Homework #4 GPS Basics

Rachel Carson GPS Homework #4 Due Friday October 24, 2008 Name ____________________________ Any resource you wish to use in completing this assignment is ok. The website http://www8.garmin.com/aboutGPS/ or http://www.gps4educators.com/gps101.htm will be particularly useful as will your Introduction to GPS notesheet. 1. Describe the 3 basic parts of the GPS system 2. How does the GPS system work? (What information is transmitted and from where? Received?, etc.) 3. What is necessary for a GPS unit to get a good location and altitude? 4. List and describe three things that can cause problems (signal errors) with GPS units. 5. What are at least 2 practical uses for GPS units? 6. How accurate are GPS units and how can their accuracy be improved? 7. What is geocaching? 8. Describe a specific use of GPS by a natural resource professional. 9. Why would the military find GPS technology useful? 10. Describe how you would use a GPS unit to return to your vehicle parked at a trailhead after hiking off trail for several miles.