GPS tracking software is basically what makes GPS tracking devices work. This type of software enables a tracking device to transmit a signal which will be sent to satellites set up in space. The space satellites, in return, narrow down the devices geographic location. The location information returned is usually in latitude and longitude, which is then converted by a decoder into a recognizable address.
GPS tracking software was first used by the American Department of Defense, originally using 21 satellites and 3 replacement satellites. The software was primarily made for aviation, nautical navigation and land navigation. The GPS tracking software is a very intelligent system. The GPS satellites set up in orbit, transmits signals that track the exact location of a GPS receiver, be it a vehicle, mobile phone, or other forms of transportation or tracking devices. Now, the satellites have increased to 30 resulting to a wider range of GPS locations. However a GPS tracking software may also locate vehicles or persons that are not in possession of a GPS receiver. To quickly obtain a location, it will just need an unobstructed view of the satellites.
GPS was originally named NAVSTAR which stands for Navigation System for Timing and Ranging, now we have come to know it as GPS or Global Positioning system. The GPS tracking software has been very helpful in the field of navigation, as traveling in unchartered territories have not been easy since especially during bad weathers. As such, the GPS tracking software was built primarily for traveling in unknown routes, indicating the exact location of a moving vehicle in order to calculate what routes should be taken to assist it in reaching its prospective destinations.
The tracking software is also what enables huge delivery trucks in the U.S. to know their locations and inform their base headquarters of where they are. The tracking software allows this because the user can interact with the tracking unit in several ways. Through the GPS tracking software, a two-way communication between the truck driver and base headquarters can be done, in order to check on the status of the delivery truck on its way to its target destination.
Technology has once again proven that there are more inventions to be made in order to make our travels more safe and precise. With the vast sea and land with which seafarers and land farers must travel, the GPS tracking software is indeed the perfect tool to help them assess their movement, whether they are traveling in sky or water, or land. The best thing which anybody can say about having the GPS software is that for as long as there is no obstruction of the satellite signals, you can determine where you are and where you should be heading. However, should you be in the middle of a forest, then it will cause a bit of a problem for tracking your location with a GPS.
By: Jim Kesel
Archive for November, 2009
Flight Tracker GPS – Portable Aviation GPS
November 25th, 2009
Almost all the portable flight tracker GPS units are VFR rated however in an emergency you certainly would be very able to fly IFR. Great jeppesen base maps are standard on these units. Probably the most used feature on all portable aviation units is the excellent HSI. Full Jeppesen Chart data base that include ARTCC, FSS frequencies are also included in the best flight tracker GPS units. These VFR units also include the final approach waypoints that could come in handy if a panel fails or a VFR conditions suddenly deteriorate.
Thousands of obstacles have been erected around the world and for the general aviation pilot they pose a serious hazard especially around small uncontrolled airports. The new portable aviation flight tracker GPS units have data bases that provide the latest obstacle locations. It should be noted that you should update your data base frequently through a Jeppesen subscription. How many times have we all read an accident report that has “flight into terrain” as the cause? The new Jeppesen data bases also have colored mapping that provides terrain avoidance features that can be a life saver especially in mountain flying.
Some top portable aviation units provide high resolution weather data for most of the US in real time. NEXRAD radar, METARs, TAFs, TFRs, Winds Aloft and lightning data are overlaid the Jeppesen topographic mapping database. This is basically the same feature that is found on the best panel mounted aviation units.
The moving map features of these units allow you to accurately track your flight path and provide constant situational awareness. Some portable flight tracker GPS units also generate and display altitude sensitive alerts to keep you out of restricted airspace and on the proper assigned flight level. If you have ever landed at a strange at night trying to find the right taxiway then the new portable aviation units will provide you with a moving map of the airport taxiways. This will keep ground control off your back and get you to the FBO quickly.
Additional great features included in the latest flight tracking GPS units include the AOPA airport directory to help you plan your flight to airports that provide the services that you need, fast real time map updates, ability to do flight planning back at your office or home and an instrument page that can supplement your panel information or in case of an emergency replace it.
Purchasing and using a portable aviation GPS unit is a great investment for every general aviation pilot. These flight tracking GPS units provide great situation awareness that is necessary to make each flight as safe and efficient as it can possibly be.
By: Jim Kesel
Free GPS Software
November 24th, 2009
I took a look at some of the online offers for free GPS software and found, like many “free” offers there were often limits and provisos involved. Often the freeware is a scaled–down version of purchasable products. Sometimes the free product has restricted functionality with features disabled, other products are trial–based and are disabled after a certain time (hours or days or use).
An example of limited free GPS software can be found at GPS Utility. The downloadable freeware is limited 100 waypoints and 500 track points. (There are 65,000 of each in the registered version of their program.) The free program gives you a good opportunity to try before you buy, and this is the benefit of most free programs.
There are online sites that list various free GPS software and describe how to use the programs after you download them. Often individuals who have used the programs themselves develop the sites. These are great because they give you an unbiased interpretation of the benefits and disadvantages of the programs before you use them.
Using free GPS software you can download programs that allow you to retrieve and display aerial photos, topographical maps, USGS landmarks. There are programs available that allow you import scanned images and add latitude and longitude points and other data.
Free GPS software downloads are available for PDA units that are capable of communication with GPS receivers. With these downloads you can have a useful navigation assistant, location database manager, and GPS data converter.
Programs to manage GPS waypoint and route files are available for both PC and Mac users. The waypoints and route files can be saved or converted to various formats used by other mapping programs.
If you need to transfer information to and from your GPS receiver and your home computer or laptop there are several free programs that allow you to do so. There are also programs that allow Garmin GPS receivers to “talk” to one another.
Many of the programs listed here are directed at the hiking/trekker community, but there are also free programs available for auto GPS systems and marine navigational systems. I found a couple of marine navigation programs that allow you to download nautical charts and plotters.
There are free GPS software programs that allow you to download street maps that might not be included in your auto–navigation system. If you intend downloading in–vehicle software, make sure that it has audio capacity, an essential safety factor for motorists. One such program offers data for several countries with voice guidance in twelve languages.
Free GPS software is also available for downloading to your cell phone. This is mostly tracking software and can be phone specific. You might want to check with your carrier before downloading anything to your cell phone to make sure that it does not incur extra charges.
As satellites are constantly moving, it is helpful to know the optimal time for data collection in your area. There is free GPS software that includes an almanac to let you know the availability of satellites at any given time.
Some of the free GPS software is brand specific. Programs designed for a Garmin receiver may not work for a Magellan, so check out the specifications carefully, especially if you intend purchasing a registered version after your trial period. Other software works with most brands.
By: Anne King
