GPS for Dummies.pdf - Engineering Surveyor

102Part II: All About GPSFinding your ancestorsA lot of people are into genealogy these days, and your GPS receiver can be ahelpful tool in tracking your ancestors. When you visit a cemetery looking forlong-lost kin, bring your GPS receiver with you to record the exact locationsof tombstones and grave plots. You can pass the latitude and longitude on toother relatives doing their own genealogical research. The coordinates canbe extremely useful for someone locating a small out-of-the-way cemetery inthe countryside, or a relative buried in a cemetery with thousands of plots.Simulating navigationSome GPS receivers have a simulator or demonstration mode. This is probablyone of the most overlooked (but coolest) features on a GPS receiver. Thesimulator mode acts as if the receiver is actually acquiring GPS satellite information.You select a speed and a direction, and the GPS receiver pretendsyou’re moving. Because the receiver isn’t relying on acquiring satellite data,you can comfortably sit inside the house in your favorite chair, getting familiarwith your new purchase.Depending on where you live or work, how many windows you have, andyour view of the sky, your GPS receiver might (might) work indoors (or atleast close to windows). Although you’re limited to what you can do with aGPS receiver indoors, it’s fun to see just how much GPS coverage you can getwalking around inside a building.There are lots more things you can do with a GPS receiver besides using it forbasic navigation. Think outside the box. Some examples include Take digital pictures of cool places and record their coordinates with yourGPS receiver. You can post them on a Web site or e-mail them to friends. If you have a small GPS receiver (like a Garmin Geko), securely attach itto your dog’s collar and track where Fido goes for the day. (You can alsofind commercial GPS pet locator products on the market.) Use your track log to create art. Some GPS users express themselves asartists by using their GPS receiver to record their movements as they walkaround trying to create shapes or pictures. (Don’t believe me? Check outwww.gpsdrawing.com.)Your goal should be to become confident using your GPS receiver and tohave fun in the process.