Rumors re. GPS?

[Spyro]

There are a lot of people would be more concerned than us sailors,
Many telecoms applications rely on GPS signals for network timing and synchronization. They will run for so long on there own with internal clocks but its they gps signal they all rely on to keep them all in sync. Perhaps thats why Galileo is being introduced.

"Galileo's planned application range covers transport, timing, engineering, science and research, environmental monitoring and control, search and rescue and recreation with direct applications for oil and gas, banking and insurance, telecommunications and agriculture."

I'm sure "recreation" is way down the importance list.



<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Spyro on 19/12/2004 10:32 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Anonymous]

>>I dont know what all the fuss is about quite simply boats have been plying there trade long before gps. arrived ,and also quite simply if you cant navigate then learn....<<

I imagine that most of us here can navigate but I know several people who have started boating in the last decade who don't want to know about trad nav - not even the basic DS stuff. Personally I would have thought that was a huge disadvantage when it comes to making the best of the wind and tide but there you go, that's what's happening. Should there be a requirement for people to learn to navigate? If so, would that be, in effect, a licence?

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[trouville]

The days of arriving to run aground by dead reconing are a distent memory! Gps has made me lazy i even sold my sextent! i still have a pocket calculator that cost £120 in 1985 with a navigation program.
I remember a few years ago wondering if i would ever be able to use my $1000 loran c set again? and reading that France has an improved and developing loran system on the atlantic coast.
I always thought it was a mistake to stop loran c and rely on the US sat system. Bring back Loran the small cost could be taken from our taxes sent to support the rich and corrupt in aid, and thus making our live a bit safer
Anyway loran would be a good option

<hr width=100% size=1>liveaboard

 

[ealabhan]

yes the french loran system works well and in the sring 2005 a new transmitter based at Rugby in the UK will become operationa.The reason is that gps sibnals are easiy blocked and there is a need for a secondary back up , the system is administered by NELS which is run by a branch of the Norwegian MOD