A little explaination of GPS, WAAS and using Routis

carpcnoobie · 06-28-2004, 05:38 PM

Hello all,

I just read a good description that was linked from this website, explaining basically how WAAS and the European equivelant work.

I looked on the basic software that came with my BU-303 (ebay mouse). There is a check for WAAS and checking on it I seem to get a decent lock. (6 sats from my apartment balcony) with that checked.

But what I want to know is, does Routis use this WAAS when available?? How do I know? Do I have to set anything special to make sure it is using this setting. I didn't see anything on Routis, so I thought I'd pose the question. Thanks.

wi77iam · 06-28-2004, 07:34 PM

WAAS capability has nothing to do with how many satellites you can lock on to. It enables the gps to track and receive corrections signals from the WAAS satellite, when available. If the gps is receiving correction signals, it can apply them to its fix solution for better accuracy. Any software you use can then use the corrected fix for its mapping. Some programs, like Street Atlas, are WAAS-aware, in that they can display the WAAS satellite information (like the differential data) and alter the track symbol to indicate that it is WAAS-corrected. I believe Routis just displays the position, corrected or not, but no other WAAS information. That's the problem - if you're receiving a corrected fix, you won't know it, other than your position will be more accurate than if you're not.