Handheld GPS on board?
Sep 5, 2001 | 3:42 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 165
Handheld GPS on board?
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Topic: Handheld GPS on board?
jral
Posts: 13
From: YVR
Registered: Aug 2001
posted 09-05-2001 12:13 PM
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Just for interest sake, several times I've used a handheld mapping GPS at my window seat. (It works about 95% of the time) Air Canada crew & a few European (LH,KL) never question it, if anything they ask me if we're on time! (even a few pilots have wanted to see it) However, on several US airlines, I've been told to turn it off...it can't be used etc. I have heard conflicting stories: FAA says it's fine, does not transmit OR "no way" As it is a receiver, it doesn't appear to be a problem, but ???
Any thoughts?
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unagi1
Posts: 638
From: SF Bay Area, UA 1P, Starwood Plat, Hyatt Diam, Hilton Gold
Registered: Nov 2000
posted 09-05-2001 12:41 PM
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What model GPS are you using, and have you successfully used it on UA? I was thinking of getting one and was just starting to research them.
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benoit
Posts: 115
From:
Registered: Jul 2001
posted 09-05-2001 01:41 PM
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I had one of these on board. The coolest thing was that the airplane would bob and weave when I'd turn it on. I just had to be careful to turn it off before the dive became too steep. Once we had regained normal flight posture, I'd turn it back on again for more fun. Half the excitement was the extreme passenger and FA reaction. What a blast!
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Middle_Seat
Posts: 249
From: Austin, TX. Not Plat, Gold or Silver, More Like Zinc. On track for AA 1M in Nov. 2025.
Registered: Apr 2001
posted 09-05-2001 02:59 PM
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quote:
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Originally posted by benoit:
I had one of these on board. The coolest thing was that the airplane would bob and weave when I'd turn it on. I just had to be careful to turn it off before the dive became too steep. Once we had regained normal flight posture, I'd turn it back on again for more fun. Half the excitement was the extreme passenger and FA reaction. What a blast!
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Same thing here, except only on certain aircraft types. Didn't work on the older ones.
Best to wait until everything is smooth and people are relaxing with their drinks sitting on the tray tables, then push the GPS On button. Loads of fun!!
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artboy
Posts: 27
From: Richmond, VA USA
Registered: Mar 2001
posted 09-05-2001 03:28 PM
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quote:
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Originally posted by jral:
However, on several US airlines, I've been told to turn it off...it can't be used etc. I have heard conflicting stories: FAA says it's fine, does not transmit OR "no way" As it is a receiver, it doesn't appear to be a problem, but ???
Any thoughts?
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I use GPS all the time -- people look at me funny sometimes but I've never been told to turn it off. I find it fascinating to know the exact route and velocity and altitude all the time!
GPS recievers are exactly that -- recievers. So yes, it does give off interference by virtue of being turned on, but it is not radiating anything beyond the normal electromagnetic noise of any small electronic device like a CD player or video game.
In fact it should give off considerably LESS noise than a CD player since motors (like those in CD players for spinning the disc) are incredibly noisy. Heck, a laptop computer with CD drive, hard drive, and dozens of chips probably gives off a hundred times more EM noise than a handheld GPS.
If you really want to worry someone, be sure to tell them that the plane is being bombarded by the GPS radio signals from every angle during the entire flight! Those pesky satellites don't stop transmitting just because a plane is taking off or landing...
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Sep 5, 2001 | 6:24 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2001
Location: SAN
Programs: AA GLD 1MM, WN CP, etc. etc.
Posts: 403
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by (somebody):
GPS recievers are exactly that -- recievers. So yes, it does give off interference by virtue of being turned on, but it is not radiating anything beyond the normal electromagnetic noise of any small electronic device like a CD player or video game.
In fact it should give off considerably LESS noise than a CD player since motors (like those in CD players for spinning the disc) are incredibly noisy. Heck, a laptop computer with CD drive, hard drive, and dozens of chips probably gives off a hundred times more EM noise than a handheld GPS.
</font>
GPS recievers are exactly that -- recievers. So yes, it does give off interference by virtue of being turned on, but it is not radiating anything beyond the normal electromagnetic noise of any small electronic device like a CD player or video game.
In fact it should give off considerably LESS noise than a CD player since motors (like those in CD players for spinning the disc) are incredibly noisy. Heck, a laptop computer with CD drive, hard drive, and dozens of chips probably gives off a hundred times more EM noise than a handheld GPS.
</font>
Radio receivers are not just like any common electronic device; a receiver (virtually all circuit designs in common use) actually works by generating an identical signal to the carrier wave of the signal it is trying to receive -- in effect, every radio receiver contains a tiny micropower transmitter.
Not, mind you, that I think it's going to cause any real harm -- but the theory that it's "not radiating anything beyond the normal electromagnetic noise of any small electronic device" is, in fact, false.
--Laird
Sep 7, 2001 | 7:52 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Sacramento, CA, USA;
Posts: 129
benoit;
I've used the DeLorme Earthmate GPS Receiver with Street Atlas USA (receiver plugs into your laptop) on United flights. Slid the unit between the window and the shade and it worked great. Wasn't asked to turn it off, but didn't make a point of it, either.
As an added benefit, we were flying to Miami for a cruise, and the software knew where the islands were, even though it didn't identify them. Verified our location when on a bridge tour, and matched to several decimal places.
I've used the DeLorme Earthmate GPS Receiver with Street Atlas USA (receiver plugs into your laptop) on United flights. Slid the unit between the window and the shade and it worked great. Wasn't asked to turn it off, but didn't make a point of it, either.
As an added benefit, we were flying to Miami for a cruise, and the software knew where the islands were, even though it didn't identify them. Verified our location when on a bridge tour, and matched to several decimal places.
Sep 8, 2001 | 12:06 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 112
I have used the Garmin Etrex onboard. Its probably one of the smallest, about the size of a cell phone. But it only worked when I was seated at a window seat, pressing it against the window. I found it to be only mildly interesting. Speed, altitude, ETA, etc.
As for the flight crew, I doubt they would ask you if they are on time, consuidering their equipment is much more sophisticated. Maybe a stewardess.
As for the flight crew, I doubt they would ask you if they are on time, consuidering their equipment is much more sophisticated. Maybe a stewardess.