GPS Down?

[raquet]

Today I took the opportunity to enjoy a quick trip to Ommonville for lunch. While still in Cherbourg harbour I switched on my hand-held GPS/plotter which refused to find a signal. I then checked on my ancient but functioning main GPS – no signal. My guest navigator (who always travels with kit) turned on his hand-held – no signal. In all I was out for nearly six hours and the signal returned again a little before I re-entered the outer rade at Cherbourg. Is this normal? I can’t believe that all three independent boxes were playing up which leads me to believe that there was at least a 10 mile area with no coverage for six or more hours. GPS is a relatively new toy for me but I have never know it to get no signal at all.

 

[Aja]

Were there a number of cars ashore that seemed to be driving about aimlessly?

If they looked lost, then , yes , possible gps not available.

Donald

 

[srevir]

Not uncommon

Couple of years ago off Arramanches in the Bay of Seine we had two hand-helds and the main boat GPS go off. All three modern kit

Not sure why it happens but suspect military might have something to do with it.

Always pays to have some marks on the chart at regular intervals

 

[oldharry]

Happened to me in mid Solent a few years ago about a mile from a visiting chunk of American naval hardware. GPS was out of it until about a mile clear when everything came back on and worked perfectly ever since.

Definitely some Froggie military activity IMHO.

 

[raquet]

Thanks srevir and oldharry. I was beginning to fear no response and wonder if I had comitted some great sin with the question. My course did take me close to the military port at the western end of Cherbourg harbour and in sight of the nuclear installation at Beaumont-Hague. It did occur to me that in either of those places they might want to confuse the position – literally. On a day like yesterday with excellent visibility and fine sailing conditions there was no problem. However I was as close inshore as I dared go in order to maximise the reverse eddy – I could not have done that in poor vis without the GPS.