text:
Last revision - January 10, 2007
With respect to the use of two portions of the Canadian topographical map, BOUCHETTE,
31 J/4, used in this Guide, I hereby acknowledge, with thanks, the copyright of the Canadian
© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada reproduced with permission from National Resources Canada.
Because of my agreement with the NRC, I am not able to give anyone permission to reproduce the Guide.
(N.B. This Guide started as a text posting to rec.backcountry Feb.10,1995) Most of the articles and literature on the Global Positioning System until then had only described the use of a GPS unit in a nautical setting. As valuable as they are on water, they are equally as valuable in the bush, desert, mountains, tundra, or, just in Central Park.
This is written therefore for hikers, fishermen, hunters and all persons who wish to traverse the wilderness in the full knowledge of where they are, where they have been and where they wish to go, primarily in conjunction with a gridded topographical map and a compass.
In this discussion, I will at times use "GPS" to mean the actual hand held unit itself as opposed to the whole system of satellites and their control. I will also use "fix" to mean the actual position indicated by the unit in UTM coordinates or Lat/Lon.
The most basic requirements for land use of a hand held GPS are:
1. The ability to give a position reading when not unduly impeded by overhead tree cover, thus virtually requiring a 12 parallel channel receiver unit such as the Eagle Explorer, Garmin 12XL or Magellan 315 or comparable units by these manufacturers.
2. The capability to store at least 100 way-point (WP) positions in the unit's memory and preferably, many more.
3. The ability to list these WP positions giving their distance and direction from the current position.
4. If to be used with gridded topographical maps, the unit must be able to handle the most common UTM datum. (explained later.)
5. Automatic track recording should be available and as well, a Track Back feature.
6. If there is any thought of hooking the unit up to a computer for uploading, downloading, map making or having a computer map available during travel, then there must be a cable connection for the computer.
7. In regard to the above, the unit must be able to accept and send data in the standard format, I believe that used by Garmin is the most common.
Now that most units have maps in software and/or may have maps uploaded to them, see my cautions below before choosing a unit Any added features are a bonus but not necessarily needed and must be judged on their own usefulness.
All of the units have many other features, most of a nautical nature which may or may not be useful on land, depending on the circumstances.
The basic requirement for the ease of use of a GPS on land and the correlation of the readings directly to a map require that the GPS be capable of handling the UTM grid system (Universal Transverse Mercator grid). While there are other grid systems in use, the UTM system is by far the most common. Within the UTM system, there are many map datums specific to the area of interest. (More about this later.)
When we have roads, power lines, heights of land, mountains, rivers and lakes, these are often sufficient along with the map and compass for us to establish with a reasonable degree of accuracy, where we are on the map. In those featureless areas however, where all looks the same for miles and miles of slowly rolling bush-land, grassland, dessert, tundra, sea etc., the GPS takes over and will give a definitive location which may be found and plotted on a map.
The usefulness of a GPS is now well recognized and interest is increasing all the time. As a result, there are those who do not know how to use a compass and map but, who after buying a GPS feel that they now have the ultimate tool for ease of travel in backcounry. If a person does not have a basic understanding of how to use a compass nor the desire and/or ability to learn, a hand held GPS is not for them. Indeed, in a hostile environment, they may well come to grief. There is a learning curve in using a GPS intelligently and until time and effort has been spent, a user may well be a hazard to himself and others.
A GPS is just another aid to traveling, high tech, yes, BUT must be used
in conjunction with at least a compass and hopefully a detailed gridded
topographical map. While using a GPS greatly assists in traveling in featureless
areas, it does not mean that there is no need to still maintain an independent record of
way-points, routes and directions in case of a system failure.
Back to Table of Contents
No one should venture out in any area where being lost would present a danger with only a GPS. It is essential to carry spare batteries, a compass and a map and to have the knowledge of how to use them.This message is so important that those who read this should pass it on to others, now that GPS receivers are becoming more and more popular.
See the excellent tutorial available at:
I always travel with a compass in the bush as the compass compliments the GPS and saves its batteries. I don't always have a map with me. I do however always carry a small coil bound notebook and pencil for making very basic notes in case something untoward happens to the GPS unit or the whole system (and I admit not using them enough!). The GPS should not be left on and used in place of a compass when on internal battery power in the wilderness unless there is an ample supply of batteries! In fact, unless the GPS is moving at several miles an hour, a GPS WILL NOT TELL YOU DIRECTION. When it is moving, it will give direction in relation to the direction that you are travelling. Let me reiterate, A stationary GPS will not take the place of a compass. Think about it, it knows its position in relationship to the satellites but it has no idea how it is oriented. Some people know exactly where they are in a large department store but have no idea of north. Others in the same situation instinctively update their internal sense of direction and know roughly where to find north.
Like any other sophisticated instrument, a GPS unit is only as good as the person using it. A lack of knowledge of the limitations of the GPS system is responsible for many of the reports of so-called unit/system failure.
A GPS antenna will not receive good signals from within a building. Likewise, leaves and branches of trees will interfere and degrade the signals with the result that the readings, if any, are slow to obtain, if at all. The sophisticated units (meaning multi-channel receiver units) are better at obtaining readings under these conditions than the older cheaper units.
The GPS system has been is use for a number of years and used by sailors and pilots, with great success. BUT, in an airplane or on a boat, the sky is in view, from horizon to horizon. Any GPS, even the least sophisticated, lowest price model single channel multi- plexing unit will give good results under these perfect conditions. In addition in most planes and boats, an external power source is available.
Now that all units now have at least 12 parallel channels, the speed of obtaining a usable reading is only a fraction of the time that the older multiplexing units needed and the frustrations experienced by earlier users will be minimized. Be aware however in buying a used unit that is is not an older unit. They are at times listed for sale.
From four seasons hunting and fishing in the Canadian
bush with my old single channel unit (a Garmin 75), I found that the readings were always sufficient
for my needs, if I took the time to pick a clearing with as much sky and horizon
showing as possible and took readings about every 1/2 hour. Now with my 12 parallel
channel unit (Garmin 12XL), I have no difficulty obtaining a fix.
The GPS satellites are owned and controlled by the US Department of Defense and this agency has the prerogative to degrade the accuracy for purposes of national defense. This is done by what is called "Selective Availability" or what is commonly known "SA." SA is now turned "off" and the accuracy of GPS readings are now much better. Preliminary reports suggest 95% time, 10 metre accuracy and 50% of the time 5 metre accuracy. See Sam Worley's site linked below.
As a Canadian, I am very grateful for the GPS satellite system paid for by US taxpayers. And SA never hindered me in any way
The gain in accuracy without SA is still not sufficient for me to do my own surveying, to mark a hidden treasure or to find a bow-hunting tree-stand in the middle of a cedar swamp at 4am in the morning.
On June 16, 2000, I did a easy test on the Babbage site and within 5 minutes, when I knew satellites would be in a good position, obtained a fix, ONLY 5 metres east of the position and with the northing exactly correct.
DGPS is a system whereby the GPS unit receives corrections by way of radio signals from a GPS unit at a known location. While most hand held GPS units are said to be "DGPS Ready," that is for hook-up, this is most commonly used by boats. Units now are able to use WAAS to obtain even greater accuracy.
If you intended to bury a treasure and come back in five years to dig it up, then a simple GPS would not be the answer by just taking a reading. Instead, take a reading on a feature that you will recognize easily from at least 25 to 50 yards. Then take a compass bearing and measure with a tape measure to the treasure and record the coordinates (of the recognizable feature), the bearing (compass direction) and the distance. Another way to accomplish this would be to choose two ground features readily recognizable and to take compass bearings from each to the treasure.
There is some evidence that different makes and models of various GPS units are slightly more accurate than others.
This explanation is not technically exact but will give the basic idea of how it functions.
The GPS unit does not send out radio signals, it only receives them. There are some 28 navigation satellites in orbit about 12,000 miles above the surface of the earth, and more might be added. Each makes an earth orbit every 12 hours.
Each satellite knows from reference to land based control stations where it is at any given instant. Likewise, it knows the exact time in UTC (Universal Time Coordinated, formerly Greenwich Mean Time). Each satellite also has the "almanac" which gives the same information about the other satellites as well their own orbits.
When you turn on your GPS and point the antenna to the sky, it starts picking up signals from the satellites, starting with the strongest signal. It will obtain the almanac information for all of the satellites.If an older multiplexer, it will cycle one by one through the next three satellites best in view, before starting to make its calculation to give a position. If it is a newer multi channel parallel unit, when four channels have good data, it will then calculate its distance from each of the satellites to itself.
Let me digress here to explain just why a 12 parallel channel unit is so much better than a single or double channel multiplexing unit. Here is an analogy to compare a multiplexing unit with a newer parallel channel unit. Imagine two hunters entering a forest to shoot birds (the satellites. The bag limit is four, the number needed for a 3-D fix). The first hunter is normal, two eyes, arms, legs and uses a pump shotgun holding four shells. When a flock of birds take flight, he swings on the first one and it drops. He reloads and starts to aim for a second, but it flies behind a tree just before he shoots, so he picks another and gets it. He must still kill two more but they are getting further away. He will be lucky if he gets the third and fourth. BUT what about the other super hunter, who is endowed with four pair of eyes, ears, arms, legs etc. has a brain capable of processing all of the incoming information at once and has four single shotguns, one for each pair of arms, eyes etc. When his flock of birds get up, each gun, separtately and independently controlled, picks a target and in one loud "bang", four birds drop. Same with the GPS units. A multiplexer is slow and might not get a fix in tough conditions, whereas the multi parallel channel unit has a much better chance of getting the data in a fraction of the time. In my opinion and with no evidence other than my use of Garmin 75, Garmin 38, Magellan 2000, Garmin 12XL and Magellan 315, I would estimate that the latter two units will get a fix between 10 and 100 times faster than the three units, all multiplexers. While a minimum of four receiving channels is necessary for parallel processing, the extra ones are used to keep track of whatever satellites are in view and to be ready to replace one of the four being used.
Back to how the unit works. Let's say it receives data from three satellites and thus knows the distance from each one to itself. If you picture a satellite for a moment stationary, with a line, the length of which is the same as the distance from GPS to the satellite, if you extend this line to the earth, you could trace a circle which touches the earth's surface making a circle or an arc, depending whether or not it is overhead or towards a horizon. You and the GPS are somewhere on that arc or circle. Now with the line from a 2nd satellite, you have another circle or arc on the earth. You are at either of the two points where the two arcs or circles intersect, but which one? The third satellite settles the matter and you will have a position. At this point, you will be given a position reading, Garmin calls this 2D mode, that is, no elevation update. If a fourth satellite is in view, it brings more precision to the calculation and an elevation will be given, that is 3D mode.
For a good positional fix, the required four satellites should be located around yet well above the horizon. Unfortunately, the opposite is true for an elevation reading. In the latter case, the satellites should be more overhead. Generally speaking, the GPS system does not give accurate enough readings of elevation to be useful, the error being normally 150% to 200% of the horizontal error - for example, if the position error is 50 metres, the elevation error could be 75 to 100 metres.
With respect to the delay of giving a reading when turned on, the
oftener a GPS is used, the faster it will give a reading when next turned on.
The first time that a new single channel unit is used it could take up to
15 minutes for a reading! This is termed a "cold" start and has
nothing to do with the temperature. Once it has the initial reading
and orients itself, it will take much less time. Normally, after
20-30 minutes, less than a minute is needed for a reading (a "hot"
reading). But some of the older units even with a "hot" start are slow. On the other
hand, my Garmin 12XL never ceases to amaze we how quickly it will get a
position, "hot" or "cold", near or far from where it went to sleep.
When the 12 parallel channel units (Eagle Explorer and Garmin 12XL) first appeared on the market, there was a lot of misinformation floating around, particularly concerning the older and now outdated single or dual channel units.
Tracking 8 or 12 sats is NOT the same as having 8 or 12 parallel receiver channels in a unit! And to make it worse, some sales people either through ignorance or worse, will state that a unit tracking 12 satellites is a 12 channel unit. Not so!
My old Garmin 75 "tracked" up to 8 sats but it only read data from one sat at a time and had to cycle through them to get data from four for a fix. It is was much slower than a Garmin 12XL which has 12 parallel channels.
Do not buy anything less than a 12 parallel channel unit.
Some GPS units will give you an idea of the quality of the reading. Usually it is called DOP for dilution of precision, as in the Garmin 75. Also given is a average error in metres or feet. Some other makes call this the Position DOP or PDOP.
The Garmin 12XL only gives an EPE (estimated position error) in metres or feet, depending on the setup. When the satellites are well positioned, this EPE figure will drop close to 4.0 meteres.
The lower the number, either DOP or EPE, the more accurate will be the coordinates given for the position.
With SA now OFF, much more accurate fixes for waypoints may be obtained from a GPS. Most newer units may be left for a period of time to average out the readings. In my experience using my Garmin 12XL, I find that if after turning it on, I immediately and rapidly, push the arrow keys in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction, then when the satellite status page comes on the screen and a 3D fix is obtained, the DOP figure is displayed on the satellite page in the lower right. Thus, if I want to average a wayoint position reading before saving, I can choose the most advantageous time to do so. I try to average only for the brief of time when the DOP and/or EPE are/is very low. (See last paragraph below under SA and How to Defeat It.)
Because the satellites are moving across the sky, when a reading is attempted under tree cover, they will move in and out of sight quite rapidly. This is where a unit with parallel receivers excels because it takes much less time (about 1/10 or less) to have enough data to work out the fix. As mentioned earlier, it is the moisture in the leaves which absorbs the signal (or more correctly, the dissolved constituents of the moisture.)
You will at this point ask, but what about rain, snow, fog and clouds.
Evidence is that weather does not unduly affect the accuracy of the units.
There are at times brief periods when not enough satellites are in sight and positioned well enough to give acceptable readings, especially in hilly wooded country. Usually within 20 minutes or so however, a useful reading is possible. Fortunately, this is not common. When this is seen, it will probably be experienced again about an hour later the next day. This is fortunately rare when using a a 12 parallel channel unit. I only mention it so that if it happens, it will be recognized for what is is, and nothing to be alarmed about
For those readings taken on water, with a clear horizon and good geometry of the satellites, the readings will be much better but you may find the elevation puts you below water level. This is not a system error but involves the distance from the GPS to the center of the earth. Remember, elevation given by a GPS is not to be relied upon for accuracy.
Generally, the elevation errors will be great enough to make the readings useless.
A GPS is not to be depended on for accurate elevation readings. For those of you who are fortunate enough to own a hand-held altimeter, don't expect the GPS to take its place.
Where DGPS radio stations broadcasting the corrections to be applied because of SA
are locally available, and these corrections are fed to the GPS unit, accuracy is much
improved, perhaps giving an error of 20 metres instead of closer to 100.
I don't view differential corrections of any practical use for my hiking, even if they were available. The WAAS system accomplishes the same thing.
When I initially started using the GPS, I worked with latitude and longitude and struggled making the conversions back and forth between the map and the GPS. In realizing that there had to be a better way than this, I found the relationship between the topographical map grid (UTM) and the GPS.
If UTM gridded maps are available, don't waste time fooling around with Lat. & Long, at least on land.
On the other hand, if you already have an older GPS (e.g. Eagle/Lowrance) that does not handle UTM, all is not lost but you will need to use latitude /longitude. This is fine for bush work without a map. But for ease of conversion from map to GPS and back, you can't beat a grid system, UTM being by far the most common.
Although most of the world has been mapped using UTM in one
datum or another, gridded maps are not always available being
kept to the military in some countries.
Most maps have latitude and longitude and can be used by making the calculations between degrees, minutes and seconds. However, the topographical maps of scales, from 1:100,000 down to 1:50,000 and below usually also have the entire map gridded with the UTM system. Whenever possible, only purchase these maps. The Canadian topos in the 1:50,000 series, have a grid 2 cm. square, which is 1 kilometre on the ground. This means that each mm. on the map is 50 metres (or about 55 yards). If your map is not 1:50,000, check the scale to establish the grid size. While 1:24,000 US topos are gridded at 1,000 metres ( 1 kilometre), I have seen a US Forest Service 1:100,000 map with a 10 kilometre grid. Likewise, the Canadian 1:250,000 maps have a 10 kilometre grid. My aviation advisor tells me that these are great for flying.
Also, many hiking and outdoor shops carry local maps.
There has been some talk of the USGS dropping the UTM grid from their maps and only leaving a + where the intersections occur. If you only have such maps, that is with a + mark at the intersections of the grid lines, then take a very sharp pencil or fine pen and add the lines. (And complain to your maps source.)
Other Map Sources: Phone 1-800 USA MAPS for topos
Previously, when traveling any great distance, when I would stop for gas or a coffee, I took a GPS reading, not saving it. This is because when first turned on, the GPS remembers where it was the last time that it was used. When it finds that the satellites are not where they should be, it must then update its data and work out the new calculations (a cold start). This might take a couple of minutes. There is no need to save this point. By doing this on the trip, when you arrive at your destination, the GPS will rapidly give a reading (a hot reading). My old Garmin 75 would give a fix from a cold start after moving hundreds of miles within 2 to 3 minutes. Now, with the newer units, the delay for a reading with a cold start is no great problem (with a garmin 12XL at least.)
If you have hooked up the unit to the car electrical system,
then you may have continuous read-outs right to your destination.
(see below)
Way-points are locations worth recording and storing in a GPS.
They may be check points on a route, significant ground features,
e.g. camp, the truck, a fork in a trail, where Charlie shot his
deer, or whatever. They may be put in manually, having taken the
coordinates from a map. This can be done before ever leaving home. Or more
usually, they are entered directly by taking a reading with the
unit at the location itself, giving it a name and then saving.
They may also be put into the unit by reference to a WP already
stored, giving the reference WP, the distance and compass bearing
to the new WP. Most GPS units permit the name and/or an icon to show
on the navigaton map screen along with the track and/or route.
Pictured in this second image is my old Garmin 75, my first GPS and although a single channel multiplexer, was an excellent unit for 1995.
Arriving at a new camp, the GPS should be turned on, and the
location stored as CAMP. You may choose a tent icon to show on the GPS map screen.
As the days unfold and more territory is
explored, more way-points are named and stored. But be selective of
those that are saved. Too many can be very confusing. Better, a
small number of good ones than too many poor ones. In this regard,
before you store any, think out a nomenclature. With units now able to record
track travelled, you may only wish to save WPs of road/trail intersections,
bridges etc.
With a GPS, a person may explore a new territory as he wishes, without having to worry about becoming lost. The GPS, after locating itself, will give the distance (in kilometres or miles) and direction (magnetic course preferably, true course or grid course) for the nearest 10 or so way-points. Say that you want to go to camp. The GPS says 3.4 kilometres at a direction of 120 degrees. Turn off the GPS, head out about 120 degrees with compass in hand and walk the easy route. You do not need to travel 120 degrees exactly. Walk around each hill and swamp. After traveling for a while in the general direction, turn on the unit take another GPS reading and check distance and direction now to CAMP. You will find you are now only 2.2 kilometres but must head 145 degrees. You now can turn it off and alter your course further south. You repeat this until the distance drops to within 50 or so metres. Yours camp should be in sight.
Remember, these units are mostly all oriented for nautical use and as such, when left ON, will do a GOTO and give continuous updated readings of direction to go and remaining distance to the destination. They will in effect "navigate" all the way. BUT, this technique presupposes that you have ample battery power (external hook-up) AND a clear view of the sky. This technique is standard procedure on the water and must have worked well for Dessert Storm.
But this "navigation" with a live hand held GPS in the wilderness where topography and tree cover can give intermittently poor reception in my opinion is a NO NO. I believe that much of the frustration of earlier users was because they were asking too much of the system, had only marginal units and were using them under much less than ideal conditions.
While this advice of not "navigating" on land was pertinent with the
units of several years ago, since 1997 and the lower battery drain
of current units, it is not as important and indeed is acceptable,
remembering the need to always carry spare batteries. But in doing so,
much that is to be seen will be missed if too much focus is on the GPS
and not more on the terrain and scenery. When I am travelling in the bush,
my GPS is at the back of my head, securely closed up in a very small belted
pack, in a platic bag and turned on to record track.
Here is the exercise that I went through to discover how to use Universal Transverse Mercator grid system.
If you already have a GPS with way-points stored in Lat-Long, have no fear of losing them in the following exercise. The GPS will convert them back and forth effortlessly.
For the Garmin 12XL , from the MAIN MENU choose SETUP MENU and from the this screen, choose NAVIGATION.
From the screen now showing, choose for the POSITION FRMT: UTM/UPS.The other choices are various version of Latitude/Longitude degree, minute, second formats. The UPS, by the way, is a type of grid system used in polar regions.
Now, move the cursor down to MAP DATUM and if you know the datum of the map at hand, choose it from the hundred or so presented. They are in aphapebical order and can be scrolled through very fast. If you don't know the correct datum, then use WGS 84, or NAD 83. In Canada, most maps are either NAD 83 or NAD 27 Canada.
Now, from same screen, cursor down to CDI. I leave this as is, at 0.25 and go on down to next field, UNITS. Here I choose METRIC for the UTM system is so based. For those none too familiar with metric, a metre (meter?) is a super yard of about 39 inches e.g.100 metres=110 yards and a kilometre about 2/3's of a mile.
Lastly from this screen, go down to HEADING: and there are several choices. If you choose AUTO, as I have, your unit in giving bearings, will give them directly as compass bearing, magnetic declination being automatically calculated for your location and applied to the true bearing. In my own case, here in Ottawa, the declination is West 15 degrees . The other choices are User, True or Grid. The latter, Grid refers to the UTM grid lines of the map which are not exactlly true north/south, east/west but close enough, they can be accepted as true for all practical purposes.
Now with the gridded map of your location, go OUTSIDE, turn on your GPS. (I am certain that these directions, with some modification will work with all hand-held units). Keep away from trees and buildings as much as possible.
Wait until you get a 3D reading, and the "speed" shown in the Navigation screen drops to zero or close and appears something like this:
Record this reading, turn off GPS and go inside to the gridded
map, put a pencil mark on your location (hopefully you know where
you are!) If you look along the edges of the map, you will see that
the grid lines are numbered. Look at the lower left hand corner of
the map. You should see a 6 digit number, printed horizontally with
the 2nd and 3rd digits printed slightly larger than the others. The
larger numbers are the ones relating to the vertical grid lines and
will increase from left to right. Look again at the lower left
hand corner and left of map, printed vertically will be another
number with 7 digits, the 3rd and 4th printed larger. These are the
numbers increasing from bottom to top numbering the east/west grid
lines. Now with the grid numbers on the map and what you recorded
from the GPS, look for the relationship. Look at the grid numbers
along the bottom of the map and see how they match up with the
first number, e.g.
0439535 above.
Close to where my house is on the map, the grid line 39 appears along the map bottom. Likewise, looking at the grid numbers going up the left (and right) side of the map, I see 24 which is also close. My house is east and north of where north-south grid line 39 and east-west grid line 24 cross. The difference east and north of the 39 and 24 crossing is given by the last 3 digits in each number, e.g. 535 meters east and 750 meters north.
As I said earlier, the UTM grid on the map is the key to coordinating the map with the GPS. By using it, you can easily go back and forth with an accuracy of 50 meters or about 55 yards on a 1:50M map. You will do even better on larger scale map. The UTM grid has been in use for many years. To understand the grid, imagine instead of longitude, that the north-south lines are based on meridian lines 6 degrees apart. These strips are 6 degrees wide, centered on these meridians, starting at 180 degrees west and numbered towards the east.
Thus, all of North America (with the exception of the western
Alaskan islands) is covered by those zones numbered from
#5 to #22. Here in Ottawa, I am in zone 18. Where we hunt moose is
zone 16, to the west. Yellowstone Park is in zone 12. In referring
to the grid, it is important to know what zone you are in and in
giving a UTM reading, the GPS will give the zone first. The
letter, "T" in this case, is the UTM reference to how far north or
south of the equator you are. In normal use you can disregard the
zone number and letter.
Take a look at
A map of UTM Zone Numbers for the world.
Please note that the above explanation is for a position north Lat. and west Lon.
In using UTM grid coordinates, the "easting" from the zone meridian is always given first, and then the "northing". Also take note that for UTM, measurement is from the west, going EAST, the "easting" which is opposite to longitude. In reading coordinates, you READ RIGHT UP. In other words, the easting is always given before the northing. The coordinates of a point could be given several ways. Here is an example:
This is the full location description of my home in Ottawa. The 18T refers specifically to the area of the earth where I am located, and normally is not used. The other 14 digit number must be broken up:
0439535 is the EASTING from the zone 18 meridian, down to
the closest metre. If you place a decimal thus:
0439.535. (The leading 0 is redundant as EASTING
only needs 6 digits).
To the right of the decimal is
0.535 of a
kilometre or 535 metres and to the left are whole
kilometres, 439.
It will be recognized that there will be a repetition in
numbers going from one location of the country to another. To
alleviate this confusion, in using 6 or 8 digit coordinates, the
map must be identified. If not, then the whole number must be
given, e.g.
A grid coordinate usually has an even number of digits, the
first half being the easting and the balance, the northing. But,
when the number of digits after the zone (
18T here) is odd, e.g.
18T 439535 5025750, the extra digit belongs to the northing.
As a matter of interest, the northing,
5025750 in the above
example, is the distance in metres north from the equator. The
metric system defines the metre as 1/10,000,000 of the distance
from the equator to the north pole. As a verification of this, I
live close to 45 degrees north, half way from the equator to the
north pole and my northing is 5,025 kilometres.
If you refer to a UTM grid on a map, of either 1:50,000 or 1:100,000 scale, the grid squares will usually be 1 kilometre (1000 metres) to a side. It is simple to estimate between grid lines to 1/10 or 100 metres. For closer precision, on a 1:50,000 map, each 1 mm. is 50 metres on the ground. On the newest 1:25,000 US topos, 1 mm. would represent 25 metres on the ground. Note, the most common Silva compasses have a mm. scale on one side and this may be used to measure east from a grid line and north from the E-W grid lines.
All of this sounds much more complicated than it really is. It
is harder to explain in words than to take a map and demonstrate.
So lets try it. This is a cut from the lower left corner of BOUCHETTE, QUÉBEC, a 1:50,000
Canadian topo, 31J/4 Edition 2.© N.B. See above Crown Copyright Notice.
Remember, I said that with UTM, you READ RIGHT UP that is you do the
Easting and then the Northing.
The blue numbers along the bottom margin are
the grid numbers for the Easting. The first whole number is 424000m.E The 24 is
emphasized because this is the number which goes up by 1 for each N/S grid line going
to the right, e.g. East. The line of 424000m.E is 424 Kilometres East of the base line
for Zone 18. Thus going from the line numbered 24 to that to the right, 25, is one kilometre
or 1,000 metres.
The same applies for the blue numbers going up the left margin, the first line being 5095000m.N which is 5,095 Kilometres North of the equator.
Looking at the dot that I inked in with the 3 arrows surrounding it, the full UTM
coordinates for it would be:
Where did I get the 200 for easting and 850 for northing? Just by eyeballing the map. (Note: If anybody gets to this little lake, give me a report on the fishing.
There are areas of the world where a non standard UTM grid is used. An example in North America is the province of Québec, which has a series of MTM (Modified Transverse Mercator) maps, 1:20,000, formerly in black and white, but now in colour which are more detailed than the standard Canadian 1:50k topographical maps. Furthermore the new maps have all of the information printed on them needed to set up a GPS to this non-standard grid.
For the older black and white maps, the information given below should be sufficient to set your GPS. If however you have a newer map with the required information on the map, use those settings in the manner that I describe below.These Québec maps, instead of using a 6 degree slice of longitude, uses a 3 degree slice. Here is how to set a Garmin 12XL to use this map grid.
You must have such a map available first of all. My Québec map is NAD83 so the GPS must be set to this datum. Now pick the whole degree longitude to your west that is divisible by 3. In my case, this is 75 deg. west. To this figure, add, 1.5 degrees. Go into the Setup Menu and choose Navigation. On this page, NAV SETUP, for Position Frmt: choose User Grid, which is adjacent to UTM/UPS. When the USER GRID screen comes up, set the Longitude of Origin to the figure you calculated earlier, in my case, W076 degrees 30minutes.Now move cursor down to Scale. In this case, use 0.9999 whereas standard UTM used 0.9996.
Now, you must put in a false Easting figure. Use the figure 304800 (same as one million feet).
As for False Northing, just leave it as 0.0 as the False Northing on the Québec maps is the same as standard UTM.
You are now ready to test the settings. Choose a location that may be positively identified on the map. For example, where two roads meet. Using your knowledge of how to read a UTM grid, write down the easting and nothing.
Turn on the GPS at this spot and leave it to average out the readings for a few minutes. When you have a reading, write it down and go back to the map. If all has gone well, you will find that your test point GPS coordinates now agree with the the MTN map.
Although the false northings used my UTM and MTM are both 0.0, due to the scale difference, a northing position given in MTM will appear 1,081 metres north of that given by UTM
That's all there is to it.
In setting up a unit, there are a number of choices to be made. What will suit one will not suit another. Furthermore different makes of units use different terms for some of the functions and available screens are not always the same.
Generally speaking, all units will permit certain choices to be made in the SETUP menu. If the unit is being used for other than position finding, e.g. setup, uploading or down loading data, entering waypoints and/or routes, then under the System Setup, the mode chosen should be Simulator.
In explaining how to use UTM, I gave directions in setting a unit to use UTM and some other basic settings.
With the Garmin 12XL, there are several other settings to be made.From the SETUP MENU, for this exercise and any other where you are not outside to receive satellite data, choose, SYSTEM first and at the top of the screen, under MODE:, choose Simulator. This prevents the unit from attempting to obtain a fix and saves batteries. Now, on same screen, go to OFFSET: and input the number of hours that your time zone deviates from UTC (Greenwich Mean Time.) For Ottawa, EST in North America, my setting is "-05.00" hours. In Summer is is -4 hours. I also choose HOURS: as 12, preferring this to the 24 hour system. On this same page, I choose how long the light will stay on in seconds and whether or not I want Tone signals. Being partially deaf, I don't use the audible signal function. This recalls a story I heard of a man who wanted to know how to turn off the beeps, they frightened his horse.
The above is the basic type of setup needed before using a unit and relating
the readings to a map.
For a more complete explanation for Garmin, see Dale DePriest's site and for Eagle/Lowrance, see the GPSNUTS, URL's for both are at the end.
Much of the setup was done when I explained UTM. There are however a few more odds
and ends to mention.
I am using NAD27 Canada for most of my maps although some of the newer one are NAD 83. If you choose a datum different than used by the map, your coordinates will not agree. If you find the GPS does not agree with the map coordinates, check this. Usually the error will be in the easting.
If you examine your topo map carefully, you should find the map datum given . On my 1:50M older Canadian topos, at the bottom in fine print, just to the right of the map name and the scale, it states "North American Datum 1927". The newest map dated 1995 gives North American 1983 (which is essentially same as WGS 84). I therefore have my unit set to the NAD27 Canadian datum but would change for to NAD 1983 or WGS 84 for the newer map. Similarly, on a US Forest Service 1:100M maps, on the lower right hand corner, it states "Universal Transverse Mercator Projection 1927 North American datum". This is sufficient reason to reset the GPS to the NAD27 datum. Therefore, check a map over carefully to find out what datum is used and set the GPS to it. The Garmin comes set with WGS 84 which may be left as is but if you compare a reading with a map using NAD 27, you will find a discrepancy of 100 metres or so in the easting and a smaller one in the northing. As a matter of interest, if you are using a GPS without reference directly to a map, the Datum to which the GPS is set will not matter as all readings will be relative. Only if you try and compare one of these readings with a map will the error appear.
From the Map Screen, cursor over to OPT at the top, right and push ENTER. Now choose the first, MAP SETUP and from this new screen, I like North UP. I keep the RINGS on YES; normally ROUTE is OFF; NEAREST, YES; NAMES usually NO; Tand finally TRACK LOG is a YES.
Going back now to the OPT (0ptions) screen by pushing QUIT, I now choose TRACK SETUP. Because I am often down loading a previously travelled Track to a computer mapping program (QuoVadis) I leave RECORD set to FILL. This means, once all of the 1024 track points in memory are used, I do not overwrite them. If I were not mapping but just wandering, I would set the RECORD to WRAP or even OFF. Too much wandering with the track being recorded makes a cluttered map screen. As for METHOD, I use AUTO rather than a TIME but I have not really explored the difference.
This same Track Setup screen is where you can check how much of the memory is used and where the log can be cleared. N.B. Always CLEAR the Track Log before starting to record a new trail for later uploading and mapping.(see Mapping - Transferring Tracks..below)
To use Route and/or Track, you must leave the unit on with antenna clear. In the earlier units, this used too much battery power but this caveat no longer applies with the new units. For easy mapping, first clear the Track from the map screen then set to record the Track at your point of departure. With my Garmin 12XL ON and no external antenna, I carry the unit in a very small bag at the back of my neck (a minature fanny pack) and my track is kept until I return home and download it to the computer.
As far as the Route is concerned, I do not normally set a Route for bush travel and so leave it OFF. If however, I had earlier made a Route from a Track, created a new one using Waypoints, I would then turn on the ROUTE plotting on the Map screen.
Note- by all means when you first buy a GPS, after taking
a reading leave it and go for a walk with the
track recording turned on. The graphics are great and you may
be able to zoom in and out on the plotting screen. A WARNING- don't try this for
the first time in a strange bush unless you have lots of batteries with you.
This warning is not so important with the newer units. I have no problem
saving a track of well over 250 points over 3-4 hours and having battery
power to spare with my Garmin 12XL.
If you bought the unit with a cigarette lighter plug, try this in your vehicle.
(see below)
When your GPS is correctly cabled to a serial port on your computer, desktop or laptop, and you have the proper software installed on the computer, tracks, routes, waypoints may be downloaded, added to maps and saved.
Ozie Explorer is another flexible program hor handling maps and the interface between the GPS and computer.Fugawi, also now have Canadian topos 1:50,000 and 1:250,000 on CD disk but I have no experience using them.
I am using NAD27 Canada for most of my maps although some of the newer one are NAD 83. If you choose a datum different than used by the map, your coordinates will not agree. If you find the GPS does not agree with the map coordinates, check this.
If you examine your topo map carefully, you should find the map
datum given . On my 1:50M older Canadian topos, at the bottom in
fine print, just to the right of the map name and the scale, it
states "North American Datum 1927". The newest map dated 1995 gives
North American 1983 (which is essentially same as WGS 84). I
therefore have my unit set to the NAD27 Canadian datum but would
change for to NAD 1983 or WGS 84 for the newer map.
Similarly, on a US Forest Service 1:100M maps, on the lower right
hand corner, it states "Universal Transverse Mercator Projection
1927 North American datum". This is sufficient reason to reset the
GPS to the NAD27 datum. Therefore, check a map over carefully to
find out what datum is used and set the GPS to it. The Garmin comes
set with WGS 84 which may be left as is but if you compare a
reading with a map using NAD 27, you will find a discrepancy
of 100 metres or so in the easting and a smaller one in the
The above is cut is from the bottom of the same map pictured above, topo map, 31J/4,
titled . © N.B. See Above Crown Copyright Notice. Underneath the left end of the conversion scale for elevations, you will
find in small print, "CONTOUR INTERVAL 50 FEET" and below that in even smaller print
Elevations in Feet Above Mean Sea Level North American Datum 1927 Transverse Mercator Projection
Therefore in using this map with your GPS, you would set the DATUM as NAD 27 (Canada.)
By September, 2003, Garmin, Magellan and others have added features to their basic 12 parallel
channel units which have maps already in the unit and/or will permit the uploading of maps in
one way or another. Their displays will show a map and your position, track etc. WARNING! Before
committing to the purchase of such a unit, BE SURE that the maps installed and/or available give
you the detail that you require. Most are sufficient for highway travel, cities, large bodies of
water etc. BUT may be deficient in the detail found in most topographical maps used in backwoods
use. I know that Touratech QV (see link below) have most of the Canadian Government topographical
maps available on a number of CDs, likewise for many other areas of the world. Because my Garmin
12XL does not handle maps like the newer units, I personally have no experience uploading to it.
To get up-to-date information on mapping features and maps, check the links below, especially those
of Joe Mehaffey & Jack Yeazel, Dale DePriest and Ron Wilson & Andrew Kalinowski.
In buying a unit, if you are unsure of how well your needs will be served, try and obtain a commitment from the seller that you may exchange the unit for another make or model if need be.
With the newer units which have twelve parallel channel processing (Eagle
Explorer and newer Garmins such as 12, 12XL, II, III are good examples), it
means that the 5 (or more) best SATs are being tracked and data from the 4
best processed at the same time which in practice means
faster fixes, particularly under difficult conditions e.g. wet trees.
Previously, the trade-off was that they used more battery power than the
older multiplexers, were usually larger and cost more. But that has all
changed and these new units are much easier on batteries than older single
channel units!
A unit must be able to use UTM grid data or a local grid if available. In north America, topo maps are almost always have a grid whereas in some parts of the world, only the military have access to such maps. The Garmins handle over 100 different UTM map datums. If you have access to UTM gridded maps and wish to use them, then by all means look for a unit that will serve your needs and handles those UTM maps datums needed. Most units may be set for the common datums used worldwide. There are however some areas where the topographical maps are based on a datum which is not found on some units.
The descriptions in some catalogs refer to M.G.R.S. standing for Military Grid Reference System. This is a newer grid reference system, similar to UTM if not the same.
Batteries are no longer the problem that they were a few years ago.
Most Garmins use 4 AA cells and the newer Magellans only need 2.
Furthermore, they use much less power than older units.
While I originally used rechargeable alkalines, I now use straight alkalines. If you are going to use the unit in extreme cold, try and get lithium batteries. Radio Shack and some battery specialy shops carry them however, they are very expensive.
WARNING-Leave fresh batteries in your unit at all times and
check on a regular basis to be sure they are OK. Not to do so
could prematurely run down the internal lithium battery which
maintains your data.
Since this article was first written in February 1995, I
have mounted my G75 in my Explorer, drawing on the car battery.
I bought a BNC cable from Radio Shack so that I may place the
antenna externally on a rear side window or set it on the dash
board on the passenger side. In initially getting a fix, the
external antenna mount is quicker but once locked on the SATs,
the dash board location works fine. It gives me direction of
travel in magnetic (or would do so in Grid or True), speed as
well as the UTM coordinates as they change. The plot screen will
give the track I have covered as well.
With my Garmin 12XL, I use elastic bands to hold it to a small sand
bag and leave it usually beside the front seats on the low console. Even
this low, it has never failed to hold a lock once obtained.
This is a great set-up for mapping the bush roads we use in the
north in the fall. Simply, clear the map screen TRACK settings, then
leave the unit to record as you travel. The unit will faithfully record
your track over the ground which later may be uploaded directly to the map
in your computer through the interface cable. This 9 year old clip shows an old Garmin 75 unit on an ATV and
was said by the European motorcyclists then to be the only unit robust
enough to take the pounding on the fron of a XC mororcycle.
If your unit does not have an external antenna and you wish to
use it on the dash board of the car, turn the unit on outside
the car and wait until it gets a reading before bringing it inside
and placing it on the dash or in a mount.
The windshield on some cars has a metallic coating through
which the GPS can't receive the weak signals from the satellites.
In such a situation, you can change cars or, cheaper, use an
external antenna outside the vehicle.
If you are going to use the unit in a vehicle or boat, then be
sure to get whatever you need to hook into the electrical system
and save your batteries.
I have only started interfacing my GPS to my computer since buying the Garmin 12XL
and obtaing Tourateck QV with the Québec maps on CD. The process is much easier than I
had anticipated. I have no external antenna on my Garmin and find that one is not needed.
In the vehicle, maybe using the power cable if I am travelling any distance, or on internal
batteries, I leave the unit on the low console between the front seats (after always turning
on the unit outside the car and getting a position). If I am afoot, I use a very small
fanny pack bag with the strap adjusted short and the GPS in the bag and at the back of my neck.
It rides there very nicely and I can swivel it around to the front to open and set a WP very
easily. Otherwise, the GPS is out-of-site and forgotten although I do occasionally check the
battery reserve power and the memory unused. I see no need to have the GPS in my hand when I
am traversing new country or trails. Generally speaking, in the hilly forested country that I
traverse, I am continually adjusting my path around trees, swamps, rock out croppings etc.,
following the easiest path. If I am targetting a particular spot and mapping a tril, then before
setting out, I have entered the coordinates of the spot as a WP in the GPS. I therefore know
from my starting position and and at any subsequent check, exactly what my compass course
should be and the distance to travel. I do not do a GOTO as such, just get the info from the
entry on the nearest waypoint list. This means that my compass is checked for direction if
necessary and not the GPS
This is a very brief explanation to encourage those (like myself) who have held back from
interfacing. Good Luck!
Given that the system can guide flying cruise bombs at whatever
speed they travel, most units will have no trouble tracking a hiker
or boater. I have tried my Garmins in my vehicles at 60 MPH and the speed reading was more
accurate, I am sure, than the speedometer of the car. Also, it was
giving changes in position, heading, and keeping a plot. This is
great fun but drains the AA cells very quickly, unless plugged in
to the car electrical system.
This has been written in an effort to assist in making the
right purchase decision and to shorten the learning curve in using
a GPS. I have been accused of being biased towards Garmin and UTM.
I make no apology for these perceived biases. The Garmin 75 was my first
unit. I bought another model from a competitor, sold it, bought a Garminn 12XL
As for UTM, where gridded maps are available, to use lat/lon is masochistic in
the extreme.
The information I have given is thought to be accurate but I
assume no liability for errors, omissions or for someone getting into
difficulties in using a GPS and this guide.
For those looking for more information, check out:
There is a wealth of information in the postings to this group.
Often FAQ's (frequently asked questions) appear here and this is the place
to ask techical questions.
Here are some links and I urge readers to check them thoroughly.:
As an extra thought to the above, it would be prudent to record in a log-book the coordinates of important way-points and the compass courses between them just in case your batteries fail or your unit becomes inoperable. In the event of GPS failure, system or unit, your will be able to extricate yourself.
MAPPING - Transfering a Track to a Map
There is a very important point here to be noted. A stationary GPS will NOT tell you North or any other direction! The GPS will only give direction when it (and you) are moving.
At the end of the trail or point for which I was aiming, and if I will not be using the TrackBack function, I turn the GPS off.
When ready to upload the data to the mapping program e.g. Touratech QV, Fugawi, OziExplorer or whatever, I hook up the GPS and computer, turn on the GPS and set it for Simulation, then set for Interface and invoke the computer program for receiving data. Each program will have its own character but the end result is the travelled track is recorded to the pertinent map. N.B. Be sure the GPS and map agree on the datum. If you don't know from the map which datum to use, choose WGS 84, which I believe is the format in which Garmin saves all data, translating it as required.
Now with no SA, the speed given will be useful for sailing and trolling.
I have now found that in using my Garmin 12XL while trolling slowly, that the speed will be accurate down to 1.6 Km/hour which is about 1 MPH. Below that, no speed will show. Likewise, the compass heading will not change until I speed up to about 5 KPH. At that point, it will correct the heading and not change if I again slow down.
The above has relevance to hikers too. You must move fast enough that the heading is correct, if you wish the GPS to keep you headed in the correct direction. Also, the map plot will only update as you move above 1 MPH or 1.6 KPH.
For hikers who because of terrain can not travel above the lower limit, the best plan is to have chosen a way point, and occasionally stop, take a reading which will update the direction to that way point. If you have no trouble getting a hot fix, then you may turn off the unit, there by saving batteries. If there is overhead cover, then it ould be best to travel with the unit ON. Thus when you stop to check the required way point direction and distance, your readings should be instantaneous.
Note:With the Garmin 12XL and the city database, one may pick the cities of interest prior to a trip and the GPS will show these cities as you approach or go by them.
A GPS left on and stationary will give a continuous but variable reading. A series of readings over many hours when averaged will come very close to the correct figures.
I am fortunate in Ottawa to have access to a bench mark, the location of which is exactly known. While testing my unit, I took ten readings over 3-4 minutes. By using the Pythagorean theorem, I worked out the hypotenuse (or error) for each of the 10 readings and the average was about 5 metres (5.5 yards) off! This was NOT a scientific test and my good results were as much chance as anything. What it means is that during the period that I took the readings, SA just happened to have a minimum error. Next time I try it, I could be off 60 metres, or 100 or perhaps much more!
If you are fortunate enough to find a BM, the exact location of which is known, you can conduct the same test. Usually a BM's location is given in latitude/longitude. Enter the BM as a WP with the unit set for lat/lon, change the unit to UTM, then take your 10 or more readings. The differences in easting and northing from the correct reading. For each pair of differences, square them, add them together, take the sq. root of the product and this is the distance in metres that that pair of readings varies from the stated position. Even better,let the GPS average the readings over as long a time as possible. Plot a right angle triangle of the easting and northing differences and the hypotenuse will be the error.
Note: The Ottawa BM is called "Babbage" and found at N 45-19-43.5 and W 75-52-1.2, on Corktown Road at entrance to Nepean Municipal Campground. (Note: I give the lat/lon as these coordinates in UTM would vary depending on the Datum (e.g. NAD 27, NAD 83 etc.)
It is important to stress however that one should not depend on obtaining accuracy of better than 20 yards or metres. This warning has meaning if you are in a boat, aproaching a narrow harbour mouth on a pitch black night, with no light!
With some care and a bit of time, I am relatively confident that I can take a reading that is within 6 or 7 metres.
In the fall of 1995, I read an account of a man with a new GPS who took a reading (WP) of his car, then went on a long hike. To return to the car, he did a GOTO on it, leaving the unit on to give direction and distance. When he got within 100 yards or so of he car (which was hidden in bushes), his GPS was pointing every which way. It took him some hours to find it.
First of all, he should have parked near some feature which could be identified from 50 or so yards away. His car could not be seen from 20 or 30 feet away! Secondly, he had no compass and relied on the GPS completely for direction. When he got close to the car, he was expecting accuracy better than the system can yield because of SA. He also used up his batteries and his buddies were less than impressed with him and GPS.Now, with SA off, he would possibly find the car.
Note, before SA was removed because of the inaccuracy introduced by SA, if a WP is saved and a return to it is made, in theory, the error could be of the magnitude of 200 metres! That is a 100 metre error when it was saved added to the 100 metre error when trying to find it. So what is the answer? Quite simple, now with SA OFF,if you have a spot that you must find e.g. the car and there are no easily seen geographical features, make a a line, perpendicular to the road for 50 or so yards on each side of it, intersecting at the car. (I am not suggesting blazing the trees or using a spray bomb but the use of surveyors' tape or toilet paper, which will also degrade in time.) When the GPS says you are within 100 metres of the car, TURN IT OFF and use your compass to go back and forth until you hit the road or the marked line.
There is also the technique used by those skilled with a compass to navigate. They aim either to left or right of the objective and when it is reached, turn and follow the coast, road, trail or stream on which it is located.
Back to UTM- AN ATTEMPT TO EXPLAIN
I have no connection with Garmin or any retailers although I can recommend
This is the product of my own experience and those of many others with whom I have communicated over the past 6 years.
I would also like to mention a remarkable young Norwegian, Kjetil Kjernsmo, in Oslo, a physics graduate student, well on his way to becoming an astronomer, who in 1995 picked up my original gpsutm.txt version of this article and mounted it on his Home Page. This gave it widespread exposure.
The WEB COUNTER says that since January 31, 1998, you are visitor
Last Revision:
Jan. 10, 2007
Since this article was first written in February 1995, I have mounted my G75 in my Explorer, drawing on the car battery. I bought a BNC cable from Radio Shack so that I may place the antenna externally on a rear side window or set it on the dash board on the passenger side. In initially getting a fix, the external antenna mount is quicker but once locked on the SATs, the dash board location works fine. It gives me direction of travel in magnetic (or would do so in Grid or True), speed as well as the UTM coordinates as they change. The plot screen will give the track I have covered as well.
With my Garmin 12XL, I use elastic bands to hold it to a small sand bag and leave it usually beside the front seats on the low console. Even this low, it has never failed to hold a lock once obtained.
This is a great set-up for mapping the bush roads we use in the north in the fall. Simply, clear the map screen TRACK settings, then leave the unit to record as you travel. The unit will faithfully record your track over the ground which later may be uploaded directly to the map in your computer through the interface cable.
This 9 year old clip shows an old Garmin 75 unit on an ATV and was said by the European motorcyclists then to be the only unit robust enough to take the pounding on the fron of a XC mororcycle. b
If your unit does not have an external antenna and you wish to use it on the dash board of the car, turn the unit on outside the car and wait until it gets a reading before bringing it inside and placing it on the dash or in a mount.
The windshield on some cars has a metallic coating through which the GPS can't receive the weak signals from the satellites. In such a situation, you can change cars or, cheaper, use an external antenna outside the vehicle.
If you are going to use the unit in a vehicle or boat, then be
sure to get whatever you need to hook into the electrical system
and save your batteries.
I have only started interfacing my GPS to my computer since buying the Garmin 12XL
and obtaing Tourateck QV with the Québec maps on CD. The process is much easier than I
had anticipated. I have no external antenna on my Garmin and find that one is not needed.
In the vehicle, maybe using the power cable if I am travelling any distance, or on internal
batteries, I leave the unit on the low console between the front seats (after always turning
on the unit outside the car and getting a position). If I am afoot, I use a very small
fanny pack bag with the strap adjusted short and the GPS in the bag and at the back of my neck.
It rides there very nicely and I can swivel it around to the front to open and set a WP very
easily. Otherwise, the GPS is out-of-site and forgotten although I do occasionally check the
battery reserve power and the memory unused. I see no need to have the GPS in my hand when I
am traversing new country or trails. Generally speaking, in the hilly forested country that I
traverse, I am continually adjusting my path around trees, swamps, rock out croppings etc.,
following the easiest path. If I am targetting a particular spot and mapping a tril, then before
setting out, I have entered the coordinates of the spot as a WP in the GPS. I therefore know
from my starting position and and at any subsequent check, exactly what my compass course
should be and the distance to travel. I do not do a GOTO as such, just get the info from the
entry on the nearest waypoint list. This means that my compass is checked for direction if
necessary and not the GPS
This is a very brief explanation to encourage those (like myself) who have held back from interfacing. Good Luck!
Given that the system can guide flying cruise bombs at whatever
speed they travel, most units will have no trouble tracking a hiker
or boater. I have tried my Garmins in my vehicles at 60 MPH and the speed reading was more
accurate, I am sure, than the speedometer of the car. Also, it was
giving changes in position, heading, and keeping a plot. This is
great fun but drains the AA cells very quickly, unless plugged in
to the car electrical system.
This has been written in an effort to assist in making the right purchase decision and to shorten the learning curve in using a GPS. I have been accused of being biased towards Garmin and UTM. I make no apology for these perceived biases. The Garmin 75 was my first unit. I bought another model from a competitor, sold it, bought a Garminn 12XL As for UTM, where gridded maps are available, to use lat/lon is masochistic in the extreme.
The information I have given is thought to be accurate but I
assume no liability for errors, omissions or for someone getting into
difficulties in using a GPS and this guide.
For those looking for more information, check out:
There is a wealth of information in the postings to this group. Often FAQ's (frequently asked questions) appear here and this is the place to ask techical questions.
Here are some links and I urge readers to check them thoroughly.:


text:
Man, woman found dead on Volusia County road
New Smyrna Beach police say 2 dead in apparent hit-and-run on SR-44
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – Authorities are investigating what events led to a man and a woman being found dead along the side of a Volusia County road.
Police said the bodies of Savannah Jo Dejarnette, 26, and Zachary Tyler Kahle, 24, were found along eastbound lanes of State Road 44 in New Smyrna Beach just after 11 p.m. Tuesday in an apparent hit-and-run crash.
Dejarnette's vehicle was found just west of Interstate 95 and police say they believe the duo left the car and were walking east of SR-44 when they were struck by an unidentified vehicle.
Police said the driver of the vehicle left the scene. The vehicle is described as having front end damage and possibly a broken right front headlight.
Anyone with information is asked to call the New Smyrna Beach Police Motors Division at 386-424-2220 or Crime Stoppers
Copyright 2013 by Graham Media Group. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed

subset: commoncrawl


text: What is a "track" in the School of Medicine?A track is a set of extracurricular activities that extends through multiple semesters and three or more years of medical school on a longitudinal basis. A track focuses on general areas of interest that lie outside the scope of any specific clinical specialty. Examples include the Rural Track, Urban Underserved Track, Global Track, LEADS Track, and Research Track. Participation in a track is NOT required of all students. Tracks often involve activity outside of the regular SOM schedule, particularly during the summer between Phases I and II and during the inter-sessions of Phases III and IV. Tracks do not add additional semesters or years to medical school, unless specifically stated. 1 What is the goal of the Rural Track?The Rural Track was the first track established in the School of Medicine, and has become a model for other tracks. The purpose of the Rural Track is to provide mentorship, additional knowledge, broadened skills and rural life experiences that will support and encourage interest in rural practice. The ultimate goal of the track is to increase the number of CU medical school graduates who eventually enter and remain in practice in rural Colorado. 2 What is the curriculum of the Rural Track?The current components of the Rural Track curriculum include: Students who have been admitted to the Rural Track are invited to participate in a weeklong Interdisciplinary Rural Immersion experience the summer before school starts. During Phases I and II, a variety of lectures, labs, and workshops are held several times a month that will help interpret and bring a rural focus to what students are learning in their regular courses. Between Phases I and II, MD students have the opportunity to participate in a 3 to 8 week paid, Summer Rural Preceptorship. In Phase III, Rural Track students have the opportunity to participate in a 6 month longitudinal integrated clerkship located in rural Colorado. The SOM curriculum includes a scholarly activity requirement. Students are not required to complete this project on a rural-related topic, but are offered mentorship and support from Rural Track faculty. Information on scholarship and loan repayment programs is provided. The Rural Track continually works on forming links with the rural Colorado communities that are recruiting for new physicians and our "pipeline" of physicians-in-training. 3 How do I apply?The Colorado secondary application to the standard AMCAS application permits one to submit an application specific to the Rural Track in addition to the general application to the School of Medicine. One must have a complete application to the regular MD Program to be considered for the Rural Track. Decisions on acceptance to the MD program and the Rural Track are made independently. Students who wish to be considered for the Rural Track must submit an additional essay on this topic on the Colorado secondary application: "Describe your experience in and commitment to rural Colorado and your vision of working as a primary care physician in rural Colorado." Invitations for interviews are based on overall academic record, MCAT scores, etc. Applicants who are invited to interview with the School of Medicine and appear to be a strong candidate for the Rural Track will be invited to meet with a member of the leadership team to discuss their background and interests. This meeting typically takes place the same day as the School of Medicine interview. Applicants are reviewed for participation in the Rural Track based on their interest in practicing medicine in rural Colorado. Those who submitted an essay but were not contacted before their CUSOM interview will have an opportunity to meet with the Rural Track leadership if accepted to the School of Medicine. This meeting typically takes place during second look day or in May after only one medical school can be held. Please contact the Rural Track Program Manager if you are an MD applicant with questions about the Rural Track. Physician Assistant students are invited to apply to the Rural Track shortly after entering the CHA/PA program. Applications are reviewed by members of the CHA/PA faculty. Visit the CHA/PA website for additional information. 4 What are the requirements of the Rural Track?Students in the Rural Track are expected to fully participate in all track activities. During the academic year, most activities take place on Wednesdays from 1-3pm during designated track/elective time. The majority of Rural Track MD students participate in a 4-week rural preceptorship experience between Phase I and II and the Integrated Longitudinal Medicine Clerkship in Phase III; however, these experiences are not required to continue participation in the Rural Track. All Rural Track students are required to participate in annual surveys throughout their duration in the track and after graduation as a requirement to being accepted in to the track. The faculty and staff work diligently to minimize the burden of the evaluation process on track participants. The evaluation process is integral to the track's ability to demonstrate short and long-term outcomes to both the University and program funders. 5 How many students are accepted per class?Between 15 and 20 MD students and 5 PA students are admitted into each Rural Track cohort.6 Are there additional fees or tuition to participate in the Rural Track?No. The general operation expenses for the Rural Track have been covered thanks to generous contributions from the School of Medicine Dean's Office, The Colorado Trust, The Colorado Health Foundation, Caring for Colorado, Anschutz Family Foundation, and private individuals. We are also working on building a Rural Track endowment to ensure long-term sustainability of the program.7 Are there any scholarships specifically for Rural Track students?There are no scholarships automatically awarded to Rural Track students. However, many students in the Rural Track qualify for various scholarships offered by the School of Medicine. We also have partnerships with hospitals in Montrose, Trinidad, Lamar, and Del Norte that offer scholarships for students interested in practicing in these areas after training. We are always looking to expand these "home-grown scholarship" opportunities for students. 8 How do I continue rural-oriented training after medical school?We anticipate that Rural Track MD students will become ideal candidates for those residencies with the broadest scopes of practice and the best reputations for producing successful rural physicians. Physicians in greatest demand in rural areas are those with broad-based primary care skills, especially graduates of Family Medicine residencies. Physicians who complete General Internal Medicine, General Pediatrics, General Surgery, and Emergency Medicine residencies may also be suited to practice in some rural areas. For those applying to medical school now, residency and practice may seem a long way off, but we believe that the experiences of the Rural Track will make our graduates sought-after candidates for the best residencies. Visit Colorado Family Medicine Residencies for more information.9 How will the Rural Track be affected by the new SOM curriculum?In the proposed new SOM curriculum, the Rural Track will include some formerly elective curriculum in the core preclinical curriculum, will provide the longitudinal integrated clinical experience outside of the Denver metro area, primarily in rural communities, and will include fourth year electives specifically designed for students entering residency specialties most sought after by rural communities. The new Rural Track curriculum will also include a pre-matriculation rural community immersion experience. Rural Track students will be expected to participate in the pre-matriculation experience, the rurally-located longitudinal integrated clinical year, and selected fourth year electives. 10


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A fighter jet that crashed off Chincoteague Island in Virginia this month was recovered in pieces from more than 100 feet below the ocean's surface during a 15-day salvage operation that ended this week, according to the Navy.
Among the salvaged wreckage was the jet's flight data recorder, which could reveal more information on how the aircraft went down.
The D.C. Air National Guard pilot of the F-16C Falcon, based out of Joint Base Andrews in Prince George's County, survived the accident after ejecting and being rescued by the Coast Guard.
The pilot lost control Aug. 1 after his plane clipped wings with another jet during a routine training exercise, officials said. The pilot of the second jet, which also was damaged, was able to fly back to Andrews.
The Navy's mobile diving and salvage unit began its search for the wreckage Aug. 6 using sidescan sonar, among other tools. Seven days later, it located the wreckage three miles from the crash site, about 35 miles off the Virginia coast.
On Aug. 14, a remote-controlled vehicle recovered debris, and the salvage was turned over to Navy divers, who began loading pieces of the wreckage into a recovery basket, to be hauled to the surface.
The divers found the flight data recorder, or "black box," amid the wreckage, the Navy said.
The recorder and other pieces of the jet have been returned to Andrews, where they will be studied by the Air Force Safety Investigation Board, which reviews aircraft accidents.
"These key items will help us to understand what happened and what we can do to prevent a similar occurrence," said Brig. Gen. Marc Sasseville, commander of the 113th Wing of the D.C. Air National Guard.
The F-16C is considered the workhorse of the Air Force, and accidents are not uncommon.
In fiscal year 2012, there were two "Class A" mishaps — resulting in a death or at least $2 million in damage — involving F-16Cs, according to Air Force data. In fiscal year 2011, at least five F-16Cs crashed in the United States and elsewhere.
Built first by General Dynamics and now by Lockheed Martin, the aircraft are still being built, mostly for foreign military sales. The Air Force took delivery of more than 2,000 of the jets before 2001 at a cost in excess of $50 million each in today's dollars, according to GlobalSecurity.org.


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Born in San Diego, California and raised in Chandler, Arizona- Brittany Bell is a young woman who has accomplished more than the average 23- year old of her time.
She is a first generation college graduate who began her pursuit of a degree in Broadcast Journalism at the age of 17 and attended the well-accredited Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Communications of Arizona State University. Not only did she pursue her education at a young age, Brittany also was a young model who has graced the pages of catalogs, billboards, and magazines.
Within her first year of college, she competed and was selected for three consecutive years as an official Phoenix Suns Dancer from the 2006 to 2009 basketball season. While still in college reporting as lead anchor of Arizona State's Cronkite NewsWatch television broadcast station, the Phoenix Suns kept Brittany involved with hosting in-game promotion broadcasts, traveling abroad in representation of the NBA dance team, and performing from playoff games to All-Star weekend events.
In addition to being selected as the centerfold model of the first official Phoenix Suns Dancer calendar, Brittany was honorably chosen as the female ring bearer of the 2009 Olympic Gold medal rings presented alongside Jerry Coangelo to the US Olympic basketball team. At the age of 21, Brittany graduated from Arizona State University, continued her modeling career, and began TV hosting between Arizona and Los Angeles. The very next year, in 2010, Brittany competed and won the title of Miss Arizona USA 2010 along with being awarded "Miss Congeniality". She spent much of her time representing her title in social, political, educational, and philanthropic avenues of leadership. Brittany also represented Arizona at the Miss USA 2010 competition. After her reign in Arizona, she was selected to perform with Bollywood Step Dance as she was trained in Indian Fusion dance and performed live for Disney's GlowFest.
This year Brittany competed within the Miss America Organization, won the title of Miss Studio City California 2011, and was a top 12 finalist at the Miss California competition. This year she expanded her pageantry knowledge into coaching and make up artistry. She has found success in that field as she coached the current Mrs. Asia USA 2011. Brittany is definitely known as a "Jill of all trades" as she has additionally reveals her unexpected comedic improv skills within the Groundlings school of improv and filming for independent comedy skit shows.
Brittany is also known to put her business skills to use as she consults with companies in marketing and development divisions. She is known for her drive and multi-faceted pursuit of entertainment. She says, "I strive off of my faith and allow God to be my strength as I dream to gain an intrigue from the world to a point of success that allows me to inspire the lives of others. I want to reach a high level of philanthropic success, helping others with my own blessings. I don't believe that there is a limit to what you can do with your talents. I am grateful to have each and every opportunity that allows me to combine faith and effort to ultimately result in success. I am never finished growing." Brittany lives her life by the quote "everything happens for a reason" and can be expected to be one of the many future reasons of positive impact of her generation. Stay tuned.


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The HDCAM Digital Cassette incorporates Sony's advanced metal tape technology for use in the world's first HDCAM format camcorder. The development of a high performance metal tape enables high density recording with a recording wavelength of 0.49um achieving a digital recording length of up to 40 minutes for the small-size cassette, and 124 minutes for the large-size cassette.
- Ultrafine metal particles and new calendering technology realize high C/N of more than 45dB or more than enough range for digital recording.
- Outstanding archival characteristics by an aluminum silica protective layer with an anti-oxidation effect and low-shrinkage tape.
- Sony's original binder design achieves high reliability that withstands repeated playbacks and edits.
- Recording Time: 94 min in 60i / 117 min in 24P


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This website section is intended to help you as you begin to serve in your calling as a Melchizedek Priesthood leader. Links to key sections of Handbook 2: Administering the Church are included. You are encouraged to prayerfully study the entire handbook chapter that contains the key section.
As you begin your service, remember that your first priority is always in your role as husband and father in your home and family. Another important priority is to spiritually prepare yourself through prayer, learning from the scriptures and living prophets, and, where possible, consistent temple attendance.
Families and the Church in God's Plan
Our Heavenly Father's work is to enable His children to receive eternal life, that is, to eventually live with Him and live like Him (see Moses 1:39). He established families to bring us happiness in this life and to prepare us for eternal life with Him. The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have declared, "The family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children" ("The Family: A Proclamation to the World," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102).
Links to Key Sections
- God the Father's Plan for His Eternal Family 1.1.1, 1.1.4, 1.3.1, 1.4
- The Priesthood and the Family, Handbook 2: 2.3
- Leadership Purposes, Handbook 2: 3.4
Seek Learning
As a new Melchizedek Priesthood leader, you should become thoroughly familiar with chapters 1-7 and other chapters of Handbook 2. As you read, study, pray, and ponder the key doctrines and principles relating to your calling, the Lord will bless you with an increased understanding of how to fulfill your responsibilities (see 2 Nephi 28:30; D&C 98:12).
"Yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith" (D&C 88:118). The Holy Ghost will bring knowledge and conviction that will bless your life and allow you to bless the lives of others you serve. "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost" (1 Nephi 10:19).
Links to Key Sections
Priesthood Authority and Power
President Boyd K. Packer stated, "We now must awaken in every elder and high priest, in every quorum and group, and in the father of every home the power of the priesthood of the Almighty" ("The Power of the Priesthood," Ensign, May 2010, 8). The priesthood is the power and authority that God gives to man to perform His work. Priesthood authority comes by being ordained, while priesthood power comes through faithful and obedient living and honoring covenants. Leaders use priesthood keys to guide the Church, direct the preaching of the gospel, and administer the spiritual work of the Church.
Links to Key Sections
- Priesthood Principles, Handbook 2: 2.0
- Priesthood Authority, Handbook 2: 2.1, 2.1.1
- Use of Priesthood Authority, Handbook 2: 2.4.1, 2.4.2, 2.4.3, 2.4.4, 2.4.5
Leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ
The Savior counseled His disciples: "What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am" (3 Nephi 27:27). You follow the Savior's way of leading through becoming His disciple, serving as a living example to inspire others, and performing selfless service.
President Thomas S. Monson taught, "We have the hearts to serve faithfully in our priesthood callings and thereby inspire others to walk on higher ground" ("To Learn, to Do, to Be," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 61). When you use the priesthood "by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned" (D&C 121:41), you receive the Spirit and will do many wonderful things for your family and those you serve.
Links to Key Sections
- The Savior's Way of Leading, Handbook 2: 3.1
- Principles of Gospel Leadership, Handbook 2: 3.2, 3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.3, 3.2.4
- Represent the Lord and His Church, Handbook 2: 3.3.1, 3.3.2
- Leadership Purposes, Handbook 2: 3.4
Serving Young Single Adults
As an elders quorum president or a counselor assigned by the elders quorum president to oversee the young single adults in your area, you have the responsibility to assist young single adults in their journey back to the presence of our Heavenly Father. You share this responsibility with other members of the ward (including the bishop, bishopric counselor assigned to oversee young single adults, Relief Society presidency, and any young single adult leaders) and of the stake (including the stake president, counselor in the stake presidency and high councilor assigned to oversee young single adults, and Relief Society president). As you work with this group to assist the young single adults, you should:
- Develop a personal relationship with the young single adults.
- Involve each young single adult in meaningful service.
- Help each young single adult become self-reliant in spiritual, social, and temporal matters.
- Provide a variety of opportunities for the young single adults to associate together.
- Find and invite less-active young single adults to return to full activity in the Church.
To assist you in shepherding the young single adults, many resources are available to you. Learn more.


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Subarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding in the area between the brain and the thin tissues that cover the brain. This area is called the subarachnoid space.
Alternative Names
Hemorrhage - subarachnoid
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Subarachnoid hemorrhage can be caused by:
- Bleeding from an
arteriovenous malformation(AVM)
- Bleeding disorder
- Bleeding from a
cerebral aneurysm
- Head injury
- Unknown cause (idiopathic)
- Use of blood thinners
Subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by injury is often seen in the elderly who have fallen and hit their head. Among the young, the most common injury leading to subarachnoid hemorrhage is motor vehicle crashes.
Risks include:
Aneurysmin other blood vessels
- Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) and other connective tissue disorders
- High blood pressure
- History of
polycystic kidney disease
- Smoking
A strong family history of aneurysms may also increase your risk.
The main symptom is a severe headache that starts suddenly (often called thunderclap headache).It is often worse near the back of the head.Many personsoften describe it as the "worst headache ever" and unlike any other type of headache pain. The headache may start after a popping or snapping feeling in the head.
Other symptoms:
Decreased consciousnessand alertness
- Eye discomfort in bright light (
- Mood and personality changes, including
confusionand irritability Muscle aches(especially neck painand shoulder pain)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Numbness in part of the body
- Stiff neck
Vision problems, including double vision, blind spots, or temporary vision loss in one eye
Other symptoms that may occur with this disease:
Eyelid drooping Pupil size difference
- Sudden stiffening of back and neck, with arching of the back (
opisthotonos; not very common)
Signs and tests
Signs include:
- A physical exam may show a stiff neck
- A brain and nervous system exam may show signs of decreased nerve and brain function (focal
neurologic deficit)
- An eye exam may show decreased eye movements -- a sign of damage to the cranial nerves (in milder cases, no problems may be seen on an eye exam)
If your doctor thinks you have a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a
Other tests that may be done include:
Cerebral angiographyof blood vessels of the brain
- CT scan angiography (using contrast dye)
- Transcranial Doppler ultrasound -- to look at blood flow in the arteries of the brain
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and
magnetic resonance angiography(MRA) (occasionally)
The goals of treatment are to:
- Save your life
- Repair the cause of bleeding
- Relieve symptoms
- Prevent complications such as permanent brain damage (stroke)
Surgery may be done to:
- Remove large collections of blood or relieve pressure on the brain if the hemorrhage is due to an injury
- Repair the aneurysm if the hemorrhage is due to an aneurysm rupture
If the patient is critically ill, surgery may have to wait until the person is more stable.
Surgery may involve:
Craniotomy(cutting a hole in the skull) and aneurysm clipping -- to close the aneurysm Endovascular coiling-- placing coils in the aneurysm and stentsin the blood vessel to cage the coils reduces the risk of further bleeding
If no aneurysm is found, the person should be closely watched by a health care team and may need more imaging tests.
Treatment for coma or decreased alertness includes:
- Draining tube placed in the brain to relieve pressure
- Life support
- Methods to protect the airway
- Special positioning
A person who is is conscious may need to be on strict bed rest. The person will be told to avoid activities that can increase pressure inside the head, including:
- Bending over
- Straining
- Suddenly changing position
Treatment may also include:
- Medicines given through an IV line to control blood pressure
- Nimodipine to prevent artery spams
- Painkillers and anti-anxiety medications to relieve headache and reduce pressure in the skull
- Phenytoin or other medications to prevent or treat seizures
- Stool softeners or laxatives to prevent straining during bowel movements
Expectations (prognosis)
How well a patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage does depends on a number of different factors, including:
- Location and amount of bleeding
- Complications
Older age and more severe symptoms can lead to a poorer outcome.
People can recover completely after treatment. But some people die even with treatment.
Repeated bleeding is the most serious complication. If a cerebral aneurysm bleeds for a second time, the outlook is much worse.
Changes in consciousness and alertness due to a subarachnoid hemorrhage may become worse and lead to
Other complications include:
- Complications of surgery
- Medication side effects
- Seizures
Calling your health care provider
Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have symptoms of a subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Identifying and successfully treating an aneurysm can prevent subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Naggara ON, White PM, Guilbert F, et al.Endovascular treatment of intracranial unruptured aneurysms: systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on safety and efficacy. Radiology. 2010;256:887-897.
Reinhardt MR. Subarachnoid hemorrhoid. J Emerg Nurs. 2010;36:327-329.
Tateshima S, Duckwiler G. Vascular diseases of the nervous system: intracranial aneurysms and subarachnoid hemorrhage. In: Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC. Bradley's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 51C.
Zivin J. Hemorrhagic cerebrovascular disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldmans Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 415.
Review Date:
Reviewed By:
Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles and Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc., Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Bethanne Black, Stephanie Slon, and Nissi Wang.


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Third quarter U.S. GDP "surprised" on the upside, rising 2.8% in the third quarter, and topping estimates of 2%, according to Bank of America-Merrill Lynch (BAC).
But inventories added just 0.8 percentage points to this growth in the quarter, and real final sales were 2%, Merrill economists explain in a recent report.
"In other words, the economy remains stuck in the mud," wrote Joshua Dennerlein and Ethan Harris in their latest analysis. "We believe that the Fed needs to see acceleration in growth before they will begin tapering."
Moreover, the experts say we're currently in "a tale of two consumers."
"Overall consumer spending growth was 1.5% [quarter over quarter at a seasonally adjusted annual rate], marking the smallest increase in two years," they noted. "There is a big divide in what the consumer is buying."
Growth in purchases of goods, like cars and TVs, were a "very strong" 4.3%. However, spending on services (including those in the financial sector) was up a "very soft" 0.1%, the smallest increase since the recession began, the report says.
Business Reluctance
Capital expenditures fell 3.7% in the third quarter and have "been weak all year, averaging just 0.2% growth per quarter.
"The number one item, in our view, weighing on capex spending is the general weakness in the economy," Dennerlein and Harris wrote. "In general, as GDP growth accelerates, capex accelerates at a faster pace. We will need a breakout to 3% top-line GDP growth to achieve stronger capex growth, in our view."
Uncertainty over government spending, shutdowns and fiscal policy are some factors causing uncertainty that keeps businesses from pulling the spending trigger.
On the upside, state and local governments boosted spending for the second quarter in a row. It rose 1.5% in Q3, after rising 0.4% in Q2, the report says, adding. "It's early in the turn but the trend is positive for next year."
When it comes to inventory buildup, which was significant in Q3, we may "get a payback in the opposite direction in the fourth quarter," the economists say. "If the inventory build slows by $10 billion, all else equal, that would shave 0.3 percentage points off our Q4 GDP estimate."
Check out Nouriel Roubini Warns of Bubbles in the Economic Broth on ThinkAdvisor.