[C320-list] Raymarine GPS fix?

[Peter Herron]

Andrew,

I think you are right.  What I had remembered about GPS not  
recognizing newer satellites is from this Raymarine FAQ, and it only  
applies to WAAS signals, which my old stuff doesn't use anyway.

"The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently decommissioned two  
WAAS GPS satellites (PRN 122 and PRN 134), and the activated two  
replacement satellites (PRN 135 and PRN 138). The WAAS firmware in  
certain Raymarine products does not recognize satellites 135 or 138.

All of the Raymarine products affected continue to receive the  
standard GPS signals and therefore are safe for navigation."

Petes


On Aug 19, 2009, at 1:33 PM, Andrew Santangelo wrote:

> Jeff and All,
>
> I have to chime in on this since I work in the space business and  
> have worked at various times in the GPS program.
>
> In a nut shell here is what I can say:
>
> (a) Yes the satellites are past their design life time.  However  
> this is not bad.  They are working and working very well. In  
> actuality the Air Force has a plan for replacing the satellites in  
> their current series (GPS II) - there are several satellites in  
> storage still and under contract to be built.  Why is that? Because  
> the satellites in space are lasting a lot longer.  Hence no need to  
> launch the replacements if the current batch is working.  Now as  
> more go faulty then the Air Force will launch the a replacement GPS  
> II Satellite.  The problem with this is several small satellites  
> like to piggy back on the launch vehicle carrying the replacement  
> GPS satellite, and if it is not launched they do not get a ride up  
> into space.
>
> (b) GPS III is behind for several reasons. (1) They are trying a lot  
> of new things and the FAA is involved (a little bit).  (2) The  
> current satellites work well. (3) If the current satellites work  
> well, there is no instant rush to replace them and hence the  
> government saves money.  (4) With the added time buffer, more  
> "features" get added to the satellite.
>
> (c) The U.S. Military relying on Russian Satellites?????? I will bet  
> my life savings on that one - it will NEVER HAPPEN.  Trust me - a  
> warship, aircraft, UAV or soldier depending on a Russian Satellite  
> in battle will never, ever happen unless we are fighting the  
> Klingons or something of that sort.  You can bet the U.S. Government  
> will have GPS satellites in space.
>
> (d) GPS satellites are backwards compatible.  My GPS circa 1996 on  
> my boat works fine.  My GPS circa 1999 in one of my old cars works  
> fine.  Now - the government sometimes blacks out signals for  
> whatever reason they choose.  And our electronics do break down - we  
> are in a marine environment.
>
>
> I hope this helps clear the air a little bit.
>
> Best Regards,
> Andrew
>
> C320 "Dawn Treader"
> #333
>
>
> On Aug 19, 2009, at 1:06 PM, Jon Vez wrote:
>
>> Jeff,
>>
>> I don't believe this has anything to do with it, but I recently  
>> read a very
>> sobering article regarding the state of the GPS satellites.  
>> Apparently most
>> are past there designed life and although the system was designed  
>> to have 4
>> satellites as spares, some have failed. The replacement satellites  
>> are well
>> behind schedule and due to budget issues the timeline is something  
>> like 2014
>> at the earliest for replacements--at which time the system may no  
>> longer be
>> operable. There is talk about using the Russian satellites if there  
>> is a
>> gap...not sure if others have heard this, but if true, we may be  
>> back to DR
>> (exclusively) soon ;) I think the article was in a recent Sail or  
>> Cruising
>> world....
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Jon Vez
>> Solstice #582
>