| When I first bought my handheld GPS in 2005, I | | | | that go on everyday. I am sure that this list will |
| was amazed that this handheld positional receiver | | | | grow as technology advances and the uses |
| was among the most wondrous "tools" that I | | | | expanded. |
| owned. I had visions of me never getting lost | | | | - Construction: The use of GPS has changed how |
| again, right! Of finding those fishing hot spots right | | | | we survey, grade and prepare the land for |
| down to the exact location, right! Then I thought, | | | | construction of our dwellings and offices. The |
| how much does this service cost monthly and | | | | accuracy of today's GPS with WAAS is such that |
| who pays for it? | | | | we can find a spot on this continent within 9 feet. |
| Anyone can use the system that has a | | | | Today's construction equipment sometimes use |
| compatible GPS receiver here in the United States | | | | GPS enabled control systems to dig, or grade |
| and that is super...but who actually pays for this, | | | | within feet of the exact spot needed. This |
| and is it really FREE? | | | | accuracy in days past was unheard of and saves |
| Well, we all know that the cost is shouldered by | | | | many thousands of dollars of regrading and |
| the US Tax payers, and I have been trying to | | | | repositioning. |
| locate a tangible cost for this service in all the | | | | - Outdoor Pursuits: This area is well know by |
| departments of government, and it is right now a | | | | everyone who ventures into the woods or on the |
| lost cause for me. | | | | waters of this great country. Many kinds of GPS |
| I am sure that the numerous satellites that | | | | systems have been designed to capture this |
| compose of the system orbiting the earth are | | | | market of users. It is needless to say that this is |
| worth many billions of dollars, and the upkeep for | | | | one of the heavier users of this service. |
| the system is in the multiple millions of dollars | | | | - Agriculture: This field uses the GPS System to |
| annually. If we look at the cost to the American | | | | assure accuracy of planting its crops, plotting |
| Taxpayer it comes out to about "A WHOLE LOT" | | | | fertilizer and pesticides application, and figuring |
| of bucks. I am not trying to be funny here, it is | | | | area usages. GPS has assisted in preventing |
| just about impossible to find the operating cost | | | | erosion and unwise use of this resource. |
| for our GPS System and pin down a monthly | | | | - Last but not least: Defense/Military: This |
| price tag for it's operation | | | | segment of the users of GPS were the original |
| But, lets look at someways that this system has | | | | intended consumers of this system. The Defense |
| benefited the user's and PAID for itself. | | | | Department has used GPS for not only pinpoint |
| This system that is almost ingrained in the | | | | strikes in our war on terrorism, but also for |
| traveling public, and is looked at as necessary as | | | | search and rescue of military personnel and |
| Traffic Signals and Speed limits, has assisted in | | | | civilians. The use of the GPS within the military is |
| changing world history, saving life's, thwarting | | | | so important that the US Government has the |
| disasters, and the list keeps growing. | | | | capability to enable SA (selective availability) during |
| The most common known benefits of GPS: | | | | an emergency and provide only the military |
| - Law Enforcement: We all watch the TV and the | | | | pinpoint accuracy with the system. Refer to one |
| use of GPS in tracking Cars, cell phones, individuals | | | | of past article for explaining the use of the |
| within the judicial system are well known. Some | | | | WAAS in GPS. |
| of the other uses are for traffic control, | | | | Is there a cost to GPS...of course. Is it free....of |
| coordinating assistance in natural and man made | | | | course not. Is it worth the cost.....you decide. |
| disasters, and the numerous search and rescues | | | | |