[Should I have WAAS/EGNOS enabled on my GPS ?]

The unit will show the NMEA numbers of the birds it is getting signal for.

EGNOS numbers are:

NMEA #33

NMEA #37

NMEA #39

 

You will get a hollow bar as the data is being downloaded. Wait and get a good set. After it is complete, the bar will turn solid color and you should see the letter D on the signal bars for the birds that are being corrected.

 

After two days of casual observation, those satellites tend to stay very low on my horizon (I live in Finland). Best what I've seen has been about half way between the horizon and 45 degree circle on the GPSr display. I have to be on very open place to get signal on those and wait for several minutes for a lock.

Do these satellites have different technology as "recycling" the GPS unit to reset possible accumulated drift will not result to instant lock, but again the long wait? Other satellites are instant lock when recycling.

 

Is there a site where one could see the flight paths/schedules of those satellites? I could alter my mapping expeditions if there is good satellite reception to be expected by waiting one or two hours..

 

Couldn't find a site to track EGNOS satelittes but this link will take you to FAA web site to track WAAS

satelittes. On the left side click on WAAS Satellite Status.

 

Hope this is useful.

 

http://www.nstb.tc.faa.gov/index.htm