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Note: GPS has become a taken-for-granted component, integrated into sophisticated systems like autopilots, chartplotters, and VHF radios. GPS information is found under those topics also.
For the novice, the very basics.
[BoatSafe.com, USA]
If you are prepared to get a little technical, this is the best explanation of GPS, DGPS, and WAAS, with reference to how Garmin and Magellan use these technologies.
[Dale DePriest, USA]
A very detailed but readable discussion of how GPS works and how it can fail to work.
[Equipped To Survive Foundation, Inc., USA]
Backstop your plotting on a GPS-enabled PDA, such as the Palm Pilot. You can keep charts on your PC and move only those you need to the PDA. Screen resolution and system reliability are discussed..
[Sail Magazine, June 2003]
A brief introduction to GPS accuracy, Differential GPS, WAAS, and electronic charts, written by a chart maker and published by a chart seller.
[Bluewater Books & Charts, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA]
Wide Area Augmentation System is an enhancement to GPS which improves accuracy down to 5 feet. The author argues that this and chart-plotter developments take some of the pleasure and potentially some of the safety out of boating.
[SailNet, 16 May 2001]
This vendor′s support pages are a good place to brush up on your understanding of WAAS, DGPS, and the other flavors of GPS
[Garmin International Inc., Olathe, KS, USA]
A good summary, with examples, of the reasons not to trust your boat and crew to navigation solely by GPS.
[Bluewater Books & Charts, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA]
A good primer, written by a vendor, on GPS, Differential GPS, and WAAS.
[Lowrance Electronics Inc., Tulsa, OK, USA]
The rule is simple; never apply a GPS position to a chart without first ensuring that the GPS datum in use agrees with the datum used to construct the chart.
Chuck Husick
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