WAYPOINTS 101 is a 1/4 mile long four point micro multi-cache designed to provide a quick overview of the GPS system, allow students at Kenmore West High School to demonstrate proficiency at entering waypoints into a GPS and using the waypoint to navigate to a destination. The geocaching community is welcome to search for and learn from WAYPOINTS 101 3PM-dusk weekdays and dawn to dusk on weekends. If any geocacher needs assistance learning how to use their GPS on this cache feel free to email MrMom through the geocaching.com web site.
How does the GPS system work?
GPS is a satellite based radio navigation system developed and operated by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). GPS permits land, sea, and airborne users to determine their three-dimensional position, velocity, and time anywhere in the world with precision and accuracy.
GPS consists of three segments: space, control, and user.
The Space Segment consists of 24 operational satellites in six circular orbits 20,200 km (10,900 nm) above the earth at an inclination angle of 55 degrees with a 12 hour orbit period. The satellites are spaced so that at any time a minimum of 6 satellites will be in view to users anywhere in the world. Each GPS satellite transmits an accurate position and time
signal.
The Control Segment consists of a master
control station in Colorado Springs, with five monitor stations and three ground antennas located throughout the world. The monitor stations track all GPS satellites in view and collect ranging information from the satellite broadcasts. The monitor stations send the information they collect from each of the satellites back to the master control station, which computes extremely precise satellite orbits. The information is then formatted into updated navigation messages for each satellite. The updated information is transmitted to each satellite via the
ground antennas, which also transmit and receive satellite
control and monitoring signals.
The User Segment consists of the receivers, processors, and antennas that allow land, sea, or airborne operators to receive the GPS satellite broadcasts and compute their precise position, velocity and time. The user's receiver measures the time delay differences of the various satellite signals reaching the receiver and uses this information to compute a location fix. The GPS concept of operation is based upon satellite ranging. Receivers figure their position on the earth by measuring their distance from the group of satellites in
space. The satellites act as precise reference points. The GPS receiver is a precise time keeping device which is continually updating and synchronizing itself with the atomic clocks on board the satellites. When receiving satellite signals your GPS receiver's internal clock will be accurate to within 200 nanoseconds of true time.
Set up your GPS
Set your Map Datum to WGS 84. Find in your GPS the Map Datum menu. It is usually listed under setup or system and set it to WGS 84.
A datum describes the model that was used to match the
location of features on the ground to coordinates and locations on a survey map. The Global Positioning System uses an earth centered datum called the World Geodetic System 1984 or WGS 84. WGS 84 was adopted as a world standard from a datum called the North American Datum of 1983 or NAD 83.
Set your Location Format to hddd° mm.mmm. hddd° mm.mmm (DMM) refers to degrees-minutes-decimal minutes. All geocaches are hidden using this format. The position format or location format menu item is where you will choose the type of coordinates that your GPS will display and record. You may have heard of a format known as degrees-minutes and seconds (DMS) which is expressed as hddd° mm.ss. DMM is used in geocaching because it offers one decimal place greater resolution than DMS.
Waypoints
A waypoint is a specific location on earth (coordinates -
expressed in terms of Latitude and Longitude) that the user can record and store in their GPS. Once the waypoint is stored in memory your GPS will be able to accurately navigate back to that point with precision. GPS receivers have the ability to store hundreds or even thousands of waypoints. The GPS will use your current location and a selected waypoint to provide the user with numerous time, distance and spatial calculations.
Review your GPS owner's manuals section on entering waypoints as each units procedure varies slightly. Enter GCKQN9 as the waypoint name and the following coordinates N42° 58.330 W078° 51.722
Using the GPS Go To function select waypoint GCKQN9, which you had just entered, and press the Go To button. Toggle to the compass screen. The pointer will point to a compass bearing indicating the direction of travel necessary to reach the selected waypoint. After you begin walking, the pointer will move and point directly at the waypoint. For example, while moving, if the waypoint is to your left, the pointer will point to your left. The GPS compares your direction of travel to the direction of the waypoint and adjusts the arrow to constantly point at the waypoint. If you stop walking, the arrow may no longer point directly at the waypoint. The bearing to the waypoint in degrees will always be true. Notice how the distance counts down as you approach the waypoint.
When you are within 20-30 feet of the first waypoint scan the area for a likely spot in which the coordinates are hidden for the next waypoint. Once found, create another waypoint and name it KW2. Replace the coordinates back in its hiding spot. Enter the new coordinates then navigate towards point two.
Repeat this process until you locate the fourth and final
waypoint. At the final waypoint sign and date the log sheet to verify your find.
Each waypoint is hidden from view from the general public. Each hide is a different example of the types or styles of hides found while geocaching. Some are tricky but all are visible from the right angle. Geocaches are never buried. While at each waypoint take necessary steps needed to prevent "giving away" the location to all others. Geocaches are hidden in over 200 countries. Most are hidden in areas of natural beauty or in areas of historic importance. Visit geocaching.com and explore
some of the many secret treasures in our own region. Be sure to visit ny-geocaching.org
Hints are given below. These are a give-away. Decrypt them only if absolutely necessary.