Dear Editor,
I wanted to write and congratulate CNCC and Conrad Stanley on acquiring a CORS base station.
The addition of this advanced GPS technology to the school and the region is exciting, to say the least. Also, I thought that I might add a few notes that may help folks understand the technical parts of last week’s article and why the addition of the station is important.
First off, GPS stands for global positioning system, most people likely know this, but it’s best to be sure. GPS works by receiving microwave signals (e.g., with a handheld GPS receiver) from four or more satellites orbiting approximately 12,600 miles above the earth’s surface, in order to determine a user’s position, anywhere in the world.
During the 12,600 mile trip to Earth, the GPS microwaves are subject to many factors that could distort the signal. For example: atmospheric effects (e.g., humidity); multi-path effects (e.g., GPS signals bouncing off buildings, the ground, etc); and, clock errors (i.e., the difference between the satellite clocks and the handheld receiver clock) all have the ability to introduce errors in the calculated position of the GPS receiver (i.e., you).
The cumulative error, say 3-15 meters, could mean missing a favorite fishing hole in the middle of a lake, missing a turn when navigating to a hunting blind in the dark or the incorrect placement of property lines when surveying.
While most hunting and fishing applications are not so important, incorrectly locating property lines, road centerlines and elevations and municipal infrastructure is a bit more serious.
For these types of applications, an attempt is made to remove potential distortions from the GPS signals. Removing the distortion is achieved by using a base station or a location of reference.
The short and simple version is that the GPS receiver data (which is collected by a mapping technician or surveyor) is improved using a correction factor from a base station. This correction can dramatically increase the accuracy the collected GPS data.
Therefore, map making and GPS-based navigation using the original GPS data are more accurate. If you are using a recreational GPS for hunting and fishing that is WAAS (wide area augmentation system) correction capable, the principles are the same.
In the case of CNCC, the base station is a particular kind — a continuously operating reference station (CORS).
This station will offer the ability to correct GPS data after the data have been collected, or “real-time” — at the same time the data are being collected — either with radio signals or via cell phones.
In any case, for me, the addition of the CNCC CORS station is exciting for two primary reasons: (1) the closest, and only, base station currently usable from Meeker is in Rifle, the CNCC station will add much needed coverage and redundancy; and, (2) the students will learn GPS with state-of-the-art technologies.
Jason Taylor
Meeker
Dear Editor,
The only way kids can get recognized in Meeker is through mostly school sports or other school activities. The paper does not recognize all the kids’ achievements. Sports is the activity for this town and Rangely. More pictures for school sports and other activities would be appreciated. Also wouldn’t a “you said it” column like the Sentinel has be good for the Herald Times?
Mark Cook
Meeker
Dear Editor,
We would like to thank the wonderful people of Meeker for their help when our hunters were missing. A very special thanks to Phyllis Lake for all her help in calling in those who came to help and providing us a place to meet. Also, thanks to our friends Joe and Donna Collins, and Mike and Lori Chintala for all their help and for everyone’s offers, includng friends Nancy and Branch Bullard, of places for us and our friends and relatives to stay. Also, a big thank you to Ellis Eliason, Shorty Frantz, Ben Rogers, Bill Stewart, John Economis and Bill Kracht, total strangers who were willing to come help. And a special thanks to the Rio Blanco Sheriff’s Department and the DOW for all its hours of work in looking for Mike and Mark. After the snow on Nov. 4 and 5 they had to shovel snow for six days to reach a road that was cleared. We praise God that they are back with their families with no lasting repercussions of the cold.
The grateful families of
Mike and Mark Boso
Dear Editor,
I want to thank everyone for the cards, phone calls and other expressions of condolences for the loss of my dear friend, Cleo Jordan. You have all been very kind and considerate. Thank you.
Elaine Jordan
Meeker
