GPS distance measuring « adventuresofgreg.blog

Check out this cool high-tech GPS gear I got from my friends at Trimble and Geneq!

The SXBlue from Geneq is a high precision GPS that delivers sub-meter positioning accuracy and low power consumption. It uses a new GPS engine architecture that provides faster startup and acquisition times. the SXBlue will be mounted on CriticalPower2 and will transmit my position via a XTend radio frequency modem to a receiver unit tat is connected to my Trimble Nomad hand held computer which will accurately map and log my position.

Greg Bradley holds the reciever unit with
the antena mounted on a fiberglass rod.

On board CP2, I will use my Trimble Nomad running GPS software to collect redundant data and so that I can see where I am on the moving map. The Genec GPS will not only transmit my position to the ground based unit via radio, but simultaneously broadcast my GPS coordinates via Bluetooth to the Nomad which I will have in front of me as I make my way around the lake. Very slick.

This is the transmitter unit mounted behind the seat of CP2.
The GPS antennae is on the top of the Genec cap I am wearing.
They call me Super Geek.

The transmitter unit will be powered by four 7200 Ma Lithium Polymer batteries connected in parallel which will give me about 30 hours of continuous use.
The photo above shows my charging station.

The rules

According to the Guinness World Record guidelines for “GREATEST DISTANCE BY A PEDAL POWERED BOAT IN 24 HOURS”, an acceptable method of measuring my distance is:

“The progress of the journey must be tracked using timed GPS position reports which are transmitted to a separate station. The onward transmission may be via Inmarsat, Argos or another system capable EITHER of collecting the data and automatically forwarding it at preset intervals OR of being polled by the base station (or both). The essential feature is that the timed GPS position reports must be collected and forwarded without any action by the participant. The data collected in this way must be submitted with the record claim and must be certified as being true and accurate by the person/persons manning this station. “

The alternative method of measuring distance which is also accepted by Guinness is the old fashioned surveyed buoy course and counting laps.

The International Human Powered Vehicle Association is reviewing the GPS distance measuring method. They suggest that using the GPS to measure a pre-existing marked course might be acceptable, but to freely wonder around the lake using the GPS to measure my distance would be against the spirit of the competition. I would have to agree to some extent.

To satisfy both Guinness and IHPVA, I may have to revert to counting laps of a professional surveyed marked course like I did during last years HPB record attempt for HPVA, and use the GPS distance for the Guinness record.

New modifications to CP2

In Whitefish I noticed that I had problems making tight turns in windy conditions so I stole the flip-down rudder off of my Hobie Adventure Mirage drive kayak and installed it on CP2. It works VERY well. When I need to turn a corner, I just pull a cord and flip down the large rudder. To make small adjustments to my course, I use my small efficient rudder.

Check this sweet elliptical chain ring out:

This is an elliptical chain ring made for me by my buddy Matt Cochran at Kittadyne. As you can see in the photo, the chain ring is not round, but oval. I rotate the ring such that the widest diameter of the oval coincides with my optimal pedal torque position. This tends to better simulate the momentum of a road bike. Riding the round ring on the boat is like pedalling your bike with the breaks on and the elliptical ring relocates more of the torque to my power position, and less to the part of the pedal stroke that doesn’t do much work. It seems to work great and after 10 brutal hours on the lake yesterday, me knee seems to be a lot better. I’ll post results of my training run in the next update.

my new serious haircut

Frank Eeckman on August 14, 2008

I would recommend doing a lot of miles with the elliptical rings before your record attempt. Any modification in your power stroke could lead to injury if you are not fully used to it. Otherwise, way to go!

Anonymous on August 15, 2008

Hey Greg, Glad to see you are trying an eliptical chain ring. I was wondering if that would help!

Todd

bree on September 11, 2009

Physical Measurement GPS distance measurement needs a little bit knowledge about map positioning.

Adventures of Greg