Author Topic: New GPS Satellite blasted into Space this morning! (Read 762 times)

Siskiyou · « **on:** September 26, 2005, 06:17:15 AM »

I am having a hard time finding details regarding the new GPS Satellite sent into space this weekend. In general it will transmit a stronger signal on two civilian channel. In the past US gps Satellites transmitted on one civilian channel. I have no information regarding the ability of older gps units being able to receive the second channel.

The word is the new generation gps Satellites will help increase accuracy on the ground. I hope the increased signal strength will help recreational user in the dark woods and deep canyons.

I believe this is the first new US gps Satellite since 1996. Expected service life of earlier gps Satellite's was seven years. A series of new generation Satellites are to be launched.

If you find additional information on the new gps Satellites please post. Also post if you have seen an improvement in signal reception in locations you have used your gps in the past. I suspect that the Eastern Hardwood forest present a challenge to the outdoor navigator.

I looked a gps Satellite coverage map this morning and it appears they are currently lined up to provide maximum coverage in the areas hit by the two hurricanes and Northward.

Update: http://www.spaceflightnow.com/

Dave in WV · « **Reply #1 on:** September 26, 2005, 03:07:15 PM »

I heard about the satellite this morning and I hope it helps signal strength in the woods and places of weak reception.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #2 on:** September 27, 2005, 07:52:22 AM »

I understand it will be a few weeks before it is operational. Getting it into space was part of the job, now they need to deploy the panels and antenna's. Then they neep to perform a number of test to insure that it's transmissions do not infer with transmissions from other satellites. I guess those out in November might see some benefits.

I have been busy working and did not make my annual opening day trip. Yesterday I went out for a hunting, a few deer tracks and a very fresh bear track. I created a track on my gps, creating a waypoint for the bear track, and one for a good buck track. I planned on hunting the area this morning but was called in to work. Need to pay for the new PU.

What brings up another satellite issue. The satellite radio would break off when traveling down a road in heavy timber.

daddywpb · « **Reply #3 on:** October 08, 2005, 11:00:24 PM »

Maybe I'm just in a lucky spot, but the accuracy of my GPS has been better than ever lately.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #4 on:** October 10, 2005, 10:13:28 AM »

daddywpb:

I have notice that my gps reception in California has been improving since last winter. I wonder if they have be tweaking the existing satellites to improve the signal. A friend and I have been out with four different gps units and I have noticed the improvement.

I do not have much luck with WAAS unless I am on high ridge tops. That has improve also. Early on I had to be out in the valley to receive WASS.

daddywpb · « **Reply #5 on:** October 14, 2005, 11:10:16 PM »

Enabling the WAAS on my Legend always seemed to hurt the accuracy rather than help it, so I always kept it off. On the new 60CS, WAAS improves the accuracy considerably. I don't pretend to understand it, I just enjoy it. Most of the time, unless cloud cover is very heavy, accuracy is under 10 feet, sometimes 3 or 4.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #6 on:** October 15, 2005, 08:23:59 AM »

Normally the only time I have the WAAS mode enabled on Garmin GPS units is when I am out testing. Otherwise I consider it a battery drain.

Because of a busy summer I have not had my boat out all summer. I took it out last week. The fishfinder has a gps reciever connected to an external antenna. When looking at the screen it was telling me that I was in the enhanced mode. I need to read the manual. Maybe that is the WAAS mode.

As a side note had to pass on a trip to the Sacramento River Delta with my father-in-law. He took his fifteen foot boat down there. He caught one 21 pound salmon. Otherwise no other action. A good area to use a gps. People get off the main river down there and cannot find their way back. The Delta is rather flat, in fact below sea level. WAAS should work most locations down there. Always big jets in a landing pattern for Travis AFB overhead. That is what WAAS is all about. My 76C shows the ship wrecks, and navigation lights in the main channel down there.

Hmmm, having problems. The SpellCheck is not working.