GPS Stops Working ? No Problem - We Have GLONASS . . .

[Ziggy]

Originally Posted by captainKJ

Columbus did not have a gps, what do yo need a GPS for??? compass, sextant and charts, dividers, triangles are all you need

He didn't have a sextant either (or charts)

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by osirissail

I found a link from my Russian newsfeed that lists currently that the GLONASS system currently has 16 operational satellites. They need 18 satellites on line for complete coverage of Russia. They need 24 satellites on line for worldwide coverage. (...)

The link you quoted dates back to 2009.

According to Wiki:´"...By 2010, GLONASS had achieved 100% coverage of Russia's territory. As of February 2011, the constellation consists of 22 operational satellites, short of the 24 satellites needed to provide continuous global coverage, and is expected to be completed during 2011. ..."

Actually, 23 are operational, 1 short of complete global coverage:

Информационно-аналитиче�кий центр контрол� ГЛО��СС и GPS

(table upper right)

Garmin states 2012 as the 'fully operational' date. In this case I think we should read this as 'full global coverage in 2012' since the system IS operational already.

Cheers,
b.

[Adamante]

Columbus did not have a gps, what do yo need a GPS for??? compass, sextant and charts, dividers, triangles are all you need

Finding your whereabouts by sextant is by far a more satisfying way.

Man, having to explain your own jokes is always so awkward - for both sides.

Shudda thrown in that winky face after all... (taking no more chances)

[familycruisers]

Delay? Really? ... Really?? :-)

[captainKJ]

Yes Delay,,,Delay,,,Delay,, you do not want to go cruising,. Stay at work, forget about taking the loved one to private islands in the sun and doing a little hanky panky for weeks at a time. Stay at work and dream about gong sailing. One less sailboats on the water for the USCG to worry about.

If you can not navigate without a gps than don't go sailing.

[Adamante]

Originally Posted by captainKJ

Yes Delay,,,Delay,,,Delay,, you do not want to go cruising,. Stay at work, forget about taking the loved one to private islands in the sun and doing a little hanky panky for weeks at a time. Stay at work and dream about gong sailing. One less sailboats on the water for the USCG to worry about.

If you can not navigate without a gps than don't go sailing.

OK, I'll try one more time, then I'll give up: IT WAS A JOKE!

[captainKJ]

You take all the fun out of posting by telling us it was a joke. Now the thread is no fun. thanks for ruining my day.

[Adamante]

Originally Posted by captainKJ

You take all the fun out of posting by telling us it was a joke.

Think how I feel - having to explain it... twice.

BTW, I don't plan to carry a sextant, dividers or paper charts. Those are stone age tools.

(better? )

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

(...)

Woulda coulda shoulda?

Are you sure it is operational? I see web references to a home page--that isn't up. And that it was declared operational in the 90's, but with 3-4 year satellite lifes.

I hope the link I quoted above demystifies the issue a bit. So does Russia's commitment of billions of USD into getting the thing ticking (read: earning money).

Please note Garmin is not the first nor the only to turn out a GLONASS capable unit. But Garmin's toy costs 100 USD only!

Will it work? I believe it will. Although, sure, both me and Garmin can be wrong. ;-)

Sort of weird to hear returning comments on Russian (lack of) technology. Sort of like some of us here never learned about who put up the first satellite out there?

;-)
b.

[barnakiel]

BTW two other comments:

GALILEO - as said above, not too likely before 2018,

position in cyrillic - NO, but GLONASS reference is NOT WGS(-84) (!!!),

b.

[S/V Alchemy]

No "In modern Russia, GPS systems finds you!" joke?

[barnakiel]

No Russian jokes but I think I read it at Garmin that by combining the signals better accuracy can be achieved.

Probably of no significance to leisure navigators, except for those who want to hit the same rock twice ;-).

b.

[Adamante]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Sort of weird to hear returning comments on Russian (lack of) technology. Sort of like some of us here never learned about who put up the first satellite out there?

Somewhat misleading. I attribute the Russians' early rocketry successes mainly to the scientific manpower and matériel captured from the Germans - just as the US used Von Braun's team for its eventually successful space program. In the case of the Russian space program, it was simply that their Germans were better than the our Germans - or rather, the Russians allowed their German scientists to drive their space program, where the US initially hamstrung theirs.

But since those early accomplishments, the Russians have done virtually nothing groundbreaking in just about any area in the last 50 years. I wish it weren't so.

[osirissail]

Originally Posted by Adamante

. . . But since those early accomplishments, the Russians have done virtually nothing groundbreaking in just about any area in the last 50 years. I wish it weren't so.

Maybe nothing "groundbreaking" but like the "turtle and hare" fable, the Russians are currently the only game in town when it comes to putting people into orbit and getting them back.

[captainKJ]

Originally Posted by Adamante

Think how I feel - having to explain it... twice.

BTW, I don't plan to carry a sextant, dividers or paper charts. Those are stone age tools.

(better? )

This could be fun but I wont say anything more, I will get in sooooo much trouble,,,,,by the way is not sailing fromt he stone age also, no petrol products