I run 4 GPS and I'm thinking of going to 6 GPS.

I'm a solo operator and think that 4 GPS units is a handful to run, but that 6 will be my absolute limit.

I run short vectors(usually less than 1 mile/rarely more than 1-1/2mile) Which means that the units keep me on the run(it's good for the IRS 0.33 per mile rate).

I wonder what kind of personnel to GPS unit rate most people run.

I doubt anyone really runs 1 person per GPS unit.

If you're going to use those units all the time, you've got to consider qualified persons. One per line of sight units, minimum. It is not just people, it's transportation, insurance, taxes, and cost of all the equipment when it's not being used.

If it is just occasional use, try some unqualified babysitters. Most places you need someone to keep your GPS units from showing up on E-bay.

I've got relatives that like to sit around and read.

Sounds like you are using L1. If you are it may be time to jump to dual frequency and shorter occupation times.

Paul in PA

If you've got that many receivers already and going to six why not just buy RTK? It seems like it would be more cost effective than running and waiting on six receivers.

get the six and an account at the local Labor Rental place. (Rent-a-drunk), actually, I'd probably look at getting a Z-Xtreme OPUS set-up just to use as site control.

Typically, I can find a place on site to place one base unit and leave it while I move the other two or three around. It depends on the area but I try to run one vehicle per two non-intervisible setups. That would leave me able to work about 5 at a time for most jobs. One on site unattended, two with my son Jeremy zipping back and forth between, never leaving them alone for more than 10 minutes, and me doing the same thing to two others.

If I am in an Urban evironment I usually get a couple of girls to sit and read and watch the GPS units burn when they are on open and visible points. Jeremy and I still use two vehicles and do all the setup and moving. We have had incredible results doing it this way, we move one setup each every 20 minutes so there are lots of vectors to each site that get processed.

The fact that we are processing so many vectors per setup gives you a nice warm fuzzy feeling I don't get with RTK sideshots.

Can you imagine being in high school(or even junior high) and being offered a part-time job watching GPS units cooking(while you sit, stand, laydown, or even fall asleep)? I would love to hear the kids give reports in school on their job.

Back in the mid-eighties, this was essentially my job on a control survey around Prince George, British Columbia. Many of the control points were set on mountain tops. The helicopter would drop me off with the receiver and survival gear (in case the weather turned bad and I was stranded). Set the receiver up, get it running, then sit around and wait for the helicopter to come back anywhere from 2 to 5 hours later.

It was early October, so it was cold and windy up there.

Modified By Scott Partridge on 1/29/2003 at 7:36 PM