work for me. Thank You

 

[loumaag]

Thread Moved

Thread moved to the proper forum.

 

[cpuerror]

Yes I am the author of FreeSCAN. You can use your old files without any issue, its only data entry that uses decimal degrees, and there is currently no way to change that. I'm not even sure why you need an external program to plot coordinates. FreeSCAN has a built in geocode function to do that for you. You just enter in the town, or a land mark, or a zip code (or anything else resembling an address) into the gps box and it will figure out the coordinates and display them on the built in map.

Alternatively there are lots of websites that let you convert in between the two, and if you want a more point-and-click method you can go to the google maps website or any other mapping sites and use those instead.

 

[aford66]

OK, Now I'm really frustrated, I logged in, typed a message in "quick reply", and when I submitted it, it told me I couldn't do it, that I had to refresh and log in again. It lost the entire message.

I hesitate to continue this thread because I feel that I'm nit picking for my own purpose. I'm not a computer expert, so I may be at a loss here, and do get very frustrated trying to figure out how to do things.

I use the separate mapping software because I live in an area with small towns, and very small, tight public service zones. Even the half mile gradients in many cases are too large. The mapping software I am using allows me to create precise "GPS circles", and even allows adjustment as small as a number of feet, not that I need it that precise. I am very particular where the circumference of those circles are. Entering an address, town, or zip code can leave me way off the mark.

I am not asking you to change FreeSCAN just for me. The easiest solution for me, and one I would be very happy with, would be to be able to download the last version that allowed DMS. I've asked before, is that possible? The only reason I upgraded to the latest version is that I had no other choice that I knew of when I got the new computer. To continue programming now I'm going to have to spend the time to add another step for each coordinate, and there are many, to convert from DMS to DEG, or spend time figuring out an entire new way to do it.

I don't know if the other mapping systems would allow me to create the circles, or adjust them as I do now.

I don't have a lot of time to develop a whole new system of doing this, so using an old version would be just fine with me.
Thank you for listening, for your help so far, and especially for FreeSCAN. Jack

 

[cpuerror]

You can get the coordinates down to just a few meters by entering an exact address into the geocode box, like "67 Pinecrest Blvd" for example. It was designed so you wouldn't need other software or websites to get the job done.

I'm not sure what the point is in creating precise GPS circles as you can only specify the range in miles anyhow. You'll be half a mile off no matter what you do because that is the resolution limit of the scanner, assuming you are using an XT. If you are using a non XT, the range can be as course as 10 miles, or as fine as 2 miles at best.

You can download old versions with DMS. However, depending on what scanner you are using it may not be supported in an old version. As well, I really don't remember the exact version I took out DMS.

If you are really looking for software to get you within a few feet, which can't be done with these scanners anyhow, theres just not much I can do for you other than the solutions I already mentioned.

 

[GTR8000]

DMS was removed starting with 2.06 as far as I can recall, so 2.05 should be the last version with it.

I believe you have a 996XT, correct? As Assaf said, 0.5 miles (half a mile) is the smallest range the scanners will take, and the range increments in half-mile steps up to 125 miles max range. Entering any range finer than 0.5 miles is pointless, the scanner will always round it up to a minimum of 0.5.

The scanner will automatically round down or up depending on what you enter.

0.0001 - 0.4999 gets rounded up to the minimum of 0.5

0.5001 - 0.7499 gets rounded down to 0.5

0.7500 - 0.9999 gets rounded up to 1.0

and so on.

Half a mile (0.5) increments are the tightest you're going to get, no matter what you do in external software. Take a look at the Set LocationInfo Range for any group in your scanner and you will see that it rounded your exact numbers up/down to the nearest half-mile.

 

[aford66]

Hi,
Thank you to both cpuerror, and chauffeur6 for your responses.

I have looked on the scannow.org "sixspotsoftware" site and can only find, or am only allowed access to the latest, most current version of FreeSCAN. Will you tell me where I can find the older versions?

Thank you
Jack

 

[cpuerror]

All the old versions are still available, just not accessible. However, you can download 2.06 at http://www.scannow.org/files/old/fssetup-206.exe

Good luck.

 

[aford66]

Hi,

Thak you for sending this information. However I just tried it and the Sixspot site comes up saying "page cannot be found".

I tried the address as you sent it with "206", and also with "2.06", and neither worked. Wht else can I do?? I've tried both ways two or three times.
Jack

 

[GTR8000]

Link worked fine for me. You need to download 2.05, however, not 2.06.

http://www.scannow.org/files/old/fssetup-205.exe

 

[aford66]

Hi,

OK, thank you, thank you, thank you. I have the .exe file now for 205, haven't installed it yet though.

Thanks
Jack