Learn how to use GPS for flying, boating, and general navigation!
I have two texts on this site, Cockpit GPS and Basic GPS Navigation. Both texts are meant to explain how to use GPS, especially handheld GPS. Neither text is meant to replace the owner's manual, but to supplement it. There is a difference in scope and intent. The owner's manual explains how to operate specific functions, I tell you how to use those functions to navigate.
I have spent quite a bit of time on both documents. If you find them useful, please let me know by dropping me an e-mail, or donating a couple of $$ to defray expenses.
Cockpit GPS Quick Start
(06/02/2004 6 pages)This is a quick 6 pages summary of what is in Cockpit GPS. I have tried to distill some of my more important points into this document.
Cockpit GPS
(updated 1/19/2008 268 pages about 4 Mb.)Cockpit GPS (Adobe Acrobat .pdf)
Download and viewing note: For best results, right click on the link and select "Save As." If you open it in your browser, the newer versions of Acrobat may not show the bookmarks. If the bookmarks (contents links) do not appear along the left edge, the bookmark link in the new version of Acrobat looks like the following.
Basic GPS Navigation (formerly Small Boat GPS)
(01/25/2008 184 pages 2.7 Mb.)Basic GPS Navigation (Adobe Acrobat .pdf)
See the download and viewing note above.
I have published these books in a manner similar to shareware. You can download both books for free, but I am asking for a voluntary payment of $5 for Basic GPS Navigation and $10 for Cockpit GPS. However, I will gladly accept any amount! This is less than a couple of beverages and I hope that you will find this to be a bargain for the amount of information available in either text. Publishing in this way allows me to publish internationally and create updates. This also provides you with instant gratification and the ability to see if the material is what you are looking for.
CLICK HERE FOR THE PAYMENT PAGE
Personal Satisfaction Payment
I am hoping to earn enough from this project to help support my gadget habit. However, my purpose in writing these texts was not for financial gain. Unfortunately, I had to take down my guest book due to the constant spamming. However, you can send me e-mail at handheldgps insert the at sign hotmail.com.
I have recently created two Yahoo message boards. I will probably not get much time to moderate them, but the idea intrigued me. They are available at:
Basic GPS Navigation: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/basicgpsnavigation/
Cockpit GPS: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cockpitgps/
Although, either book can be read on the computer, I prefer the printed version.
Printing
The easiest way of getting a printed copy is to have it printed at an internet connected copy shop such as Kinkos. Any internet connected copy shop should be able to print the .pdf file. If you have a CD-burner you can probably bring the file to a copy shop on CD for printing.
I would recommend having either book printed double sided black and white. Depending on the options offered by the copy shop, you can have it bound with either a spiral or tape binding.
Kinkos, has a service where you can download the file from here and then load it onto the Kinko's site to have printed out at your local store. The files are formatted to be printed double sided. I would suggest having either text printed black and white double sided with a tape or spiral binding. You might be able to get away with less expensive staple binding for Basic GPS Navigation.
If any copy shop expresses concern about the copyright, refer them to page 3 of the .pdf file where I explicitly permit you to have a copy printed out.
It is also possible to print the book on your computer. For some tricks and tips, click here.
Adobe Acrobat download instructions:
Both books are available as Adobe Acrobat files to facilitate printing or reading on the computer. You will need version 5.0 or newer of Adobe Acrobat reader available for free at www.adobe.com. Your computer may already have Acrobat reader installed. If not, it is useful and required for many other documents available on the web.
Although, it is possible to just click on the links to the respective files below, it is better to right click and select "save as." The first advantage of this method is that it allows you to see the progress of the download. Otherwise, it will just appear that your computer has locked up until the download is complete. The second advantage is that you can open the file in Acrobat reader without the wasted screen space spent on the browser when the file is opened from within a browser such as Internet Explorer.
Once the file downloads, just click on the "open" button.
Summary: This is a site with two downloadable books to teach GPS navigation. One book is to teach how to use GPS for a variety of recreational uses. The other book is to teach GPS navigation for pilots.
It is not related to GPS, but I have a site with a Microsoft Access auction database which is available for a donation to my sons' school PTL. I am posting the link here in case anybody is interested and even more important to have some links for the search engines to pick up.
