How do I find this spot ?

[felix]

I have this book of walking trecks that gives waypoints in UTM but what I don't understand is how they are shown. For instance the first point is given as 188715, all other points follow this method.
From what I understand the first number (3) is missing ( I know the zone ) and there is and extra number at the end (5) , no northing is given
So if I didn't already know where this place is how would I find it just being given 188715 ?

cheers

[The Explorer]

Hi

We've discussed this before somewhere. The numbers are "military" or "universal" grid references. The six digit number is an abbreviation of the actual UTM coordinates - the first three numbers are from the UTM easting and the second three numbers are from the UTM northing. You will need the original map from which the grid was derived to locate position. Do they mention a map in the text of the book ? i.e a 25K or 50K topo map most likely.

Cheers
Greg

[mihermano]

Hi. Try this thread (below).

http://www.gpsaustralia.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=20866

[felix]

Thanks for the help, yes have got the maps so now can work out positions and enter them in the gpsr. I see this way is still a bit of a 'guesstimate' . What are the advantages of doing it this way ?

[The Explorer]

Hi

I dont know what the advantage is for most purposes...easy enough to quote full co-ords in my opinion. Maybe it was created for use over radios (e.g. by army, SES etc) ...less numbers means less chance of a mistake. The method was created before GPS units so I think it maybe redundant now...especially considering its only accurate to the nearest 100m. Plus you need the actual map from which the grid reference was taken from or its pretty hard to figure out what coords are being referred to....so a basic grid reference is useless in some circumstances.

Cheers
Greg

[felix]

Thanks Greg

Yes 100 mtrs in the bush is a long way. It is an odd way to do waypoints as this book was published in 2004. If you don't hear from me again it means I'm lost

cheers

[The Explorer]

...old habits die hard. Bushwalkers, generally speaking, always carry paper maps (good idea) so maybe the old fashion way persist in some circles.

Cheers
Greg

[mihermano]

It's never a bad idea to have some 'old fashioned' skills, and to follow the six Ps.
Cheers.

[The Explorer]

..on the same token developing new skills/moving with the times is a good idea as well. Providing coordinates as a grid reference is fine but not that practical for many these days. Easy enough to provide both formats I would have thought.

It maybe that the people who wrote the book felix is using are somewhat stubborn.

I wonder if they also use a sextant for navigating

Cheers
Greg

[Nicko]

1997 I was still selling Survey Chains, albeit one single piece of metal.