[at-l] GPS Service Interruption

["L. Clayton Parker" <lparker@cacaphony.net>]

For those of you who depend upon GPS receivers while hiking (there isn't
anybody like that on this list is there?), this just in from the AP:



WASHINGTON (AP) -- Civilian and military ships and planes could feel the
effect of a Pentagon plan to disrupt its satellite navigation over North
Carolina next week.

The Defense Department will hold tests to prepare for potential loss of the
Global Positioning System -- a military-run network which provides
longitudinal and latitudinal coordinates for ships and planes with
appropriate receivers.

The tests and accompanying disruptions could affect the civilian ships and
aircraft that use the 24-hour network to help guide them.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the Coast Guard issued notices
Friday, cautioning pilots and ship operators against relying on GPS signals
during certain four-hour periods from Monday through Saturday next week.

However, a spokesman for the U.S. Atlantic Command, which is running the
test, told The Washington Post he expected "only minimal impact" on civilian
users.

Affected areas will vary greatly according to altitude. For ships, it will
involve a circular region within a radius of 40 miles centered about 120
miles east of Wilmington, N.C.

For planes cruising at 40,000 feet, the affected area expands to a radius of
350 miles and reaches as far south as Vero Beach, Fla., and as far north as
Sea Isle, N.J.

Officials said there were no reports of civilian safety problems during
previous tests held over North Carolina and Nevada.

During the tests, military crews will be evaluated on their ability to
identify that GPS systems are not working and on finding other means of
navigation.



Lee I Joe

"I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep" - Robert Frost

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