XY Table/Multiple UTM Zones to Single Feature Class

[DarrenWiens2]

This is a problem I come across regularly and feel there's room to save a step or two.

1.) Field data comes back from GPS or field notes in a table containing UTM Zone, Easting, and Northing fields. There may be multiple UTM Zones (e.g. Zone A and B).

2.) Display XY data, using Zone A as CRS.

3.) Export all data to a single feature class, using the chosen UTM Zone (A).

4.) Set Data Frame CRS to Zone B.

5.) Select and export records in Zone B to new feature class, using Data Frame CRS.

6.) Start editing and delete records in Zone B from the feature class in Zone A.

7.) Merge Zone A and Zone B feature classes into a single feature class with common CRS.

As you can see, this is somewhat convoluted. How do you handle tabular data in multiple CRSes?

[DarrenWiens2]

Yes, we (I) do use DNRGPS, however, the main issue is that the data coming in is often in the form of paper datasheets (later entered into Excel), with much more information than just the location. UTM Zone, Easting, and Northing are just three fields among many.

The field workers use their GPS for many tasks besides collecting point coordinates, like estimating distances between and to coordinates, navigation, etc., for which they need coordinates in metres, not degrees.

[RebeccaStrauch__GISP]

understood.  Sometimes getting everyone in the field to turn in what "we" need is like herding cats.

[DarrenWiens2]

Agreed. Honestly, I'm pretty happy if I get a file with two UTM zones. It's not the end of the world to pull them apart, just cumbersome. It's also much easier than trying to train how to use new software, understand projections, etc.

[DanPatterson_Retired]

etrex legend HCx

from mark waypoint ... menu...setup...  units... position hddd.ddddd

reverse .... to back

clever students, 1 second

[DarrenWiens2]

Sort of getting off topic here, but doing 4 things every time you need to do 1 thing will drive a person insane if they have to do it 1000 times in a field shift. However, I'm sure your clever students will grin and bear it for their lab.

[DanPatterson_Retired]

yeah...they are even smarter...they work in pairs...one GCS...one PCS

probably not practical in the work world... however, several that have ventured off out there report using 2x $200 gps units

[NeilAyres]

I know of one case from an obscure African country where a drilling crew started work in entirely the wrong place because someone swopped zone ids....

Very expensive.

[DanPatterson_Retired]

What? A second gps? or the drilling?