| If you've been confounded by all the technical | | | | some hindrances would be electronic interference, |
| jargon and hype surrounding GPS, confusing | | | | buildings, and certain terrain. A good rule of thumb |
| what's turning out to be a very useful tool, allow | | | | is that the units will generally not perform |
| me to shed a little light on your roadmap to | | | | underwater, indoors, or underground. There are |
| deciding whether or not this technology is for you! | | | | currently two Global Navigation Satellite Systems |
| Originally designed with military applications in mind, | | | | in use. Besides GPS, there is the Russian Global |
| the technology was made available to mere | | | | Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) Protocols |
| mortals in hte 1980's for the many and varied | | | | are constantly being refined to enhance the |
| uses we've found so far for these special tools. | | | | abilities of these systems. A bright light on the |
| Not only handy for auto navigation, GPS units | | | | horizon is Galileo, scheduled to go online in 2008, |
| have made their way into maritime navigation, | | | | which promises even greater accuracy and |
| backcountry uses, and much, much more! | | | | functionality. |
| How does GPS work? GPS (which stands for | | | | So how do I know which GPS unit is for me? |
| Global Positioning System) allows you to pinpoint | | | | Quite a few choices now exist for consumers in |
| your position anywhere on the planet to within an | | | | the GPS marketplace. Whether you need a |
| average of 15 meters, with some units doing | | | | handheld unit for backpacking or boating, or one |
| much better than that. Twenty-four GPS | | | | for your automobile (they are becoming an |
| satellites, paid for and placed in orbit by the Dept. | | | | attractive option!) or for one of a myriad of uses, |
| of Defense courtesy of your tax dollars, send | | | | there are several reputable manufacturers of |
| signals back to terra firma 24/7. These signals are | | | | quality GPS units out there to help you find your |
| retrieved by your handy dandy GPS receiver | | | | way through the maze of choices. Names like |
| which uses three sources (satellites) to triangulate | | | | Magellan, Garmin, Rino, Etrex and Meridian lead the |
| this information and compute your actual position. | | | | market, and are readily available. Take your time, |
| If there are four data sources, even altitude can | | | | check out the various features each has to offer, |
| be determined. Since there are normally eight | | | | and get yourself outfitted with one of the more |
| satellites in line of sight from anywhere on earth, | | | | useful and efficient navigational tools out there |
| the opportunity for accurate positioning exists. | | | | today! |
| Other things that can be determined besides | | | | Keith Thompson is the webmaster at , where |
| latitude, longitude, and altitude would include things | | | | many resources and information on GPS can be |
| like speed, sunrises and sunsets, bearing, distance | | | | found. |
| and more. While they will work in any weather, | | | | |