MnGCA

CB-GPSERS · Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2006 12:01 am Post subject: WAAS Changes?

Anybody see/notice/know about the changes in the WAAS system latley? Looks like the GOV is moving 35 west or somthing....and 48 is now comming our way or somthing.... Confused

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jrest · Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2006 8:58 am Post subject:

I have seen that, but the way I read it there will not be a negative effect here in MN, but those on the east coast may experience some disruption to WAAS.. General News http://gps.faa.gov/programs/waas/currentnews-text.htm

Info for Pilots http://gps.faa.gov/programs/waas/for_pilots-text.htm

Info for non-aviation users http://gps.faa.gov/programs/waas/non-aviationUsers-text.htm

New PanAmSat now in orbit, supposed to come on line in Oct 06 http://www.lockheedmartin.com/wms/findPage.do?dsp=fec&ci=17218&rsbci=0&fti=111&ti=0&sc=400

All interesting stuff, now only if it helps to find that tupperware in the woods!! Wink

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round n' round we go!

KC0GRN · Past MnGCA Board Joined: 22 Feb 2004 Posts: 1424

Ahh.. that would explain the new firmware update for my RINO (probably firmware updates across the board for WAAS enabled GPSrs I'm guessing).

Marsha and Silent Bob · Past MnGCA President Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Posts: 6261

# Unit Software

* GPSMAP 76CS Ver. 4.10 as of Apr 20, 2006

KC0, when was yours last updated?
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Sad state of affairs.

KC0GRN · Past MnGCA Board Joined: 22 Feb 2004 Posts: 1424

I've kept it up to date with new firmware coming out. In fact, I just loaded ver 5.50 (that's the one with the WAAS update). Here's what Garmin's site mentions for a date

Rino 130 software version 5.50 as of May 23, 2006

Maybe now I'll be able to find caches better Laughing

CB-GPSERS · Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 9:07 am Post subject: lame response from Garmin....

-----Original Message-----
From: cb-gpsers
Sent: Thursday, June 01, 2006 11:04 AM
To: Garmin Technical Support
Subject: Tech support request

Problem:
I recently purchased a new GPSR.
WAAS is enabled and I don't see sat 35 on sat page and don't get D's on sat bars on sat page. I'm in Minnesota and do see it on my old GPS V.

Request emailed to outdoor@garmin.com

From: Jeffers, Kim [mailto:Kim.Jeffers@garmin.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 9:43 AM
To: cb-gpsers
Subject: RE: Tech support request

Thank you for contacting Garmin Product Support.

I am happy to help you with this.

When you enable WAAS on your GPS receiver, the receiver automatically uses the method that best achieves the best accuracy. See pg: 77 of manual.

I believe you are fine, it may attach in a different location, if it needs those satellites. But for now is using the best satellites for the accuracy at that point.

If you have any additional comments or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via email or at the number listed below.

Sincerely,
Kim J
Product Support Specialist
Garmin International
1200 E 151st St.
Olathe, KS 66062
Ph: 1-800-800-1020
Fax: 1-913-440-5488
www.Garmin.com
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CB-GPSERS · Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 12:39 pm Post subject: New Sats....

Lately, Sats 48 and 51 have been popping up and have I have been getting Ds while tracking them. Anybody else getting them? I wonder if we will ever be able to see 35 in this area again.
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KC0GRN · Past MnGCA Board Joined: 22 Feb 2004 Posts: 1424

Depends. They're not in geosync orbit, but that doesn't mean we'd see any particular one if the orbit doesn't put it over the US.

Makes me nostalgic for communications class back in college. Learned all about this kinda stuff.

CB-GPSERS · Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:42 am Post subject:

I think the deal with the WAAS sats is that they are the only ones in the GPS system that are in Geosync orbit. Since they are stationary they are used to do the differential augmentation of the other sats signals to get the better accuracy.

Only thing is, they just put up some new WAAS sats and now they are shuffling the old sats with the new ones sooo….right now they are moving….I think that might make it sorta hard for WAAS to be used very reliably right now…I don’t know….just a guess…
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Arcticabn · Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 10:06 am Post subject:

Good reading on WAAS can be found here:

http://gpsinformation.net/exe/waas.html

In theory you can see 3 WAAS Sats from here.

Garmin units allow for 19 WAAS/EGNOS/MSAS unique GEO satellites as specified by the FAA TSO C-146. They are depicted on the GPS as Satellite IDs 33-51 which is actually a NMEA convention. Each WAAS/EGNOS/MSAS satellite will have its own unique PRN code assigned from the list of 19. The WAAS satellites are shown on the GPS satellite page with an ID below. These satellites do not move on the screen as do the other GPS low-earth-orbit satellites. A short comparison of WAAS hand-held accuracy is shown (HERE).

Garmin receivers use one or two channels to track WAAS satellites and they will use the WAAS satellite in the position solution, if the WAAS system indicates it is OK to use for navigation (sometimes the WAAS satellite is flagged as "do not use for navigation" but the corrections are still useful).
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