GPS problems today?

DGR · 09 April 2007, 16:43

Has anyone been using their GPS today - and noticed the signal dropping out every couple of minutes before returning? It's been happening on my Garmin since about 11:30 this morning (until about 14:30, when I switched it off), and the only other GPS I could find looked like it was doing the same.

It was happening very regularly, not dependant on what I was doing with the boat - so not like a loose wire/connection. Is Uncle Sam playing with the system (or delivering 'a message' to someone) today?!?

Hmm....

D...

Will Lankston · 09 April 2007, 17:33

The russians did send a rocket up a few day ago....with some american billionaire on it.....maybe theyre up to no good!

codprawn · 09 April 2007, 22:49

Never mind the Yanks - I saw a notice somewhere warning the MOD were doing some testing - can't remember when or where though.....

GPS jammers are quite cheap and effective these days - scary thought!!!

jwalker · 10 April 2007, 00:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Never mind the Yanks - I saw a notice somewhere warning the MOD were doing some testing - can't remember when or where though.....

I also saw that but can't remember where...maybe they're blanking our memories too Codders.

Edit: just remembered. It was a navtex message. If it's still in the machine, I'll post the details.

Will Lankston · 10 April 2007, 02:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Never mind the Yanks

I wish our prime minister would follow that advice....

DGR · 10 April 2007, 10:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

I also saw that but can't remember where...maybe they're blanking our memories too Codders.

Edit: just remembered. It was a navtex message. If it's still in the machine, I'll post the details.

Hi JW - thanks for that, I was wondering whether that sort of info was posted anywhere.

D...

donutsina911 · 10 April 2007, 11:06

There was a short article on this in this months PBO...should be something on Admiralty Notice To Mariners that can be found on www.ukho.gov.uk
Normally the localised jamming trials only last a few hours so you should be back up an running shortly - from memory though, I thought the trials were taking place off the western isles....

jwalker · 10 April 2007, 13:16

The only GPS info messages I've got left in the navtex are that for Navarea 1, satellites 18 and 23 are 'normal conditions restored'.

donutsina911 · 10 April 2007, 18:03

Summary of PBO article:

4 tests due over the summer, 2 of which affect sea areas.

First: 7th and 8th June between 0800 and 1600 UTC covering 11km in every direction from Portreath, north Cornwall.

Second: 17th August between 0800 and 1600 UTC covering 11km in every direction from Buchan, near Peterhead.

Land tests on 3/4 July (Kirton in Lindsey) and 31 August (Scampton) both Lincolnshire.

Notice to Mariners to be issued nearer the time.

Stoo · 11 April 2007, 12:41

It seems to me like it might be time we all start wearing our tin-foil hats! It might be mysterious waves blocking GPS signals today, but tomorrow, it could be mind control!

Based on this image, those "in the know" are already doing this!