Kent,

I have come to the conclusion you're right on most of the issues we've discussed in the last couple of days. It seems to have turned into a "pissin' match"...at least on my end. I feel I owe you an apology for some statements and inferences made. Some a bit out of line.

Between you and Shawn (yep I get it here too) you've convinced me that O.R.G.I. has run it's course. My original goal was to find out for myself how well I could position a single point with a Locus unit with nothing but CORS data. The solar weather, night sessions, extremely long session, etc. all were primary considerations. I found out what I wanted to know and feel a sense of satisfaction.

I am now convinced that I lack the education, experience and equipment to carry this study any further. It does seem rather pointless now to run a bunch of L1 units out in the boonies for no other reason than to obtain more data to process by less than precise methods. Especially considering the multi megabytes of free data (CORS) available for the same study.

Maybe you'll continue the study in the proper manner. I need a break.


Your Friend (I hope)
J.D. Billings, Kilgore TX

J.D.:

I think I should apologize as well. My only explanation is that I've been doing a work marathon for about a week now, trying to get a job out of the office. The sleep has suffered and so have my manners. That's an explanation, not an excuse.

I wouldn't necessarily conclude that I'm right about all that much all that often. For me, the most exciting part of the L1 experiments is that it gives us humble single-frequency users a chance to deal with the exotic matter of longer baselines, and precise positioning over those distances, without having to cough up the cash (sorry Brian Ewing, I know those single malt whiskeys don't come cheap) for dual frequency receivers.

I personally think that the hands-on, educational value of experiments that explore the limits of L1 performance is pretty high. I know that I've learned a good bit from them. I hope that you reconsider your decision. If what I've written has turned you away from this venture, then shame upon me!

Best regards from your friend and colleague,
Kent McMillan, RPLS Austin TX

I don't know what all the apologizing is about. You've done some interesting experiments, and proved empirically that single-frequency receivers can be used in conjunction with CORS data to measure long lines and still be able to quantify the errors. Further experimentation may be of limited value, but you and anyone following these threads has learned some useful lessons. It's also been interesting. There's nothin' wrong with a good pissin' match now and then.

Of course, the next phase should be to cough up the cash for ZXtreme's and see how far you can push with good dual-frequency receivers. ;>}

Best regards,
Brian

Please forward two ZXtreme's to the listed Lawton address (along with a Platinum credit card)..
If you can run a unit at your location over the next couple of months, then I'll be glad to run some test sessions in ;
Hawaii
Caba san Wabo
Australia
England
Ireland
and possibly several more places to aid in the Xtremely Long L2 test session...

Your research friend;
TM
Awaiting the mail tomorrow!

I hereby apply for position of "BOY" as in "Watch this so nobody steals it for me, BOY. Thank you." I can be very helpful in this position at the locations previously mentioned in your detailed itinerary for Mr. Ewing.

I appreciate your consideration for this position and am anxiously awaiting your reply. (I do accept Gold or Platinum credit cards for payment of services with a small surcharge applied.)

Jimbo
Modified By James Webb on 1/23/2002 at 8:49 PM

He can be the designated chainsaw sharpener (but since we won't take one along, then his duties will be rather light and possible his title will be changed to Brewman First Class...What a motley crew that would be around the world....
Ashtech probably would post fourth quarter losses just on the platinum charges alone....but think of all the world wide good will we'd spread in their name..

TM (packing as we speak)


Perhaps we might even include Kent..Never know when we might get into a situation that would require his skills in the making of AFP accessories..Never know what the current style might be in some of those places..

watching an Ashtech reciever work. I also like lawn chairs..and I can supply my own.

Ready to leave at a moment's notice.

Your humble servant (please take me! ) Tom Bryant

TM, JD, TB, KM, JR(jimbo's other nickname)......

and Brian, I promise we would check in regularly........

Jimbo (waiting for limo to get here)

Although my normal fee would be quoted (for this type project) at $10/day plus expenses, I would be willing to give up the $10/day..........

Who's the designated driver?

the current strict safety conditions on airline travel, and
the Brewmaster's required equipment and time needed for quality project completion of brew, and
Tom's need for a lawn chair, and
vehicles necessary to move us about at the various locations.......
I think airline travel for this trip must be ruled out.

Therefore I think the only acceptable mode of transportation with the capability of providing ALL needs, and having access to all sites, is a Cruise Ship.

I believe Princess Cruise Lines is currently available.

TM, did Brian send that Thales Platinum yet ???

Jimbo (now holding breath)

Perhaps you should re-read my post; I said "Of course, the next phase should be to cough up the cash for ZXtreme's...". It's much easier for you to obtain these units than it is for me. You only have to read a credit card number over the phone or mail a check. I have to fill out a mountain of paperwork, then walk it around for approval signatures, pledging the blood of my firstborn as collateral, and listening to lectures on what I'm doing to the Engineering department budget by drawing equipment.

;>}
Brian

He's new, so management might assume that he made a slight slip (at least until the first couple of tabs show up at the home office)...
Surely Brian would be a welcome addition to the caravan (motorhomes, cruise ships, trains, luxury limo's)...

Heck...We might even have to get a photo journalist to make a photo documentary on our escapades (of course, we get to pick what photo's and tape gets shown)...Don't want to end up on Jerry Springer....

TM

if my lawn chair and truck are too much of a problem...

I waited out in front of the house last night till midnight, but the limo did not show up.

Sitting here in limbo...waiting for the limo to come........Tom

Hey, Deral, they know I'm the new guy so they watch me extra careful since they know I like these toys well enough to have bought a passle of them. I feel lucky when they just let me out in the parking lot with them.

I have my folding chair but expect I will watch what happens from right here.

Somebody sent me a picture from their topo project in Hawaii. Talk about green landscape! He was wearing shorts and a tee shirt and knee deep in a stream of clear blue water. You could tell he was really having to tough it out to get those flow line shots. They probably had to beat him just to get him to go to work every day.

So Deral, what do you have in mind? Some sort of 21'st century version of Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters?

You'll have to remember that I'm from Oklahoma...Who's Ken Kesey?
I would imagine we would look something like a roving band of Haggars (from the newspaper cartoons)...and that as word spread, then towns would be on the look out for us well in advance...

and on return (when they no longer accept the platinum card), we would be well tanned and all with a happy (if somewhat tired) smile permanently affixed to our faces..

TM- The Crew is ready for this daunting challenge!