Building a Navigation System/logger
We’re fortunate in that there is a free open source software package called SoarPilot. All I can tell you is that it is an excellent soaring navigation system and logger. To learn more about its capabilities go to SoarPilot
Note, this system is not an FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale) approved logger. However it is the ONLY non approved logger which is accepted by the OLC (On-Line Competition). By uploading your flights to the On-Line Competition – which is free – you can see your flight overlaid on a Google map with a barograph. Basically you can see where you have been. Click here to see some OLC logged flights ZEPHYRHILLS FLIGHT. Click on the info button for details of the individual flights.
SoarPilot runs on the Palm operating system and the best PDA computer to run it on is the Palm Tungsten T (not the T2, T3 or T5). It will run on other computers and can even be adapted to run on Windows operating systems for Ipaq and other PDAs. However the Palm Tungsten T is the only PDA which has a fully reflective screen which means the visibility of the screen improves in sunlight making it what I believe to be the most easily readable PDA in a glider cockpit. Other PDAs have transflective screens which work best in an interior environment
Buying the Parts
I buy the Palm Tungsten T, Holux GPS, Battery pack and mount on EBay.
The Tungsten T costs about $60 delivered. I don't fight for the cheap ones and usually am able to pick them up on a "Buy it Now" basis.
The Holux M1000 bluetooth GPS can be purchased on a “Buy it Now” basis on EBay for about $45.
The battery pack - search on "tungsten t item package" and for about $15 delivered you will get a battery pack, USB cable, wall charger, car charger and a few other items of lesser significance.
For the mount search on “suction mount for PDA” and you’ll find one for about $12 delivered.
Then you need:
4 AA batteries
Velcro from your dressmakers store - the sticky back kind which comes in strips and you buy it by the yard.
3/32" plexiglas to make the mount.
3/16" plexiglas if you want to make a storage base.
You'll need some plastic solvent - one tube is a lifetime supply - they'll have it in the same place you get the plexiglas - someone told me recently that Home Depot sells plexiglas! I’d go to your local plastics shop – when you tell them what you need they’ll let you rummage through the scrap bin and charge a nominal fee.
Putting it together
1. Cut a piece of 3/32" plexiglas to 7" x 3.5". Clamp it vertically in a vice between two pieces of wood with 1 1/2" exposed. Heat the exposed plastic with a heat gun until you can bend it back about 45 degrees - takes about 165 degrees F - experiment but don't overheat. Put a piece of straight wood on it to bend it - it'll protect your fingers and make the bend reasonably straight. You have now made the Palm mount.
2. Take the suction mount. On the non suction mount end there is a bracket with a clip on it. Slice off the clip - I use my table saw as it is quick and easy - to leave a flat surface. Spread some plastic solvent on the flat surface then center and press the plexiglas mount onto it. You'll be able to see the glue spread evenly through the clear plexiglas. Leave it for a couple of hours to set really solid.
3. Now stick everything else together with Velcro.
4. To make a base I use 3/16" plexiglas (I just happen to have some around). Cut one piece about 6" x 6" and another about 3" x 3" then glue the pieces with solvent and leave for a couple of hours. Use just enough solvent to cover the surface otherwise it makes a mess if it squeezes out the sides.
That’s the physical part - it's really quite easy.
Making it Work
The easiest way to set up the system on the computer is to bring the entire system – at least the Tungsten T and the Holux GPS – to the field while I am there and I will give you an SD storage card for the Tungsten and load the system for you and give you a sheet of paper with the basic instructions on it. This way if your system battery is ever totally exhausted you can reload the system off of the SD card.
Allan Broadribb
broaribba@gmail.com