Accuracy
A measure of how close an estimate of a GPS position is to the true location.
Acquisition Time
The time it takes a GPS receiver to acquire satellite signals and determine the initial position.
Active Antenna
An antenna that amplifies the GPS signal before sending it to the receiver.
Altimeter
An instrument for determining elevation.
Basemap
Typically include coverage of oceans, rivers, and lakes; principal cities, smaller cities, and towns; interstates, highways, and local thoroughfares; and railroads, airports, and political boundaries. Basemaps are available in a variety of global coverage areas, depending on the user's needs.
Cartography
The art or technique of making maps or charts. Many GPS receivers have detailed mapping - or cartography - capabilities.
DSC (Digital Selective Calling)
Allows you to send a distress signal at a touch of a button or exchange position information with other boats or stations.
FRS (Family Radio Service)
Business band frequencies available to the general public in the newly approved FRS band.
No license is required to operate radios in the FRS band. These radios allow users to increase their fun and safety by staying in touch.
Geocaching
A high-tech version of hide-and-seek. Geocachers seek out hidden treasures utilizing GPS coordinates posted on the Internet by those hiding the cache
GMDSS
Global Maritime Distress and Safety
GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service)
Business band frequencies available to the general public. The GMRS service consists of 15 channels, 7 of which are shared with FRS radios. License is required to operate GMRS Radios.
No test is required, but there is a license fee. To learn more, please call the FCC at
888-CALL-FCC or visit their website at www.fcc.gov
GPS (Global Positioning System)
GPS is a satellite-based system that allows you to pinpoint your exact location anywhere on the planet. The system consists of 24 satellites orbiting above the Earth. Using a GPS receiver, the satellites allow you to determine your location with great precision. Originally developed for military use, the GPS satellite system has been opened to the general public. The GPS system is maintained by the U.S. government with taxpayer dollars, and there is no charge to access the system with a GPS receiver.
LCD ( Liquid Crystal Display)
A display circuit characterized by a liquid crystal element sandwiched between two glass panels.Characters are produced by applying an electric field to liquid crystal molecules and arranging them to act as light filters.
NOAA Weather Radio
NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information direct from a nearby National Weather Service office. NWR broadcasts National Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day.
S.A.M.E. ( Specific Area Message Encoding )
Specific Area Message Encoding can be used so your radio only alerts you to warnings in your specific area. The National Weather Service uses this signal to broadcast weather conditions, forecasts or alerts. If your radio has S.A.M.E. you can program your radio to only sound the alert if it affects your county or the counties closest to you.
SONAR
A system using transmitted and reflected underwater sound waves to detect and locate submerged objects or measure the distance to the floor of a body of water.
TracBack
Takes your current track log and converts it into a route to guide you back to a starting position.
Transducer
A device, much like a microphone, that converts input energy of one form into output energy of another. Fishfinders separate and enhance the information received from a transducer to show underwater objects.
User Interface
The way in which information is exchanged between the GPS receiver and the user.
Waterproof
An IPX7 designation means can withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. An IPX8 designation is for continuous underwater use.
Waypoint
A " waypoint " is simply the coordinates of a specific location.
WAAS ( Wide Area Augmentation System )
A system of satellites and ground stations that provide GPS signal corrections for better position accuracy. A WAAS-capable receiver can give you a position accuracy of better than three meters, 95 percent of the time.
