Category Archives: Surveying
Surveying in the Land of Penguins
The term one-man crew takes on new meaning in Antarctica. In 1841, a U.S. expedition mapped a portion of Antarctica, proving that it was a continent. Generations later, surveyors such as Corey Biddle continue to map and survey the area with the latest equipment. But sometimes the rough conditions in this frozen land–where GPS antenna...
Retracement: The Hidden Corner
The Art of Retracement The Old Man–Glenny Dale–paced slow and steady, picking his way through the ankle-bending sagebrush while enjoying its sweet, springtime smell. Eager (The Kid)–Igor Kidinsky–took a straight path along the old barb fence, crushing the twisted sage stems with solid stamps of his boots, lacking the patience of the old-timer. Four white-tailed...
Surveyors of Tomorrow: Following Familial Footsteps
Sometimes the most valuable and viable pool of recruits is sitting across from you at the dinner table. Some people have an affinity for surveying or a related field “in their blood,” and quite a few have it, literally, “in their bloodlines.” There are a lot of multi-generational practices. These are more common among small,...
What Is a Least Squares Adjustment Anyway?
Up to now I have talked about a least squares adjustment as if everyone knows what it involves. In this article, I discuss what a least squares adjustment is and what makes it so valuable in adjusting observational data. Note: Please click on the images below to see them or read our full issue to...
The Future of Surveying: National Image, Recruiting & Education
Forum on the Future of Surveying I’ll admit that I didn’t know what I was agreeing to (or getting myself into) when I accepted the offer to attend the second Forum on the Future of Surveying meeting to represent the NSPS Young Surveyors. I read the summary of the first forum meeting and was extremely...
Full Kit: xyHt Looks at Cutting-Edge Surveying Gear
Topcon releases a complete surveying suite. The release is timely. For forward-thinking firms trying to meet increased demand, two key challenges are staffing up and gearing up. Many firms that have not added crews or upgraded kit for more than a decade are looking to do both in a hurry. xyHt attended several surveying and...