[C320-list] Raymarine GPS fix?

[Jerry Brown]

I also have a Garmin unit (525S).  It never fails to find and maintain a 
signal and has a built in Antenna.  We have at least 10 Raymarine units of 
various vintages up to the current series on a mix of power and sail boats 
at our club.  they all have trouble finding and maintaining a signal at 
various times, often cutting in and out when in use.    Others have Garmins 
and also find them bulletproof

I suspect the Raymarines are simply not to the same standard........


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Peter Herron" <peteherron at mac.com>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 7:06 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Raymarine GPS fix?


> 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
>>
>
>