This story is a long one, so, I will spare everyone those details for another time if they are of interest to anyone. For now I will begin right now as of today. Starting this story today is fine because it has not changed in nearly 2 years since I first encountered this self proclaimed geodesist from Texas, named Aaron, when he entered the live chat on my channel to tell me that "GPS measures grid distances". My attempt to explain to him how that simply wasn't true was the beginning of the "mentoring" relationship still going on to this day in which I provide Aaron with the correct answers and he fights back with things he seems to make up right on the spot. Aaron posts things like -
GPS measures grid distances.
The grid is the ellipsoid.
The GPS vector is a curved line.
GPS vectors will match EDM slope distances only at sea level.
The WGS84 ECEF Cartesian Coordinate System is curved.
The RINEX file contains curved data.
That ECEF coordinates are calculated from Latitude and Longitude, not the other way around.
The geoid model is involved in the GPS vector processing.
.... and much much more. The list grows daily.
I originally offered Aaron several times that we take this discussion off line to talk it over on the telephone, but he rejected that idea, preferring instead to troll my channel calling me dishonest, deceptive and a fraud along with posting his own unique brand of geodesy openly and publicly for everyone to witness.
I am posting this here on the RPLS Today Forum because Aaron started his abusive attacks once again on Twitter a few days ago.
To see Aaron's most recent online geodesy lessons, expand the top pinned comment under The Maine Surveyor's video, "Is JTolan Trollin'?".
NOTE - THE COMMENTS MENTIONED ABOVE CAN ONLY BE VIEWED BY OPENING YOUTUBE AND CLICKING ON THE MAINE SURVEYOR'S VIDEO CALLED, "Is JTolan Trollin'?".
Again, the purpose of this post is NOT to discuss that specific video, but to draw attention to Aaron's comments under that video.
I will not share his Tweets here or his private messages to me on LinkedIn. If Aaron has a friend here on the RPLS, you might think about speaking with him getting some remedial training and adopting a more professional approach with people he disagrees with on line.
Here is the Maine Surveyor's YouTube channel where you can find the video and comments mentioned above.
w w w dot youtube dot com/channel/UCkVghfMnZOuADJBRbV_jj8Q
When I made this post earlier in the GNSS & Geodesy forum, I included the link to the video which is fun to watch, but became a distraction for some away from the main reason I am sharing this in the surveying community at this time. Also, it appeared that some people thought The Maine Surveyor is a flatearther. No, he is not! We're discussing something much worse than a flatearther here.
Meanwhile, in a world existing far beyond the serenity of the RPLS forum, this is actually happening ...?ÿ
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Aaron, are you here ?
... and the sage continues with no end in sight. I have never seen anyone like this before. I have to believe it is possible for some good to come out of this, even if it is only a lesson for everyone except Aaron sadly.
It's best to learn state plane the old-fashioned way. Calculate coordinates using a book of tables, and more advanced calculate the geodetic lat, long for a point from actual field observations then calculate the SPC from the Lat, Long coordinate. I don't know if they even publish tables for NAD83 but I sure have them for NAD27. Clearly the guy is lost,,,,,,,hope he isn't surveying. I could only read a couple of those screen shots, that was enough. ?ÿ
You can't teach someone who would rather argue than learn. Give it up.
You can't teach someone who would rather argue than learn. Give it up.
Those are golden words Bill.?ÿ I ask your permission to 'plagiarize' this wisdom and help send it down through the ages.
@mightymoe, except in this case, we're not discussing SPCS. We're only talking about the simple fact that GPS vectors are measured between 2 antenna phase centers and that straight line length matches the EDM slope distance if you measure it by replacing the 2 antenna with your EDM and a prism. Aaron insists GPS measures grid distances and he insists that the dxdydz vector only matches your EDM slope distance at sea level. He's all mixed up. Mean too.
@bill93, I completely agree with you except, there's no teaching going on here. This is just another place to record and store this bizarre experience I'm having with a strange fellow trashing me online. So, I'm finally bringing this situation to my surveying community, here, and elsewhere. My offer to speak with him offline privately 2 years ago was rejected by him. I'm sorry to have to do this, but, I'm not taking another 2 years of this guy's online hostility toward me for only disagreeing with his incorrect statement the GPS measures grid distances.
I got that part, but if he could hand calculate SPC from field observations it would sink in what all he's talking about. There's nothing like hands on learning. But then again he might just be a troll or so hard headed that nothing will work.
@mightymoe, oh you're right there, but Jeff asked him this simple question, how far is the point located at ECEF 0,0,5 away from the origin and he could not answer it.
Those are golden words Bill.?ÿ I ask your permission to 'plagiarize' this wisdom and help send it down through the ages.
I have no claim on that quote.?ÿ I'm sure it's been said by someone long ago and wiser than me.
It is usually difficult to distinguish between willful ignorance and stupidity.?ÿ
@gene-kooper, yes and combining either one of those, or both, plus stubbornness and a willingness to proclaim it publicly, well, that's Aaron.
I really wish someone in this RPLS community that knows Aaron might have a word with him. But, based on what I've experienced, maybe nobody wants to take that chance and I don't blame them.
So now Aaron is over on @Maine 's yt channel saying none of us have worked at 2700 feet above sea level like he does and that's the only way to learn what he knows. How about 6k+ feet in Arequipa Peru? That's me in this pic, working for Trimble, teaching mine surveyors how to operate their new GPS equipment around 1996.
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if the guy is trolling you on your channel your best recourse might be to block him. You aren't going to change his mind.
I readily find a web site for that Aaron in Midland, TX.?ÿ It talks of oilfield permits, topo, and construction staking.?ÿ I see nothing there indicating that his work delves into serious geodesy, thank goodness.?ÿ As long as he lets his data collector do the heavy lifting, all will be well.
@dave-karoly, well yes I tried that, but he continues his online smears privately behind my back. So, now I've invited him here to talk things over publicly. He rejected my invitation by PM on LinkedIn encouraging him 2 years ago giving him my phone number to take this offline.
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Remember that guy, from a long time ago; Cam something-or-other?
We may have found him!
@bill93, over on Twitter he's a geodesist too, see pic attached here.
And he touts his standing and reputation as such in TX.
