The Global Positioning System (GPS) was created by the US Department of Defense to answer the second most important question an army has: “Where are we?” (The most important question being: “Where’s the chow line?”)

Today, GPS satellites constantly send signals ground-ward; these signals are picked up by GPS receivers, which calculate position. It didn’t take long for police and fire departments, construction crews and other civilian operations to see the value of GPS.

For consumers, the industry needed to refine GPS tracking system into user-friendly, consumer electronics. For example, it does little good to know you’re at 40 degrees 33 minutes 24 seconds north 118 degrees 48 minutes 36 seconds west, unless you already know that’s where Overstock.com is located and you’re trying to parachute onto the office roof. So, manufacturers added street by street visual directions.

The Global Position System has three sectors:

Satellites
Twenty-four active plus five standby satellites orbit the Earth twice each day. At least four should be ‘visible’ to the ground at all times, allowing GPS tracking system users to precisely determine latitude, longitude and altitude.

Command and control system
Currently under the direction of the Air Force Space Command, certain areas are managed by other agencies, such as the Coast Guard Navigation Center (for maritime issues).

GPS receivers
GPS units are receive-only electronics; they do not transmit data or interact with other sectors of the system. This allows an unlimited number of simultaneous users. In other words, this may be the only operation of the US government that is available 24/7 and will never put you on hold!

Consider its use before buying a GPS unit:

Car GPS
Probably the most popular application, all car GPS units include street maps; high-end models offer turn-by-turn voice instructions. Frills include touch screen operation, cell phone connectivity, video games, radio, CD or DVD players and computer links to receive software updates.

Cell phone GPS
Mandated in the aftermath of September 11th, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) required cell service providers to make GPS tracking of cell phone calls possible. All phones made since 2005 are GPS-trackable. Cell phones including handheld GPS receivers are also available, but may not operate properly if you are outside your cell providers’ service area.

Recreational GPS
Wrist, armband and handheld GPS units are especially good for hikers and bikers.

Marine GPS
Marine GPS is, of course, waterproof (most electronics don’t react well to water!) and they float–not a feature you actually want to use, but most welcome should extreme circumstances arise. Ocean maps are notoriously dull to read, but shoreline maps and features like tide tables and fish-finders can be very useful. Marine GPS tracking is especially valuable when entering or exiting crowded harbors.

GPS accessories and add-ons enhance their use:

Maps
GPS units have factory installed street maps of the United States. World travelers can purchase additional GPS system maps of Canada and other areas.

Data storage
GPS users can store even more if the device supports removable memory cards like those commonly used for digital cameras.

Combo packs
For most people, GPS receivers work great on their own. For the serious user/traveler, portable GPS devices are available with personal digital assistants (PDAs) and two-way radios built in. As noted, car GPS units can also include entertainment or media extras.

GPS holders
These attach to the car dashboard or console so your handheld GPS doesn’t have to be handheld while driving.

GPS antennas
These amplify GPS signals and are especially useful in urban areas where there is more chance of interference from terrestrial sources.

GPS chargers
Obviously, a handheld GPS must be recharged; at home and car adapters are available.

Some GPS terminology:

Nationwide Differential Global Positioning System
Commercial GPS receivers are almost always on target to within about 50 feet, but many users see accuracy to within 30 feet. NDGPS is a joint Transportation-Commerce-Homeland Security program using fixed, land-based reference stations. When near an NDGPS marker, GPS accuracy may increase to less than 10 feet.

Geocaching
Geocaching (pronounced /GE-oh-CASH-ing/) is a new and exciting game gaining popularity every year–a sport that exercises the mind and body. Simply put, it’s GPS hide-n-seek; gamers place objects ranging in size from a 35-mm film can to a military ammo box in plain sight. The locations (latitude and longitude) are logged onto web sites. Players use their GPS units to locate the caches or ‘waypoints’. It’s a whole lot harder than it sounds. Waypoints can be disguised as plants or rocks and getting within 30 feet still leaves a lot of ground to cover. Some waypoints are pick-n-place, meaning they have prizes inside; when you find one, trade a trinket you bring for a trinket you find.

Benchmarks
One early means of determining locations was small metal markers placed by the Commerce Department’s National Geodetic Survey (NGS). These are still in place and are found all over the US on street corners, mountain tops, in parks and other obvious and not so obvious places. All benchmark locations are logged and available from the NGS. They can be a quick test to see if your GPS unit is working properly or for geocaching.

Question–can the government really track me through my cell phone?

Not only the government, GPS tracking via cell phone is a commercial service available for parents (to keep tabs on their children), business owners (to track delivery vans and employees) and others (even pet owners can hook a GPS receiver to their pets, in case Rover lives up to his name). Safety, quality of service and fraud prevention have been recognized by courts as legitimate use of GPS tracking systems for surveillance by non-government entities.

GPS tracking abuse and misuse are inevitable, but that’s true of every modern convenience–for the positives of GPS, there are also a few negatives. However, the day your son, daughter or $100,000 load of someone else’s property goes missing, you definitely won’t be screaming “Invasion of privacy!” at the FCC.

Caring for GPS units:

Dust, heat, humidity and impact damage are primary causes of failure. Don’t drop your GPS unit, not even onto something soft like water–especially not onto something soft like water!

Wipe it down with a clean cloth before you put it away and, if your GPS receiver has openings like a data card slot or battery compartment, blow those clean with canned air–never your humid breath.

If you own a car GPS system, mount it out of direct sunlight. Even on cool days, the dashboard can get dangerously hot for electronics and excessive exposure to the sun’s radiation can damage the memory–yes, sunburn can be terminal for a GPS terminal.

Like all modern consumer electronics, a GPS receiver has few moving parts to break, so it can provide years of valuable service (and a whole lot of fun!) if not abused. Enjoy!

For more information:

Locate a benchmark with the National Goedetic Survey (http://geodesy.noaa.gov).

Visit the Official Global GPS Cache Hunt website (http://www.geocaching.com).

Phoenix Roberts has been a journalist, freelance writer and desktop publisher for over 10 years. Presently, he is an SEO Content Writer for Internet discount retailer Overstock.com (http://www.overstock.com).
©2008 Overstock.com; all rights reserved.

People are used to throwing out their bait and letting it set while they wait. Some days this works and they do not have to wait very long for a fish to tug on their line. However, there are times when the waiting just seems endless. Are you frustrated trying to find the fish? You just know they are near by but you spend more time trying to locate them than you actually spending enjoying yourself fishing. You constantly ask yourself, are they really near by and how deep in the water are they?

Fishing is definitely more fun when you are actually catching fish rather than trying to find them. Well now you can take the guess work out of where those “darn” fish are hiding.

The latest technology uses sonar and GPS technology to locate fish. It does not matter whether you are a weekend hobbyist or a tournament angler. It does not matter whether you prefer fresh water or salt water. The is a GPS unit for you.

There are now a range of fish finders which are ideal for all kinds of fishing. It does not matter whether you prefer to fish from a small craft, from the side of any water, or whether you prefer to fish from a 50 foot yacht. The big ones will never remain elusive again.

The latest technology now has a Fish Finder Watch designed especially for the kayak and float tube user. When the bulky, feature-filled fish finders are too awkward to carry on board a small craft, take a look at the Humminbird RF30.

There are fish finders available which use the best of both sonar and GPS technology for all levels of experience and budgets.

Some of the brands which provide this technology include:

1.Furuno: talk to any commercial or sport fisherman and they will tell you that Furuno makes some of the finest Depth Sounders and Fish Finders that are marketed.

2.Garmin: mariners and anglers, worldwide have come to rely on Garmin products to make being on the water more enjoyable. Their line of products includes fish finders, and portable GPS units.

3.Humminbird: continues to lead the way from fish finders to innovative super-portable SmartCast units.

4.Lowrance: has a superb range of split -screen navigation and fish finder units. They also carry portable, waterproof GPS units.

5.Magellan: offers a superb Meridian range of GPS units to ensure your safety while fishing.

6.Eagle: Eagle fish finders are available which make the best use of both sonar and GPS technologies for all levels of experience and budgets.

Why leave fish finding to chance. Use an electronic fish finder. Fishing is definitely more fun when you are catching fish rather than trying to find them. Using the latest technology of sonar and GPS units allows you to spend more time catching fish than looking for them.

Beth Appel is the author of this article. She is a member of the staff at
http://www.gpseasynavigation.com which sells handheld GPS Units for fishing and marine. She has a degree in English and Social Studies education from Fairleigh Dickenson University and is certified in Holocaust Education from Stockton State.

GPS or Global Positioning System is a satellite navigation system. More than 24 satellites broadcast timing signals that allows the GPS receiver to determine the latitude, longitude and altitude of an object. GPS Satellite Tracking can be used to navigate vehicles and ships in any weather at any time on any part of the planet.

GPS Satellite Tracking is an indispensable tool that is used for map-making, land surveying and navigation. It provides a precise time reference that is vitally important for scientific research as well as telecommunications. These amazing devices can judge the position, speed and altitude with a high level of accuracy.

GPS tracking was developed by United States Department of Defense and was officially named as NAVSTAR GPS, Navigational Signal Timing and Ranging Global Positioning System. The first experimental satellite of the GPS Satellite Tracking system was launched in 1978. In 2005, the next generations of GPS satellites were added to the satellite fleet. These satellites have an additional capability that includes L2C, the civilian GPS signal that increases reliability as well as accuracy.

GPS Satellite Tracking Functioning:

There are over 24 satellites in orbit approximately 12,600 miles above the earth. At any given point of time there are at least 4 satellites above the horizon. The basic components of a satellite are a computer, radios and atomic clocks. The function of the satellite is to keep precise time with the help of their atomic clocks.

The GPS receivers on the ground use the process of trilateration to calculate the position by receiving time signals from 3 or 4 satellites. The GPS receiver’s display screen shows the position on a map. If the receiver has the advantage of the signal from the fourth satellite it can determine the geographical position and the altitude of the concerned object. If you are moving, the receiver can calculate the direction of the movement along with the speed of the object. Some of the GPS satellite tracking systems can store the data in GIS or Geographic Information Systems along with map making.

SupaTrak offers you Real Time GPS Tracking systems that are low cost and easy to install. The company offers GPS fleet management and Mobile Worker applications . These unique products can be used individually or in combination with other systems for tracking vehicles or mobile workers.

Visit the site www.supatrak.com and learn more about the GPS products and services available.

David mostly writes on topics related to GPS Tracking Systems like for the site http://www.supatrak.com

GPS - (Global Positioning System) A satellite-based radio navigation system run by the U.S. Department of Defense. It was designed so that signals from at least four satellites would be on the horizon at all times, which is sufficient to compute the current latitude, longitude and elevation of a GPS receiver anywhere on earth to within a few meters. The first GPS satellite was launched in 1978. Now the navigation system consists of 24 satellites that hover 12,500 miles above earth and travel 10,000 mph. They can orbit the earth in as little as 12 hours.

To pinpoint the location of a receiver, GPS uses triangulation. This is the navigation technique used by ship captains for centuries, way before any electronic devices were invented. Because of this, there became a demand and now everyday people

The uses of GPS navigation are unlimited. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, boats, jetski, ships, hikers, climbers, hunters, cell phones, airplanes, helicopters, paragliders, road construction, land surveyors, mapping, geographic information systems, farmers, machine guidance, and atomic clocks use this technology. One main feature of GPS receivers display information about location, speed, and direction.

GPS designed for automobiles display maps, nearby roads, restaurants and landmarks. Ships have a “man overboard” (MOB) system, which records the location when the person has gone overboard. GPS certified for planes and jets have an auto-pilot function that allow for completely automated en-route navigation. Climbers get lost and hikers get hurt. GPS provides a precise position and can greatly enhance the chance of rescue. Farmers use GPS to position crops exactly where they want them.

http://www.answers.com

http://www.garmin.com

It was not that many years ago that package tracking was almost totally guesswork. If you ordered something that needed to be shipped to you it might arrive in 3 days or 3 weeks and where the package was in between the shipper and you was a complete mystery. All of that is changing not only because of GPS tracking but also because of radio frequency identification (RFID).

GPS is a wonderful technology that is revolutionizing many areas of our lives; but it is simply too expensive to put a GPS receiver on every box, package or envelope that is shipped. But it really isn’t necessary to GPS track every package. Inevitably packages are in a building, or a truck, so all you need to know is which truck or building has your package and where the building or truck is. Buildings obviously don’t move so you don’t need to GPS track the packages in a building you simply need to know constantly exactly what packages are in the building.

Shipping and delivery trucks, of course, are a different matter. Trucks must be GPS tracked in order to track the packages in them. Very soon every new delivery truck that hits the roads will have a fully integrated GPS tracking system. Older trucks will end up being updated with GPS, sooner rather than later, or the trucks will be likely retired completely. GPS in shipping trucks is used primarily to let the shipper and shipping company know where the packages are. The GPS can also be used for navigation, but most truckers already know their territory and don’t need GPS navigation. The big push for GPS-equipped delivery trucks is for tracking packages.

So the only thing left to make the system work is to electronically tag each package. In the state of the art system of the near future packages will be identified by RFID. It will not be long before a RFID electronic tag will be attached to almost all packages shipped everywhere. Unlike current bar coding systems, RFID electronic tags do not require a visual scan and can carry significantly more information. Bar coding is almost everywhere these days, but it requires a close and accurate visual scan by a bar code reader. It is simply too slow and often inaccurate. RFID tags on the other hand require only that the package be within radio frequency range of the RFID receiver or RFID interrogator. The days of running a package under a visual scanner by hand are almost over.

Even today most shipping companies have prototype shipping and delivery trucks with fully integrated RFID interrogators, RFID antennas, GPS tracking and a cellular computer network to tie it all together. Factories, shipping and mail centers are also starting to use RFID throughout their facilities so they know exactly what packages are in their facilities. So the package-tracking circle will soon be complete. The package sends, or is induced to send, out a radio frequency signal, the RFID interrogator inside the back of the truck or in the building picks up the signal, the computer network on the truck or in the building sends out a cellular message letting the shippers computer know what is where and finally the GPS system tells the shipper where the truck is if the package is currently on a truck.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to GPS

This article is s review of the Asus Mypal A636N. It is a PDA and GPS in one, and runs Windows Pocket mobile. There are other similar products but for the price and features you can’t go wrong. These units have been around for a while, and the A639 has recently been released that supersedes the A636 range. The 839 is much more expensive (and DOES have some better features), but the A636N is real value for money.

Anyway, let’s get to the features and specs ……

The specs are as follows:

PU Latest 416MHz Intel® XScale™ processor
Operating System Latest Microsoft® Windows Mobile™ 5.0 ( Pocket PC )
Display 3.5? Brilliant Transflective TFT LCD 65k Full-Colors, 16-bit Display QVGA, 240X320 resolution touch panel
Memory 128MB Flash ROM and 64MB SDRAM
User available storage ROM,75MB for western languages,71MB for eastern languages
GPS SiRF StarIII GPS chip
Embedded 25mm*25mm swivel patch antenna
External antenna jack

Expansion Slot One slot - SD slot(SDIO/SD/MMC)
Audio Integrated microphone and speaker
One 3.5mm earphone jack and MP3 stereo
Communication Bluetooth 2.0
WLAN 802.11b + g
SIR (115.2kbps Max)
USB 1.1 Client GPS navigation
Battery 1300 mAh, removable/ rechargeable Li-ion battery
Dimension 122mm x 73.2mm x 18.8mm/19.45mm(L*W*H)
Weight 186g (with battery)

The main differences between the A636N and the A636 is that the A636 only has 11M wireless and Bluetooth 1.1. Also, the A636N allows charging via the USB port on your PC, whereas the lesser A636 does not. Unfortunately they both have a USB 1.1 interface. USB 2.0 was introduced in the A639.

For GPS navigation, I use TomTom software. You can buy the A636N as a package which comes with CoPilot GPS software, but all that I’ve read made me convinced that TomTom to be betetr. It works well on this unit. Especially as I can turn the display sideways on the A636N for better viewing of maps/routes. From what I was reading around the net, the SiRF StarIII GPS chip (which the A636N has) was a must as it locks onto satellites quicker than other chips and performed better. Haven’t had a problem yet. The GPS antenna is on a swivel mount, which folds neatly behind the unit when not in use.

The other important consideration when purchasing a PDA was getting one with a removable battery - which the Asus has got. If the battery fails, then all I have to do is replace it, not send the whole unit away for repair. I’m not sure what the battery life is like as I haven’t had it go flat on me yet. This is because when I am in the car using the GPS, the A636N is getting charged at the same time. I did run it for a while not on charge and I noticed the power drain is quite significant.

As far as the PDA side of things go, it perform like any other PDA similarly equipped. Windows pocket mobile is flawless, and connectivity to other devices via bluetooth and wireless is easy. Installing apps is via USB connectivity to a PC running Microsoft Activesync.

Windows pocket mobile performs similarly to a ‘real’ PC running windows, with Microsoft Word, Excel being standard. There is also a file explorer, control panel, and even Internet Explorer if you connect the PDA to the internet via the bluetooth or wireless function. So if you have used windows before, this won’t be too difficult.

The only thing that takes a bit to get used to is the stylus for input but there are various modes for input rang from a pseudo keyboard on the screen (where you tap on the letter you want), to a transcriber mode where you can write as you normally would with a pen. The Asus does quite well to interpret your writing ’style’.

What I was really impressed with is that the A636N came with all the cables/adaptors necessary - including the suction mount (and charger) for the car when using the GPS function. As well a case for the unti was included. The only additional purchase I had to make was a decent sized SD memory card to store all my data. The Asus comes with a 64M card. Memory cards have come down in price a lot over the last couple of years so that extra cost was not too bad on the wallet.

Overall, I think the Asus A636N is a great product for a great price. Packed full of features, I really don’t know what else I would prefer in a PDS/GPS combo unit - except USB 2.0. It’s certainly a step up from my old LCD Palm Pilot.

Indrek K is the webmaster of http://lookforitoverhere.com/, a website that contains IT/computer related articles and tips, aimed at getting the most out of your PC and computing in general.

GPS tracking systems for personal protection

GPS tracking Systems are designed for tracking vehicle fleets, equipment, and people. GPS tracking system is used for fleet management, protecting the vehicle and driver, and locating equipment and people.

The technology behind these gps tracking systems is a full cellular (GSM CDMA) and location (GPS) system solution that includes both software and hardware set to provide the perfect vehicle tracking system for every place at any language.

An example for the usemade by GPS tracking systems are:

Vehicle protection

Vehicle thefts cost insurance agencies and car owners billions of dollars in damages each yearGPS tracking systems are specifically designed to detect and minimize losses due to criminal activities. The system is designed to report events automatically and in real-time, for quick response.

Driver protection

The GPS systems control center focus is to support the client 24/7, by responding in a timely, responsible and professional manner for a routine or emergency situations: kidnapping situations, accident events, and more. All the operators are following the established procedures and act in the best interest and well being of each client while keeping the client’s Right to Privacy.

Mobile Phone Activation

The system is synchronized between the hardware, the software and the client’s mobile phone, to enable the client to send commands to his vehicle, receives his vehicle location and statuses and receives any required alert from the vehicle in friendly and easy to use application.

Real time vehicle alerts

The system is able to send to your mobile phone any violations occurred by the vehicle (including high speed, driving out or entering an unauthorized zone, over heat, and more) or any other alert (accident, emergency, etc.). The Starcom System allows the user to define the text content format as well as the required alerts, mobile phone numbers, and passwords. All in one simple and friendly web application.

GPS tracking systems-Starcomsystems

inter-dev

A Global Positioning System Receiver (GPSr) has many important applications and functions that help us in our daily lives. They can track people, places and things. They are used to find addresses and your way around cities. In the mountains, they are used to maintain awareness of positions. A GPSr with a breadcrumb function can show the route traveled and it can be used to backtrack to where you left your car or to a particular place. Recreationally, they are used for a game, geocaching. Outside of a small community, most people are unaware they can be used to monitor and provide instant feedback during exercises or when you are moving for place-to-place.

A portable GPSr is extremely useful when coupled with activities like biking, hiking, running and walking. Even the inexpensive versions of the GPSr have a trip function. This can be used to provide instant feedback and also a comparison against a plan. The trip function can show total time elapsed, total time moving, total time stopped, average speed and instantaneous speed. All these functions are helpful when one exercises or competes in various sports.

In walking, there are inexpensive counters and timers that count steps using the length of steps and some show time. They are hard to calibrate and very inaccurate. These are crude when compared to a GPSr because there are so many variables even when walking. The GPSr doesn’t need to know the length of your steps because it uses satellites to understand your position and your movement to a new position. If you want to maintain a certain speed during your walk, a quick glance at the average speed display will show how you are doing. Or perhaps, you might want to walk a certain distance and then return. Another glance will tell you how far you have come and when the halfway point has been reached. You can also tell if you are now moving at a speed faster or slower than the average that has been recorded so far. Instantly, you will know if you need to speed up or slow down. By glancing at the map function, you will see where you are and the route you have traveled.

How about bike racing or training where you want to be at specific points or do specific times? By adding another function of the GPSr, the waypoint, your route can be plotted in advance. A waypoint is a bookmark that the GPSr stores by its coordinate system. Then, when you’re in-route, the GPSr can tell you how you are doing using the trip functions and it can tell you how far you need to go to the next waypoint, check point, turning point, or other important feature. These are handled simply and automatically. All that is required is a little preparation before you leave and then some glances as you move along.

If you are tracking your exercise program, the GPSr keeps the record of what was done so that you may transfer the information onto your tracking forms. It is painless to record total times, distances and average speeds. The next time you exercise, try using the GPSr to track what you are accomplishing. You will be surprised at the feedback it will provide.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to GPS

Boyfriends are using it to stalk their girlfriends, employers are using it to track their employees and parents are using it to control their kids. But, is it legal? The cell phone GPS surveillance industry is exploding. In the next few years it is expected to be a 20 billion dollar a year industry.

For a relatively small fee you can contact a cell phone provider and turn a portable phone into a surveillance and tracking device. But in most countries surveillance of an individual without their explicit consent is against the law. Whether it be monitoring whom you call, the contents of the conversation or your location it is a violation of privacy laws in just about all civilized countries around the world. You either need a law court’s permission or that person’s documented consent to use a cell phone GPS surveillance device to monitor them. Unfortunately the new technology is being used illegally far to often.

A terrifying example of abuse of cell phone GPS surveillance occurred recently in Oregon in the USA. A wife divorced her husband because he was trying to control everything she did. This type of situation is not unusual. Often the ex-husband will continue to stalk and try to control his ex-wife long after the divorce. In this case everywhere she went he would follow. There was nothing she could do to shake him off night or day. She was justifiably afraid he would kill her. If you look through the history of murders this situation often ends up being the motive. An excessively controlling man feels that he is losing his wife or ex-wife and in a fit of rage murders her as the ultimate act of control. She complained to the police but there was not much they could do. After several months of this going on the police checked her vehicle and found a cell phone behind the dashboard. The ex-husband had purchased a cell phone with GPS surveillance, hooked it up so that it’s battery was charged by the car’s battery and set the cell phone to silent answer. At any time he could call the cell phone and unless she was out for a long walk he would know exactly where she was and could even listen in on conversations going on in the car.

Unfortunately, your own cell phone can be used against you in a similar fashion if you are not careful. All it takes is for someone else to get a hold of your portable phone for about 5 minutes without you knowing about it. They can go on the Internet, register your phone with a cell phone GPS surveillance service and pay for it with their own credit card. All of this can happen without you knowing about it. The service will send several messages to your phone right away notifying you that you are being tracked but if the person erases those messages you will never know they set up GPS surveillance on you.

This GPS surveillance technology is not just for cell phones. It is showing up in a variety of portable electronic devices. It appears that watches will be the next big item to integrate GPS surveillance and tracking. Even today you can buy any of a dozen or more Timex watches that have integrated GPS tracking and surveillance. But along with this incredible micro technology goes a huge legal problem. Currently the software for these GPS surveillance devices does not contain significant safeguards against legal and privacy abuses but hopefully that will change before things get out of control.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Surveillance

GPS (Global Positioning Systems) have been around for quite some time now. Its first use was with the military, but they have more recently been associated with civilian navigation devices. The latter is the topic of this discussion.

There are three components necessary for the success of a Global Positioning System. Those components are made up of 24 satellites, GPS Receivers, and ground stations. Each component must work in harmony or there will be inaccurate readings. A brief description of each and their functionality follows.

• GPS Receivers act just as their name indicates. They receive information from the chosen satellites using radio waves to calculate their exact location. Once this information has been received, feedback is provided to the user.
• Ground stations have a two-fold operation. The first is to ensure the health of the satellite. The second is to respond to the satellite with its exact location. This location is very important as it is used to later determine the exact coordinates of a GPS device.
• Satellites determine the coordinates of a GPS device using trilateration. Basically, three satellites use radio signals to determine the total distance from the GPS device. This can become very complicated because of a variety of interference possibilities. Therefore, most civilian GPS systems use additional satellites to increase accuracy.

GPS systems continue to grow in popularity. There is a belief they will one day be as common as the telephone or television. There is also a belief that the high popularity will help to push builders into furthering the technology with improvements much in the same way as the cellular phone in recent years.

James D. Allen is the successful small business owner of Happy Jays, Inc, a provider of GPS equipment and accesories. You may find all of your GPS and Fish Finder needs at http://www.happyjaysgps.com
Remember to “Find your way at Happy Jays!”