One of the interesting marine supplies is Eagle Cuda that not only helps you fishing but also finds your way in rain and fog both. It does record the whole route making the return journey easy and tension free.  This waterproof gadget is also referred as GPS chart plotters. It comes with one-year warranty. You will find the Map fishfinder online at cheap price online. This is a seriously a must have product rather than getting lost in the middle of the ocean.  It is not wise to think that only big ships require it, small boats at times adrift to nowhere lands and you do not want to be one of them.

Jeff Sanders
Garmin GPS Navigation Systems
http://www.GpsFrontier.com
04/05/09

GPS Navigation Systems have come a long way

Gps systems have come a long way since they were first designed for the US millitary. The first signal from NAVSTAR 1 was received on Feb. 22, 1978. NAVSTAR 1 was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and was the first of 24 satellites that make up the Global Positioning System (GPS). The first generation of satellites that make up the Global Positioning Systems 24 satellites were launched between Feb. 22, 1978 and Oct. 9, 1985. Since it First became operational the Global Positioning Systems has revolutionized the way America goes to war and provides a GPS system in which the world relies on for precise navigation.

The Global Positioning System’s constellation of orbiting satellites is managed by the United States Air Force 50th Space Wing. The unit is the host wing at Schriever Air Force Base, located in east Colorado Springs, Colorado. They are responsible for tracking and maintaining the command and control, warning, navigational, and communications satellites for Air Force Space Command as well as the Global Positioning System satellites. Full Operational Capability was declared by NAVSTAR in April 1995 (NAVSTAR is an acronym for NAVigation Satellite Timing and Ranging, and is the official U.S. Government name given to the GPS satellite system).

The US government granted the Global Positioning System available for civilian use in the late 1980s and with no subscription fees or setup charges to use the GPS system the civilian GPS market exploded, especially in the last decade. A new generation of sophisticated GPS satellites are replacing the older satellites and there are now 34 GPS satellites in orbit that provide combat capability for military applications and aircraft navigation aids. Civilian applications include ATM’s, bank and stock market transactions as well as power grid management. Currently 31 of the 34 GPS satellites in orbit transmit navigation and timing signals to civilian and military users around the world.

Gps for civilian use

The civilian GPS system wasn’t always as it is today and the US military is still keeping the most accurate Global Positioning Systems available classified for national security. But GPS upgrades for two new civilian signals to enhanced user accuracy and reliability, particularly with respect to aviation safety were planned in 1998. Then on May 2, 2000 “Selective Availability” was discontinued as a result of the 1996 executive order, allowing users to receive a non-degraded GPS signal globally, and in 2004 QUALCOMM announced the successful tests of assisted GPS for mobile phones that led the way for the GPS aided cell phones that are widely used today.

In 2005, the first third generation GPS satellite was launched and began transmitting a second civilian signal for enhanced user performance. Then in September of 2007 the Air Force completed a four-phase transition of the Global Positioning Systems ground segment to it’s new Architecture Evolution Plan. The ground segment’s provide command and control of the satellites and generates the navigation message for satellites to broadcast to the users GPS device to calculate their earth’s position. The new Gps satellites include new high-powered, anti-jam military-code, along with other accuracy, reliability, and data integrity improvements for both civil and military users. This modernized version of the world’s greatest free utility was designed to ensure the US has the most precise and secure positioning, navigation and timing capability through 2030.

Europe and Russia develop their own GPS

In 2004 the United States signed an agreement with the European Community establishing cooperation with Europe’s planned Galileo system. Galileo is a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) that is currently being built by the European Union and is separate from but complimentary to the United States Global Positioning System. The European Union’s Galileo system should be operational by 2013. The European Community’s political aim is to provide an independent GPS system that the European nations can rely on in times of war or political disagreement, because both Russia or the USA could disable use of their national systems by others (through encryption).

The Russian GPS system GLONASS is a radio-based satellite navigation system that was developed by the former Soviet Union and now operated for the Russian government by the Russian Space Forces. Like the European GPS system the Russian GPS system also functions separate from but is complimentary to the United States Global Positioning System. Russia began launching satellites for their GPS system into space on October 12, 1982 and was completed in 1995. The system rapidly fell into disrepair fallowing the collapse of the Russian economy but in 2001 the Russian government began restoring the system with hopes of restoring global coverage by the end of 2009.

GPS Systems today

Depending on the GPS unit a GPS receiver only needs a signal from 3-4 satellites to calculate the units position and will work in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. There are no subscription fees or set up fees like with a cell phone to operate GPS receivers and although some GPS receivers have extra features like real time traffic updates that will have a monthly charge, some GPS receivers like Garmins Nuvi “T” series come with free live traffic for the life of the unit. Today’s GPS is extremely accurate thanks to their parallel multi-channel design. Garmin’s 12 parallel channel receivers are very quick to lock onto satellites when first turned on and they maintain a strong lock even in dense foliage or city’s with tall buildings because they continuously track signals from up to 12 satellites at any given time. Even if a 12 parallel channel GPS receiver loses signals from 8 satellites at once it will still function properly.

WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) was developed by the Federal Aviation Administration to augment the Global Positioning System to improve its accuracy, integrity, and availability. WAAS was originally intended to enable aircraft to rely on GPS for all phases of flight, including the precision approach to airport’s within its coverage area. All though originally intended for aviation most GPS receivers today are WAAS-enabled including automotive, boating chartplotters and hand-held units. WAAS uses a network of ground based reference stations, in North America and Hawaii, to measure small variations in the GPS satellites’ signals. Measurements from these reference stations are routed to master stations and then they send correction messages to geostationary WAAS satellites. Those satellites then broadcast the correction messages back to Earth, where WAAS-enabled GPS receivers use the correction data while computing their positions to improve accuracy. WAAS enabled GPS receivers are accurate to within 3 meters and that make them the most accurate GPS receivers for civilian use on the market today. In fact a WAAS-enabled GPS receiver can even give you directions right down to the lane your car is traveling in (as long as the mapping program supports “lane assist” directions) and With no additional equipment or fees required to take advantage of WAAS-enabled GPS receivers they are becoming as common as cell phone’s.

Blue Tooth GPS devices are becoming more common these days as many people realize that they are a great technological combination with many practical applications. It is common today to find that almost every mobile phone comes with GPS. Before getting to know how such systems can benefit our lives, we should know more about the device and its benefits.

Blue Tooth was first invented by Ericsson, before it was generally accepted by other companies. It provides a way to connect and exchange information between personal devices such as mobile phones, laptops, PCs and PDAs over a secure, globally unlicensed short-range radio frequency. Even the new Nintendo Wii system also uses the technology.

Generally, it is a standard and communications protocol primarily designed for devices that require low power consumption and short range communication. These features enable Blue Tooth devices to be power efficient. Since it is a wireless technology, it allows devices to exchange information with each other without the need for messy and unwieldy wires.

It works in a way such that it allows other devices to transfer information with each other when they are in a specific range. The receiving power must be high enough in order for the exchange of information to take place. A Blue Tooth device can connect with another device only when it is within a range of 10 meters.

Basically, as long as devices have Blue Tooth technology installed in them, they do not have to be separately made compatible. For example, a Toshiba gadget with Blue Tooth can exchange information with a Sony gadget that has the technology built-in.

Now, GPS can also be integrated with Blue Tooth to create Blue Tooth GPS devices. Blue Tooth GPS allows users to communicate and share the correct information regarding their location of other location-specific information. Users can make use of the tracker systems to find their way should they get lost anywhere. This device is particularly useful for search parties, trekkers, mountaineers or other people who like outdoor activities.

With the combination of Blue Tooth and GPS, this technology is very useful for people who need to find their way, and also can help others if they meet with any unforeseen circumstances.

Blue Tooth GPS Receivers Have Many Applications

Blue Tooth GPS receivers are a by-product of the great combination of two interesting technologies. Devices with such receivers have recently become more popular and newer models are being introduced at a greater pace than before as users become more familiar with them. There are more people who can vouch for the usefulness of such receivers for various types of tasks. For the uninitiated, it might be a little challenging to select a suitable Blue Tooth GPS receiver. Fortunately, a lot of information is available on the Internet. You can do your research and due diligence before you purchase a receiver for yourself. You can either get information regarding specific models or comparisons between various models with information regarding functions, features and prices.

There are many different models of Blue Tooth GPS receivers. Listed below are some of the more popular models.

1) HAiCOM Bluetooth Slipper

This receiver is setup easily with a couple of buttons. This receiver allows you to receive satellite signals and send information to your portable PC devices without any wires. However if you are out hiking, you just have to attach it to your belt loop and if you are in the car, just set the receiver onto the back of the car and you can be assured that you can get good quality signals.

What is good about this receiver is that if there is problem with the power, the solar panel can be activated to provide additional power. The normal running time for this model is about 8 to 14 hours but with the solar panel, you are able to get an extra 12 hours only if you have adequate sunlight shining on it. What’s more, you can get the model for just under $50.

2) AVL Blue Tooth GPS Receiver

This model is very suitable for the urban jungle. It is able to scan 16 GPS channels simultaneously for up to 20 hours of normal use. It also contains a rechargeable battery system.

3) Globalsat BE-328 Blue Tooth GPS Receiver

This receiver is very popular as it has the best value for its price. It is universally compatible with any Bluetooth compliant serial interface and has a long battery life of 16 hours of continuous use. This device works as long it is within the range of 10 meters with another Bluetooth device. However, if it does not detect another Bluetooth device within 10 minutes, it will power down automatically thus saving your battery life. The conserved energy can be used to connect when there is a suitable Blue Tooth device nearby. In addition, you can have all the above functions in a Blue Tooth GPS receiver at an average price of about $100. Now that is great value for mone

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is now a very familiar tool in helping motorists to navigate but GPS has more uses than merely triangulating a position for direction finding, it can also be utilized to provide time and frequency information worldwide.

Developed by the United States military, GPS incorporates at least 24 communication satellites in high orbit, all of which contain precise timing equipment to enable the satellite to triangulate positions accurately.

However, each satellite’s highly accurate atomic clock timing reference can also be used by NTP (Network Time Protocol) servers to synchronise computer networks using the highly accurate GPS time as an external reference.

GPS is an ideal time and frequency source because it can provide highly accurate time anywhere in the world using relatively cheap components. Each GPS satellite transmits in two frequencies L2 for the military use and L1 for use by civilians transmitted at 1575 MHz, Low-cost GPS antennas and receivers are now widely available.

The radio signal transmitted by the satellite can pass through windows but can be blocked by buildings so the ideal location for a GPS antenna is on a rooftop with a good view of the sky. The more satellites it can receive from the better the signal. However, roof-mounted antennas can be prone to lighting strikes or other voltage surges so a suppressor is highly recommend to be installed inline on the GPS cable.

The cable between the GPS antenna and receiver is also critical. The maximum distance that a cable can run is normally only 20-30 metres but a high quality coax cable combined with a GPS amplifier placed in-line to boost the gain of the antenna can allow in excess of 100 metre cable runs.

A GPS receiver then decodes the GPS signal sent from the antenna to a computer readable protocol which can be utilised by most time servers and operating systems including, Windows, LINUX and UNIX.

The GPS receiver also outputs a precise pulse every second that GPS Network Time Protocol (NTP) servers and computer time servers may utilise to provide ultra-precise timing. The pulse-per-second timing on most receivers is accurate to within 0.001 of a second of UTC (Coordinated Universal Time or Temps Universel Coordonné)

GPS is ideal in providing NTP time servers or stand-alone computers with a highly accurate external reference for synchronisation. Even with relatively low cost equipment, accuracy of hundred nanoseconds (a nanosecond = a billionth of a second) can be reasonably achieved using GPS as an external reference.

A GPS car tracking system is essentially a means to locate where your car is. A GPS car tracking system is helpful in various ways. This article will talk about the technicalities of the tracking system, what you can gain from one and how you can add one to your own vehicle.

The basic function of passive GPS car tracking is to trace a person’s whereabouts within 24 hours, 7 days, a month to a year. This type of car tracking is usually less expensive. It basically traces the way points within a car’s journeys. When the day ends, these way points are stored in a computer.

Conversely, active GPS car tracking is utilized to trace further information. For example, it can trace how fast a car is going in real time. Information is relayed right to a computer or cell phone. Since this type of car tracking device can store information in real time, it usually costs more.

The benefits of owning a GPS car tracking system are numerous. First, you can get immediate assistance in case you’re in trouble. All it takes is a press of a button in your car if a robbery is taking place, and information will be relayed straight to a GPS carrier through your GPS car tracking system. Someone from the carrier service or the police themselves will then assist you immediately.

If your vehicle does end up getting stolen, a GPS car tracking system can make searching more efficient. Without a tracking system, there may be chances of you not getting your car back. A car tracking system can give you the reassurance that you’ll definitely be having your car restored in a shorter time.

What if you simply locked yourself out of your own vehicle? If you have a GPS car tracking system, you can simply call the service you chose and wait for your car to be unlocked. If you simply cannot find your car in a large parking lot, your service may even be able to locate it and have it signal you.

If you happen to be lost in your excursion you can rely on a GPS car tracking system. If your car acts funny, breaks down and leaves you stuck in a deserted place, you can simply activate the tracking system. Help will then be on its way.

Moreover, a GPS car tracking system can help parents check on their kids. You can have a tracking system already attached to the car and rely on that instead of interrupting your kids’ plans. A tracking system can definitely make you breath better since you can now see if your kids are driving responsibly.

To attach a GPS car tracking system, organize a screwdriver, screw bit, crimps, drill, solder gun, solder, and wire strippers. Once you’ve read product guidelines, put the CPU beneath the dash. Put in the CD player and attach a cable into the CPU and CD player.

Secondly, plant the GPS antenna into the dashboard corner close to the windshield. Fit the GPS antenna cable to the CPU and fit the microphone on the automobile’s ceiling next to the rearview mirror. Fit the microphone to the CPU using a cable. Last of all, refer to the product procedures in programming your GPS car tracking system.

When choosing a GPS car tracking system, make sure a product fits your purpose and budget. A tracking system may or may not cost too much, but the advantages you get will be worth it all the same.

GPS satellites transmit two types of radio signals which are C/A-code and P-code. Coarse Acquisition (C/A code) is the type of signal which is used in consumer units and is known as SPS (Standard Positioning Service). C/A-code is not as accurate as P-code (which is mentioned later on) and is easier for U.S. military forces to jam and spoof, i.e. broadcast false signals to trick the receiver into thinking it is somewhere else when it really is not. The advantage of C/A-code however is that it acquires the satellite signal faster and hence obtaining an initial fix on your position takes less time. Due to this, there is an option for receivers which use P-code to track onto the C/A-code signal first then switch over to the P-code.

P-code on the other hand provides highly precise location information and it is difficult to jam or spoof. The U.S. military is the primary user of P-code transmissions and uses an encrypted form of the data so that only special receivers can access the signal. P-code broadcasts are known as the Precise Positioning System (PPS).

Now let us switch focus to that of GPS receivers. Some of this information can become pretty technical but hopefully both the novice and more advanced readers can learn and sift through the information to help them.

GPS units receive two different types of data which are Almanac and Ephemeris. Almanac data contains the approximate positions of the satellites; the data are continuously being transmitted and are stored in the memory of the GPS receiver. Ephemeris data broadcasts the precise positions of the satellites. To obtain an accurate location fix, the receiver has to know how far away a satellite is. Hence, the GPS receiver calculates the distance to the satellite by of course using signals from the orbiting satellite.

A GPS receiver needs data from multiple satellites to obtain or triangulate a position as to where the user of the GPS is located. First there is the issue of location which requires a minimum of three satellite signals. Second is that of position, which needs four satellite signals to determine your position in three dimensions: latitude, longitude and elevation. GPS receivers can generally be separated into five categories which are consumer models, U.S. military/government models, mapping/resource models, survey models and commercial transportation models. With respect to the consumer and commercial transportation models, the site SecureWithGPS provides GPS devices more catered to the consumer and commercial markets. If you think that such devices might suit your needs for fleet management of your vehicles, keeping track of the security of your car when it might be parked or even looking out for your teenage drivers, please visit the site for useful and related information.

Finally, we will take a quick look at the accuracy of GPS receivers. One can typically expect a GPS receiver to be accurate within 49 feet or 15 meters. Accuracy depends on receiver location, obstructions that block satellite signals and information received from ground-based beacons to name a few. So rest assured that after spending money to start using this widely used technology the data obtained from the GPS receivers will definitely be accurate enough to provide the user with reliable information.

The purpose of this article and hopefully other GPS (Global Positioning System) articles that I write, is to provide the user with relevant information about this technology and then if interested, allow the reader the opportunity to purchase GPS tracking systems whether for personal use or business use from a related site called SecureWithGPS.

So what is GPS you are wondering or perhaps you already know and are just looking for a refresher course? Basically, with the use of a radio receiver, i.e. a device which receives signals from the GPS satellites that orbit the Earth, you can locate yourself or the position of a vehicle for that matter anywhere on the Earth. Assuming of course, that the area you are trying to locate is covered by the GPS satellites. So in other words GPS tracking and receiving simply consists of buying a receiver, popping in some batteries, turning it on and if you have done everything right, the co-ordinates of where you are should appear on your GPS device.

One should note that there is more than one GPS system but for this article, I am referring to the Global Positioning System which is operated by the United States government and similar technology that is based on such a system. To provide a quick history, radio signals have been used for navigation dating back to the 1920s. The first step to GPS came way back in 1957 when the Russians launched Sputnik, which was the first satellite to orbit Earth. Eventually American scientists figured out that if they knew the precise orbital position of the satellite, they could accurately locate their position on Earth. The first GPS satellite was then launched in 1974 and by 1994, the full constellation of 24 satellites were in place. Hence these satellites make up the GPS system as we know it today.

Finally, one might be wondering why this technology is so widely in use or what is the big deal about it? Well, to mention a few reasons, which will hopefully be expanded on in other GPS articles, is that almost anything which has a GPS transmitter on it, it can be tracked and located fairly accurately around the world. You can attach a GPS receiver to your personal car, a car driven by your child, a fleet of vehicles that you may own and wish to monitor or even to locate your pet if it were to wander away and get lost. But with reference to the personal and business aspect however the website SecureWithGPS provides a great overview of what the current technology can be used for.

In the first place, GPS fleet pathing became accepted for the statement that it is a great way for the fleet owners as well as survivers to observer their trucks, cars, or vehicles efficiently. Also, with GPS fleet pathing routines set in your circles fleet vehicles, you will find the best way to conduct fleet survivement and path your vehicles. It will tolerate you to path your vehicles with poise and confidence.

For most of the GPS fleet pathing companies, it doesnt truly issue if you have one truck or one thousand trucks. Most companies have trusty GPS fleet consultants that can assist you in choosing a vehicle pathing routine that will become a competitive lead for your circle.

Also, some GPS fleet pathing companies these existence tolerate you to see your fleet from a pane based PC with an Internet connection. From there, it is as unadorned to run as chief Internet army like the AOL. This kind of routine, however, expenses hundreds minus than the other GPS fleet pathing routines, but it can be installed certainly and abruptly in any vehicle.

There are two kinds of GPS fleet pathing routines regularly open by GPS fleet pathing companies. The first is the vital GPS pathing troop which is planned for small companies. This routine vitalally shows the position, course, stops and tempo of the vehicle. Also, you can achieve an repeated register of falter mileage, time and tour registers, and no monthly fees are needed. The jiffy one is the complex GPS pathing routine planned for better companies and government agencies as well. With this kind of GPS fleet pathing routine, you can get complete historical information and even honest time pathing. So, its no amazement that you can have at slightest one exact updates for every vehicle position inside your coverage vary. Just like the first class, there are no monthly fees emotional.

tangent form those classs of pathing routines, most companies also present a number of modules for the GPS users. These modules were planned to present you with commerce chief performance. These modules can even assist the fleet owners and survivers to lessen expenses and survive itinerant assets more efficiently. With the GPS fleet pathing routines of nowadays, the fleet companies can now lessen not just the rising fleet expenses, but also the car and truck procedure expenses as well as the time useless at unauthorized positions. After all, we all know that time is money. Whats more, with the GPS fleet pathing routines open by some GPS pathing companies, you can observer activities performed by your itinerant personnel.

Having said all these, I suppose now is the right time for you to hunt for a GPS pathing circle that could answer your wants. Just analysis their army and wish the circle which you think is the right one.

If you would like to learn more about this subject, take a look at our wide selection of articles to see if any interest you.

Among the biggest advances in Global Positioning System technology is the power to turn your mobile phone into a cellular GPS phone tracking device. In essence, all you have to do is get the appropriate software to give your mobile phone the capacity to understand the signals which transmit from your GPS device and display them on your mobile phone. Cellular GPS phone tracking is made simple nowadays since people require convenience and most people use their mobile phone every single day. If you can use your mobile phone as a GPS tracking device, you’re doing multiple application with none of the expense and all of the convenience.

If you prefer to use your cell phone as a tracking system, you will be able to make mobile phone GPS tracking a fact with the assistance of software which makes your mobile phone into a GPS tracking device. Generally, what happens is that you obtain a mobile phone that’s fitted with GPS technology and then download the software to your phone and you will be able to have a tracking device that employs GPS to keep track of your vehicle regardless of where you are.

This sort of mobile phone GPS tracking could be very valuable in several ways. With only a simple mobile phone and a simple disk with the proper software, you will be able to keep track of nearly any vehicle as long as they’re fitted with a GPS tracking device. The vehicle would transmit a signal to the space satellites which would then transmit a signal back to the device. If you have a mobile phone GPS tracking system, you will be able to then determine where the vehicle is during all times.

What types of uses could this technology offer you? In reality, the uses are endless. The first utilization of having mobile phone GPS tracking is when you have a teen driver. When you fit your teen’s vehicle with a Global Positioning System device, simply take out your mobile phone and you will be able to determine where they are, when they reached there, and also how they drove on their way there.

Law enforcement and private detective love the thought of mobile phone GPS tracking since it makes their job a great deal simpler. All they require is a software program and a mobile phone and they could determine whosoever they need to with little or no effort. There are a lot of uses for mobile phone GPS tracking technology that it could truly revolutionize the industry of law enforcement in addition to just day-to-day people.

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A GPS (Global Positioning System) or a SatNav, is run with the help of the satellites that revolve around the earth, to give a better idea of the location currently in, with the help of mathematical calculations.

There are few features needed to be checked, while shopping for a GPS. The main work of a SatNav is to give the accurate details and data. The GPS must give accurate details of a radius of atleast 10m. The data provided has to be accurate and reliable. Reliability is something that should not be assumed; else the whole purpose of the GPS is spoilt. The GPS must work even in places where tall buildings and overhung trees are available. It is better to buy a unit with an exterior antenna that has a better reception of signals, than the units with internal antenna.

The speed is also an important aspect, especially if you are driving or riding and need a faster response. The GPS should have upgrading facilities and also the maps should be able to be updated. This is a very important requirement, as otherwise it will be difficult to update the maps and have the latest data in the GPS. Again, it is better to buy GPS that have maps of places that you are likely to be visiting quite often. Also as a post-sales service, maps of different places should be available when needed. Some GPS has many controls that give more options. It is better to go for those kinds.

The interface is another thing to be noted as it is a very important aspect in GPS. This is because drivers and riders have to look at the GPS amidst driving or riding and so interface is important. The display should be simple and easy to understand, even at a glance. Symbol based data should be available, along with other useful data like distance for the next turn, the next road name, current road name etc should be highlighted in an easier and effective way. The audio also must be loud enough to be heard and understood whilst driving or riding, with the usage of UK terminology etc.

The last but the important factor is the battery back up. Some have a very short lived battery back up, which could be useful for short trips. But for a long trip, it is important to have a GPS with a higher battery back up, so that the GPS stands as a friend and companion, in times of need. Also, if the GPS gives info on the traffic status, Blue tooth connections to the mobile phone, which could prove expensive, Point of Interests that could be very useful if travelling to a new place. Also additions like MP3 players are also available.

In short, a GPS is definitely a useful product, if known how to use effectively and also if the above things are taken into considerations. It is definitely a friend and a companion in times of need and help.