[1.0 WinVREC History]{.underline}

The National Geodetic Survey the Vertical Field Recording Program
(VERREC) to provide leveling parties with a software tool that could
accurately record, validate, and format geodetic leveling data. It was
designed to run on a Corvallis Microtechnology handheld recorder. VERREC
prompted users for all required metadata and recorded leveling data and
save them in the binary HGF file format which was then run through the
bluebooking process for submission to the National Geodetic Survey.
VERREC was created to insure that all NGS specifications were followed
and all tolerances were met during the data collection process. It also
provided valuable feedback to users such as imbalances, setup
information, running distance, and elevation difference.

Malcolm Archer-Shee, while with the MD DOT, used some of the ideas from
VERREC and created his own vertical level recording software called
VREC. It did much of what VERREC did, but ran on a different platform,
added some different functionality, and output the data into a new ASCII
text LVL format. Malcolm chose this new format to seamlessly interact
with his leveling data processing software called Translev.

NGS decided to increase support for the leveling community by upgrading
the old VREC software to use more current technology. The software now
communicates directly with the various high accuracy digital levels from
Topcon, Zeiss, and Wild via the instrument serial port and a Bluetooth
adapter. It runs on the Microsoft Windows Mobile (formerly WinCE)
platform and has been tested on Windows Mobile 5.0

[2.0 Overview]{.underline}

WinVREC is designed to limit the user's ability to key in erroneous
data. Virtually all fields are validated upon exit, with many fields
limited to pulldown selection lists that only contain valid choices.
WinVREC contains limited freeform text fields such as the comment fields
and some text fields which allow users to enter in any combination of
alphanumeric characters. The direct connection to the digital level
allows WinVREC to ensure that rod and distance readings are taken
directly from the level, which greatly reduces the chance of erroneous
data entry.

Record order is also strictly enforced within WinVREC. While users can
return to the previous form, they cannot jump to any form within the
program.

[3.0 Processing]{.underline}

WinVREC is comprised of a series of forms. Each form after the opening
screen represents a record in the \*.LVL file. Specifications in the
\*.LVL file can be found in the LVL Format Specifications document.

Records are written to the file as each form is saved by clicking the
"Save" button.

[3.1 Opening Screen]{.underline}

Upon running WinVREC, the opening screen will be displayed:

![](media/image1.png){width="3.53125in" height="2.34375in"}

The top bar contains the program name and release date. The version
number will be displayed under the program name. The user will be
prompted to enter the file name. The default filename is generated from
the current time and date. The format is: MMDDYYHHMM where MM is the
month, DD is the day of month, YY is the year, HH is the hour, and MM is
the minute. The extension LVL is the default for all WinVREC files.
Users can enter their own file name but using the default name is
recommended for keeping track of the files. Clicking "NEXT" will open
the file and proceed to the next form.

[3.2 Instrument/Rods Record Form]{.underline}

![](media/image2.png){width="4.71875in" height="4.364583333333333in"}

The first form is the Instrument/Rod record form. This form is
represented by the "I" in the first column in the \*.LVL file.

The instrument codes are based on manufacturer AND instrument:

242 - Leica NA2002

243 - Leica NA3000, NA3003, DNA03

244 -- Topcon DL-101

245 -- Topcon DL102C

246 -- Zeiss -- All

WinVREC automatically retrieves the instrument serial number from the
digital levels internal memory. It will lookup the instrument code and
stadia factor from the INST.DAT file included with the software.
Similarly, the rod code will be filled in automatically when the user
enters the rod serial number.

Enter the height of the temperature probe in meters.

Enter the temperature scale either F-Fahrenheit or C-Celsius.

Select the time zone from the dropdown menu.

[3.3 Collimation Check Form]{.underline}

The next form is the Instrument/Rod record form. This form is
represented by the "C" in the first column in the \*.LVL file.

> Collimation error determinations are required at the beginning of each
> day. Users can

use the internal collimation procedure for their instrument to determine
the collimation error. The maximum collimation error for single line of
sight is 0.05 mm/m for all order and class except third order which is
0.10 mm/m. The maximum collimation error for reversible compensator-type
instruments, mean of two lines of sight is 0.02 mm/m for all order and
class except third order which is 0.04 mm/m. For other specifications
for collimation error check, please see:

> FGCS Specifications and Procedures to Incorporate Electronic
> Digital/Bar-Code Leveling Systems at:
> <http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/FGCS/tech_pub/Fgcsvert.v41.specs.pdf>

![](media/image3.png){width="2.9479166666666665in"
height="1.9791666666666667in"}

Enter the collimation error. The date will automatically be entered
based on the date of the recorder. Click the "Save" button to save the
collimation error information and proceed to the next form. Should the
collimation change or should a new instrument be used during the day, a
new collimation check must be performed.

[3.4 Beginning Section Form]{.underline}

![](media/image4.png){width="3.1875in" height="3.96875in"}

The next form is the Instrument/Rod record form. This form is
represented by the "B" in the first column in the \*.LVL file.

The next form is the Begin Section form. This form contains the basic
information required at the beginning of a section running.

Enter the Observer initials. This is the two or three alpha character
initials of the person doing the observations.

Enter the height of the instrument (HI).

Enter the Recorder initials. This is the two or three alpha characters
initials of the person doing the data recording.

Enter the Survey Point number. This is the numeric identifier of the
starting benchmark. This number is unique only to this file or level
line.

Enter the Designation. This is the alpha numeric description of the
benchmark.

Enter the temperature. Temp is the temperature at the beginning of the
section in Fahrenheit.

Press the "Save" button to continue to the Setup information.

[3.5 Setup Form]{.underline}

![](media/image5.png){width="3.1770833333333335in"
height="4.020833333333333in"}

The next form is the Instrument/Rod record form. This form is
represented by the "S" in the first column in the \*.LVL file.

The setup form records the measured leveling data, which includes the
rod reading and distance to the rod. It displays the setup imbalance
along with the current total distance of the section, along with the
current section imbalance.

Press the "Measure" button to instruct the digital level to take a rod
reading and a distance to the rod. The rod will return the information
and display it in the appropriate field on the recorder.

Press the "Distance" button to take a distance reading. This is for the
observer to check distances between foresight and backsight in the event
that the pacing of the rodmen is in question.

After measuring the foresight and backsight, enter the lower and upper
probe temperatures.

Press the "Save" button to save the information for the setup.

If this is the last setup in the section, press the "End Section" button
to finish leveling the section.

[3.6 End Section Form]{.underline}

![](media/image6.png){width="3.1041666666666665in"
height="3.5416666666666665in"}

The next form is the Instrument/Rod record form. This form is
represented by the "E" in the first column in the \*.LVL file.

The end section form records the ending data for a section. This form
contains fields similar to the begin section form, along with some
computed information for analysis.

Enter the survey point number. The number is automatically incremented
from the begin section form, but any number can be entered.

Enter the designation for the ending benchmark.

Enter the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.

Enter the sun and wind codes

Enter the ending time.

WinVREC automatically displays the number of setups, stadia imbalance,
stadia distance, and elevation difference. These values are computed
based on the setup information.

Press "Save" to save the data and end the section.

[3.7 Error Message]{.underline}

[3.7.1 Error Message Forms]{.underline}

WinVREC validates the various fields in the form as the users uses the
mouse or stylus to move to a next field. Upon exit to the current field,
the software performs a validation check. If a field contains erroneous
data, WinVREC will flag the error with a separate popup window that
contains the error message and a button that will return the user to the
bad field. Below is an example of an error flagged in WinVREC. A code
less than 300 was entered and WinVREC responded with an error message:

![](media/image7.png){width="3.2395833333333335in"
height="1.2395833333333333in"}

[3.7.2 Error Message List]{.underline}

The following errors messages are flagged in WinVREC. They are listed by
the form on which they can appear:

**File Page:**

Do you want to exit?

Invalid File Name

EQUIP.PAR doesn\'t exist.

**Instruments Page:**

Invalid Stadia Factor

It must be an integer

Invalid Rod 1 Code

It must be an integer

Invalid Rod 1 Constant

It must be a decimal

Invalid Rod 2 Code

It must be an integer

Invalid Rod 2 Constant

It must be a decimal

Invalid HT TEMP PROBE

It must be a decimal

Invalid SERIAL NO.

SERIAL NO must be 1-8 characters.

Invalid STADIA FACTOR.

STADIA FACTOR must be a number from 100 to 600.

Invalid ROD 1 CODE.

ROD 1 CODE must be a number from 300 to 399.

Invalid ROD 1 SERIAL.

ROD 1 SERIAL must be 1-8 characters

Invalid ROD 1 CONSTANT.

ROD 1 CONSTANT must be a float number which is greater than or equal to
0.0 and less than 1000.

Invalid ROD 2 CODE.

ROD 2 CODE must be a number from 300 to 399

Invalid ROD 2 SERIAL.

ROD 2 SERIAL must be 1-8 characters.

Invalid ROD 2 CONSTANT.

ROD 2 CONSTANT must be a float number which is greater than or equal to
0.0 and less than 1000.

Invalid HT TEMP PROBE.

HT TEMP PROBE must be a float number which is greater than 0.0 and less
than 2.0

**C-Shot Page:**

COLLIMATION must be between -0.050 and 0.050

**Begin Section Page:**

Invalid HI

OBS HT required - 1-3 M.

Invalid SURVEY POINT NUMBER

SURVEY POINT NUMBER must be between 1 and 9999.

INVALID TEMPERATURE.

Invalid LOWER PROBE HT.

Invalid Upper PROBE HT.

Invalid OBSERVER

OBSERVER must be three initials.

**Setup Page:**

Invalid SETUP No.

SETUP No. must be between 1 to 99.

Invalid BACKSIGHT DISTANCE

BACKSIGHT DISTANCE must be a decimal number

Invalid FORSIGHT DISTANCE

FORSIGHT DISTANCE must be a decimal number

Invalid LOWER PROBE TEMPERATURE

LOWER PROBE TEMPERATURE must be a decimal number

Invalid UPPER PROBE TEMPERATURE

UPPER PROBE TEMPERATURE must be a decimal number

BACKSIGHT DISTANCE EXCEEDS 60 M

FORSIGHT DISTANCE EXCEEDS 60 M.

SET-UP IMBALANCE EXCEEDS 5 M.

TOTAL IMBALANCE EXCEEDS 10 M.

**End Section Page:**

Survey Point number required

Invalid SURVEY POINT NUMBER

SURVEY POINT NUMBER must be between 1 and 9999

Designation Required

TEMP Required

INVALID TEMPERATURE

INVALID STADIA IMBALANCE

STADIA DISTANCE must be between 4 and 3,100 M

ELEVATION DIFFERENCE must be between -1000 and 1000

Invalid NUMBER OF SET-UPS.

INVALID STADIA DISTANCE

STADIA DISTANCE must be between 4 and 3,100 M

INVALID ELEVATION DIFFERENCE

ELEVATION DIFFERENCE must be between -1000 and 1000