Satellite coverage varies during the day and license surveyors time their activity around the coverage. That has not been an issue with my 76Cx. Normally under heavy cover it receives six to seven satellites, and it does the same setting on the console of my pickup. If I hook up my external; antenna the number of satellites received increase up to twelve.
I no longer use the external antenna in my pickup with the 76Cx because of its exceptional reception. If I am using the older 76C while traveling I will hook up the external antenna. So when I lose reception with the 76Cx the first thing I want to do is check my batteries. At the time of the reception loss the batteries were not an issue because I was plug into vehicle power. The next alternative is a software glitch in the unit. Gps units are miniature computers with a satellite receiver. And I recently downloaded a software update. So I cannot discard a software problem.
Two days later (Saturday the 8th) I went grouse hunting. I had the gps powered up approximately 12 hours using vehicle power and battery power. The unit performed correctly in the vehicle using 12v power, and in the woods on battery. It correctly recorded my track for the day. Thursday’s glitch did not repeat itself on Saturday.
This morning with my 76Cx powered up next to this computer it received six satellites. When I stuck the external antenna to a side window and plug it into the unit the satellite count went up to eleven with WASS enabled.
Thursday’s event did make me question the gps a little. My grouse hunt was also a pre-deer season scouting trip. One of the things I wanted to do if possible was try and establish normal wind directions for different times of day. I already knew the predicted wind direction and wind speed for the area, but topography, and vegetation creates wind eddies. One time I question the direction my gps was indicating. I pulled out my Silva Forester Compass and found that the gps was correct. It does not hurt to have a map and compass along.
I agree with PA-Joe, there are gray periods, or periods of lesser coverage. The user must be prepared for any glitch, be it satellite or a functional problem with the gps. A basic drill when having a gps problem is (1) check the batteries, (2) moved to an open area, and (3) power the unit off and back on in case it is a processor problem. The key is to practice with your unit so that you know when there is a problem, and when the issue is poor satellite coverage.
Just think one of these days you will find on the weather page of you daily newspaper satellite coverage for your area. I believe that coverage has improved this year. There are additional satellites and the transmitters are more powerful.
