Probe for Windows: GPS

Probe for Windows can output reports to kml files that will display on a web site using Google Maps, or on the desktop using Google Earth.

The GPS form allows GPS coordinates - longitude and latitude - to be entered for each grower and site.

On the left side is a list of all growers and sites - the list can be filtered by grower.

There are several methods to enter coordinates...

Map or diagram

The location of each sensor can be set by drag and dropping it on a a map or diagram.

An aerial photograph, diagram, plan or map in jpg or gif format can be used.

But the image needs to be 'geo-referenced' - the longitude and latitude if the image set.

This can be done with GoogleEarth. Use GE.AddMenu/ImageOverlay, and select the jpg or gif file. Then use the grab-handles in GoogleEarth to position the image.

You can also add polygons outlining individual fields or areas, and placemarks.

When the image is positioned, right click on the item on the left side, and choose SavePlaceAs

Enter a file name, such as C:\Prwin\GrowerName - GoogleEarth will add the .kml extension.

Return to Prwin.GPS, select the site on the left side and use GPS.FileMenu/Open/KML (or use the {...} ) to locate the kml file.

You should now see the image in the map window.

When you now click on a site you will be asked if you want to move all sites for the grower into the map area.

The grower office and all sites should now be positioned at random locations on the image, ready to be dragged to their correct location.

A grid of longitude and latitude in degress/minutes can be shown, and a grid showing distance from the grower office in km.

Depending on the darkness of the background image, labels and lines can be shown in light or dark colours.

Manual entry

Use Manual Entry. Select each site, enter the coordinates and {save}. Coordinates can be cleared (Why ?).

Attached GPS device

If Probe for Windows sites are created in the field using a notebook PC, a GPS device attached to the PC can save the GPS coordinates immediately.

Connect a GPS unit to the PC with a USB cable, or into a PCMIA slot.

Use Find Port to see which port the device has been allocated.

Check 'Show' and you should see the GPS coordinates displayed.

Where Are You will use GoogleEarth, in a web browser, to show where the PC is in the world.

Select the site and <save>

Import from GoogleEarth and hand-held GPS device

GoogleEarth can be used to locate each site as a Placemark, with the site number entered as the Placemark name.

Export from GoogleEarth with right click and Export/PlaceAs. The export file format must be kml, and not kmz.

Then use GPS.FileMenu/Import/KML to copy the Placemark coordinates to each site. Sites that have been updated will display in red.

Placemarks will only be imported to sites that are visible in the tree, so use the filter before importing if there are extra Placemarks in the KML file.

The GPS coordinate of each site can be recorded on a portable GPS device as a WayPoint, with the site number entered as the way point name.

Transfer the waypoints to the PC using the GPS device software, and save in GPX format.

Then use GPS.FileMenu/Import/GPX to copy the waypoint coordinates to each site. Sites that have been updated will display in red.

Way points will only be imported to sites that are visible in the tree, so use the filter before importing if there are extra waypoints in the GPX file.

Export to GoogleEarth and GPS devices

To check the positions in GoogleEarth, use GPS.FileMenu/Export/KML and enter a file name e.g. ABCSites.kml

This kml file contains the position of each site and grower office, but not the image or polygons in the overlay file.

The site locations can also be exported to a hand-held GPS device as WayPoints in GPX format. This allows sites to be located using the GPS device.

Geo-referencing many sites

GoogleMaps can be used to geo-reference many growers and sites can use.

1. Probe for Windows: GrowerMenu/GPS
   1. Set base location longitude and latitude.
   2. Filter to show just growers.
   3. FileMenu/Export/kml and enter a file name - say Growers.kml.
   4. Growers will be exported with a location within 50 km of the base location.
2. GoogleMaps
   1. FileMenu/Open, and locate Growers.kml
   2. Drag/drop each grower to their correct location.
   3. Right click/SaveAs Growers.kml.
3. Probe for Windows.GrowerMenu/GPS
   1. Filter to show sites plus growers.
   2. FileMenu/Import/kml, and locate Growers.kml.
   3. Each grower longitude/latitude should now be updated.
   4. FileMenu/Export/kml and enter a file name - say GrowersAndSites.kml.
   5. Sites will be exported with a locaton within 1.5 km of the grower.
4. GoogleMaps
   1. FileMenu/Open, and locate GrowersAndSites.kml
   2. Drag/drop each site to their correct location.
   3. Right click/SaveAs GrowersAndSites.kml.
5. Probe for Windows.GrowerMenu/GPS
   1. Filter to show sites plus growers.
   2. FileMenu/Import/kml, and locate GrowersAndSites.kml.
   3. Each site longitude/latitude should now be updated.

Looks complicated, but saves a lot of time !

Base Location

The base location will be exported as a Placemark to GoogleEarth.

Set Here will copy the coordinates from an attached GPS device.

When a grower is first located, and there is no map or diagram, they will be positioned within 50km of the base location.

When sites are located for the first time and there is no map or diagram, they will be positioned within 1.5 km of the grower location.