Survey Techniques

I have talked before about getting some holes in the Society's datasets filled, but I reckon, now that this can be done far more effectively if we take on and learn the best modern techniques.

We now have a fully working Distox and will have a second, soon (Just don't tell the committee 'cos they haven't agreed to pay for it yet!)

Working with one of these and using a handheld PDA to collect the data via a bluetooth link, better data can be collected, as splay shots can be used to better measure chambers and high-angle legs can be done with greater precision.

In terms of output, the product is superior as well. It also has the advantage of not having to be re-done as drawings are generated from the dataset at any point and after the addition of further data can be done again at the press of a button.

Tools required:

Distox (modified Leica A3 disto)
Handheld PDA running windows
Waterproof box for the latter.
Copy of "Pocket Topo" for the PDA
Copy of "Therion" to crunch the data.

Anybody who is computer savvy and interested should download Therion and start reading the manual but in the near future I am hoping we can do some training sessions in how to do all this and can then send people out into the world to do decent surveys faster. By then we should have two sets of kit (three if Tony Boycott joins in with his own).

I'm more than happy to do some surveying with this. In fact, I'd really like to be trained on it soon as we will have a Distox on the expedition in Dachstein this summer. Is it possible to do something before the students are back after the summer? It also means I could help them with it once they are back.

Im still interested but im restricted to weekends for the next 8-9 weeks.

To understand Therion you will really need some data and go through the whole process. Simple single sessions are relatively easy, it is putting things together that is far more fun.
Happy to guide 2 or 3 people through in a pub one night, or round here if beer is brought.
As for the distoX, how about Sunday the 5th

Where?

I doubt that you would be surprised to find, I am thinking of Great Chamber, see how many routes we can find, but open to suggestions depending on who wants to do it.
There is now a survey station at the bottom of the climb up. (As we will have a pda with us the photo can be stored on it, so you can find the station again, without having to mark it. excellent for conservation)
We would need to run a Therion session first, no point doing surveying if people do not know what they are aiming at.
Sunday will have to be the morning, I have to be back in Bristol by 14:00

Andrew - I'm moving house next week but I can do an evening the following week. Not sure if I can make the 5th yet as I might well go up to Derbyshire.

I cant make the 5th but might be able to do the following week (im busy graduating on the 10th).

The following week also sounds good to me.