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Author Topic: GPS Coordinates Conversion  (Read 5215 times)

Wwoofa

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GPS Coordinates Conversion
« on: April 21, 2009, 04:40:23 PM »
Hi,
In my fossicking location descriptions I usually include some GPS coordinates.  I use UTM coords instead of Latitude/Longitude because I find them easier to use when trying to locate a place on a map.

Below is a link to a site that explains all about these coords.  It is really quite complex and you can read about it if you like but the main reason for the link is so that you can download a coordinate conversion spreadsheet that you may find very useful.  You can enter UTM coords and get the corresponding Lat/Long coords or vice versa.

http://www.uwgb.edu/dutchs/UsefulData/UTMFormulas.HTM

Here's an example .... the signpost at Sapphire Bend is at coords 55756320E 6250158N.

In the spreadsheet ...

1. Set "Select Datum" to "WGS 84" in the top left corner.
2. Enter 55 in Cell E19 (Zone).
3. Enter S in Cell H18 (North or South Latitude?).
4. Enter 756320 in Cell E17 (Easting).
5. Enter 6250158 in Cell E18 (Northing).

Now look in the cells below for the equivalent Lat/Long :D
Regards, Paul

Wwoofa

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Re: GPS Coordinates Conversion
« Reply #1 on: April 21, 2009, 05:00:04 PM »
Hi,
Just to clarify the various "datums" used for GPS coords.  In Australia you will only usually see 4 different ones being used .... 2 are old and 2 are new.  AGD66 and AGD84 are old and basically the same.  WGS84 and GDA94 are new and also basically the same.  All my coords use WGS84.  Unfortunately, many 1:25000 topographic maps and similar use the older datum.  It is always stated somewhere on the map which one is used.  As a simple rule you can subtract 200 from the WGS84 northing and 100 from the WGS84 easting to convert to AGD66.

Here's a link if you want to read more and download a program to do an accurate conversion.

http://adunk.ozehosting.com/MapsAndDatums.html

Regards, Paul

smvquest

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Re: GPS Coordinates Conversion
« Reply #2 on: April 22, 2009, 08:57:08 AM »
Paul,
        thanks for that, very helpful!

Sean.

TombstoneShadow

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Re: GPS Coordinates Conversion
« Reply #3 on: June 12, 2011, 02:45:43 PM »
Got a garmin legond hand held   gps had it for years    used it in another hobby  called Geocaching
Never   went through the menue to look at  utm   only ever used   deg min sec   side of it
Thanks for this interesting thread
 beers
So Much to Do ... So Little Time

Take Pictures Leave FootPrints

Looks Like  The  F_ _ K Up Fairy has struck Again

drft_er

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Re: GPS Coordinates Conversion
« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2011, 09:44:00 PM »
Gday
another way i have found depending on your interface is to use you settings menu. Depending on you unit and how old you settings allow you to change between Datums so if you put the data in in the datum you have then change (in settings) to the datum you wish to convert to and Bob's your uncle, position is displayed in the FORMAT / DATUM you want. Hmmmm good old uncle Bob.I think Hmmmm.
 ;D ;)
 beers
I Guess Ill keep Diggin or Fishing Hmmm or Golfing. There's just not enough hours in a day!!

Nik_I

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Re: GPS Coordinates Conversion
« Reply #5 on: March 01, 2012, 04:03:16 PM »
Always Use WGS-84

 beers
The stone if it grasps that won't release.
Also the tool to extract and process it will yield you

 

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