GPS Status
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pc_GpsStatusPosition
GPS Position tab (PC)


Position

Displays coordinates, course (heading), speed, UTC (Universal/Greenwich Mean Time), date and altitude. To change the units used here, go to the Units tab in the Preferences window. 

Below Altitude is a drop down box providing access to a variety of types of information. Those choices are as follows:

·Date - Displays the current date  
 
·Fix Quality - Displays the quality of the current position fix. A 3D fix is more accurate than a 2D position fix  
 
·HDOP - Horizontal accuracy of the current position fix  
 
·VDOP - Vertical accuracy of the current position fix  
 
·UTC - Universal Time, otherwise known as Greenwich Mean Time  
 
·DGPSID - DGPS Station ID. The DGPS station provides position correction information allowing GPS receivers to find your position with greater accuracy  
 
·GEOIDH - Height of geoid over WGS84 ellipsoid  
 
·MagVar - The magnetic variance at your current position  



pc_GpsStatusStatus

Satellite Strength & Serial Data Flow



Status

Shows data from the GPS receiver and the number of satellites in view. For each satellite, this window displays its identification number and signal strength.  Note that it is possible to have satellites in view but still not have the position locked into the receiver.
 
tip
You need to set your PC clock to local time and date accurate to within one hour. If the time is wrong, the GPS receiver will have difficulty getting a position fix. The time is used to help pinpoint your position.

 
The GPS data is displayed in the area above the satellites information. If the GPS data area is blank, then the software is not communicating with the GPS receiver. Verify that your cabling is correct and that your communications parameters are set correctly for your GPS receiver. If using Bluetooth, see our Bluetooth GPS documentation for further assistance.
 
·Pause - Select Pause to momentarily stop recording the strings to a file. Also pauses the on-screen view of the strings. Useful if you wish to inspect the data.  
 
 
·Start Log - begin recording GPS data to a text file of your choice. The Start Log button will toggle to Stop Log.  
 
 
·Open/Close Port - Toggles the serial port to be available for communication with the GPS receiver. The port is automatically opened when the GPS program is activated. The serial port can be manually closed to disable communication with the GPS receiver. This feature has been designed for future use in external communications applications such as two way messaging.  
 
 
·Select Port - Allows you to specify the communications port being used for the GPS receiver. Select the "GPS" port. If that does not appear, use the Find GPS Port feature.  
 
 
· Select Baud Rate - select the appropriate rate for your GPS receiver. Most receivers communicate at 4800 baud. Others, such as the Delorme Earthmate, communicate at 9600 baud or above.   
 
 
·Find GPS Port - Use this feature to automatically locate and select the GPS port.  
 
 
·Time - The software requires that your PDA have the time set to within one hour of local time to your location to be able to obtain a position fix. Press the button to automatically open up the clock setting for your PDA to allow you to set the correct time.   

tip
You can use a shortcut to access the GPS Status screen by right-clicking anywhere on the map. A pop-up menu will appear, and GPS Status (among other options) will be easy to select from this list.


See Also:

Locking Your Position
Center My Position
Position Menu
Frequently Asked Questions