| Last month I was out in the desert doing some | | | | general public in the mid-1980s. GPS technology is |
| hiking with a friend. We wanted to make sure we | | | | made possible by utilizing the 24 to 32 satellites |
| did not get lost and kept trying to remember | | | | currently circling the earth. Twice a day the |
| different landmarks to map out the route we | | | | satellite will transmit a signal back to receivers on |
| took. Even though we had a compass with us we | | | | Earth. Once the GPS navigational receivers receive |
| wanted the added amount of security. It was at | | | | the triangulation signal, the system is able to |
| this time that I wondered how our ancestors did | | | | calculate the exact position of the receiver. |
| it. It was also at this same time that I decided to | | | | |
| purchase a handheld GPS unit. If we had a | | | | While the technology involved in making GPS |
| handheld unit with us, we would have been able to | | | | systems work sounds complicated. Actually, using |
| see the route we were taking. Having a GPS unit | | | | a handheld GPS unit is extremely straightforward. |
| would have provided a sense of security and a | | | | All you need is a GPS receiver and a clear view |
| piece of mind. Using a handheld unit deftly takes | | | | of the sky. Once you have these items all you |
| the place of using a compass. | | | | need to do is enter your destination into the GPS |
| | | | | unit. The unit will provide the distance and the |
| As technology continues to improve, the general | | | | route on how to get from point A to point B. |
| public continues to reap the benefits. Handheld | | | | Your handheld unit will also be able to track how |
| GPS units have been gaining popularity over the | | | | far you traveled, how long you have been |
| last decade. Global positioning systems were | | | | traveling, your current speed, your average speed |
| originally designed and developed by the United | | | | and an estimated time of arrival. You will be able |
| States Department of Defense. These systems | | | | to review this information in either a line format |
| were originally to be used for military purposes | | | | or in a map. The choice is yours to make. The |
| only. However, due to some unforeseen situations | | | | best things about these GPS units are the number |
| the government released this technology to the | | | | of options you have. |