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Manitoba Geocaching Association -> Caching -> More WAAS in Manitoba.
Post Info TOPIC: More WAAS in Manitoba.
grnbrg


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More WAAS in Manitoba.
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Lots of interesting WAAS stuff happening in the next 12-18 months...

On September 9th, the TeleSat Anik F1R was launched from Russia, and on October 13th (Oooooo, scary, eh kids?) the PanAmSat Galaxy 15 was launched from Guyana. Both of these satalites have a WAAS payload allowing them to function as WAAS master sats, similar to the two currently in operation. Both will be easily visible from Winnipeg. The Anik is currently in orbit at 107.3°W, and appears in our sky at approximately 190° and an elevation of about 30° over the horizon. The Galaxy will (once properly on station at 133°W) appear in our sky at approximately 220° and 24° elevation.

This means we will have a choice of three WAAS master sats over a 60° spread to the south. The satellites are currently undergoing a 12 month testing and configuration program and are scheduled to be brought online in the fall of 2006.

Of course, WAAS is only as good as it's corrections, which are generated by ground-based monitoring stations. The FAA is working with NavCanada to improve WAAS service for aircraft approaches in Canada. To this end, a WAAS ground monitoring station is being installed in Winnipeg (at the NavCanada building at 777 Moray) in May of 2006, and scheduled to be operational in March of 2007.

Short version: In 12 months, existing levels of WAAS accuracy will be quicker and easier to get, due to increased satellite coverage. In 18 months, local WAAS accuracy will likely improve somewhat due to the Winnipeg station going online.



Grnbrg.

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Lizardo


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That is WAAS-tastic!  I'm loving the accuracy when I can get it!

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1queenand4jokers


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My personal reaction to increased accuracy - So I'm thinking we won't have to do a search anymore just walk right up to the cache and grab it soon? Ummm might as well put a homing device on it then or leave it in the open. I think a 16 foot radius makes the game fun. I know in difficult areas like heavy tree cover in the rain when the cache is hidden in a hollow in the shadow of a large hill it would be better to have good accuracy but...I think we'll stop playing this game if we have to be accurate to inches. We personally stopped using WAAS with our Geko during our trip to the Maritimes because it sucked our batteries dry (seemingly) and we try it now and again and have noticed no difference with our finding/not finding caches. Half the joy is the last 10-15 minutes of searching and thinking like a cacher not? Interestingly we have used several different GPS units and the most accurate and quickest to pick up satellites is our plain Jane little Garmin Geko! No fancy features just quick to zero down on the satellites! Now with mapping everything out on our big GPS units you hardly ever end up on the wrong side of the river - and that was half the story and adventure!
Ah well just one woman's view.

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ertyu


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Some news to report on WAAS coverage.

The WAAS satellite to the west is moving further to the west. It will end up at elevation of 20degrees at an azimuth of 230degrees.

The two new satellites that have launched have started broadcasting in test mode.

I just stepped out the door and was able to receive from the Canadian satellite. It shows up at an elevation of 33degrees at about 193degrees azimuth. If you get Star Choice this is one of the satellites that carries it.

The other new satellite shows up at an elevation of 25degrees and 223degrees azimuth. I couldn't receive it.

The other existing satellite remains in the east at 21degrees elevation and 125degrees azimuth.

-- Edited by ertyu at 11:11, 2006-03-31

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