National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
The following power point training
presentations must be viewed at
unit training and/or under the
supervision of an OSRT Officer.
Members viewing the presentations must sign a
OSRT sign in sheet. The completed sign in sheet
must be submitted to the OSRT Planning (Training)
Section to receive credit for the training.
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
US & R CATF-5 GPS Awareness
Training
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Enabling Objectives
 Identify the basic components of the
GPS system
 Identify benefits to Task Force
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
This program will cover…
 Components GPS/NAVSTAR
 Features and operation of the GPS unit
 Benefits to the Task Force
 Using a GPS unit in US&R Operations
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Basic Components of GPS
 GPS Receiver handheld
device used to
communicate with satellites
to track position on earth.
 Computer mapping
software is used to produce
maps with detail
downloaded from GPS
Receivers
 GPS use with maps
 GPS use in the task force
setting
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Task Force Benefits
 Better routing to and around mobilization site
 More accurate mapping/documentation for TF
Operations
 Enhanced communications which enables
pinpoint accurate location information
 Limitations
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
What is GPS?
Global Positioning System is a network of
satellites that continually transmit
coded information, which make It
possible to identify positions on earth
by measuring distance from satellites.
Those positions are reported in
coordinates. (i.e..Lat/Long,USNG,etc)
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Four Primary Functions
 Provides a position and coordinates
 Can calculate distance and direction
between any two waypoints, or a
position and a waypoint.
 Provides travel progress reports, like
est. time to waypoint.
 Accurate time measurement
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Space Segment
NAVSTAR:
3 Segments
• 24 satellites
• Alt. of 12,000 mi
• Radio signals
Control Segment
• 5 control worldwide stations
• Corrects orbit / time info
User Segment
• The GPS
• GPS User
Ground
Antennas
Master Station
Monitor Stations
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
How Does GPS Work?
 Start up
 Cold start up is when a unit is
started for the first time in a new
area or after a long time of no use. It
will take longer for the unit to locate
& identify satellites.Thus longer time
to usable data.
 This can be overcome by turning on
the GPS receiver prior to use. This
way it can get your general location
and be usable in a shorter time
frame. This is termed a warm start
up.
 If you are going to be using a GPS
Unit, turn it on as soon as you can
to allow for proper set up.
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
How a Receiver
Determines Its Position
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Signal from One Satellite
Receiver is
somewhere on
this sphere
Signals from Two Satellites
Three Satellites (2D Positioning)
Three Dimensional (3D)
Positioning(Best)
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Selective Availability (S/A)
 Department of Defense placed “dithered”
satellite time message to prevent GPS from
being used against us. This made the
coordinates only accurate to a set area which
the military could change as they needed. In
May 2000, Pentagon set S/A to Zero meters
error. S/A can be reactivated,by the military,
at any time.
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)
 Ground based
correction signal
 Corrects GPS satellite
orbit and clock drift plus
signal delays caused by
atmosphere
 If your GPS is WAAS
enabled be sure to have
it turned on in the set up
 This will give an even
more accurate location
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)
With Selective Availability
set to zero, and under ideal
conditions, a GPS receiver
without WAAS can achieve
15-meter accuracy most of
the time.*
+- 15 m
+3m
Under ideal conditions, a
WAAS equipped GPS
receiver can achieve 3meter accuracy 95% of the
time.*
* Precision depends on good satellite geometry, open sky view, and no
user-induced errors.
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Sources of GPS Errors
Receiver Errors are Cumulative!
Earth’s Atmosphere
Solid Structures
Metal
Electro-magnetic Fields
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Sources of Errors
 Reflections- signals can reflect off of
buildings,rocks,metal objects
 Electromagnetic fields (power lines etc)
 Buildings, while inside signal may be
blocked.
 Best to try and maintain clear view of the sky.
 The more obstacles to view sky the higher the
likelihood of errors.
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Minimizing User Errors
 Keep GPS away from your body with antenna
directed skyward for best reception
 Always verify your GPS is set to correct
DATUM and coordinate system( This is the
biggest cause of errors)
 Always verify you are receiving enough
signals before making critical navigational
decisions(at least three signals)
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Ideal
Satellite
Geometry
N
E
W
S
Poor
Satellite
Geometry
N
W
E
S
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Summary
 Satellites have very low power
 Poor to no reception in buildings or under cover
 Be aware of interference and obstructions
 Cold versus warm start-up issues
 Cold start is first time unit starts in area of
operation must locate itself.(Takes longer)
 Always keep extra batteries
 Try to obtain 3D (DGPS) positioning
 Keep a paper map as a backup
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Basic GPS Training
 GPS Use
 Proper initial setup
 Basic features
 Key functions and routines
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The GPSmap Key Layout
POWER Key
IN/OUT Zoom Keys
FIND/MOB Key
MARK Key
QUIT Key
ROCKER Key
PAGE/COMPASS Key
MENU Key
ENTER Key
Power Considerations
 Two AA batteries, USB
cable, 12v DC adapter
 Battery Life: 18 hours
 Alkaline batteries lose
capacity in low temps
 Lithium batteries in below
freezing temperatures
 Extensive use of
backlighting, electronic
compass, and audible
tones significantly reduce
battery life
Battery Compartment
Memory Card Location
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Power On the GPS
 Press and hold the POWER key
 Title screen appears
 Satellite status page
Title Screen
Satellite Status
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Satellite Status Page
 Horizon
Searching / Acquiring
2D Fix (3 Satellites)
3D Fix (4+ Satellites)
 45 from the
horizon
 Heading bug
– travel
direction
 Satellite
signal
strength
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Main Pages
 Cycle through pages using PAGE or QUIT
Satellite
Trip
Map
Compass
Altimeter
(CSx Model)
Main Menu
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Main Menu
 Press MENU button twice for Main Menu from
any Page
2X
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Main Menu
(continued)
Battery Power / Level
Auxiliary Power
Searching / Acquiring
2D Fix (3 Satellites)
3D Fix (4+ Satellites)
Backlight Usage
USB Cable Connection
Electronic Compass On
GPSmap 60CSx
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Adjusting Screen Settings

To minimize battery drain,
limit or turn off backlight
Press and quickly release the
POWER button.
Press up on ROCKER to
increase, down to decrease.
Press ENTER or QUIT to close
Backlight adjustment
window.
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
System Setup Pages
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
System Setup Page
 Press MENU twice for Main Menu,
select Setup, and press ENTER.
 Important Setup Menu pages






System
Display
Time
Units
Heading
Calibration
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Setup: System
 GPS
 Normal – for everyday use
 Demo – for indoor training
 WAAS
 Enabled
 Battery Type
 Alkaline
 NiMH
 Proximity Alarms
 On
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Setup: Display
 Display Mode
 Auto – Switch between Day and
Night modes at sunrise and sunset
 Backlight Timeout
 On continuous or timed. Setting
ignored if external power used.
 Backlight Level
 Backlight setting will increase or
decrease battery life
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Setup: Time
 Time Format
 Set to 24-hour format
 Time Zone
 Time zone for the area of
operations
 UTC Offset
 Changes with Time Zone
 Daylight Saving Time
 Set to Auto
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Setup: Units
 Position Format (pick approriate
one)
 USNG – United States National Grid
(DHS Standard)
 MGRS – Military Grid Reference
System
 hdddºmm.mmm'
 Map Datum
 WGS 84
 NAD27 CONUS – USGS Maps
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Setup: Heading
 North Reference –
Specifies the type or
north reference
used to calculate
your heading
 Set to “True”
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Waypoints
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Waypoints

Waypoints are locations you record and
store in your GPS

Waypoints are created in 3 ways

Press the MARK key while at a location.

Create a waypoint on the Map page.

Enter the coordinates for a waypoint
manually.
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Waypoints: Available Map Symbols
GPSmap 60C Display
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Waypoints: Common Abbreviations
 PX – Picture (note
direction of photo)
 HAZ – Hazards
 H-1 – Helispot 1
 Hosp – Hospital
 Str – Structure
 Sz – Safety Zone
 POA – Point of Arrival

POD – Point of Departure

BoO – Base of Operations

Fwd BoO – Forward Base of
Operations

Stg – Staging

Utl – Utilities

Apt – Apartment

Air – Airport
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Waypoints: Mark Current Location
Quickest way to mark a waypoint
 Press and hold the MARK key until the Mark
Waypoint page appears.
 To accept the waypoint with the default
information, highlight OK and press ENTER.
Icon
Notes
Waypoint Name
Coordinate
Waypoints: Mark a Location on Map Page



On the Map page, use the ROCKER to move the
arrow to the location to mark as a waypoint.
Press and quickly release the ENTER key to
capture location and open the information page.
Highlight OK and press ENTER to save.
Map Pointer Mode
Original Location
New Location
Waypoints: Mark Location with Known
Coordinates



Press and hold the MARK key until the Mark
Waypoint page appears.
Use the ROCKER to highlight the Location field.
Edit the coordinate with your known coordinate.
Highlight OK and press ENTER to save.
On-screen Keypad
Change Letters
Navigate Left / Right
Edit the Coordinate
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Working with waypoints
Use a note pad to note default
waypoint number and detailed
description.
When manually entering waypoints be
sure Datum is the same in the GPS unit
as the one you are inputting
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Tracks
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Track Log

Creates an electronic
“breadcrumb” trail or track
log while you travel

Each point in the track
contains information on
time, location, elevation and
depth
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Track Log: Access Track Logs
Press MENU button twice for the Main Menu.
Select Tracks and press ENTER.
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Track Log: Access Tracks Logs (continued)
 On/Off toggle
 Percentage of memory
used
 List of saved Tracks
 Remaining available
logs
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Track Log: Clear the Track Log
Only clear Track log once it has
been downloaded to Plans
Highlight Clear and press
ENTER.
Confirmation message appears –
Press OK.
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Track Log: Set Up a Track Log
Highlight Setup and press ENTER to open
the Track Log Setup page.
Data
Card
Option
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Track Log: Use the TracBack
Feature
 With Saved Tracks page for the
track or the Track Log open,
highlight TracBack and press
ENTER.
 Once the map is displayed, use the
ROCKER to move the pointer to a
point on the map and press ENTER.
 Select Follow Road or Follow Track.
 Follow the direction arrow.
 To exit, press MENU then Stop
Navigation.
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
Introduction to the US National Grid
(USNG)
 Nationally consistent map and grid system.
 Provides a seamless reference system
across judicial boundaries and map scales
 It is a plane coordinates system that is
simple enough to be taught and used at a
fifth grade level
 Developed from the military UTM system
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
U.S. National Grid (USNG)
History
 WW I- military determines grid systems are
good and everyone develops there own
 WW II-Too many different grids systems.
 Need to develop one common grid system
 1945 - 1949: US and British armies develop and
implement UTM and Military Grid Reference System
(MGRS).
Great success story; Used in combat ever since.
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
U.S. National Grid (USNG)
History cont



Mid - 1990’s: No standard civilian grid equiv. GPS
arrives. USNG developed by the FGDC. MGRS could
be used as a model no need to reinvent the grid
system.
All things seem to transfer fine except for issue with
NAD27 US
USNG/NAD83 is equal to MGRS/NAD83 BUT…
USNG/NAD27 is not equal to MGRS/NAD27
 WGS84 is the international version on NAD83 thus are
interchangeable.
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
U.S. National Grid
Datum use

The Standard Datum for USNG is NAD83 and should
be used unless unable to use.
 NAD83 coordinates shall be designated 18SUJ23480647
 NAD27 coordinates shall be designated
18SUJ23480647(NAD 27)
 When using NAD83 there is no need to report NAD83 when
reporting coordinates
 When using NAD27 note it by placing (NAD27) at the end of
the coordinates
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
U.S. National Grid
What do all the numbers mean????
A USNG value has three components
11S MT 30865 32027
Grid Zone Designation:
for a world-wide unique address.
100,000-meter Square Identification:
for regional areas
Grid Coordinates:
for local areas.
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
U.S. National Grid:Grid Zone Designator
 The GZD’s divide the U.S. geographic area into 6
degree longitudinal zones designated by a number
and 8 degree latitudinal bands designated by a letter.
These zones and bands are taken from the MGRS.
 The Continental U.S has
 10 longitudinal zones
 4 Latitudinal zones
 11S MT 30865 32027
 11S designates a GZD
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
U.S. National Grid:Grid Zone Designator
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
U.S. National Grid:100,000-m Square
Identification
 Grid Zone Designators are further subdivided
into 100,000 meter Square Identifications.
These squares are labelled by a two letter
designator so as not to repeat themselves
within approximately 1000 miles.
 11S MT 30865 32027
 MT is the 100,000 meter Square Identification
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
U.S. National Grid:100,000-m Square
Identification
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
U.S. National Grid Coordinates
 The position within the 100,000-m Square
identification is given by the UTM grid coordinates in
terms of Easting (E) first then Northing(N) second.
 The coordinates are always given in an even number
then read from left to right with easting first, then
northing
 The number of digits used decides the accuracy of
the coordinates
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
U.S. National Grid Coordinates
 11S MT 30865 32027
 30 32- four digits locates within 1km
 308 320-six digits locates within 100m
– Football size area
 3086 3202-eight digits locates within 10m
– Modest size home
 30865 32027-ten digits locates within 1m
– Manhole cover size
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
U.S. National Grid Coordinates
 Use the number of digits needed for the
accuracy desired.
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Planning Team Training
U.S. National Grid
Further information
The following links have additional information
on the USNG.
 http://www.fgdc.gov/usng/index.html
 http://www.fgdc.gov/usng/educationalresources/USNGInstruct_No1v4_No2_r.pdf
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