As the crow flies GPS navigation

I run a small wireless ISP. When installing new subscribers we would like to utilize GPS to accurately locate our main tower and repeater sites. Of the many software packages reviewed on this forum, is there one that would work the best in terms of locating line of site destinations vs mapped driving routes ? Thanks !

The programs discussed here are for routing or planning a route along roads. However Garmin MapSource can be used to provide line of site distances between 2 locations if you change the routing from auto to direct. You would just need a copy of CNNA NT 2009 or 2010 that is useable on a computer.

I think most handheld non-mapping GPS units can do this too.

Terry

Terry and the group, I have had several hand-held units that I quickly became frustrated with due to the GUI or the screen size.
We carry laptops around anyway so the add-on receiver just makes sense. I spotted a few similar questions to mine with similar good replies.
Thanks

Did you get an answer that will work for you?

It sounds like you need laptop GPS software that has a routing preference that allows you to select the "off road" routing mode. That will give you the straight line bearing to the selected waypoint.

Are you wanting to get a bearing to the main transmitter or nearest repeater and then use a compass to get your rough antenna alignment? If so, you will also need the laptop software to give you a proper bearing to the selected waypoint.

I'm not sure exactly what you are trying to do that would cause a good handheld unit to frustrate you. ?? I have a Garmin eTrex Legend HCx. Combined with a good compass, it would be a matter of less than a minute to get a bearing to the desired tower or repeater location so I could then use the compass to lay down the antenna line for the initial rough alignment. It would also be far more convenient for this purpose than dragging the laptop and an external GPS puck around the yard or onto the roof.

One example of laptop software possibilities would be Garmin's old nRoute program. If I select "direct routes" in the routing preferences and then select a waypoint on the Waypoints tab, the status bar at the bottom tells me, among other things, "Bearing: 75° True". That will be the bearing from my current position to the position of the waypoint I selected.

Another example is Garmin's Mobile PC. It does have an "off road" routing preference but there does not appear to be any way to get a bearing from it.

Perhaps some who are familiar with the other laptop programs can indicate whether they will provide a bearing.

Or am I completely missing the point? If so, I apologize for the sidetrack.

...ken...

Thanks again for the excellent posts. Ken you are spot-on. The first thing to know is I am absolutely challenged when it comes to direction and I don't have the best eyesite any more so the handhelds tiny screen and limited battery are the real issues. We are surrounded by 14000' peaks in Colorado and every other imaginable hill size so after a while they all start to look the same to me. We need the laptops (Macbook Pro and Fujitsu P7230) -yes sometimes on the roof to do our wireless site surveys so having the gps receiver stuck to the lid won't create any real problem and since we usually have power or an inverter set up the battery life will be unlimited if using a USB dongled receiver (I presume) Any personal recommendations on the hardware ? Thanks !

The GlobalSat BU-353 USB GPS is magnetic and waterproof. It should do the job for you.

Have you looked at Overland Navigator?

I am not familiar with it but it is Topo related and might be what you need. It is Windows based though.

Terry

Regarding the BU353, it's a fine receiver. I own one and it works fine. But the very LAST thing I would want is for the strong magnet on that thing anywhere near some parts of my laptop.

It will stay stuck on the roof of your car at interplanetary speeds. Think what a magnet that strong will do to computer memory!

I'm not recommending against it but if you decide to go with it be sure people are very careful where they put the business end of it. Put a bit of ferrous metal in your hat and stick it up there .. best possible view of the satellites.

...ken...

You may want to look at some of the topographic mapping packages like National Geographic TOPO!, Maptech Terrain Navigator, and Delorme TopoQuads. These should give you the capability to plot a line of site between two points, so you can determine before you get to the site if your link has line of site or not. You may also want to look at a program called Radio Mobile, which will do LOS and link coverage predictions

nine