Generating a Track Log & Uploading Flights to Leonardo for SDHGPA XC Awards
These days, there are many ways to generate a Track Log from Varios with integrated GSPs, Flight Apps, and the Old-school method of using a stand alone GPS.

If using a Flight App, many have an option of directly linking to LiveTrack24 and auto uploading to Leonardo at the end of the track or Auto uploading via LiveTrack24 to Leonardo ​at the end of a track.

If using a Vario with GPS, you will just need to upload the IGC File created by your Vario, or connect your Vario to your computer stating at step 4 below using GPSdump.
Using an Old School GPS (this is very old school and out dated to current devices)
1. CONFIGURE YOUR GPS TO RECORD
Each model is a little different, but the setup is pretty easy, especially if you use your manual. 
  • You want to turn "Recording" on under "Tracks" which should be in the main menu. 
  • The interval at which your location is recorded isn't critical, but should be sized according to the number of points your unit can record. For the Garmin 76s (stores 10,000 points), a 2-3 second interval works well. 
  • Set recording to fill, that way you will not over write the start of your flight. If you run out of track log space, you can drop some way points to piece together the ending
2. CLEAR Track Log Before Flight (assumes downloading after Each Flight)
3. Turn Off your GPS  after your flight 
  • Do Not save your track log - to keep your track in the Active Track area of your GPS for valid ICG file with the most resolution.
  • Saving or archiving a track moves the file out of the "Active/ Current Track" and into the mass storage. It also compresses the file along with removing track and simplifying track points. This invalidates possible track consistency checks required for some competitions and will not give you a valid ICG file.
  • If you saved your flight for some reason or your GPS Auto archived before you downloaded your track, you will need to transfer the file from Mass Storage. The ICG file format will likly not be valid, but you can still upload the file to Leonardo. Leonardo may or may not score the flight but it will show the track. It will also show the flight as having an invalid ICG file suspect of tampering.
4. DOWNLOAD YOUR TRACK TO YOUR COMPUTER 
You need a program that will download your GPS track and save the track as an *.igc file on your computer
  1. Connect your GPS to the computer using the cable that came with your GPS.
  2. Open the GPSdump program.
  3. Click the button for your model of GPS, example: If you have a Garmin and are using a serial cable, click the button "Garmin (RS232)" 
  4. If the program "sees" your GPS, you will see a list of points that comprise your track. Select the correct sequence of waypoints by highlighting (clicking on) the first point, then hold down the shift key and select the last waypoint. By correct sequence, I mean be sure to check that your highlighted range of waypoints all have the same date because it is possible to download flights made on different days to one *.igc file, but I don't think Leonardo would accept it. 
  5. Save the track as an IGC file by:
  • Clicking on "File", then,
  • Select "Save log in IGC format"
  • On the next screen, type in any 3 digits under "FR serial Number, Enter 3 alpha" 
  • Press OK (and remember where you saved the *.igc file)
5. UPLOAD THE *.IGC FILE TO LEONARDO
  1. Go to the Submit Flight page to upload a flight. 
  2. Using the Browse button to locate your *.igc file
  3. Press the "submit" button 
GPS Dump or other Waypoint/ Tracklog SW Tool
GPS Dump for Mac
Please also take the time to set all of your GPS devices and display coordinates in your mapping program preferences to Degrees Decimal format (DD.DDDD, -DD.DDDD).  Our SDHGPA Standard for GPS coordinates is Degrees Decimal format (DD.DDDD, -DD.DDDD) and what USHPA has adopted and is recommending as a standard at all national comps. ​