GC27PFW Ground Zero (Traditional Cache) in North Carolina, United States created by mhuska

This cache has been archived.

mhuska: Based on the last entry, I would be willing to bet this one is GONE!!!!

GC27PFW ▼

A cache by mhuska Message this owner

Hidden : 4/29/2010

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

GPS (Global Position System) works by sending a signal from a fixed position satellite and each satellite sends its identification number. Your GPS is simply a receiver listening for this information and when it hears at least 3 of them (the more it hears the better), it can figure out approximately where you are because it “knows” what satellite is associated with each signal. Exactly when these signals arrive at your GPS is also very important too because it uses time in these calculations therefore timing is crucial along with the time on your device.

With all these "variables" of information (i.e. different signals, when they arrive, weather, interference from buildings and trees, etc.) there is error built into the estimation of locating you on this planet earth. The US Military built the GPS and they wanted it to have error for you and me (but of course it works very accurately for them using a different algorithm called P Code) and originally these signals allowed the GPS to be within 100 meters 95% of the time. Can you imagine trying to find a cache on 3 football fields next to each other when the location was accurate only 95% of the time?

To compensate for this huge error, your GPS takes several positions a second and then "averages" them together to give it a best guess. So when you move, you’re not helping the GPS make its best guess since you are giving it a moving target and that’s why your GPS "settles down" after you are on a hunt (although moving is sometimes helpful because you move into a better position where it can "hear" more satellites). But even with all this averaging, a good GPS is still only going to be plus or minus about 7 or 8 feet accurate (notice that your GPS often states +/- 7 feet). That gives you about a 15 foot circle from the ground zero position to search from (better than those football fields). But the person that hid the geocache is dealing with the same inaccuracy so now you have to hunt in about a 30 foot circle of where your GPS said it should be. People hiding geocaches can beat the first 15 foot circle to some extent by taking hundreds of readings over several minutes and/or using the satellite pictures from the web to hone-in to the true coordinates.

With all this said, it always amuses me when people make a find and they state that they found the cache 22 feet from where "it was supposed to be" (or ground zero) as they think THEIR GPS is more accurate. Well hopefully you understand now that if you find a cache at exactly ground zero, you got pretty lucky!

For those people who think they have the GPS that is "right", I have made this cache for you! After you find the cache, you can move it to "your" Ground Zero as long as it is still on the pine straw and not in poison ivy. Having read everything above, you should now agree that you shouldn’t have to move it more than 15-20 feet if I did a good job of getting the coordinates right the first time and the person before you does not have a terrible GPS. Just log how far you moved it to keep things interesting. Also, if you are in the area again and some people have found it since you have, it can be a fun hunt all over again!

This is a small cache that has a log but will require you to bring your own pen for signing. Please place the cache back in a similar manner so it is just as much fun for the next hunter.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!! Congratulations to MBD for the FTF (he finds all my geocaches first) !!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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The information provided here is supposed to be a simplistic explanation without becoming over technical. You may Google many sites that explain further technical details about GPS if you are interested.
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Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Jul jbbq lbh arrq n uvag vs lbhe TCF gbyq lbh rknpgyl jurer vg vf?

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)