UNAVCO GPS Support to the National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs

EQUIPMENT

Thirteen receivers from the UNAVCO pool were provided for support throughout the field season, nine Trimble SSE/SSi receivers and four TurboRogue SNR8000 receivers. All necessary ancillary equipment (such as field computers, data processing software, solar panels, batteries, chargers, tripods, and cables) was also provided. This full suite of GPS equipment eliminated most special planning requirements for GPS related equipment by science groups.

A Trimble Real Time Kinematic (RTK) Total Station was available for use for the first time this season. RTK technology allows centimeter level accuracy in real time and has the potential to eliminate most data post-processing. The RTK system also provides in-field verification that good data are collected. RTK operation requires radio communication to a base station receiver, and UNAVCO has identified the need to enhance this link through upgraded radio modem transceivers. This equipment was delivered from the manufacturer to McMurdo Station (via ASA), bypassing the normal UNAVCO Facility equipment check-in and test procedures. Durable packaging and any necessary ancillary equipment will be identified and acquired in preparation for the 1996/97 season as funds permit.

All receivers functioned flawlessly throughout the season, and equipment damage was consistent with normal use. Damaged equipment was either repaired by the field engineers or flagged for attention upon return to UNAVCO. No significant down time occurred due to equipment failures. Unfortunately, one magneto-optical disk drive, used for data management, was stolen from the UNAVCO Crary Lab office and never recovered.

Last modified Monday, 26-Nov-2007 22:31:09 UTC

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