GSAK Macros for Brass Caps
If you hunt the Brass Cap Cache GC43F3 and use GSAK (Geocaching Swiss Army Knife) these macros can help you log, track and organize your cap finds. The Cap 'n Calculate macro will also show the true accuracy of your GPS compared against the coordinates of the caps.
These macros utilize the "forms" feature of GSAK and so will require the latest release (Version 7.5). They also have a .gsk extension (link) which automates the installation of the macro in GSAK. For general instructions on how to use macros in GSAK see the GSAK forum.
- Copy GC43F3 GPX File Logs To BCPnnn Waypoints Macro (click).
- Cap 'n Calculate Macro (click)
- Receive Waypoints By Symbol Name (click).
- Set Cache Status For Archived Brass Caps (click).
- Notes On Brass Capping with GSAK (click).
Note: GSAK macro forms will blink (rapidly redraw the screen) when any button is clicked. This is normal.
The GPX file that can be downloaded from the GC43F3 webpage (link) will include the most current 20 logs plus all of your logs. (Note that this GPX file is only available to premium members). This provides an easy source of a summary of all your Brass Cap finds and when loaded into GSAK allows you to easily view all your logs.
If you maintain separate database in GSAK for Brass Caps and use the BrassCapCache.gpx file available from the link on the Cache Master Index web page this macro will copy your logs from GC43F3 GPX file to the individual BCPnnn waypoints. The filtering and sorting features of GSAK are then aviable for you to organize your finds any way you like.
Detailed instructions are included with the macro and are shown below. The macro can be downloaded from the following link.
PREPARATION:
Go to GC43F3 webpage (link) and download the GPX file (not the LOC file) which will contain all of your logs. Note that you must be a premium member to use this feature.
Load this GPX file into a new separate database in GSAK. The file will include the most current 20 logs plus all of your logs. You may want to delete any logs that are not yours which will ease selection of logs in the macro. To delete logs in GSAK right click on the GC43F3 waypoint, select "Delete logs" then set the check boxes for the logs you want deleted. All logs except your "Found it" logs can also be deleted automatically in the macro.
If you haven't mentioned the BCP numbers in all of your logs you should review them and prepare a list of which log is for which cap. Alternately, you could edit all your logs on the GC43F3 webpage (link) which has the added advantage that your cap finds will be correctly tallied on the Brass Cap Cache - Stats & Logs pages (link).
Download the BrassCapCache.gpx file from the link on the Cache Master Index web page. Load this GPX file into the same database in GSAK. It contains waypoints for each of the Brass Caps. This file can also be uploaded automatically in the macro.
Use this macro to copy those logs from GPX file into the individual BCPnnn waypoints.
INSTRUCTIONS
Start macro and the "View/Select/Copy Brass Cap Logs" screen will be displayed.
If the GC43F3 waypoint is not present or if there are no logs in the waypoint the macro will prompt you to download the GPX file and, optionally, open the web page for GC43F3. You will also have the option to change to another database.
To ease selection of logs you can delete all logs except your "Found it" logs from the GC43F3 waypoint by using the "Trim GC43F3 logs" button in the macro. This requires that your geocaching.com Owner ID or name is properly entered in GSAK. If you get unexpected results please check the "Method for Matching Placed (Hidden) and Found Caches" field (link) under Tools=>Options=>General Tab (link). Trimming will generate a status message like the following:
The newest log text will be shown in the form along with the date, type, log number and logged by name. Use the navigation buttons to select the desired log. The number of logs to move for the "Step" buttons can be changed by selecting from the drop down list. Logs can also be selected by date from a drop down list. If you have multiple logs on the same date the last log you entered will be displayed.
To update your database with any new BCP waypoints use the "Get New BCP's" button (this feature can also be used to load all of the BCPnnn waypoint into a new database). It will download the BrassCapCache.gpx file to the Macro folder and then load the file into your database adding only new BCP waypoints and not overwriting any existing waypoints (or logs). The file is then deleted from the Macros folder.
The log text can be edited any any changes will saved. For example the BCPnnn BrassCap number could be added if missing in your logs. Use the "Copy Log Data" button to move to the "Add Log To Brass Cap" screen.
If a "BCPnnn" designation is found (spaces and lower case letters allowed) in the selected log the macro will automatically move to this waypoint. Otherwise, the first waypoint in the grid is selected and you'll have to move to the desired BrassCap waypoint by selecting it from the drop down list. The contents of the drop down list are created each time the macro is run and reflects your current sort order.
The macro will show a warning if the log already exists in the currently selected waypoint and will return to the "View/Select/Copy Brass Cap Logs" screen.
The currently selected waypoint is shown in the header (blue bar) at the top of the form.The number of existing logs, if any, is shown and the logs can be seen by using the "Review" button. Note that this button is inactive (grayed out) unless the cap has logs. If required logs can be deleted from the BCP waypoint at this time.
Edit the log text as desired. Spell check is available for the log text. You can return to the "View/Select/Copy Brass Cap Logs" screen using the "Reselect Log" button.
Press the "Paste Log Data" button to add a log complete with log text (including any edits you have made), type, the date and your owner name. For "Found it" logs the macro will also mark the cap as Found & set the Found Date to match log date. To help prevent the Found status and date from being over written in the future select the "Lock Waypoint" checkbox before adding the log.
If the "SpltScr. Review" checkbox is ticked GSAK will temporarily switch to a split screen mode in "Full logs only" format to allow review of the log. Click OK and the macro will revert to a regular view and will move back to the GC43F3 waypoint then return to the "View/Select/Copy Brass Cap Logs" screen at the next older log from last log viewed.
Select the next log to be copied and repeat as required until all logs are done.
The "Help/Notes" button displays this text. Additional notes can added and the complete text can be edited/deleted as desired. Use this feature to record any custom notes or instructions for future reference. A spell check feature is also available. The macro will give you the option to save any changes when exiting from the main screen.
The macro will save your settings at exit.
Keeping the GC43F3 waypoint in this database will cause a double count of your Brass Cap finds. At exit from the macro the choice is given to delete the current GC43F3 waypoint. The Exit dialog header will show a count down timer with the number of seconds ticking over before the dialog will close without deleting the waypoint. If you want to stop the dialog from auto closing, any mouse click on the dialog will terminate the count down timer.
When viewing your logs in the split screen mode in GSAK you can click on the log type icon (smilie) to view the log online at Geocaching.com.
To get your future Brass Cap logs you will need to go to GC43F3 webpage (link) again and download an up-to-date copy of the GPX file. For suggestions on how to keep your database updated with new Brass Caps please see Notes On Brass Capping with GSAK.
Alt- HOT KEYS For the "View/Select/Copy Brass Cap Logs" Screen
Alt-C Copy Log Data
Alt-T Trim GC43F3 logs
Alt-G Get New BCP's
Alt-H Help/Notes
Alt-X Exit (also Esc key)
Alt- HOT KEYS For the "Add Log To Brass Cap Waypoint" Screen
Alt-P Paste Log Data
Alt-S Spell Check
Alt-R Reselect Log
Alt-V Review Logs
Alt-H Help/Notes
Alt-X Exit (also Esc key)
Cap 'n Calculate's intended use is to show the accuracy of your GPS and waypoints against Brass Cap survey monuments in text and plot form. The results can be included with your logs for the Brass Cap Cache GC43F3.
Detailed instructions for the use of Cap 'n Calculate are included with the macro and are shown below. The macro can be downloaded from the following link.
FEATURES
- Grab waypoint coordinates from GSAK database(s) - no manual entry required.
- Reports distance and bearing from a Brass Cap to up to 8 collected waypoints.
- Reports the average, minimum and maximum distance of all waypoints
- Reports individual and average elevation differences from the Brass Cap
- Options to save data to the Windows clipboard, to the User Notes of all points and or to a text file.
- Semiautomatic logging of Brass Cap GC43F3 finds on Geocaching.com and in GSAK waypoints
- Navigation options include:
- "Go To" waypoint via drop down list
- Row navigation buttons including a configurable "step" of a selected number of rows
- Changing databases
- Changing Filters
- Basic plots (horizontal and elevation) of waypoints relative to the Brass Cap
- Help/Notes page with adjustable font
- Spell checking
SETTINGS AND OPTIONS
- Step (Drop Down List) User configurable with default of 5 rows
- Distance in metres or feet.( Radio Buttons) Default is set according to user settings in GSAK
- Report (Check Boxes) Windows clipboard, text file, cache log, GSAK database waypoint log and waypoint User Note(s).
PREPARATION:
Collect waypoint(s) on a Brass Cap then download your data to a GSAK database. The Receive WBSN macro can be used to assist with downloading. If you use a separate icon for these waypoints you can use GSAK's Receive Waypoints feature (GPS=>Receive Waypoints) to selectively download the waypoints into a database. For an example of possible settings to use see this screen shot.
To compare elevations the Brass Cap and collected waypoints must have their elevations recorded in metres in the UserData field (the Receive WBSN macro will also automatically do this). Also, if any numerical data is detected you will be prompted to confirm that you want to compare elevations and for the height at which the your GPS receiver was held above the Brass Cap. This value will be used to adjust the elevations of the collected waypoints.
Using an empty database will ease selection of points from the macro but navigation through large databases, filtering, sorting and switching databases are supported. Create a waypoint for the Brass Cap in the database if you didn't already have it in GSAK or in your GPSr.
INSTRUCTIONS
Note: The macro forms will blink (rapidly redraw) when any button is clicked. This is normal.
The database and active filter can be changed by selecting from the drop down lists. The filter in effect when the macro was started will be restored at exit or you can select RESTORE at any time from the macro's dropdown list.
Use the "Go To Waypoint" drop down list of waypoints or the row navigation buttons (Top, Step Up, Previous, Next, Step Down and Bottom) to move to the desired waypoint on the GSAK grid. The number of rows to move for the "Step" buttons can be changed by selecting from the drop down list.
The current waypoint will be visible on the grid and it's code is also shown in the blue header of the macro form.
Use the "Grab Current" button to copy the data (coordinates and elevation) to the macro form. The next waypoint down will be made current (same as pressing the "Next" button) to speed navigation. Up to eight waypoints and a Brass Cap can be loaded in any order. To change data simply grab new coordinates from another waypoint or use the "Clear" buttons to delete data.
The "GrabAll" button will grab nine points starting from the currently selected waypoint which must be the Brass Cap. The "Clear All" button will clear all data.
The "Grab " buttons also copies elevation data from the UserData string. This function terminates at the first character that can not be converted to a number so there must not be any non-numerical characters before the elevation. If data is detected in the UserData string you will be shown a dialog box where you can choose to use or disregard the data. The height of your GPSr above the cap can also be entered here. Waypoint elevations will be adjusted using this height figure.
Use the "Plot " button to display a basic plot of waypoints relative to the Brass Cap. Horizontal and vertical (elevation) plots are shown. The horizontal plot symbol and waypoint number display and the vertical plot type (point or bar) are selected by radio buttons or checkbox and then using the "Refresh Plot" button to refresh the screen.
The plot scale will change immediately when a selection is made from the dropdown list. The macro initially auto-sets scales that will show all of the waypoints on the plot. The maximum distance from the BrassCap that points will be displayed at the currently selected scale is indicated immediately below the dropdown list of scale settings. Separate scales are provided for the horizontal and vertical plots.
Points for which elevation data is present are indicated in the legend with *e after the waypoint name.
The points are plotted in different colors with several different choices of scale and symbols available. Note that when waypoints positions plot on top of each other only the last plotted will show. For example if WP8 overlays WP1 only WP8 will be seen. To save the plot (or any macro form) to the Windows clipboard press the Alt and Print Screen keys at the same time. The image can then be pasted into any image editor program.
The "Plot", "Calculate" and "Save To" buttons will initially be inactive and display in the "gray ghost" outline format. A Brass Cap and at least one waypoint must be loaded before they are enabled. Results must also be calculated before the "Save To" button is enabled
Select a radio button to choose metres or feet then use the "Calculate" button to display the results. The selected waypoints can be changed and results recalculated without having to restart the macro Additional notes can be typed into the results window and text can be edited/deleted as desired. The text you see in the memo field (blue area) is what is saved.
Use the "Save To" button and check boxes to save the results as desired. Multiple check boxes can be selected.
The first time the Save To Text File option is selected the macro will create a folder named C_n_C in the Macros folder in the GSAK install directory. This will be the default directory for saving data files created by the macro. The default text file name is the Brass Cap code and the current date in the format of BCPnnn_yyyymmdd.txt.(example). An option is given to open the text file for review after saving.
The path and file name can be changed in the save dialog box and this selected path will be remembered while in the current session (until the macro is closed).
The User Notes option will save distance and bearing for each waypoint to their User Note while the complete results text is saved to the Brass Cap's User Note. Note that multiple reports including the same Brass Cap or waypoints will be appended to any previous notes.
The "Log" option will copy the results to the Windows clipboard then open a "log your visit" web page for the Brass Cap cache. You can then paste the results into your log (Ctrl-V or right click - paste).
The "GSAK Log" option will add the log to a waypoint in a GSAK database. This is intended for use with BCPnnn waypoints from the BrassCapCache.gpx file from the Cache Master Index web page. The macro will use today's date and will prompt you to enter your geocaching user name for the log.
The Help/Notes button displays this screen. Additional notes can added and the complete text can be edited/deleted as desired. Use this feature to record any custom notes or instructions for future reference. A spell check feature and adjustable font size are also available. The macro will give you the option to save any changes when exiting from the main screen.
The "Reset Form" button will clear all data and reports.
Alt- HOT KEYS For the Main Window
Alt-C Calc (also Enter key)
Alt-O Sort Database by selection in dropdown list
Alt-L Plot Grabbed Points
Alt-H Help/Notes
Alt-R Reset Form Data
Alt-S Save To
Alt-X Exit (also Esc key)
Navigation
Alt-G Select Database
Alt-F Select Waypoint from drop down list
Alt-T Top
Alt-U Step Up
Alt-P Previous
Alt-N Next
Alt-D Step Down
Alt-B Bottom
Grab Waypoints (Use the numbers above the letters on your keyboard)
Alt-A Grab All
Alt-G Grab Brass Cap
Alt-1 Grab Waypoint 1
Alt-2 Grab Waypoint 2
Alt-3 Grab Waypoint 3
Alt-4 Grab Waypoint 4
Alt-5 Grab Waypoint 5
Alt-6 Grab Waypoint 6
Alt-7 Grab Waypoint 7
Alt-8 Grab Waypoint 8
Alt- hot keys available on the Plot screen
Alt-R Refresh Plot
Alt-P Print Instructions
Alt-C Close Plot
The intended use is to assist with the download of waypoints collected at Brass Caps for analysis with the Cap 'n Calculate macro. In the field you would collect waypoints at a Brass Caps using a unique icon for each set of waypoints collected at each Brass Cap.
Waypoints are then received from a GPSr and filtered by symbol name(s) before being added to a database. Supports Garmin and Magellan GPSr's via USB or Serial connections.
Detailed instructions are included with the macro and are shown below. The macro can be downloaded from the following link.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Select the required connection settings under "GPSr Connection Setup". Select the type of connection (USB, MSM - Mass Storage Mode or Serial) using the radio buttons. The default is for Garmin USB. The Com Port for Serial connections can be selected from the dropdown list and defaults to 1. For the Magellan Serial connection select the Baud from the dropdown list. The options are 1200, 4800, 9600, 19200, 57600, and 115200. Be sure to set your GPS receiver to the same speed that you choose here, otherwise the transfer will fail. The default transfer rate for Magellan is 4800 baud.
The baud setting is not required/used if Garmin Serial is selected as Garmin only supports 9600 baud transfers which is preset.
To save the waypoints elevation use the check boxes for UserData, UserData2, UserData3 and or UserData4. Elevation data will be saved in metric or imperial units dependent on your settings in GSAK under Tools > Options > General > Distance Calculation.
Check that your GPSr is connected and turned on.
Select "Poll GPSr For Symbol Names" to populate the "Symbol Names To Receive From GPSr" checkbox list with symbols that are presently in your GPSr. A short summary of the contents of the table is shown on the form. If the connection / download is unsuccessful an error message is shown and you are returned to the main form. Check that the correct connection is selected, the cable connections are good and that the GPSr is On then try again.
Custom waypoints polled from the GPSr will display as "Custom 0", "Custom 1" etc. An "All Symbols" entry is added as the first checkbox list entry which will receive all waypoints from your GPSr. Adding a large number of waypoints to a database with this macro is very slow compared to the GSAK GUI function Receive Waypoints (GPS=>Receive Waypoints) which is by far the better choice for this purpose.
Symbol names of waypoints you want added to the database are selected in the "Symbol Names To Receive From GPSr" checkbox list.
Select the destination database from the dropdown list or select the checkbox to create a new database to receive the waypoints. The new database will be named for today's date in the format YYMMDDnn where nn is a two digit number which increments as required to provide a unique name.
The "RUN" button will start the process. If no names were selected in the "Symbol Names to Receive From GPSr" checkbox list an error message is shown and you are returned to the main form. Note that the "RUN" button is disabled ( shown in a "gray ghost" outline ) until the GPSr has been polled.
The macro will display a dialog with a two line list of the symbols names selected. Use the "Yes" button to proceed, the "No" button to return to main form or the "Cancel" button to exit the macro and return to the GSAK GUI.
The macro creates a waypoint in the database for each waypoint with the matching symbol(s) in your GPSr. If no matching waypoints are found an error message is shown and you are returned to the main form. If there is an existing waypoint in the database with the same Code an error message is shown and the new waypoint is not created.
Each new waypoint will have the Code, Name, Latitude, Longitude and Symbol Name with the Cache Type set as Other. The waypoint will have " GPSr" appended to it's name to identify it as having been received from a GPSr.
This help screen (with adjustable text size) can be copied to the clipboard. (handy if you want to display it in NotePad while running the macro).
Settings on the macro form are saved and restored.
Alt- hot keys available on the main screen
Alt-P Poll GPSr (also Enter key)
Alt-R Run
Alt-H Help Page
Alt-X Exit
Occasionaly a Brass Cap will be archived (when it is destroyed or for other reasons). When this happens it will be removed from the LOC and GPX files but will remain in your GSAK database unless they are manually deleted or marked as Archived. This could result in you trying find a cap which is no longer there.
Erasing your database each time you update by selecting "Clear Database Before Loading" (link) will remove archived caps but this would wipe out any finds or notes you have made.
Alternately, you can determine which caps are archived by looking at the "Last GPX" date. See "Options: Display Tab (Tools => Options => Display)" in GSAK (link) for help on how to display this column. Any caps that show an earlier date than your last update have been archived and can be marked or deleted.
The MarkArchivedCaps.gsk macro creates a list from the Archived Brass Caps webpage (link) then sets the cache status to "Archived" for any caps in the list which are in your database. A summary of which caches have been archived is displayed for review.
You can then easily filter for archived caches and handle them as desired. You probably don't want to delete any that you found.
The macro can be downloaded from the following link.
In addition to keeping track of archived caps (described above) you can keep your database up to date with the most recent BrassCaps and your current finds / logs. To do so will require that you regularly download the most recent versions of the BrassCapCache.gpx file from the link on the Cache Master Index web page and the GC43F3.gpx file from the link on the GC43F3 webpage.
Caution is necessary when using the BrassCapCache.gpx file to update your Brass Cap database in the future with new Brass Caps. This file contains all the BCP waypoints which can (depending on your settings in GSAK) overwrite your database and all the changes you have made. In the Load GPX/LOC File Dialog Box (File>Load GPX/LOC) in GSAK I would suggest using "Add Only" under "Database update options" when loading the file. This option is explained in the GSAK help file (link) as follows;
"Add Only: Click this radio button when you only want waypoints that do not exist in the database added. That is, any waypoints that already exist in the database will be ignored and not updated."
Be sure not to select "Clear Database Before Loading" as this will overwrite your existing database and any the changes you have made even if you have the waypoints "Locked".
The settings pictured below will allow you to update your database using the BrassCapCache.gpx file adding only new caps and will not over write existing data. They will not delete archived caps (see Set Cache Status For Archived Brass Caps ).
The GPX files for each individual cap can also be used to add new caps to your database and are avialable from each cap's webpage (link).
Statistic generating utilities will have problems with the Brass Cap cache (or any cache with multiple finds). The 'My Finds' Pocket Query will only give data for cap existing on the date the query was generated. Generally only date related statistics and the number of finds are handled correctly. Location, difficulty and terrian, etc. data will show the values from the current cap for all your cap finds.
I'm only familiar with the GSAK macro FindStatGen3 so the suggestions that follow are limited to that macro and only apply if you maintain a separate database in GSAK for Brass Caps containing your found logs.
I recommend the following:
- Download the 'My Finds' Pocket Query to a separate database
- Delete the GC43F3 waypoint from this database
- Use Move/Copy Waypoints (Database=>Move/copy) to copy your found caps to this database
- Use Global Replace (Database=>Global Replace) to change the 'Cache Type' for only the caps from 'benchmark' to 'virtual'. Note that benchmarks do not counts as finds in FindStatGen3 or at GC.com
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