I so often hear people in the uk going on about WAAS but unless im wrong this feature is only available in the USA!!

Has the UK actually got this sytem up and running??

here"s a little bit of info from GARMIN.
????????

How it Works!

WAAS consists of approximately 25 ground reference stations positioned across the United States that monitor GPS satellite data. Two master stations, located on either coast, collect data from the reference stations and create a GPS correction message. This correction accounts for GPS satellite orbit and clock drift plus signal delays caused by the atmosphere and ionosphere. The corrected differential message is then broadcast through one of two geostationary satellites, or satellites with a fixed position over the equator. The information is compatible with the basic GPS signal structure, which means any WAAS-enabled GPS receiver can read the signal.

Who benefits from WAAS?

Currently, WAAS satellite coverage is only available in North America. There are no ground reference stations in South America, so even though GPS users there can receive WAAS, the signal has not been corrected and thus would not improve the accuracy of their unit. For some users in the U.S., the position of the satellites over the equator makes it difficult to receive the signals when trees or mountains obstruct the view of the horizon. WAAS signal reception is ideal for open land and marine applications. WAAS provides extended coverage both inland and offshore compared to the land-based DGPS (differential GPS) system. Another benefit of WAAS is that it does not require additional receiving equipment, while DGPS does.

Other governments are developing similar satellite-based differential systems. In Asia, it's the Japanese Multi-Functional Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS), while Europe has the Euro Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS). Eventually, GPS users around the world will have access to precise position data using these and other compatible systems.

I would like to think that we now have WAAS the technology but have not been made aware of it so if someone can help me with this i would be greatful!!

EGNOS!! Is this our equivalent to WAAS???

Egnos is the equivalent and it is up and running, I think it has been for a few years now, but in a beta stage. I wouldn't worry too much though, it canes your batteries and doesn't seem to make any discernable difference.

CHEERS!
Must try and find out a bit more about this EGNOS thing then.Anybody got some info on it plz!!..

So are our GPS units Egnos/Waas enabled? does it work the same?
or do we have to buy a gps egnos enabled.lol.

I also found this!
does this mean i would have to buy a gps unit capable of EGNOS to beifit from the added

The Magellan handheld GPS unit eXplorist 100 features TrueFix™ technology which takes advantage of 14 parallel channels, supported by WAAS and EGNOS for fast signal acquisition, minimal signal loss and reliable accuracy to within 3 meters. Save up to 3 track log files, 500 points of interest and 20 routes to guide you back to your favourite spots or more importantly to your car. Put the power of GPS in your pocket.

?or is a standard thing that our gps units work from anyway??

Just a standard waas receiver. I don't understand the technicals, but i *think* there is a separate beacon on the ground that can add correction.

Thanks Anon Mouse 4 im gonna look into it some more thanks..

I've had a signal a few times but not very often. When it's properly running it'll aid accuracy. If you read the WAAS page on Wikipedia it's basically the same thing but implemented to cover Europe. Most importantly the signals transmitted are compatible with the WAAS standard so any WAAS enabled GPS should be able to interpret the signals if it receives them.

It certainly does make a difference in the UK, my Geko 201 gets < 20 feet accuracy, which is amazing.

I walked about my garden and saw my route being plotted. I was amazed!

I have a Garmin 60Csx and have EGNOS enabled but I've only once seen the 'D' for differential in the signal strength bars - that was 1200ft up at Bodmin moor.

I regulary receive <20 ft accuracy on a Geko 201 with WAAS turned off. I think the difference is that there is correction with WAAS, so if using WAAS it reports <20 ft, this is 100% accurate, but with it turned off, it reports <20ft accuracy, and this may well be true, but the inaccuracy is estimated rather than calculated. I don't really understand the topic though, so don't shoot me down in flames if this is not true.

I get a good WAAS signal on my explorist 100 regularly, in fact I am dissapointed if I don't get it. Accuracy is isually within 3 Metres

I think you'll find EGNOS is still in test mode (and thus can't be relied on). As far as I can remember it won't become fully operational until 2008.

Have a look at the ESA EGNOS Website

There's a difference between 'reliability for use in aerospace applications' and 'reliability for use by walkers'...

egnos satellites are numberd from 30 upwards. if you don't get a lock on these then the waas bit isn't working so switch the unit into non waas mode.
as for munching batteries, independent, unscientific tests (left units on window sill) would indicate about and hour less battery on a geko 201 (7hrs opposed to 8hrs). as my other units have long battery times i doubt if you'd notice.
its accuracy is geared toward avaition/marine e.g. blind landing a plane where the difference between 1 metre and 5 metres is rather crucial.
for walking it doesn't really matter, it just tells exactly where you're lost with slightly greater accuracy, which is only useful if you have a map. bearing in mind that maps have something like a 7m accuracy it's all rather academic.

i saw somewhere that it's being delayed again due to funding/commercial squabbles.

Ahem, it's still on a test mode (if you can find a guarantee of accuracy on the web site then fine, Ive tried but failed) using MT 0/2. However I tend to agree with Parky, what is the point ofthe increased accuracy for hill walking? In good view of the sky I normally get a position fix of around 20ft and if I stray into partial view I'm unlikely to get a view of the EGNOS satellites anyway.

> Ahem, it's still on a test mode (if you can find a guarantee of accuracy on the web site then fine, Ive tried but failed)

Agreed. However, I'd be happy to rely on the corrections for walking. On the other hand, I wouldn't want to try to do an automatic landing on it... (although some do)

"For more than six months the EGNOS Signal-in-Space has been stabilised with an average availability above 95% and, for example in March 2007, the availability was well above 99%."

"Currently in pre-operational service, EGNOS will be certified in 2008 for safety-of-life applications such as air traffic control."

Safety-of-life applications require a far, far higher level of verification & validation than non safety-of-life apps, such as walking. As you say; this level of accuracy isn't really needed for walking anyway...

Aye, but it's still in "test mode" It was supposed to be up and running in 2004 and they have never guaranteed availability even to this day (covering their arse mode). But as I think we agree, it's a bit of a waste of space (sic) for us anyhow. Acquisition (rather than increased accuracy is more the game for the likes of us.