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Geocaching for Dummies »

Authors: Joel McNamara, K. Feltman
ISBN-13: 9780764575716, ISBN-10: 0764575716
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated
Date Published: August 2004
Edition: (Non-applicable)

Author Biography: Joel McNamara

Joel McNamara is a technology consultant, author, adventure racer, and veteran geocacher. He’s experienced in search-and-rescue and disaster response operations.

Book Synopsis

Find a high-tech hobby in the great outdoors!

Dig into this fast-growing detective sport that’s fun for all ages

Once you get your coordinates, your GPS receiver, maps, compass, and this book, you’re ready for adventure! Seek out containers of goodies hidden around the world by other geocachers, hide a cache of your own, see new places, and get a little exercise to boot. Here’s where to start!

The Dummies Way

Explanations in plain English
"Get in, get out" information
Icons and other navigational aids
Tear-out cheat sheet
Top ten lists
A dash of humor and fun

Discover how to:

Choose and use a GPS receiver
Find and download coordinates
Pack the right gear
Share experiences with the geocaching community
Search for benchmarks
Use geocaching as a teaching tool

	Introduction	1
	About This Book	2
	What You're Not to Read	3
	Foolish Assumptions	3
	How This Book Is Organized	4
	Icons Used in This Book	5
	A Few Closing Thoughts	6
Part I	Getting Ready to Geocache	7
Chapter 1	An Introduction to Geocaching	9
	What Is Geocaching?	10
	Geocaching technology	10
	Geocaching explained	11
	Deciding to Geocache	14
	Who Geocaches?	15
	What You Need to Geocache	16
	Geojargon: Speaking the Lingo	17
Chapter 2	Selecting a GPS Receiver	21
	Understanding Basic GPS Concepts	22
	Satellites	22
	Ground stations	24
	Receivers	25
	GPS Receiver Accuracy	26
	Factors That Affect GPS Accuracy	29
	Discovering GPS Receiver Features	30
	Shells	30
	Screen display	31
	Mapping capabilities	32
	Memory	33
	PC interface	34
	Antennas	34
	Batteries	35
	Enhanced features	36
	Selecting a GPS Receiver for Geocaching	39
Chapter 3	Using a GPS Receiver	43
	Getting Familiar with Basic GPS Concepts	43
	Understanding coordinate systems	44
	Understanding datums	49
	Understanding waypoints	51
	Understanding routes	51
	Understanding tracks	52
	Using Your GPS Receiver	53
	Initializing a GPS receiver	54
	Changing receiver settings	56
	Entering a waypoint	57
	Navigating to a waypoint	59
Chapter 4	Using a Map and Compass	61
	All about Compasses	62
	Why do you need a compass?	62
	How compasses work	62
	Parts of a compass	65
	Selecting a compass	68
	All about Maps	71
	Why do you need a map?	71
	Selecting the right map	72
	Understanding parts of a map	75
	Using a Map and Compass	81
	Getting familiar with basic navigation concepts	82
	Orienting the map to north	83
	Taking a bearing	84
	Setting a course	85
	Using triangulation	87
Part II	Let's Go Geocaching	89
Chapter 5	Selecting Geocaches to Find	91
	Defining the Types of Geocaches	92
	Traditional cache	92
	Multicache	92
	Virtual cache	93
	Mystery cache	93
	Locationless cache	93
	Letterbox hybrid	94
	Event cache	94
	Webcam cache	94
	Caches within caches	94
	Using Geocaching.com	96
	Querying the Geocaching.com Database	98
	Basic search techniques	98
	Detailed search techniques	101
	Looking at the Search Results	103
	Viewing the list of geocaches	103
	Getting information about a geocache	106
Chapter 6	Searching for a Geocache	111
	Deciding What Gear to Bring Geocaching	111
	Cache-related	112
	Food and shelter	115
	Electronic devices	117
	Safety equipment	119
	Getting Close to the Geocache	122
	Starting Your Search	125
	Search Strategies as You Near the Cache	128
Chapter 7	Discovering a Geocache	131
	What to Do When You Find a Geocache	131
	Opening the cache	132
	Signing the logbook	133
	Leaving and trading goodies	135
	Heading home	137
	Logging your find online	137
	When You Can't Find a Geocache	140
	Logging a DNF	141
	Try, try again	141
Chapter 8	Hiding Geocaches	143
	Deciding What Type of Geocache to Create	144
	Selecting a Container	144
	Ammo cans	145
	Household plastic storage containers	145
	Selecting a Location	147
	Where to hide your cache	147
	Where not to hide your cache	148
	Hiding for seekers	149
	Recording the location	151
	Stocking a Geocache	151
	Logbook and writing utensil	151
	Identifying information	152
	Goodies	152
	Submitting a Geocache	153
	Maintaining a Geocache	158
	Physical maintenance	158
	Online maintenance	159
Part III	Advanced Geocaching	161
Chapter 9	Searching for Benchmarks	163
	Understanding Benchmarks	164
	Identifying Benchmarks in Your Area	166
	Benchmarks from Geocaching.com	166
	Benchmarks from the National Geodetic Survey	169
	Finding Benchmarks	172
	Starting your benchmark search	173
	Documenting a found benchmark	174
Chapter 10	Organized Geocaching Clubs and Competitions	177
	Geocaching Clubs	177
	Why join a club?	178
	Finding a local club	179
	Competitive Geocaching	184
	Geocaching stats	184
	Organized competitions	185
Chapter 11	GPS and Geocaching in Education	187
	GPS in the Schools	188
	Geography	188
	History and sociology	189
	Ecology	189
	Mathematics	190
	Physical education	190
	Incorporating GPS in a Class	191
	Developing the curriculum	192
	Acquiring GPS receivers	194
	Evaluating your success	194
	Educational Internet Resources	195
Part IV	The Part of Tens	197
Chapter 12	Ten Internet Geocaching Resources	199
	Geocaching.com	199
	Navicache.com	200
	Buxley's Geocaching Waypoint	200
	GPS Visualizer	200
	Today's Cacher	201
	Geocacher University	201
	Markwell's FAQs	201
	KeenPeople.com	201
	The First 100 Geocaches	202
	Letterboxing North America	202
	GPSInformation.net	202
Chapter 13	Ten Geocaching Programs	203
	Geocaching Swiss Army Knife (GSAK)	204
	GPXSonar	204
	CacheMate	204
	Watcher	205
	Plucker	205
	GPSBabel	205
	USAPhotoMaps	206
	TopoFusion	206
	Index	207