Ever get lost and wonder how you are going to get back on track? Want to take a trip, look at the map and still not sure how to go? Ever here this statement, “Sir, can you tell me how to get to this location?” I know I have both heard it and was the one doing the asking. Taking a trip became more of an issue instead of being fun. That is when I realized that help is out there and that everyone should have a GPS. Not only can it get you from one place or another, they can explain how to take an alternate route when there are roads closed.

GPS is a navigation system that is satellite based. Believe it or not out in orbit there are 24 satellites that the U.S. Department of Defense has placed. The military was the main purpose that these satellites were put there and that is who was originally intended to use the GPS system. Now because everyone should have a GPS system, it was made available to the public. A person doesn’t have to pay for the use of these satellites all they need to do is purchase a GPS system.

Trying to figure out how the GPS system works is actual interesting. The satellites transmit their signals or shall we say their information down to Earth as they circle it twice a day in an exact orbit. By doing this it allows the GPS systems to determine exactly how far the satellite is from it. Plus, with the other satellites combining their information, it allows the GPS system to determine the exact location of the vehicle and/or person which has the system. A signal has to be locked into the system to create the longitude and latitude position of the devise which allows it to track the movement. It can also track the altitude of the devise. Once of the calculations are made of the location, the unit can also calculate anything from speed to track, trip distance, and much more. Further more satellite signals are in actuality 2 way radio waves and the information that they do contain are three different kinds; a code, ephemeris data and almanac data.

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