[OSGeo-Discuss] Convert file to RINEX

[Pierre Abbat]

On Thursday, 24 October 2019 19.14.04 EST Pierre Abbat wrote:
> Is there free software to convert a raw GPS data file to RINEX so that I can
> send it to OPUS? The file is collected by a Champion receiver, the
> extension is .GNS (all caps), and the file begins "ZHD COLLECTED DATA FILE2
> ver 90.0".

I found out who makes the antenna and the file format (Hi-Target). I emailed 
them, asking for a program (preferably one that runs on Linux) to convert the 
file to RINEX, or a specification of the file format.

Over a week later, they sent me a link to a Debian package. It is the worst 
constructed Debian package I've ever seen! The executable and a whole slew of 
libraries are stuck in a bin directory, somewhere inside /application, which 
does not exist. Some of the libraries have no version number. Some come with 
the system. Synaptic refuses to list the installed files; I had to use the 
dpkg command. There's a symbolic link in /usr/local (not listed in the 
installed files) which told me where it's really installed. It's in some 
subdirectory of something-or-other called .../application/.

They hadn't even asked me what distro I'm running. It's Ubuntu, so I could 
install it. But when I tried to run it, it complained about a missing library.

I wrote back, pointing out some of the errors in the package, and asking for 
the source code so that I could compile it on my box. They wrote back and 
pointed me to the Windows version, saying that they could not give me source 
code "due to security agreement."

I'd like to get the specification of the file format so that I can write a 
converter, but I suspect it's proprietary. How should I approach them?

I have a feeling that they don't understand English well. They're Chinese, and 
when they sent me the link to the .deb, the website was in Chinese. I saw a 
button with "下" and another character, and figured it's the download button.

Pierre
-- 
I believe in Yellow when I'm in Sweden and in Black when I'm in Wales.