utm numbers

Hi Tony

Your off to a good start

The format of UTM numbers is that there are two ,
1st gives meters in an easterly direction and the other gives meters in a northerly direction.

Each number is 7 digits long but sometimes people leave of the leading zero's which makes things confusing. Even seen some leave off last couple and hence just give position to nearest 100meters - very confusing.


To complete a "UTM number" it also has a sort of area code which is two numbers and a digit e.g. 55H in victoria

Robin Miller

Hello - typically on your average topo map the full UTM coords are only shown in one corner (eg bottom left on the 50K topo series) ...it appears to be a space issue more than anything else i.e. to keep the map edge uncluttered. Its up to the user to identify what abreviations are being used if they wish to identify a point fully using UTM coords.

I am not sure if there is a standard but on the 50K (for example) maps I have the Northing has the first two digits and last three digits left off (except at points where the first two numbers change in which case they are shown). The eastings are shown with the first digit and the last three digits omitted (except at points where the first number changes in which case it is shown).

Once you get your head around it it is easy to use - always start reading your coords from the corner containing the full UTM numbers and work along the grid to the point you want. The numbers being omitted will then be obvious. A pencil and paper come in handy.

Robins comments relate more to how people record and pass on UTM coords as compared to what is actually written on map...that is a differnt story.

Cheers
Greg

Thanks!
It makes sense what you both said. I'll keep practising and keep that in mind. I was getting tricked and looking at the wrong part of the map. These are amazing gadgets but there are plenty of traps for the inexperienced!
Tony