Non-Graphical DRG List (including out of area DRGs)
It has been just over one year since I updated this site. A major thing has happened: I found all of my DRG's! Ever since the move, I could not find about 10 of them. Well, I am happy to report that the entire collection is back together.
Another thing that happened it that I now have high speed internet access at home. If someone would like me to burn a CD for them of a block that is on an internet site (see below), I can do that for the normal price of the disc. E-mail me for details.
Finally, I can accept credit card payments now via PayPal This method of payment is fast becoming a standard for eBay transactions. It is fast, secure, and free. See the "How To Order" section below.
Determining a block number from the Status Map above is easy. A block number is a 5 digit
number that represents the latitude and longitude of the South-East corner of the block.
The first two numbers are the latitude and the last three numbers are the longitude. For
example, the pink block on the right is block 47122. The "2" in the block means that this
block is on 2 CDs. If you look at the blocks on the coast (47124 and 46124), there is a
light, translucent line between them. That means these two blocks come on one CD.
DRG's are only sold in one degree blocks. Unlike the USGS, I do not have the ability to place specific maps on a CD. Is this a good deal? Well, to get a comparable CD from the USGS, it would cost $112, so you save over 80%, plus you receive a descriptive, graphical high quality label and jewel case cover. (See below for more information on the labels)
The second, and in my opinion superior, way is to use PayPal This system will let you use your credit card in a fast, secure, and free way. Go to their web site for more information.
To place an order via PayPal, just use the "Send Money" feature, send the proper amount, and place the DRG(s) you want in the "Note" field. As always, e-mail me if you have any questions on price or procedure.
Official information on DRGs can be obtained from the USGS.
Here is a sample, low-res CD label of block 45121.
Here is a sample, low-res
Jewel-Case insert of block 46122.
These make finding the right DRG CD a lot easier. How good do they look? Well here is what group member Jon Brazelton said, "Got the order in on Monday. The disks look great. Of course, you got me in trouble with my wife. She saw the disks, and thought I had ordered some commercial software without her approval. Once I finally convinced her these were in fact the copies that I had already cleared with her, she was really impressed."
I like to load up a DRG in Photoshop, add some light-blue UTM lines to go along with the UTM ticks, set the image to 250 dpi (Photoshop opens it at 72 dpi) and print it to a color D sized printer. In the field, I then use a UTM grid printed on transparency that you can get from Peter Bennett's GPS Page (look for utmgrid.ps) or a different one from John Carnes Map Tools Page.
The USGS provides software that will let you view multiple DRGs called dlgv32. This is nice as it lets you load up four DRGs if your hike is in the corner of four maps. It is a bite hard to use, as you have to manually "clip" the collar off of the DRGs. It only lets you view it and see lat-lon/UTM coordinates for the map. It's printing hasn't been usable at all for me, it can't do any waypoints, plotting, or GPS communications and it can't save the result to a new super-DRG. It would be nice to have automatic multi-DRG support from the programs listed above!
Date: Tue, 31 Mar 1998 14:37:12 -0800 (PST) From: Bill Anderson To: esic@mcdgs01.cr.usgs.gov Subject: DRG Copyright Question I was wondering if DRGs are copyrighted? Looking at the information included with the CD-ROM, it appears that they are not, but before I copied it, I want to make sure. Thanks. Bill
Date: Wed, 1 Apr 1998 12:49:43 -0600 From: ESIC products Mail Account To: Bill Anderson Subject: Re: DRG Copyright Question Thank you for your inquiry. The DRG's are public domain and there are no copyright laws against it If you have any more questions feel free to e-mail us back or give us a call. -- Rolla-ESIC | Additional information may be U.S. Geological Survey | obtained through the Internet 1400 Independence Road, Mail Stop 231 | http://mcmcweb.er.usgs.gov Rolla, MO 65401-2602 | Telephone: (573) 308-3500 | FAX: (573) 308-3615 | Email: mcmcesic@usgs.gov |