Gps Trekking Take A Hike But Dont Get Lost

Writen by Simon Wyryzowski

For those looking for a portable GPS unit for on-foot activities such as hiking. Here are a few features that you should be on the look out for when making a purchase decision.

This one is obvious, but make sure there is a visual map screen where you can see where you are relative to your surroundings. Some GPS receivers only tell you your longitude and latitude position.

Make sure that the unit was designed to be rugged enough to work and last in the environment you are planning to trek at. Things such as being water proof, shock proof, and weather proof are helpful if possible.

If you plan on trekking or camping for extended periods of time, you want a GPS unit that has a long battery life relative to the time you spend outdoors.

It's important to have preloaded maps so you can find nearby roads easily and not get lost. Make sure the unit you buy supports as many routes as you think you'll need.

Waypoints are a very handy feature. Make sure that your unit supports many user-entered waypoints.

Make sure the receiver is light to carry and small enough to fit into your traveling gear. Also make sure that the screen is clear and easy to read at a glance so you don't have to spend too much time fumbling around for directions.

Whether you are looking for a GPS freight tracking system or a car tracking device, you'll find it here.

http://www.gpszoom.com/

Not All Hams Are Edible

Writen by Denny Knutson

Its true, not all HAMS are edible. Some hams are actually useful radio amateur operators who serve the public and have fun making friends. Ham radio operators (or amateur radio operators as they are known) use two-way radio stations from their homes, cars, boats and outdoors to make hundreds of friends around town and around the world. They communicate with each other using voice, computers, and Morse code. Some hams bounce their signals off the upper regions of the atmosphere, so they can talk with hams on the other side of the world. Other hams use satellites. Many use hand-held radios that fit in their pockets. In the 20 plus years I have been a General Class Operator I have been afforded the opportunity to make hundreds of new friends thru this great hobby of ours while being afforded an opportunity to serve my community in a variety of ways.

Much of this hobby in electronics and communications can be viewed by going to the amateur radio site called the Amercian Radio Relay League or ARRL at www.arrl.org.

Hams exchange pictures of each other using television. Some also like to work on electronic circuits, building their own radios and antennas. A few pioneers in Amateur Radio have even contributed to advances in technology that we all enjoy today. There are even ham-astronauts who take radios with them on the International Space Station and thrill thousands of hams on earth with a call from space!

Hams assist their communities and prospective agencies in times of need such as;

• Hurricanes
• Earthquakes
• Tornadoes and floods
• Motorist accidents
• Fires and chemical spills
• Search and rescues

The most popular license for beginners is the Technician Class license, which requires only a 35 multiple-choice question written examination. The test is written with the beginner in mind. Morse Code is not required for this license. With a Technician Class license, you will have all ham radio privileges above 30 megahertz (MHz). These privileges include the very popular 2-meter band. Many Technician licensees enjoy using small (2 meter) hand-held radios to stay in touch with other hams in their area.

Technicians may operate FM voice, digital packet (computers), television, single-sideband voice and several other interesting modes. You can even make international radio contacts via satellites, using relatively simple equipment.

Did you know may of todays TV and Music stars are amateur radio operators or Hams? Its true, Ronnie Milsap, Patty Loveless and many many more.

The 170,000+ members of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) are among the most active and enthusiastic amateurs in the country. Headquartered in Newington, CT, ARRL speaks on behalf of its members in Washington and internationally as well as providing direct member benefits.

The Amateur Radio license examinations are administered by ham radio volunteers. When you're ready to take your exam, you'll need to locate an exam session near you.

If you have questions on becoming a Technician class operator please feel free to leave me feed back or as I stated earlier, visit the Amercian Radio Relay League site at WWW.ARRL.ORG

Denny, KB9GFX

Denny Knutson, LPN,EMT, Maa
Emergeny Room Nurse
Bellin Health - Bond Health Center

Preventing Your Gps Kit From Being Stolen

Writen by Francis Ononye

Satellite navigation units make driving a lot easier as they hold digital maps and use a network of satellites in space to pinpoint your location and they provide turn by turn directions to get you to your destination usually through audible signals.

Satellite navigation kits also known as GPS units are now so popular that they are now seen as must-have gadgets. This has led to an increase in thefts and car break-ins as these units are attractive to thieves.

Often what the vehicles owner does is usually to remove the satellite navigation unit from the windscreen holder and put it inside the glove box compartment of the vehicle while leaving the holder still attached to the windscreen. This is not really a very good idea because it leaves a telltale sign that the vehicle has a Gps unit which could lead to a potential break-in.

It is always advisable to detach the windscreen holder completely as this can attract the opportunist thief. One might want to place the support cradle in the glove compartment but a safer alternative would be to completely remove both the unit and the support cradle from the vehicle. Even if you don't remove the cradle from the windscreen and still remove the unit from the glove compartment, there is still a high probability that the vehicle will be vandalised and the windows smashed.

An advice I give to people is to consider using a compatible mobile phone for satellite navigation. On some symbian smartphones and windows mobile phones one can install navigation software with full functionality as the dedicated satellite navigation units. This has a lot of advatages over GPS units which include portability and security.

Francis is a GPS enthusiast and writes about satellite navigation

Digital Radio Goes To War And Surprise Youre The Winner

Writen by Douglas Hanna

There's a coming war in digital radio -- HD Radio vs. satellite radio.

The question is, which will be the winner.

I think the answer is "none of the above."

Why would I say this?

Let's look at some pros and cons.

First, satellite radio is national. You can lock onto your favorite channel and keep listening to it as you drive from LA to New York. That's a definite plus. On the other hand, HD Radio is terrerestrial broadcast radio and as such, is strictly local. Once you drive out of, say, LA, you won't be able to hear your favorite LA-based station until you drive back to within the station's range. Depending on your travel habits, that could be a real minus.

However, there's a downside to national radio and that's the fact it cannot deliver local information or local programming. If you travel a lot between cities or even states, national radio can be a real boon. However, if most of your driving is within the same city, local HD Radio would make more sense – especially if you like local news, weather, sports scores and talk radio.

Satellite radio's second big advantage over terrestrial radio is that most channels are commercial free. However, HD Radio broadcasters have said that HD2 subchannels will also be commercial free for at least the first 18 months.

What happens after these initial months is anyone's guess. On the other hand, in the long run, satellite radio may not be able to stay commercial free either. XM and Sirius continue to lose money even though they are adding subscribers and there may come a time when there just aren't that many people left who are willing to pay for satellite radio.

In the meantime, most of the car audio system manufacturers who are incorporating HD Radio into their systems are also including provision for either Sirius or XM. I think this probably reflects the future of radio which is that you, the listener, get to choose. You can choose either HD Radio or satellite radio. Or you can choose both.

So, the ultimate winner is ... you.

To learn more about HD Radio, just go my Web site, http://www.hd-radio-home.com. And while you're there, be sure to sign up for my mini-blog so you can stay on top of all HD Radio news.

Douglas Hanna is a retired marketing executive and the author of more than 100 articles on HD radio, the Internet and family finances.

Gps Usability Over Functionality

Writen by Steve Joseph

There is an easy test that I like to use when evaluating a GPS, or any type of electronic device. I call it the user manual test. When I pick up a new GPS for the first time, I see how easily I can operate the GPS with common sense alone and without using the manual. Criteria for a good GPS is firmly based on how easily I can operate the menu options and pick up the functions. This is an aspect that some people overlook yet it is perhaps the single most important part of a GPS.

The first reason that user friendly functions and menus are so important is that the vast majority of people who buy GPS units are seasonal or occasional users. They are not out there 5 days a week, honing their skills and keeping the idiosyncrasies of their GPS at the forefront of their mind! Consequently, most users want to be able to pick the damn thing up and be able to get their hands on accurate information that can make the difference between getting lost, or even a fatal ending to an outdoor adventure.

The second reason that GPS units need to be easy to use is that they are often used by groups such as hunters, fishermen and hikers. This makes it quite likely that some members of the group will not be experienced with your particular model or brand of GPS. In these kinds of circumstances it is doubtful that anyone will want to sit down and read a user manual, that is if you still know where it is! So do yourself a favor and get a GPS that makes sense to you without having to go to the book, if for nothing else that from a safety point of view.

The third reason it that if you are willing to spend a couple of bucks on your GPS and choose a top brand such as Magellan or Garmin you don't need to worry too much about what functions are included. The level of competition between these two companies is so high that neither is willing to put sub-standard products into the marketplace. At http://www.thegpscentre.com you can see reviews of GPS units and see how close these brand really are in both quality and price. What will make the difference will be the users ability to take advantage of the functions.

Remember, there is no point having a GPS with several navigation screens, thousands of automatic way-points if you can't work out how to use them with ease. Happy trails and safe navigating to you all.

The author is a regular contributor to http://www.incargpsworld.com and permission to reproduce this article is given only on the basis that all links remain active and intact.

Do You Really Need Gps

Writen by John T Jones, Ph.D.

Throughout all time the big question has been and still is: Where in the heck am I?

Adam said, "Where are you going, Eve?"

Eve shook her blond hair and said, "Darned if I know, Adam. I'm just bored with this place."

"Well, stay here then if you don't know where you are going. You might get lost."

Adam set on a rock and waited for her answer.

Eve said, "I won't get lost, Adam. Besides, I'm not a man. If I do get lost, I'll ask for directions."

Adam said, "You must have some idea where you want to go, Eve. You can't just go wondering off into the dark and dreary world.

She looked at Adam with her pale blue eyes and said, "I was thinking more of Paris than the dark and dreary world.

Back in those days folks tried to keep track of where they were by looking at the stars. The great explorer, Phendom, used the stars to navigate. In 45678 b.c. on his first trip to Greenland his chief navigator, Sogbottom, said, "I think we had better head back north, Phendom. I think that is the Southern Cross."

I found only one reference to Phendom on Google.com. That is how unknown he is. The reference was cached, but the ever-loving Google.com said I could read the text if I liked. I decided to do that until one of those little boxes popped up and told me I would have to install the Korean Language module to read it.

That is how I learned that Phendom, who was probably the first Sea Explorer, was Korean.

I still remember three words in Korean from my Korean War days. I can say, "How are you? (awnyahasiminiga)" I can say, "Come here," to a man (erioseeo). And I can call a dog (ereereereere, etc.). It's best in Korea not to get the last two mixed up. Koreans like to throw rocks.

Back to the stars: If you measure the angle from the horizon to Polaris, you will know your latitude. Polaris is the "Pole Star." You may know it as the "North Star." To find Polaris, look for the big dipper. If you can't find the Big Dipper, it is opposite the "W" which is also known as Cassiopeia. To see how this is all done go to: http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/cosmic_kids/AskKids/northstar.shtml

You can see why I just love Google.com. "I love those goo goo googlely eyes!" You might try: http://pub2.bravenet.com/forum/167551711/show/337617 for more on Barney Google with the goo goo googlely eyes!"

Don't forget to drop in to see Barney Google himnself at: http://www.toonopedia.com/google.htm. You will be glad you did.

At this point it would be proper to discuss how the early mariners determined longitude. Darned if I know how they did it. I do know that Captain James 1768-1780 A.D. was the first to use a chronometer to determine longitude. It says so at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_exploration.

The chronometer will just get us into a flimditty just as the sextant would. Let's move on.

(I made up the word flimditty because it is just what we needed in that last sentence, right? You won't find it in your dictionary or at Google.com. You must be thrilled to be reading the writings of a modern creative literary genious.)

There is no reason to get into a fitznizzle over longitude and the chronometer.

Skipping history, modern day navigators have a number of ways to find their way home. Some years back a friend of mine told me that he had bought a fishing boat at a sheriff's sale for $800.00. He was very excited about that boat and so was I. He put a new V-8 engine in the boat and off we went fishing on Delaware Bay, God's great gift to ardent fishermen.

My son and son-in-law tagged along and we cought a boodle of fish. Toward evening, I put my hand up to measure the altitude of the sun and I said, "In 40 minutes it will be dark. We'd better head in."

Well, nobody wanted to quit fishing and my friend assured me that we would be able to get in by looking for the navigation light at the mouth of the Maurice River. We would follow the light and slip up the river to the dock.

Finally as the sun dropped into the abyse of spacetime my friend decided it was time to leave. He cranked up the engine but the boat didn't move. Poking our heads to see what was below deck we found water. The boat had such a tonage of water that it would not move.

My friend had installed a pump so he flipped it on. That didn't help, so we started bailing out the water. Eventually, we got the boat moving.

I suggested that we put on the lifejackets. The Delaware is full of ugly tankers and cargo ships and such. I could see us in the water screaming at the top of our lungs, HELP!

We headed east but we could not see the blasted navigational light. We moved south and finally we could see it. We motored up the river at a slow pace because the docks on the river had signs that said: NO WAKE!

We moved slower and slower as we took on more water. The musquitos got thicker and thicker. We thought we were with Bogey on the African Queen.

Finally, we arrived at the dock. That's where we learned that we could not move to the dock because the boat would not steer properly. Then by luck on the 70th try, we pulled up to the dock.

I grabbed two five gallon cans of fish and ran for my Volkswagen bus, ten zillion mosquitoes helping me along.

The next morning, my friend went down to the dock to check on his bargain boat.

He couldn't see it at first.

Then he found that it was only a few feet away.

Unfortunately, the direction was down!

Glub, glub!

Sorry for that major diversion from our very serious discussion on navigation and all.

Sometime after the compus was discovered, man discovered radio navigation. Transmitters along the cost sent out a characteristic bleep that boats could triangulate on or dead recon on to find their way home. We learn the following at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_navigation

"The first system of radio navigation was the radio direction finder, or RDF. By tuning in a radio station and then using a directional antenna to find the direction to the broadcasting antenna, radio sources replaced the stars and planets of celestial navigation with a system that could be used in all weather and times of day. Taking two such measurements and plotting the directions on a map will result in an intersection, your current location. Commercial AM radio stations can be used for this task due to their long range and high power, but strings of low-power radio beacons were also set up specifically for this task. Early systems used a loop antenna that was rotated by hand to find the angle to the signal, while modern systems use a much more directional solenoid that is rotated rapidly by a motor, with electronics calculating the angle."

Placing transmitters on Global Positioning Satellites solved all of our navigational problems except during heavy sunspot activity or overlyactive solarwinds.

The End

copyright©John T. Jones, Ph.D. 2005

John T. Jones, Ph.D. (tjbooks@hotmail.com)is a retired R&D engineer and VP of a Fortune 500 company. He is author of detective & western novels, nonfiction (business, scientific, engineering), poetry, etc. Former editor of international trade magazine. More info: http://www.tjbooks.com. Business web site: http://www.bookfindhelp.com (wealth-success books / flagpoles)

Satellite Radio Music And More In Real Time

Writen by Matt Barstow

Millions of radio listeners in the United States and all over the world have become so much happier with the introduction of satellite radio. Now, people can listen to literally hundreds of stations that offer music, news, radio talk shows and more in virtually real-time and at a much higher audio quality than that which FM or AM radio provides.

With conventional radio, land-based stations broadcast their signals to your boom box, computer, or car radio via the earth's airwaves. With satellite radio however, providers transmit encrypted signals to satellites they launched in outer space; these satellites in turn beam the signals to customers' listening devices. But you can't use just any radio; you need a special receiver (which is available at electronics retailers) and a satellite radio set. You can also listen to satellite radio broadcasts in your car since many new cars rolling of the assembly lines have satellite-ready equipment already installed. All you would need to do is pay for your monthly subscription.

In the United States, service is offered by XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio. Sirius, a company based in New York City, has over 125 channels from which to choose, 67 of them dedicated to commercial-free music and the rest to various other content. XM, on the other hand, offers more than 160 channels, which offer content that is as diverse as that which Sirius extends to its customers. The services are available coast-to-coast, so geographical availability of programs is not an issue. A customer in Los Angeles, for example, can listen to the same talk show that another customer in say, Boston, is listening to at the same time, and with no degradation in audio quality. Remember that satellite radio also means digital radio -- sound is crystal-clear. There's none of the static or hissing you would sometimes hear on FM or AM radio. Non-US residents can also take advantage of the benefits of satellite radio; XM and Sirius offer their services in Canada, while WorldSpace broadcasts its service across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Australia has several providers of its own also.

Factors that attract people to sign up for satellite radio subscriptions are numerous. For one thing, there's the pleasure of listening to commercial-free music. Since the providers make their money from subscriptions, there is still no pressing need for advertising revenue. Another attractive feature that this service offers is that information about the song being played at the moment is displayed on your radio set -- a small convenience for those people who have to know about who is singing what song right-now. The fact that satellite radio programming is completely uncensored at the moment is also a draw for many people. Noteworthy personalities, such as shock jock Howard Stern (who was kicked out of network radio programming) has made satellite radio his new broadcasting home. Whether you want to listen to hip-hop music, stand-up comedy shows, or news programs, satellite radio offers them -- all completely uncensored.

Because Sirius, XM, and other providers are the ones who set the channel selections, some people might find it a bit inconvenient that they won't be able to listen to their local radio stations and get information on local goings-on. However, Sirius and XM do provide traffic and weather data for major cities, so that should be a bit of a relief for city residents. And if you think about it, not getting access to one local radio station wouldn't seem to be such a bad deal if you compare it to the ability to listen to hundreds of channels of commercial-free music and unregulated non-regulated shows.

Sirius and XM plan to add even more features and functions to offer to their subscribers. Sirius, in particular, is readying the launch of a Windows Media Video 9 service and the company plans to offer several channels dedicated to children. That's one more thing to keep the kids occupied and not distract their parents on long road trips. XM plans to release a similar video service. The two companies are anticipating that this will add to the number of their subscribers -- Sirius has over one million, trailing after XM which has more than three million.

If you're an avid radio listener and you're finding yourself becoming fed up with the constant barrage of commercials on regular music stations or if you're looking for more no-holds-barred commentaries or radio talk shows, you probably wouldn't mind forking over the $12.95 monthly subscription for satellite radio service charged by Sirius and XM. And with the increases that the two companies see in their subscriber numbers, it's evident that a lot of people feel the same way.

Matt Barstow offers valuable tips and information about satellite radio, players, and services. Read his latest report answering the most popular questions about satellite radio.

The Satellite Radio Antenna Choosing The Antenna Thats Right For You

Writen by Jonathan Dalton

The Satellite radio antenna is one of three basic hardware components you'll need to receive those digital audio streams from your favourite Satellite radio service provider.

Although both providers offer similar services and use similar technologies, the associated hardware, including the antenna, is designed to receive either XM or Sirius programming. We have read articles where listeners have interchanged antennas with some success but it is not recommended.

The antenna's task is to pick up the signals transmitted from the Satellites and terrestrial repeaters scattered about the U.S., with a reliable receive performance. In order to achieve this, the antenna must have an unobstructed view (line-of-sight) of at least one orbiting satellite. In urban areas where buildings and terrain are likely to block the Satellite signal, the antenna picks up the signal broadcast from the terrestrial repeaters instead.

To ensure an uninterrupted Satellite radio service, both Sirius and XM provide recommendations for ideal antenna mounting locations. Furthermore, many home and plug-and-play Satellite radio units offer special antenna aiming screens within their menu options.

With a rapid advancement in Satellite radio antenna technology, XM and Sirius are able to offer their listeners a wide range of antennas, accessories and flexible installation options.

So the question: Which Satellite radio antenna do I need? Although taste can play a small part in choosing the right antenna, the decision largely depends on whether you want to listen to Satellite radio in your vehicle, on your boat, at home or indeed anywhere! One thing you can be sure of is that all Satellite radio antennas available today are neither too cumbersome, nor impose limitations on your vehicle, boat or home's aesthetics.

For more information please visit: http://www.the-satellite-radio-advisor.com

This article may be freely reproduced so long as the link above is included in its entirety.

Antennas Of The New Age

Writen by Robert Thatcher

Antennas have been around for a long time. Before the birth of cable television, homes would need it to just to get a signal. The person would need to put this on the roof and adjust it from time to time to get better reception. Satellite television has also changed this making these crude yet useful devices obsolete.

The computer age has followed suit. There was a time that an individual had to dial up just to get an internet connection. With the development of wireless routers that come with a WiFi antenna, work using the computer can be done without the need to connect any wires.

Another term that is used for Wifi antennas are omnidirectional antennas. Some users who have this at home have said that it is better to have this replaced with a different kind. This is because the current antenna has difficulty reaching long distances since the signaling power needs to extend in many directions.

One solution to address this problem is getting an external omnidicrectional antenna that is much more powerful than the old one. This gives internet access to people who have more than one computer located in different areas of the house.

Universities and other offices use stronger devices allowing its workers to work via the web. This can be done to send emails or other important files that are essential for the entire business operation.

A strong antenna may pose a problem for the person at home. This is because the signal could reach people who live near the house and use it to gain internet access without the knowledge of the individuals who purchased the unit. In order to solve this, one should check if the external antenna is really needed. Also, aiming it a place where people in the house can only use it.

Another way of letting people have internet access at home or in the office is by adding another access point. The person would need to connect the wireless router to one that has an Ethernet cable. This is because a wireless version and the kind that needs wires are not able to work with each other directly.

The use of a repeater and an amplifier can also strengthen the signal in one's home or in the office. This can be done by attaching it to the access point and in no time, the individual and others may enjoy doing some surfing in the net.

These devices can be bought at the nearby cyber shop or one can surf the net and buy it online. Before getting it, the individual should canvass around to get the best price available. The person should also think if it is really needed for one's home.

Antennas come in different sizes and shapes. These are used for a variety of things such as listening to a program on the radio or for people to communicate in places that do not have telephones or cellular phones.

Various instruments have also been used to amplify the signal. The person should just choose the kind that is really needed depending on the purpose then making use of it. The potential of it is endless and it's use in giving people wireless internet access is another marvel that people will benefit from.

Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides antenna resources on http://www.justantennas.info

The Beauty Of Xm

Writen by Bo Cakmak

What a huge idea! To have the ability to listen to commercial free music, wherever, whenever! One great idea can change everything. XM Satellite Radio has changed everything. XM is now America's #1 Satellite Radio provider. It features over 160 digital channels — over 30 channels of news, sports, talk and entertainment, over 20 dedicated channels of XM-brand Instant Traffic & Weather, and the largest playlist in the industry with access to over 2 million song titles.

Probably the best thing about an XM Satellite radio is that you don't have to replace your old radio to get XM. It's swift and simple to add XM to your existing car or home stereo. With the XM system, you'll still be able to listen to your regular AM, FM stations and your CD or cassette player. A great feature of XM radios is its ability to display the channel name, artist name and song title, so you won't ever have to ask "what's the name of that song?" That's priceless! If you're in the market for a new car, be sure to ask about having a XM Radio installed. XM-equipped audio systems are offered in over 100 new cars for the 2005 model year.

There is no doubt that satellite radio is the future of the music and audio entertainment industry. Satellite radio is doing to radio what cable television did to television years ago. An explosion of information is ready for your ears! Founded in 1992, as the American Mobile Radio Corporation, XM offers receivers from the price range of $30 - $300. For the budget-friendly consumer, XM also offers these receivers at a month-to-month plan, with service fees at about $12.95 for the first receiver. Subscribers may purchase packages from 1-5 years, in which the average cost is under $10 per month. XM also offers internet only packages and mobile (i.e. Ipod) services for satellite radio.

For those you curious to how they "do it", here's a synopsis. XM provides digital programming directly from three satellites in geostationary orbit above the equator. There are the XM-1 ("Roll"), XM-2 ("Rock") and XM-3 ("Rhythm"). The integration of three satellites and a ground-based repeater network is designed to give gap-free coverage anywhere within the continental United States. Unfortunately, XM-1, and XM-2 were created with a design fault on the Boeing 702 series of satellites, which basically means that their life spans will be only about six years, instead of 15 like the maker intended.

A new author trying to contribute to the internet community.

You can compare prices and reviews at: http://www.1audio-equipment.com/

Walkie Talkies

Writen by Ian Williams

In this age of the mobile phone, walkie talkies, or two-way radios, seem like an anachronism. However, many people who grew up before the 1990s may recall that no respectable private eye or detective story was complete without a walkie talkie being used while following a suspect or chasing a criminal!

You may not be the sort who likes to follow suspects or chase criminals as part of your daily activities, but you could still use a walkie talkie in your daily life. If you enjoy outdoor activities, love to go motorcycling, work in a school, college, pub or club or look after a little baby at home, you would find a walkie talkie a very useful gadget. You may need a walkie talkie system if your job requires you to move around from one point to another within a three kilometre range. The benefit over mobile phones is that they are license free and do not have any associated call charges.

For instance, you can use a regular baby monitor if you are at home downstairs and your baby is asleep upstairs, but what happens if you need to visit a neighbour? Some walkie talkies have a wider range than regular baby monitors and also include a "baby monitor" mode. You can leave one radio in the baby's room and take the other wherever you go—when the baby wakes up or begins to cry, you will know at once. The Cobra MT725 Value Pack is ideal for this.

Workers in pubs or clubs, or teachers and staff members in schools and colleges would find walkie talkies very effective and useful when communicating with colleagues. In both cases, workers and staff members may have to respond to emergencies, and may not be near a telephone. Walkie talkies can be clipped onto belts, and come with an earpiece-microphone combination to enable discreet communication. All you need to do to send a message is to press the Push to Talk button on the handset.

Motorcyclists can use a walkie talkie system that fits into their motorcycle helmets, along with the Push to Talk button that is mounted on the motorcycle handlebar or the recommended voice activation via a MICVOX. If you plan a motorcycle holiday with a group of friends, this system should enable you to stay in touch, over a distance of a mile, in all kinds of weather. You will also find a walkie talkie very useful on a skiing or mountaineering holiday—you may not be able to use mobile phones in the mountains or abroad as the roaming charges may be more than you want to pay!

If you are on the lookout for a suitable walkie talkie, all you need to do is take a virtual walk down our aisles at BB-Shopping.com. We stock Cobra and Entel Euro-Wave walkie talkies that you can use at home and outdoors. You can also purchase walkie talkie accessories and download manuals from our site.

Ian Williams

Walkie Talkies

Satellite Radio Installation Costs

Writen by Scott Fish

The cost of a satellite radio installation is broken down into two different groups, the startup (installation costs) and the monthly subscription to either XM satellite radio or Sirius satellite radio. Receivers and mounting hardware, the cost of activation are all start up costs. Recievers are available for your car, your home, your computer and now portable receivers are available. So how much does satellite radio installation really cost?

Satellite Radio installation costs are broken down as follows:

Activation costs are the amount that both XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio charge to start service. Activation costs vary, where $5.00 with Sirius and $9.99 with XM will get you ready to go. Telephone activation is $15.00 with Sirius and $14.99 with XM. Monthly subscription costs then play into the cost, but these depend on some factors. Recent media campaigns are dramatically dropping the cost of installation and activation, both XM and Sirius are offering free activation in some instances. Further Detail at: www.TopSatelliteRadio.com

A typical cost of a car satellite radio installation can vary depending on whether you use a Satellite radio which is dedicated only to satellite radio reception or if it also can play CDs.

The typical costs are detailed below:

Receiver $75 - $125

Radio $125-250

Antenna $60.00

Labor $80.00

Activation $10

---------------------

Total $400 - $600

Typical costs for a home satellite radio installation:

For this to work, you must choose to install a dedicated stereo receiver unit. Common AM/FM receivers are very similar to satellite radio receivers. Your auxiliary input is used to connect and a antenna is used to receiver the streaming content.

The typical costs are detailed below:

Receiver $150-$300

Antenna $60.00

Activation $10

----------------

Total $220 - $370

Portable units are now being offered and can give you the ease of using your satellite radio anywhere you want! Each room in your house would require a home kit, which includes antennas, output cables, and power supplies. Home kits offer flexibility and ease of use as they can be plugged into your home stereo, computer, and boom boxes. Portable satellite radio installation costs are as follows:

The typical costs are detailed below:

Receiver $120

Home Kit $140

Boombox X 2 $100

Activation $10

----------------

Total $370

Scott Fish is the owner of Top Satellite Radio which is a resource for consumers seeking the history and facts about satellite radio. We also sell electronics related to Satellite Radio.

http://www.TopSatelliteRadio.com | Quick Access: http://www.TopSatRadio.com

sf@topsatelliteradio.com

Gps Systems

Writen by Jason Gluckman

A GPS or Global Positioning System is a collection of two dozen satellites, which revolve around the earth. It is used to determine the location of a reciever on earth.This is done by sending radio signals to the electronic GPS recievers from the satellites. Every satellite has a reciever on earth. These signals contain data on the location of the satellites and the time taken for signal transmission. The satellites are placed twelve thousand miles above the surface of earth and complete 2 orbits every day. The functions of the satellites are periodically checked on and new ones are sent to replace the old ones.

With the improvement in technology, accuracy has increased. GPS systems have become more affordable as compared to earlier times. Accuracy differs depending on various factors. Sometimes it can even be as good as a few meters. The GPS systems can be used in a large number of areas. Further, decreases in costs have increased the number of users. Fishermen and hikers can use portable GPS to navigate in the wild. Cars are being equipped with GPS systems, which give drivers better navigation abilities and better protection against theft. It is used by the military to guide cruise missiles to pre-specified targets. Personal hand held devices like wrist watches are equipped with GPS to help in tracking people out and getting their exact location.

The system was developed by the Department of Defense of the US. It was initially named NAVSTAR GPS. Of the twenty-four satellites, the first one was launched in 1974 and the last in 1994. The Department of Defense switched off selective availability (SA) on 2 May 2000. The selective availability had been a cause for less accurate readings. The department reserves the right to turn it back on when they see the need to do so. The GPS systems are now about 10 times more accurate than they were when selective availability had been active.

GPS provides detailed information on GPS, GPS Tracking, Handheld GPS, GPS Systems and more. GPS is affiliated with Free Cell Phone Number Search.

What Is Gps A Small Guide

Writen by Amit Bhawani

Global Positioning System: A satellite based navigation system providing accuracy usable for side scan sonar surveys on a worldwide basis. GPS has become a universal, reliable positioning system. Inherent errors in GPS (implemented by the Department of Defense) create inaccuracies of more than 100 meters. Differential base stations can reduce these errors to less than two meters but are time consuming to survey-in and have limited range.

GPS stands for the Global Positioning System. It refers to a system of satellites and receivers that allow people and devices to pinpoint their precise location on the earth. The heart of the system relies on 24 satellites that orbit the earth twice per day. Devices that are equipped with GPS equipment receive transmissions from at least a few of the satellites and are able to discern very precise positioning data.

The first GPS satellite was launched in 1974 and the 24th was launched in 1994. The system is operated by the United States Department of Defense and use of the system is free for anyone. New satellites are periodically launched to replace aging ones. As the technology has improved, the cost of GPS devices has plummeted while the accuracy has increased. Small portable GPS receivers have become very affordable, and the accuracy is amazing. Accuracy varies based on various factors, but it can be as good as a few meters! Land-based supplemental devices can be used to improve accuracy if higher precision is required.

The application of the GPS is very broad, and as the prices come down the number of uses is increasing. Portable GPS devices are used by fisherman and hikers to help them navigate in the wild. Many new cars are being equipped with GPS systems to help drivers with navigation. The military uses GPS to guide cruise missiles to pre-specified targets. For a new activity inspired by GPS, you can read out our answer to: What is geocaching?

On 2 May 2000, the Department of Defense switched off selective availability (SA) which made GPS readings less accurate. They reserve the right to turn it back on during national crises and the like, but for the most part GPS devices are now about 10 times more accurate than they were when selective availability was turned on!

(Global Positioning System), a worldwide MEO (medium or middle, earth orbit) satellite navigational system formed by 24 satellites orbiting the earth and their corresponding receivers on the earth. The satellites orbit the earth at approximately 12,000 miles above the surface and make two complete orbits every 24 hours.

Source: HiiFii Web Services - www.hiifii.com

Amit Bhawani
HiiFii Webservices - http://www.hiifii.com

Sprint Pcs Phone Now With Sirius A Cool New Feature Is Now Available For Satellite Radio Fans

Writen by Scott Fish

Note: Author is not associated with Sirius or Howard Stern in any way and this article is meant to be an analysis of the move to Sirius Satellite Radio by Howard Stern and events surrounding it.

A pretty cool new feature is now available for Satellite Radio Fans!

Sprint PCS/NEXTEL subscribers can now pay only $6.95 to get Sirius Music on their tech-multimedia phones. Twenty commercial free music channels are available and Sprint PCS Vision subscribers can now enjoy 20 original, commercial-free SIRIUS Music channels that play an amazing variety of music. There is even a channel devoted to headlining artist interviews and offers exclusive content such as guest performances.

Sirius has censored a few music stations due to this deal with Sprint, although they are not required to by law, they have chosen to do so. There are quite a few regulations, however for Sprint to abide by regarding their service. Unfortunately this has affected the listeners of Sirius Satellite Radio.

The Sirius / Sprint Line up includes the following: POP/R&B

· SIRIUS Hits 1: Today's Top 40 hits. · The Pulse: Pop and Rock from the 90's to now.

DECADES

· '60s Vibrations: The musical revolution of the '60s and early '70s. · Totally '70s: The most popular music from the '70s. · Big '80s: The hit music of the '80s.

ROCK

· Classic Vinyl: Classic rock of the '60s and '70s. · Classic Rewind: Classic rock's 2nd generation. · Hair Nation: Rock from the big hair '80s. · First Wave: Alt-rock's pioneering artists and sounds. · Alt Nation: The best alt-rock of the '90s and today.

HIP-HOP/R&B

· Hot Jamz: Today's hip-hop and R&B hits. · Heart & Soul: The R&B hits from the '80s, '90s and today.

COUNTRY

· New Country: The best new country music. · Prime Country: Country music superstars of yesterday and today.

JAZZ/BLUES/BROADWAY

· Jazz Cafe: Smooth jazz instrumentals and vocals. · SIRIUS Blues: Authentic blues music, from past to present. · Broadway's Best: Songs from Broadway's most popular shows.

DANCE/ELECTRONIC

· The Beat: Today's biggest dance hits and remixes. · Area63: Trance and progressive house dance music. · Chill: A relaxing mix of down tempo electronic and rock.

SIRIUS INTERVIEWS

· Listen to interviews and performances of your favorite artists.

Scott Fish is the owner of Satellite Radio Sirius and XM Satellite Radio Reviews Portable | Search Engine Optimization Firm Oregon SEO

Abatement Of Acoustic Disruptions For Radio

Writen by Lance Winslow

We all have heard of acoustic disruptions for instance if you are driving down the road and your radio makes a weird buzzing sound this could be caused from the spark plugs messing up the radio sound waves. It might also be caused by interference of the electromagnetic energy from high-tension power lines that are nearby. If you've ever driven by a radio station and you are listing to a different channel you may notice the interference from those radio station towers, as they will indeed affect the radio in your car.

Luckily with new noise canceling technologies the abatement of acoustic disruptions is possible and can be easily achieved. Currently the Bose Co. has created headphones with noise canceling technologies that people can use while listening to their radio or an iPod and believe it or not the systems work extremely well. In fact one company now has a pillow, which has a radio speaker inside and the person sleeping next you will never even hear it.

Noise canceling technologies and the abatement of acoustic disruptions obviously has other applications in education, space technology, military, business conferencing and personal technology devices. Imagine the thousands of applications for noise canceling abatement of acoustic disruptions. Consider this in 2006.

Lance Winslow

Gps Will Never Be The Same Again

Writen by Lance Winslow

Some new technology is being used now in the UK, which makes GPS even more accurate for personal tech devices and automobiles. These new technologically advanced systems will be able to bring the accuracy within a meter, rather than the best in-car systems no barely accurate to 32 yards.

This new Super GPS System is the European Galileo Project and it will be completed in 2010 and will revolutionize the capabilities of current GPS. How will this be achieved? Through more satellites using a net-centric grid system. This system and all these technologies will be available to China as well, which one would suppose will be used for accurate military uses, such as guided munitions.

All of the new Super-GPS Galileo Project is on time and ahead of schedule meaning that the frequency bands set aside for this use are secure now and will not expire, as has been the case previously with such satellite ventures, as you recall one of Craig McCaws projects some eight years ago. The new 3G wireless cell phones in the UK will have built in GPS function, similar to those in the US.

Needless to say with all this new technology, the United States will lag behind in such capabilities in the commercial sector if it does not allow transfer technologies or joint use of satellite systems. Additionally such technologies are taking some military advantage away from the United States that they have enjoyed for decades. GPS will never be the same again and we will continue to see more of this in 2006.

Lance Winslow

Gps Navigation Systems A Musthave

Writen by Chris Robertson

GPS Navigation Systems are a lot like DVRs (better known as TiVo). People who don't own them fail to understand why they're such a big deal, and those who have them can't live without them.

Today's automobiles come with a variety of extras, from passenger side air bags to the ubiquitous car alarms. Entertainment options range from high-end speakers and CD players to multiple DVD players. The GPS navigation system, however, forms the bridge between safety and entertainment features. While they're definitely entertaining, they can also become a must-have safety net in your travels.

GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) navigation systems can replace all the maps in your glove compartment and ensure that you arrive at your destination on time. GPS navigation systems are equipped with mapping software and can give you driving directions, show you alternate routes if you're stuck in a traffic jam, and can help you negotiate a new city. While you're on the road, a GPS navigation system can also guide you to the nearest gas stations, restaurants, and other points of interest.

Some GPS navigation systems are built right into a vehicle, while others are handheld devices that mount on your dashboard. Although GPS navigation systems are used by everyone from rescue workers to hikers, if you're using one for driving, it's helpful to select one that has voice navigation features. The GPS navigation system will tell you when you're approaching a point where you need to, for example, turn, and then tell you to make your turn. This allows you to keep your eyes on the road, where they belong.

There are many accessories available for GPS navigation systems. You can, for example, buy software, GPS holders to mount your system to your dashboard or windshield, memory cards, cigarette lighter adapters, antennas, and Bluetooth.

When buying a GPS navigation system, you should consider such factors as screen size and whether you need a color or monochrome system. Color systems, for example, usually provide greater detail and better readability, but also use more power. GPS is sometimes included in handheld computers (PDAs), so if you're in the market for a PDA, you may consider buying one that includes GPS.

Another factor to consider is the memory capacity of your GPS system. If you'd like more than the basic mapping software, you may want to consider buying a system that has additional memory capacity, such as space for a removable CompactFlash card. It's a good investment to buy a navigation system that has voice prompts, so you won't have to look at the screen while you're driving.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Visit this Automotive Website and Majon's Automotive directory.

Is George Noory Ruining Art Bell Show With Silly And Stupid Open Callin Lines

Writen by Lance Winslow

The Art Bell Show, which is now called; Coast to Coast now has a new host named George Noory. Unfortunately, many of the listeners have complained that the intellectual conversation on the show is now leaning very liberal and has become, a sounding board for socialist views. Further, many of the guests on the show seem to use the show as a Bush bashing opportunity to criticize the Bush administration.

This has turned off many listeners and I suspect that their viewer ships are going down not up, as they proclaim. Additionally, many listeners feel that George Norry is ruining the Art Bell show with silly and stupid open line call-ins, where people call up and tell about their nightmare dreams or that they saw Bigfoot. Not everyone is unhappy, but the more intellectual crowd is.

Many other people calling in are of such obviously low IQ, that many of the more intellectual people who used to listen to the show for intellectual input have turned it off. We recently discussed this in our think tank and it was almost unanimous that most of the members of the think tank no longer listen to the show at all.

It is becoming a bunch of poppycock and utter hokum due to views silly and stupid open call-in lines where complete inbred morons call-in in and say stupid things. Many people feel that George Norry has ruined the show, but all agree he is a very nice fellow personally. Although many people do listen because some of the guests who come on are O. K., but they are getting far and few between anymore. An end of an era perhaps. Consider this in 2006.

Lance Winslow

Using Delivery Routing And Scheduling Software With Gps Cad Gis Data From Aviation

Writen by Lance Winslow

Well in aviation the toys for pilots are getting a lot better, for instance the GPS-PDAs with sectional charts on them. Also lots of other data like the J-Aide and Jeppeson airport contacts once you arrive. All this makes flying easier, less complicated and more enjoyable. AvMap EKP-III C

http://www.avshop.com/catalog/product.html?productid=3781

and even more cool are the ones with all the bells and whistles; Such as loading it with an International Data Base. Hell now the CIA can have all the civilian data along with their intelligence information. Of course this newest Industry finds itself with many new players as pilots are generally not having a problem affording new toys and it saves all those large flight bags and Knee Boards and clips. You can still buy the clipboards and I have one when I drive the Blitz Mobile mobile command center across the country hunting for the latest technologies it has maps and important numbers to do business from the highway. Many truck drivers and railroad conductors use such boards and in the NAVY Pilots use them and even probably torpedo bombers did too; remember George Bush Senior flew a torpedo bomber?

Back to our GPS Toys and PDA devices; Another one of the more unique ones is the EnFlight Text Weather Devise which you can google to get all the specs, definitely worth a look see. All of these devises also allow for National Security so no more private pilots in C-182s fly into restricted areas;

http://www.faa.gov/NTAP/SPECIALNOTAMS/Spec...s_graphics_.htm .

These companies are also careful whom they send these devises to, for obvious reasons. Just think you could be flying your own private plane with a little PDA devise and go have a blast with your newfound freedom. Another cool devise and one of my favorites is the Pocket test which you can look up on Google. This is a cool devise to help you from getting lost and it has just about too many features to list, too bad it was not Windows CE based, I just cannot trust the longevity of Palm in the market place and hope our military is not so stupid to buy into there hype for military versions. One thing going for it is its size. Very small.

We did like the MapTech unit also because we can use it on a laptop, Handheld GPS unit of PDA GPS unit, with terrain CAD capabilities. This unit has many other purposes for General Civil Engineering, Forestry, Mobile Car Washing scheduling and routing, Aviation, Hiking, Fishing, Diving, Trucking, you name it. It also has features from NOAA for weather; I would recommend this as the best all-purpose unit I have thus yet found. It also works with ESRI software. So we like this for its versatility across industries. Good for us too with the blitz mobile to take the route with the least amount of hills for fuel consumption conservation and wear and tear on a 300,000-mile truck. Another of the best units we looked at was the

http://www.teletype.com/pages/tracking.html

which can be used like a Top Secret "Bloodhound Unit" and we can use this for car wash truck tracking, can be used for just about any real use to help you find your self or units. This is a way we can covertly track our units so employees do not screw off and kill profits and lie about where they were and how long they were there. Also in our survey we looked at the SatellinkTech units and found a lot of other cool features there;

http://www.satellinktech.com/product/merlin_air_main.htm .

This is a great tool, like the other units is does provide real time data such as; Airport observations and forecasts (text), Area forecasts (text), Upper wind forecasts (text), Pilot reports (text and onboard processed graphics), Icing and Turbulence forecasts (graphical), Status of restricted, prohibited, and military training airspace (text and onboard processed graphics), Location of other aircraft on instrument flight plans (onboard processed graphics), FAA alerts and advisories, Aircraft Situational Display.

What is also of interest is how much all these companies work together so that they can provide all the same data to all their customers. This does not mean one is not better than the other. For our purposes we chose the Tele Type unit with all the features, which we may implement in the future. I hope this review of products has assisted you in learning more about the technology. Many of these PDA technologies will be available for nearly any business small or large.

Lance Winslow

Gps Versus Galileo

Writen by Steve Joseph

For most of us, GPS has revolutionized the navigation world in a way that few could have predicted. The ability for the average civilian to buy a relatively cheap, handheld, battery operated GPS and have the ability to interface with satellites around the world, providing the user with his or her location and altitude has been a god send. The applications of this technology have been equally impressive. In fact most of us have become so reliant on the technology that we would have serious difficulty operating in a world without GPS navigation. Even though GPS continues to provide an invaluable infrastructure for global navigation, there is an evolution of sorts taking place in the world of GPS navigation.

Europe has delved into the world of GPS navigation that had so far been the domain of the United States. Galileo is the project name for the European satellite navigation system that unlike the United States' program, is designed specifically for commercial and civilian use. Galileo relies on a network of 30 satellites and ground stations provide the means for satellite radio navigation. The Galileo system is aimed at complementing the current GPS system and enabling a higher degree of navigational accuracy for the general population. Its creators claim that Galileo will enhance accuracy to within one meter, opening the door to a raft of new possibilities for GPS says www.buyingagps.com The new system will require a new receiver although the Europeans say that the device will be small and cheap as it is squarely aimed at the consumer market.

Although the technology is clearly just a variant of an existing model, the future looks promising for Galileo. Already there is talk of applications for the blind, law-enforcement, customs services, the justice system, transport and logistics and also search and rescue. If nothing else this technology may just make it that bit easier for die hard fishermen who have been such stalwarts of GPS!

The author is a regular contributor to http://www.incargpsworld.com and permission to reproduce this article is given on the basis that all links remain active and in tact.

Satellite Radio The Waves Of The Future

Writen by Scott Fish

Satellite Radio – Its here! Satellite radio is a new service being offered by two companies, XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio. Both companies are offering over 100 channels of streaming music and entertainment. High quality sound is achieved through the use of satellites orbiting high above. Satellite radio is commercial free and free from regulations by federal committees. The impossible, is now possible, hearing the same radio station across North America and from coast to coast. All made possible by XM satellite radio and Sirius satellite radio.

Normal radio has been around for decades and is part of many people's lifestyle. This is changing. Regular radio is monitored and regulated by the Federal Communications Commission, whom has fined several radio stations and media companies within the last 3-4 years. The FCC has only fined radio stations a maximum of $27,500 per show no matter how man profanities were aired.

Recently the FCC has been upping the ante and in conjunction with Congress has decided to raise the fine up to $500,000 per incident per station (Potter). A slap on the wrist has turned into a business-changing event. "Sexually explicit comments by Bubba the Love Sponge and Howard Stern could get a station in trouble — no doubt about it. Clear Channel Radio dropped both shock jocks this year after being hit with record fines."(Potter) Recently Howard Stern has made a move to Sirius Satellite Radio in an effort to preserve his career and free speech. Consumers are reaching towards satellite radio as a way to hear unregulated news and content.

Recently XM Satellite Radio has claimed to have over 3 million subscribers paying $9.99 per month and Sirius claims to have over 1.3 million customers paying $12.95 per month. Many of those customers pay an additional $2.99 per month for premium content such as the upcoming Howard Stern Show.

Several normal radio stations and media outlets are realizing the potential to get their message across in a broad fashion. XM has launched a morning show, which is hosted by Bob Edwards, whom was fired earlier this year by National Public Radio. "The Bob Edwards Show" will air on a public satellite radio channel that also features news and programs from Public Radio International, among others. Sirius has its own public radio channel carrying NPR programs. Consumers and companies are demanding free speech and it seems that satellite radio is the vehicle.

XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio have designed satellite broadcast systems that differ but they achieve the same high quality of satellite radio. A milestone of this success is the fact that satellite radio signals that are available across the United States and into Mexico and Canada. Rock and Roll – No it's not a genre any more! XM Satellite Radio has two satellites named Rock and Roll, which remain in parallel geostationary orbit to provide radio coverage throughout the United States. Sirius Satellite Radio has chose to use three satellites in an inclined elliptical orbit. This configuration provides 16 hours per satellite of signal, which gives a great redundancy if any satellite were to fail. Playing it smart, Sirius and XM both have spare satellites, which can be called on in a moments notice if needed.

XM satellite radio and Sirius satellite radio have Earth based broadcast stations that are used to send up information to the satellites, which is then dispersed through out the globe. Sirius and XM both have disk jockeys that manage, create and program music which is then sent up to the satellites. The information is then taken in by the satellites and sent through a rebroadcast of the streams to earth. The Major advantage of this is that, unlike earth-based radio stations whose signals reach listeners 150 miles away, satellite radio signals have a huge reach, and are receivable anywhere within the continental United States and hundreds of miles in each direction of the borders. Satellite Radio is growing to become a worldwide network and offerings are growing throughout the world. XM satellite radio and Sirius satellite radio are making it happen.

Unregulated Satellite Radio is the answer for free speech in a government regulated airwaves arena. Not only can listeners hear unbiased information but also they can listen to it anywhere in the United States. Media giants are jumping to get the piece of the pie regarding satellite radio, as the new wave of the future is satellite radio.

Scott fish is the Owner of Satellite Radio Receivers Sirius and XM Reviews

Top Satellite Radio is a resource for consumers seeking the history and facts about satellite radio. We also sell electronics related to Satellite Radio. Quick Access: http://www.TopSatRadio.com

Buying A Satellite Navigation Satnav System For Your Car

Writen by Paul Davies

Once they were only for the rich and were only fitted in the very high end cars but today SatNav systems are available to all. You can either opt for the in-car fitted systems that are still quite expensive or you can go for the handheld or protable units. This article is about the latter.

What is SatNav?

SatNav is a system that comprises of 2 elements, a GPS data receiver and a CPU/display unit. The receiver gets information from orbiting GPS navigational satellites and communicates it to the CPU/display unit. This unit is then able to find its exact location on the planet by comparing signals from various satellites.

The unit incorporates road maps of the area and places an indicator on the map showing where the car is on the maps.

Features

The units allow you to plan a journey ahead of time and then the unit will guide you to you destination by displaying a map showing you where you are and the direction you should be heading. Most now have voice instructions so the unit will tell you, when you are approaching a junction, which turning you should take. The units are also capable of making real time adjustments to the route, this means that if you go the wrong way the until will recalculate the route to your destination taking into account the wrong turning you have just made.

Maps

The maps for the unit can be loaded for the different regions you visit, so they may have a map of the UK and another for France and so on. Most modern unit have the maps stored on a removable memory cards like SD cards or similar memory card but some units read directly from a CD or DVD. The display can be set to show the conventional flat map view or the new 3D view that shows a view as if it was above you and looking forward. This view is very good and clear.

Traffic

Some units offer systems that will warn you of road works/traffic jams etc as they happen, and offer suggestion as to how to avoid them.

POI

Most units have POI's (Points of Interest) incorporated into them that will show things like garages, restaurants, historic sites, airport and ferries etc. You can also add your own POI's of your favourite places. One POI that is very popular is the location of all the speed camera and accident black spot locations.

Weather

Another feature that is becoming increasingly available is the weather for a location. The system will tell you the weather at a certain location on the map i.e. at that beach location you are planning to visit.

When you want to plan a journey you will need to enter the start and end destination, this can be done in a number of ways, the city, street and house number. The street intersections, the post codes and a location chosen on the on screen map. The start can be done in the same way with the addition of the present location as the starting point (remember the unit knows where you are). There are then itinerary or way points, these allow you to program destinations along the way. Finally you are usually presented with choices of routes with choices like, Fastest Route, Shortest Route, Scenic Route, Avoid Motorways etc some have the choice to avoid toll charges.

Fitting

The units can be fitted into the car in a number of ways but the 2 most popular ways are with a mounting bracket that has a strong suction cup that sticks to the windscreen. The second way is a bracket that fixed to the cars air vents, this method can be very good but required a fixing for each type of car. The unit is then fitted to the brackets and adjusted to the best viewing angle.

There are dozens of systems available now with a variety of choices of the options available. You need to choose which of the above options are important to you and then choose the until that best suits you or suits you price range.

You can see a large variety of different units at different costs at my favourite comparason site www.wangled.co.uk just type in "Mobile GPS"

The preceding article may be freely reprinted provided:

1. The article is not edited or modified in any way

2. The source is credited: reprinted by permission of Wangled.co.uk

Paul Davies is a professional engineer and product reviewer, he submits articles on product guides and reviews. All his articles can be seen on the premium shopping comparison site http://www.wangled.co.uk on the following page http://www.wangled.co.uk/buyersGuides.asp

Satellite Radio News

Writen by David Stone

Satellite Radio has become a very popular alternative to broadcast radio since its first release. It did take a while for the two competitors of satellite radio, Sirius and XM, to begin gaining customers. Equipment was expensive and bulky. There is also a monthly fee for the service, where broadcast radio is free. Satellite does have a few advantages against broadcast that helped it gain momentum more each year. There are very few channels on satellite radio that have commercials. This is very similar to premium cable television like HBO or Showtime...they cost extra but have no commercials.

Another great feature Satellite Radio offers is quality that you cannot find in broadcast radio. Satellite radio is a digital signal that sounds cleaner and has virtually no static because with digital signals you either have close to full quality or nothing at all. Satellite also offers coast to coast coverage so you do not have to search for a local station when you travel.

Recent technology moves have helped the receiver end of satellite radio tremendously. Car manufacturers now offer satellite equipment built in to new cars so that there is nothing to buy, just the monthly service fee. Some car companies like GMC only offer XM capability, but many companies offer you to choose either but not both. Car manufacturers also offer much more high end stereos that can utilize the benefits of a digital signal. They use this as a sales pitch to show how good their stereos really are.

Satellite does have new competition that is broadcast for free like analog radio. HD Radio will be broadcast by many local stations in the near future offering better quality than satellite radio. This is much like television stations that broadcast HD TV locally. There are still commercials, but clear sound and music information about artists is available by any HD Radio equipped stereo. Only the future will tell if people are willing to shell out the dough to avoid commercials.

Find the latest information and more at http://all-satellite-radio.info/

Tips On Buying Your First Gps Unit

Writen by Adrienne MacDonald

Anyone that enjoys the great outdoors has probably heard of GPS devices. They can come in handy when you are hiking, boating, biking, or doing just about anything else in the great outdoors. Twenty years ago, you had to rely on a compass the position of the sun and stars and your own common sense. Not anymore! Now you can have a handy little device that can pinpoint your exact location at any given time of day.

If you are in the market for a GPS device, it is important that you understand how it works. Since the GPS devices rely on air signals, you must have a GPS receiver and a clear view of the sky for them to work. When your device is turned on it is actually linking up with 27 orbital satellites in place around the planet. Four of the nearest satellites are located and the distance from them to you is calculated via the hand held device. The process is called trilateration. Based on that, the GPS device can determine where you are on the planet. Pretty neat huh?

When you look at the different types of GPS devices out there, you may wonder which one is right for you. Prices can range from $100- 5000 dollars, so it is important to do your homework. Find out what features each device has, and determine whether you need them or not. The following is a list of tips to get you started when you are shopping.

- Research the name brand. Though GPS technology is fairly new, the manufacturer should have a long track record of creating quality electronics.

- Don't buy the cheapest or the most expensive GPS device out there. The cheapest may not meet your expectations and the most expensive one probably has too much extra stuff you will never use.

- Look for a large display, lighted if you are going to be traveling at night.

- If you plan on traveling by foot look for a model that is lightweight, and water resistant.

Once you decide on a model that you are interested in, head over to your local sports supply store. Get prices on the model above and below it for a good range. You can also try to look at auction sites like Ebay.com to find a good deal. If you are lucky enough to find one that is used, make sure to test it out first to make sure that it works properly.

Deciding to buy a GPS system is a personal one, so make sure that you understand the ins and outs of the technology. If you do a variety of different activities a good basic, waterproof model will do the trick. If you have friends or family members that own a GPS system, ask them if they are happy with their purchase. That way you can get an honest opinion on the different brands out there. An online opinion site like epinions.com is also a great place for honest answers.

Adrienne MacDonald is a freelance author and contributing writer to http://www.gpsresource.info – site that provides free information on global positioning systems.

Gps Saves You Time And Money Even If A Map Is Out Of Date

Writen by Simon Wyryzowski

You may be on the fence about purchasing a GPS unit because of the costs. But another thing that may hold you back is because you doubt that GPS will provide maps that are always accurate.

Although that is true, one thing you must understand about GPS technologies is that they are far more than just digital maps (i.e. a direct imposition of traditional maps onto a computer interface). No siree! GPS technologies are dynamic.

We've all been in situations where a path we've normally traveled has some detours, or perhaps an exit on a highway has been shut down, etc. The worst is when we are traveling to a new location for the first time and massive detours may have been setup to make it more difficult for you to find where you need to go.

The next best thing to having a friend to follow to your destination, is to have a GPS device. Now granted, the maps on the GPS will not always 100 percent reflect current scenarios for road traveling situations such as showing all the detours, closed exits, or bridges that may be out, etc. What it can do is recalculate or recalibrate a new path for you based on information you tell it.

If you are forced to take a different path for instance, you stop by somewhere and park, and enter in information regarding information you've discovered on your travel. The GPS will then calculate new routes for you to get to the same destination. This applies even if you simply missed a turn or two and not because of external factors like detours, etc.

Over time this utility becomes an indispensable part of anyone's travel tool chest.

Use a car tracking device and keep your vehicle safer!

http://www.gpszoom.com/

Bluetooth Gps Vs Cf Gps

Writen by Francis Ononye

For some people there is a debate over which to choose a Bluetooth gps receiver or a compact flash gps receiver. I have used both so I am writing from experience. There seem to be quite a few advantages a Bluetooth gps receiver has over a cf gps receiver.

The main advantage would be versatility, you can use a Bluetooth gps receiver with a Bluetooth pda as well as a compatible bluetooth mobile phone whereas with a cf gps receiver you are limited to only a compatible pda as mobile phones usually don't have a cf slot.

Another advantage is with regards to battery life, some bluetooth gps receivers have exceptional battery life lasting up to 26 hours, some mobile phones also have a long life, although a pda won't last anywhere near that, when using a cf gps receiver the pda battery is usually depleted faster as the it has to also power the cf receiver since the cf receiver can't work on its own

The third consideration is convenience, one can find some new gps receivers that are extremely small, the holux gpslim 236 comes to mind, because of their size and sensitivity you can stick them in your pocket and still get a very good signal so you don't have anything sticking out of the pda as is the case with a cf gps receiver.

Another thing to consider is that a lot of newer pdas seem to be loosing the compact flash interface, a good example is the fujitsu siemens loox 720, it has being rumoured that the loox 720 replacement won't be including a cf interface. My conclusion would be it seems that manufacturers don't consider the cf interface that important to include in newer pdas, kind of like being phased out so it might not be a good idea to invest in cf devices

My final argument would be that when it comes to using a gps receiver for driving, it is easier to position a bluetooth gps receiver in a convenient position where it can receive a better signal than with a cf gps receiver because since the cf gps receiver is fixed to the pda, you are limited by how much you can move the pda around and still have a good view of the pda screen.

Based on all these facts I would consider a bluetooth gps receiver a better choice to a cf gps receiver.

Francis Ononye writes about bluetooth gps receivers at http://www.bluetoothgpstips.com

Is Satellite Radio For You

Writen by Dakota Caudilla

In this world today, there's satellite everything…there's satellite TV, satellite phone….and why not satellite radio? Essentially, a satellite radio is a kind of service that one can subscribe to to receive radio service anywhere you want. You can have satellite radio service in your car, in your home, in your office or even in public locations. In order to receive satellite radio service, you'll need to subscribe to the service, so, it's not like free TV or free radio whereby any radio can receive signals for free. You will need to pay a monthly or yearly subscription fee to enjoy satellite radio. There are, in the United States, two top satellite radio services available, Sirrus and XM. Well, there could be more but these are the two leading satellite radio service providers known to date.

Each of these satellite radio services provides and transmits hundreds of channels. Unlike free radio service, you'll have to tune in to each station to listen to whatever they're airing at that point in time, satellite radio gives you complete coverage from Blues to Techno, Jazz to Punk Rock in one single satellite radio service. And since you're paying for the satellite radio service, it's logical that the service is usually commercial free, except for their own commercials, of course. So, even if they do not allow other companies or people to put commercials into their satellite radio service, they retain the right to put their own infomercials and commercials into the satellite radio service that you receive.

In order to have the satellite radio service, you need a special radio. Any other normal radio won't cut it because our normal household radio cannot possibly receive a satellite radio signal. However, when you subscribe to the satellite radio service, they will normally package the satellite radio receiver together with the package price. The good thing is that no matter where you are, all you have to do is to bring the radio along with you and you can receive the satellite radio service. The signal receiver is not restricted by the power of signal from the radio station. We're talking about using the Satellite to transmit radio signals, so, you can literally listen to satellite radio anywhere in the world.

The biggest advantage that a satellite radio has over the conventional radio is that you will never have to re-tune your radio as you're traveling out of state or you don't need to bear with static noises when the reception is bad. With satellite radio, you're assured of high quality reception anywhere you go anywhere in the world.

Dakota Caudilla, journalist, and website builder Dakota Caudilla lives in Texas. He is the owner and co-editor of http://www.your-media-empire.com on which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.

Satellite Radio Antennas Are More Than Useful

Writen by Carl Walker

What are satellite radio antennas and what are their uses? This is the question that many people ask themselves when they hear about satellite radio antennas. As you read this article you will get an idea on what a satellite radio antenna is. Also you will learn what are their uses, functions and a lot of great pointers on where to buy one, what types are there and how to take care of it.

In order for you to listen and watch your programs you need a satellite radio antenna. This allows the module that you are using to communicate with its home base; the home base includes all of the programs and it allows you to choose what you would like to view. This all sounds like something out of a sci fi movie, but it is not. Your television, radio, even your computer has a satellite radio antenna.

Now that you know what satellite radio antennas are here are some of their main functions and uses. When you turn on your satellite in order for you to watch any of your programs on it the main thing needed is the satellite radio antenna. It allows the base (your PSP) to communicate with the main base of the whole entire system. This gives you the ability to either listen to your music or watch your programs, which ever you may choose.

Many people wonder where they can buy satellite radio antennas. You may buy one in your local hardware store. There is no specific company you should purchase your antenna from because different companies make different types of these mechanisms.

The different types usually go based on the use of the satellite radio antennas. You may be buying it for your car, bike, and stereo system or maybe even just for your house. They all have the same functions and every company that makes them to does their best to suit you and all of your needs.

The best way you can take care of you satellite radio antenna is to keep it out of water, as we all know electricity and water are not what we could call the greatest of friends. Also, these should be kept out of the reach of any young children; if yours is already inside of something you should make sure that it stays in there but if not any young child can swallow it and cause much harm. If this does happen please alert the police department as quickly as you can.

Now that you know what satellite radio antennas are, their functions, where to buy one and how to care for it you are ready to buy your own. Always keep in mind that depending on what size and type of a satellite radio antenna will vary in its price range. If you buy something for cheap it won't last too long but you did not spend that much money on it, but if you buy something expensive it will last longer even if you did spend that extra hundred dollars on it.

http://satellite-radio-hq.com/
Satellite Radio HQ talks about the history of satellite radio, the equipment you'll need, the satellite radio channels you can receive and much more.

Gps Tracking

Writen by Jason Gluckman

Global Positioning Systems or GPS are satellite navigational systems made-up of 24 satellites revolving round the earth. Each satellite has a corresponding receiver on the earth. The satellites orbit the earth at a height of about 12,000 miles. It makes two complete orbits everyday. The GPS satellites continuously transmit digital radio signals that contain data on the location of the satellites and the time taken for signal transmission.

GPS tracking is the term given to the process of being able to locate the exact location of a receiver on earth. Now that the production cost of GPS technology is significantly lower than when it first came into existence, many companies have found new ways to make use of this technology. In GPS tracking, the user is able to keep a track of where they have been using a portable GPS device. GPS tracking can be used in a better way when it is combined with other broadcast technologies, such as a wristwatch or radio. GPS watches, for example, can be fitted with a GPS receiver, which relays a signal to a central command center equipped with GPS software systems. The central command center can track the position of the watch and transmit that information to a third party. That third party may be anyone who needs the position of the wearer urgently. In fact, a variety of such GPS phones and wristbands are sold in the market today. This serves two purposes. Firstly, it provides the driver with an integrated GPS system, without the necessity to purchase a car navigation system, or a PDA-based GPS system. It also offers the possibility to relay that information via a radio or cell phone transmitter.

GPS systems have been used primarily as vehicle locators, especially in cases when a vehicle attached with such a system is stolen. The police, once informed, can find out from the control center where the vehicle is, and proceed to track it down. Tracking is also being used in other fields such as pet tracking, coordinated tracking and consumer tracking.

GPS provides detailed information on GPS, GPS Tracking, Handheld GPS, GPS Systems and more. GPS is affiliated with Free Cell Phone Number Search.