We would like to take the plunge into static GPS, and have used the Locus in the past, but were wondering this:

If we GPS'd a series of new control stations down a highway (as a network), could we get the EDM out while we were waiting, and measure the actual distances between the stations and put this into the solution too. Would it help, and how do you do it in the Locus software?

Could I also spirit-level (just the differential difference- not from a control station)) them, and put that into the software too? Would it make a differene?

I don't think you can do any of the above, except maybe the levels, in Locus processor. Don't know about the new Solutions Package yet.

The levels realy should be based on MSL rather than just relative between two points. If you define one point with a elev. from the calcs, then used that with your level run to another point, then constrained verts to these two and reprocessed, you might be able to increase the accuracy of your verts but I would think you would need several points, 3 or 4 to outline the entire network, tied to the loop to actually do this. And then all points would be no better than your first.

If that makes any sense good luck,

My ½¢,

Jimbo

I don't know what you can do in the software, but if you want to measure an EDM distance between two points you could compare it with the distance computed using the GPS 3D coordinates of the two points by getting the GPS distance as the square root of the sum of the squares of the x, y and z geocentric coordinate differences between the two points.

I think where Matthew is going with this would be in defining a custom grid, which you can do with the Locus Processor. After you process in either grid or geodetic, you can constrain the adjustment with control you have measured with the total station, but you will need more than just distances, the angular relationship is needed also.
Many times a found NGS vertical point is "not suited for satellite observations", but you can still set a new point nearby in the open and then differential level to the point. Run the free adjustment holding one point fixed in elevation and then check the "control ties" tab against your other vertical sites.
As far as measuring between points while you are making a static observation, I have a local Surveyor friend who uses the Trimble 4600's in the static mode, and he has them mounted atop a prism pole, on top of one of those older fixed prisms that use the "candy cane" on the top. It is kind of an odd looking deal when he puts it all together, the prism pole in a bipod, the prism and the 4600 on the top. I'm supposing for like a corner tie he sets a nail, shoots the two bipod setups and then the corner, and finally manipulates things in a cogo package to work it all out. If the site is very remote, then that would probably be a viable trick.

Matthew

I believe you could do all of the above
(combined adjustments) in the GPS version of StarNet.