OPUS PROJECTS

> 1. Is it worth it?
You could probably sell your place at the table for a premium. The training sessions are all sold out, all over the country. I'm on a waiting list.

> 2. I read through the presentation (that I had to print myself) last night and I do not quite understand why this is a 2-day seminar. Will it really take 2? Should it really take 2?
Maybe not, but you have to do the training to be eligible to use it, so it's a cross you must bear.

I have not regretted going yet. Constantly use it to tie control between jobs. It can all probably can be crammed into 1 day. On the other hand, utilizing the program with mock control networks with an NGS official behind your back really help answer questions I probably would have had if it were not for the second day.

We had it in 1 day but i would say its worth it if performing static on a regular basis is in your toolbag of tricks.

> 1. Is it worth it?

Yes. Definitely worthwhile.

>
> 2. I read through the presentation (that I had to print myself) last night and I do not quite understand why this is a 2-day seminar. Will it really take 2? Should it really take 2?
>

The seminar I attended only took 1.5 days. While it wasn't a bad presentation, I left wanting something more in depth that what was taught. We were given a 1) do this then 2) do that then 3) do this .... sort of class.

What I would have preferred is more .... these numbers you see on page two represent this. The normal range should be between here and here. If they come out lower than that range it means this and if they come out higher than that range it means this.

In other words, the presentation is cookbook on how to get an answer and no explanation of what the numbers mean.

Larry P

I saw the cookbook comment in the presentation... multiple times.

From my end, once the electrician installs the ground, I will be setting up my own self-CORS receiver on my roof. I have run the CORS software in a demo and once I have it down I will be setting up some more self-CORS around me (my house, my parent's house, an engineer's office in the next town etc.). I have 5 old GPS units that could become self-CORS, just need an old XP box and an internet connection.

Currently I have been running networks with 4-5 GPS units running at once on my own control. Typically 2 bases and 2-3 rovers (if you like that nomenclature). I have the luxury of leaving my equipment without worrying about theft, so I have been running 4 hour plus occupy times. The results have been excellent: primary process through TopCon Tools with exported vectors into SurvNet combined with years of static data. My network is connected to multiple level runs and NGS control points and I am finding that I am chasing hundredths vertically at this point.

Currently I am a little outside of the grid with the nearest NGS CORS being 60 miles away and the geometry of the CORS all being West. I stopped relying on OPUS once I had my own network of control established. We are waiting for the MassDOT to flip the switch on their network at which point OPUS Projects will be a possible solution.

I just hope Dan Martin continues to be the exciting presenter I have known him to be in the past.

OPUs Projects is a Great Tool. The presentation is scheduled for 2 days becasue you will be submitting data through OPUS, and you have to wait for the results. If their are 20 people in the class, it can get bogged down. Also if someone not in the class is uploading a lot of BIG files to OPUS things can get slow.

The processing and adjustment portions of OPUS Projects have a lower priority than OPUS on the servers so that can take a while if OPUS is busy.

By having 2 days, you can take your time and ask lots of questions. If they ask you to take your own data, be sure to take a few good clean observations so you can see how it works.

A word of advise when you finish the training, KIS&S, Keep It Simple & Small, dont get a lot of receivers running in your first project. It can get out of hand in a hurry, and don't ask how I know.

I took this last month and it is worth it. You can't use "opus projects" unless you've taken the class. Our chapter of FSMS put it on down here.

Steve, how many would you consider a lot? I was hoping that we can bring our own data, and was looking at 6-7 receivers worth of data over a few days. (long occupations with good data)

I was surprised how much I learned, and I think it's worth it. We had a training session here at LSU with a lot of DoTD personnel in attendance. I was done in 1½ days. A number of projects are offered for you to practice with if you wish to; I only did one.

If you bring your own project, be careful regarding its size as you are dependent on OPUS turnaround time. Some days you can be lucky; some days not.

Once you take the course, NGS has your email ID and that's the NGS equivalent of a "secret decoder ring" to allow you to enter the "clubhouse."

If you can gain admittance, GO.

> ..... just need an old XP box and an internet connection.
>

Be careful there! MS has discontinued all support for XP including security updates. If you are going to do that, you better have a serious firewall going on. Best to get a hold of proper IT security specialist involved.
My 0.02.

Start out with 4 receivers for a few days till you get in the flow. My first try at it, we had 14 units in 2 states. Put everyone on fixed height tripods and if you can, use the same receivers and antennas at all points. We had 4 Trimble R-8, 3 Trimble R-6, 2 Leica Sr530 and 1 Trimble R-5, and 4 Ashtech Z12. Some of the observers uploaded their data daily, some waited a day and some of them waited a week. The hardest part was getting all the pictures organized. If everyone can and will submit their data daily, it is not a problem. We had some observers that were nothing better than guards for the receivers so data management was a problem.

OPUS Projects is a powerful tool but you need to learn to manage it. It took about a week to get 4 days of observations straightened out, and we still need to redo some of the pictures. The idea behind OPUS Projects is that each observer will submit their data daily. It is hard to do that with some crews. Some of them have too much education, a Masters Degree, in a Non Geospatial Degree, and others are only interested in a paycheck, and have trouble finding the on switch on a computer.

I have been watching and as soon as I saw the ad for the seminar, I signed up. So, I have a place, so I will go.

Thank you everyone for the positive comments on the seminar. I am looking forward to it.

If anyone is going to Southborough tomorrow, see you there.

Just signed up for the "closest" seminar that still had availability.

So if anyone wants to get a beer in Charlotte August 7th or 8th.....

I'll be there as well
C U

Saw you here and FoggyIdea (Don), picture to follow.

So far so good with the OPUS Projects and I found out 2 of the 3 CORS near me are now online. I am on the edge of the OPUS-RS solution now so I guess I should start using OPUS again.

Closest one I could find to sign up for was in Diego Garcia:-D

I signed up today for one in Petaluma, CA, which is about an hour and fifteen minutes from home. CLSA is hosting two sessions; the other one is down south in Riverside.

I don't see any mention of them on the CLSA website, so I hope I'm not spilling any beans that ought not be spilled yet.

So Thadd, after the first day how ya feeling about it? 🙂

Wish I could join you there today!

Dtp

> I signed up today for one in Petaluma, CA, which is about an hour and fifteen minutes from home. CLSA is hosting two sessions; the other one is down south in Riverside.

Both sessions, with 30 seats each, sold out in a day. Glad I jumped on it as soon as I got the notice, instead of waiting to do it later as I almost did!