What is GPS?

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GPS: Global Positioning System

GPS units can give you precise turn-by-turn directions when you’re driving, keep you on track during a back-country trek and even help you locate fish when you’re out on your boat. This guide shows you what GPS is and where and how to buy a unit that fits your needs.

What is GPS?

The acronym "GPS" stands for Global Positioning System. It's a constellation of 24 publicly accessible satellites that can tell anyone with a receiver and a clear view of the sky their exact location on Earth.

Dulcinea's Insight

  • On the Web you'll find sites with overviews and technical details of the GPS constellation and similar Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), reviews of GPS receivers and related products, histories of satellite navigation and outlooks on the future of GPS use.
  • Introductory sites complement each other by offering different looks at the system. Use one or all of the resources listed below to develop your understanding of GPS.

Dulcinea's Picks

For introductions to the system …
Garmin 's GPS tutorial is a solid introduction to how GPS works. More helpful, however, is an in-depth manual in PDF format. Although it's informative, it's also an advertising tool for Garmin products, so keep that in mind as you read.
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Palo Wireless has a directory of GPS-related Web sites and articles across a broad range of categories. The "What is GPS?" section has an effective tutorial that outlines the components of the Global Positioning System, its operation, uses and international competitors.
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has a GPS FAQ with answers to basic GPS questions as well as specific ones regarding issues of selective availability, the reliability and security of the system, and its application in avionics.
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For more detailed GPS information …
GPS.gov is a government site developed by the National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Coordination Office. It hosts a large body of information dealing with the applications of GPS across a variety of sectors including aviation, timing, agriculture, marine, environment, rail and roads.
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GPS World is the online arm of the magazine dedicated to coverage of GPS and GNSS. Its "market-segmented microsites" contain market-specific news, columns and articles for “Surveying & Construction,” “Military & Government,” “Avionics & Transportation,” and more.
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GPS Information is a directory of GPS resources with hardware and software reviews, geography information (maps, data and waypoint lists), tutorials on how to use GPS and more. The site is info-heavy and deficient in the graphics department but don’t let that scare you off—there’s lots of good information here.
go to site »
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Buying GPS

If you drive, hunt, hike, fish or if have a propensity for getting lost, a GPS unit can be a great ... read more »

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