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Re: 2018 GPS on BM's - Recover / Observe / Report
Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2018 2:57 pm
by rmaher
Kudos to Robert Reese and Josh Ford for completing a total of 10 1-st observations on Santa Barbara bench marks!
I've updated the TRACKING SHEET.
Re: 2018 GPS on BM's - Recover / Observe / Report
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 6:32 pm
by rmaher
Had to wait until the weather made it worth it ... this weekend I got mine and the views didn't disappoint.
I'll wait a few days to submit as a shared solution per suggestions that waiting for a computed ephemeris will be best. (I sent a trial submission in, just to check the results ... verdict is good compared to the last occupation).
Have you signed up for yours? With so many surveyors across the state it will be disappointing if we can't get this short list done by the deadline.
Keith Nofield Land Surveying, challenge is still open ... you get one and I'll be forced to find one outside of my county for a +1.
Please take a look further down in this thread and let's get it done!

Re: 2018 GPS on BM's - Recover / Observe / Report
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2018 6:27 am
by SPMPLS
I have been working my way through the marks that NGS identified for California using the NGS Data Explorer tool. Some on the list simply are not possible. For example, PID MX0756 in Del Norte County, along the Klamath River, was in a very remote location when it was set in 1942 and has not been reported as recovered since. Additionally, even if by some remote chance it still exists, the tree canopy would make it unfit for occupation. PID LU0913 in Trinity County is likely still intact, but based on the datasheet description and the street view in Data Explorer, it likely has some serious tree trouble.
In contrast PID FV1178 in SLO County (Pozo Road) can be seen in the street view imagery. However, it is in the top of a rock outcrop and may require a tricky setup. PID FV04543, also in SLO County, appears to be intact, is in a safe location, and has a reasonable sky view, except for the 15 mph caution side a few feet away.
If you are looking at marks in your area based on the NGS priority list, I highly advise using Data Explorer to do a little "desktop recon" before going out. Others I have looked at are obviously not GPS friendly, even if still intact. Here is the street view of FV1178, for example:
FV1178.jpg
Re: 2018 GPS on BM's - Recover / Observe / Report
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2018 7:14 am
by rmaher
SPMPLS ... I've emailed you a link to the tracking sheet that allows editing; please feel free to note your findings and you can add columns and replacement BM's if you would like.
Thanks!
Re: 2018 GPS on BM's - Recover / Observe / Report
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2018 7:51 am
by SPMPLS
Thanks Rich. Will do.
Here is another example. PID FT0680 along Highway 178 east of Ridgecrest in San Bernardino County. Set in 1935 and last recovery note in 2007. After reading the description on the datasheet, sure enough, I found it in the street view. Looks safe with a great sky view. Somebody sign up for this one and do occupy before it gets too hot out there!!! It is a Priority A mark and needs 2 observations.
FT0680 zoomed out.jpg
Zooming in:
FT0680.jpg
Re: 2018 GPS on BM's - Recover / Observe / Report
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2018 6:33 am
by rmaher
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Woot ... got it done:
https://geodesy.noaa.gov/OPUS/getDatash ... PID=DX1969
John Tosto is organizing for CLSA continued efforts to rally the surveyors in CA to complete this task.
Look for more information shortly in your statewide publications, by email, and here on the forum.
It would be a shame to let this opportunity pass and not get our best correlation between NAVD-88 and the new dataum.