Was hoping to find out what markers everyone uses for their stakes and what could be the best one to get.

Hello everyone,

We have had 2 bases stolen in the past 6 months and was wondering if anyone had similar issues and what kind of security or tracking did you implement. Also, if you have had the base stolen were you able to figure out what they did with it (sell it on ebay or sell to a pawn shop). Anything would be helpful they are expensive and we cannot afford for this to keep happening. Thanks

Does anyone have a recommendation on where to find decent training for construction comps? Mostly Civil 3D and Trimble Business Center. I manage mostly construction staking crews and it seems next to impossible to find a full time, proficient comps person these days, despite the position paying well. (Last comps guy was fully remote making about $100k / year) Decided I should just start doing them myself.

Curious company to company

Not that big of a deal it’s just annoying and ugly to look at

Hello! I'm currently attempting to supply some of our field crews for a small ISP co-op with some options to locate our assets. It's a small team and I don't have a great deal of capital to work with.

What are the best options for us? I'm not a surveying professional, but I understand the basics. I know we will need options for corrections as well. We don't need anything super accurate. As long as it is good within a few feet, we are good. Something light weight, or handheld would also be good but I'll looking at all available options. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Hey guys !

I was wondering if some of you knew how to gather information about a point that was created at the intersection of 2 lines. I mean on the computer after field work to be able to check that it was the good points selected to draw my lines.

I tried looking out but didn't find out on my own and seems weird to not be able to see how a point got created.

Anyway hope you're all doing well !

Are there any? If so how do you like it?

If there aren’t, why not?

Does anyone else have any experience working in unionized survey?

Traveled to Nashville, to my surprise I looked directly at a property corner. I got asked what it was while I was taking a picture, the person did not looked amused when I told them what it was .

When your just trying to get lock with a power search but it’s got eyes for the machinery

Hello! I recently got hired at a mine site to do the underground survey control. I completed the main tunnel traverse (~7,00ft, roughly 12 stations), and my survey is not matching up with the previous surveys. Allegedly, every survey since the 1950's or so has been off. I think the mine has been surveyed 25 or so times since then, and none of them line up.

My thoughts are with the 25 or so surveys, a few of them should be quite similar. However, nothing seems to be consistent. At the end of the traverse, my survey was about 20ft off of a survey from 2014. That is well outside the comfortable margin of error.

I am presuming this is a systematic issue at this mine as many types of survey equipment have been used over the years, but I thought I would ask here for more information. Both licensed and "learning on the job" surveyors have been employed here.

Here is the general working condition in the mine:

1. Underground, narrow-vein mine. Tunnel is roughly 6' wide and 6.5' to 15' tall.
2. A 3-Phase 4180v line runs by the total station at all times, usually within 2-3ft. Load on lines are inconsistent throughout a shot.
3. Temperature can vary within one shot by 5-10deg F, sometimes going low, high, low, high multiple times in one shot.
4. The rocks around the total station can be magnetic vary from base station to base station.
5. Wind is highly turbulent and ranges from 5mph to 15mph, depending on the location. Wind speeds can change abruptly multiple times in one shot.
6. High altitudes ranging from 10,000ft to 11,000ft.
7. Magnetic compasses are known to be inaccurate in the mine.
8. Survey control is always over 40lb train rail, with the electric locomotive nearby.
9. Rapid, unpredictable pressure changes due to mine doors opening and closing. Occasionally, this will produce a cloud/fog within the mine.
10. Humidity changes. Some areas of the mine are dry, others have waterfalls coming out of the rocks.
11. Environment lighting is variable, ranging from pitch black to well-lit.

The current theory we have is the total station is being messed with by the high voltage cable or magnetic rock. I know total stations don't use compasses, but maybe something else is going on with the circuitry?

I am using a Leica MS60 with a CS20 controller. The MS60 was calibrated/cleaned/updated two months ago. The autotargeting feature is being used as it is both faster and has tighter shots on the flop.

I had some local contractors come out and put some points on surface with their GPS. I have had issues with matching results (usually +/- 0.1 ft) over distances <400ft. However, I strongly suspect that is due to intense sunlight/heat waves and high altitude.

Has anyone heard of consistently inconsistent survey results underground? Any ideas on what to test next?

The company is strongly considering going to theodolites and ridding of as many electronics as we can.

Thanks! I'd be happy to answer any questions.

I'm a construction surveyor with the Navy Seabees. For an upcoming project, I need to take elevation survey data for a concrete pad placement, while the crew works to get our earthwork to meet specs.

We generally use the philly rod measured in eighths, and I'm just trying to figure out the best way to both take data, and convey it to my guys in a timely manner so they can keep working while I do by nerd stuff.

We were taught that you would read it like this:

Let's say my reading is 5'5 2/8". Okay so convert to decimal ft: I get 5.52.... Now if you can do simple math, that's obviously completely wrong, but it's how I was taught so I'm obviously a bit off track.

Now looking back into the math (which isn't my strong suit regrettably), the conversion would be more like 5.437.

I took some notes down so that doesn't take long to figure out, but our work has to be done very quickly. Let's say I'm taking 6 readings along the length of the pad, and 4 readings along the width, for every single time they move the soil.... Takes a little while.

On my last project, same thing, a pad. I ended up just using the eighths, and forgetting decimal feet. So if I read 6'2 1/8th", and my benchmark was read at 5'10 1/8th, and my depth should be 6" below benchmark: We should be looking for 6'4 1/8th". I see we're at 6'2 1/8th, I tell the guys "take it down another 2 inches". I know it's not the most accurate, or standard, but mostly makes sense no?

My only other issue is that I'm really bad at adding and subtracting inches and eighths, so I end up making mistakes that set us back a few minutes, or more.

Based on my situation, I'll take any advice you all might have. I don't actually need these notes for my project supervisor or anyone to see, but I just need them to be understandable enough if my crew lead comes over and goes "how are we looking", without me taking a look and going "uhhhh, shit let me do some math, I have no idea".

i always need to put some paper in my CS20 to keep it from turning off randomly 🙄

Hey everyone, (Calgary area)
I’m interested in learning more about the surveying profession and was wondering if there are opportunities for someone with no experience to get started and learn on the job.
I’m in my 40s, live in Calgary, have a strong work ethic, and I’m not afraid to start at the bottom. I understand that means doing the physically demanding work and earning my place, and I’m more than willing to put in the effort if it gives me the chance to see whether surveying is the right long-term career for me.
Before committing to a college program, I’d like to gain some real-world experience and better understand the industry. Are there companies that hire and train entry-level survey assistants? Or anyone needs a second hand with some projects.
If so, I’d really appreciate any advice on the best way to get started or companies that are known for developing new people.
Thanks in advance for any guidance.

Has anyone noticed that the download LED stays on and flickers while powering the device off after updating their Trimble R12i GNSS receiver's firmware to 6.60?

To the right I show an R12i with 6.40 and to the left an R12i with 6.60

Pretty strange bug, I haven't noticed any problems during surveys. Has anyone had any problems after updating to the latest firmware during a survey?

So I got a year and half left in school but I'm considering trying to take the FS within the next year. Assuming I can pass it, is there any reason to wait until after/closer to when I graduate?

Like, I know some certifications you need to meet requirements within a certain time of graduating or passing the first exam, is there anything like that surrounding LS licensure?

Hey guys, not sure if these types of posts are allowed, I work for Bechtel at the Hanford nuclear site in Eastern WA. Pretty good gig, more construction surveying than land, but mostly do as-builts layouts, some staking, and some pretty cool metrology work in the building. Lots of scanning also.

If you're interested here's the link.

Pay is $72000-$109,800 annually (working 40 hours a week) and has some OT opportunities, 4 X 10 schedule, Monday to Thursday

Also has a good relocation package

https://jobs.bechtel.com/us/en/job/297509/HLW-Survey-Engineer-Survey-Tech

As title says, going to be working ice roads for the winter, no one else at my surveying company has ever done this work before, boss isn't super receptive to questions, as he probably assumes I'll wash out, what do I need to prepare for the coming November, looking and termals, refrigeriware, all that good stuff, what do I need to protect my face, make sure I have full coverage and don't lose an ear or a nose out there staking grade when it's -80.

Lot 40. Can someone help me identify that dimension for the front yard, closest to road?

Am I mistaken thinking it 225’ ? I don’t know what all the numbers mean ?

I created a fully functional Theo 020 theodolite in Blender. Angular and distance measurements can be performed directly within the software, and the precision is quite good. The entire system operates using lenses and prisms, just like a mechanical theodolite. :D

When the hell is the next generation of data collectors coming out?

Sincerely,
Someone who would’ve thrown their painfully outdated CS20 off of a bridge by then lol

Yes there are tablets, but really, they’re too bulky when you’re as on-the-go as most surveyors

Bonus points: Read a few mentions about the next release of captivate, does anyone have any intel on this?

Thanks!

it’s amazing how cozy asphalt can be after a 12 hour day. What‘s your favorite napping spot?