Re: GPS Interface Software

["D.F.S." <dfs@xmission.com>]

> 
> On Mon, April 12 1999, "D.F.S." <dfs@xmission.com> wrote:
> |> 
> |> |   I've noticed one topic that hasn't come up on the list yet; GPS
> |> 
> |> Not sure how much this is relevant to this forum, so I think any
> |> further discussion should be kept away from here, 
> |First off, I gess I must be mistaken as to the intent of the mailing list.
> |I thought it was all about planes, computers and the linux OS.
> |I think This is a perfect subject along those lines.
> 
> OK, I just hope we don't annoy anyone.

Just to clarify, my intent was not to be testy or sarcastic.
If these subjects are against the intended charter or direction of
the newsgroup just say so.
I honestly presumed this was the intent of the list... yes/no?

> 
> |A laptop or palmtop or motherboard built into a metal case and mounted
> |under the seats in the plane running linux could do incredible
> |things with the info the GPS can provide.
> 
> Yes, sure.
> 
> I suppose as a glider (aka sail-plane) pilot, especially with club
> gliders (i.e. no private glider to stick my babies inside
> permanently), and with power, space (not just volume, but take a
> moment to remember how a glider pilot sits and try to find a place for
> the display) and sometimes weight limits being an issue, I look at
> quite the opposite extreme of the scale - lightweight, small,
> self-sufficient (i.e. no or very limited external battery) and
> hopefully lap-mountable box which can help me calculate from current
> data (IAS, TAS (=> wind), height, vertical speed, glider data, average
> thermal characteristics encountered so far and predicted by forecast
> etc.) where can I hope to reach from my current position.

I don't see that much of a difference between goals as part of the 
"Big Picture"

They are 90% the same with minor differences.
that should not be an issue as long as everyone understands it may take
personal effort to get exactly what they want and this will not be an
off-the-shelf solution.

The aerodynamic formulas will be the same with a few variables, some of
the goals may be different, some may not be that different.
Granted, you may be more interested in range and perf. less the engine,
and I may be more interested in calculation of range considering
winds aloft and A/C characteristics at different altitudes.
GOOD quality inteligent glide calculation could be VERY critical
to me at times such as an emergency.

IF we are inteligent and write portable code, hardware is not such an
issue either.

I may be able to get away with a larger and heavier laptop than you or
someone else, but PC compatible laptops come in everything from AAA
battery powered palmtops at 8 ounces all the way up to 450 Mhz Kilowatt
sucking monsters that will tax that 60 amp alternator on your plane.


I also want to track performance and route info and archive it.
imagine how much better you could plan once you have a large
database of info on exactly how your plane behaves including all the
variables we add as pilots.

> My point is that I'm in what might be viewed by others in this forum
> to be a "niche" - I need small, lightweight, PORTABLE, computer with
> GPS capabilities and which can calculate real-time data specific for
> flying gliders.  Looks like a PalmPilot with this card might give a
> good, partial, answer to such needs.
> 
Like I said, good portable software could be ported to the palm-pilot. 

> |A $50.00 laptop from someplace like EBAY and $100 for a GPS rcvr and
> |antenna could give you a realtime, moving display system using LINUX
> 
> But the size and other attributes aren't acceptable, unless you have
> something in mind I'm not aware of.

Granted, they are not $50.00 anymore, but there are lap/palmtop computers
in the under a pound range.

Another solution could be one of the 4 line/20 char LCD displays.
they are fairly easy to drive, stuff the laptop out of the way someplace
and make your dedicated application run the display.
They are tiny and cheap, as in under $10.00.  stick one in a handy
location on the panel with double sided tape.

Marc

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