Garmin ETrex - Hiking GPS Receiver Manuel utilisateur

GPS data: ETrexQGIS 1

Collecting and

Working with

GPS Data

Created November, 2012

for use with:

Garmin eTrex, QGIS v. 1.7

GPS data: ETrexQGIS 2

Supplemental QGIS Exercise: Collecting and Working with GPS

Data

In this exercise you will learn how to collect data using an eTrex GPS unit. You will

then learn how to load data from an eTrex GPS unit into QGIS and display it on a

map. The instructions may vary slightly depending on your operating system and

hardware.

SECTION A: Collecting Data with a GPS Receiver

Introduction: What is GPS?

Step 1: Learn more about GPS and get familiar with receiver unit.

Step 2: Learn how to get a clear signal and the importance of locking onto an

adequate number of satellites.

Step 3: Understand the unit setup.

Step 4: Collect location data.

SECTION B: Displaying GPS Data on a Map

Step 1: Connect the GPS unit to your computer using the proper cables.

Step 2: Run the download program by using the properly installed plugin.

Step 3: Download your waypoints to a file and display them in a new layer.

Step 4: Examine your points along with some area background data

displayed from the internet.

Step 5: Save the data properly.

GPS data: ETrexQGIS 3

SECTION A: Collecting Data with a GPS Receiver

Introduction to GPS

GPS stands for “Global Positioning System”. It refers to a collection of 24 satellites

placed in orbit all around the earth with very precise clocks on board. By locating the

signals from at least 4 of these satellites from a point on the earth using a GPS

receiving unit, you can pinpoint your exact location at any given time.

Step 1: Familiarize yourself with the eTrex unit and turn it on.

The Up and Down buttons on the left will allow you to select options on pages

and menus, adjust the display contrast, zoom in and out on the Map Page, and

cycle through data on the Pointer Page.

The Enter button will confirm data entry and menu selections. Pressing and

holding this button activates the Mark Waypoint Page

The Page button will switch between pages and back you out of pages. If you

start to do something and don’t want to continue, you can stop by pressing this

button.

The Antenna should be kept unobstructed at all times in order to receive a clear

signal from as many satellites as possible. It is best to hold the unit at chest-

height, out in front of you so that your body does not block the signals.

GPS data: ETrexQGIS 4

This is the rear of the unit:

The unit requires 2 AA batteries to operate. A data cable will be needed in order

to transfer data to a computer after collection.

Step 2: Locate Satellites

Press the On button (on the right side of the unit). The unit will start to look for

satellites and will display the satellite acquisition page. This process normally

takes several minutes, so be patient. (The satellite signals do not go through

walls, so this cannot be done from inside a building).

GPS data: ETrexQGIS 5

For more detail on which satellites have been located, press the Enter button (on

the left of your unit) and choose Advanced Skyview:

This page will provide more information about the position of the satellites in the

sky and each one’s signal strength. It can help you identify possible obstacles

blocking the signal (such as buildings, trees, mountains, etc.) Preferably the

satellites locations will be a mix of high and low on the horizon, in several

different directions.

GPS data: ETrexQGIS 6

Once enough satellites have been located, the unit will say “Ready to Navigate”

and provide an estimate of accuracy. The exact number is not crucial, just know

that it can be influenced by a number of factors, mostly the number and location

of available satellites, and that you don’t want the number to be excessively large

(such as 100 meters or 300 feet). Also be aware that the location accuracy from

an inexpensive hand-held GPS unit is somewhat limited.

Step 3: Check the unit setup.

Press the Page button (right side of unit) several times, until you reach the Menu

page. Highlight the word Setup and press Enter.

GPS data: ETrexQGIS 7

You will see the following screen. Note the settings. These are important to record

as part of your data collection so that when you bring the points into a GIS they can

be properly displayed. A common mistake when copying data is to leave off a

negative sign (which denotes latitude south of the equator) or to leave off too many

decimal places, if using decimal degrees (6 is desirable) or to record coordinates in

degrees-minutes-seconds and then improperly translate these into decimal degrees.

WGS 84 is the most common map datum; for most projects you will want to make

sure it is being used. It’s not likely you will want to change these settings, just make

a note of them, especially the first time you start using your GPS unit.

Step 4: Collect waypoints

Press the Page button (right side of unit) until you reach the Menu page, as

above. This time highlight the word Mark and press Enter.

You will see the following screen:

The Waypoint ID is important to note on your survey spreadsheet or data table as

this is what will link it to all information collected at that point, such as facility

Waypoint ID

Coordinates

h=hemisphere (northern or southern)

d=degrees

m=minutes

s=seconds (in this case, decimal seconds)

NOTE: other common settings for coordinate formats

include decimal degrees and decimal minutes—

hemisphere can also be denoted via a + or - sign

GPS data: ETrexQGIS 8

name or other information. (You can highlight this number by scrolling up to it

and pressing Enter if you’d like to change it.)Then highlight the word OK (this is

the default, as shown above) and press Enter to record the point.

NOTE: You can collect your data either as a series of waypoints (most common for

health survey data collection) or as a “track”.

Continue to collect a series of waypoints while walking around to different

locations and pressing “Enter” at each location. The Map view screen will

show you your progress. Pressing the Up and Down buttons will zoom you in

and out on this screen.

Finally, turn off the unit to save batteries. (Turning off the unit will not cause

you to lose any data you have entered). You now have a data file you’ll be

able to view in QGIS, in the next section of this exercise.

GPS data: ETrexQGIS 9

SECTION B: Displaying GPS Data on a Map

Step 1: Connect the GPS unit to your computer.

Flip up the rubber cover on the back of the GPS receiver unit near the top and

insert the data download cable. The opposite end of the cable will be a serial

connector.

Next, determine what type of input ports are available on your computer.

If you have a serial port, this is the preferred method. If you have a USB port,

you’ll need to use a USB/serial adapter cable.

Turn on the GPS unit. (Don’t worry what the screen says; you can bypass the

screen which searches for satellites at this point.)

You may get the following message, if you are trying to connect the device via

your computer’s USB port:

It’s also possible that you will need administrative privileges on your computer in

order to use the hardware. Follow the instructions in order to get the computer to

recognize the device.

Step 2: Start up QGIS on your computer and check for the GPS Tools plugin.

Double-click the QGIS icon on the desktop to start the program. Check your

plugin manager to ensure that “GPS tools” is enabled. (See graphic below. If

you need help with this step, or need to “fetch” the correct plugin from the

internet, please return to Exercise 2: Explaining plugins.The GPS tools

plugin is part of the main plugin installer that comes with version 1.7.4.)

GPS data: ETrexQGIS 10

Step 3: Run the GPS Tools Plugin and download the points.

From the menu, select Plugins > Gps > Gps Tools.

(NOTE: If you have QGIS versions 1.6 or 1.8, the GPS tools may be in a

different menu or toolbar location.)

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