GPS in the Far North

[Meckers]

Does GPS not work around the Arctic Circle? I'm watching the History Channel's "Ice Road Truckers" and one of the drivers missed a turn and ended up missing for a while. I would think a GPS would be mandatory in an area as featureless as arctic ice roads. Maybe they created the situation just for dramatic effect.

[+coggins]

I saw that and was wondering why on Earth they weren't packing. They work up there. They use them on Deadliest Catch.

Edited July 7, 2008 by coggins

[+storm180]

GPS works all around the world.

[NoBetterName]

I wonder how well they would work in whiteout conditions, IE, when they would need them. Still, they work for the ships on the Bering sea.

[LinXG]

Hi Meckers:

 

"Ice Road Truckers" is filmed no where near the Arctic Circle. The series was filmed on the ice roads that service the diamond mines north of Yellowknife. People up here use GPS all the time and they work fine.

 

NoBetterName:

 

GPS works fine in whiteout conditions.

[+coggins]

"Ice Road Truckers" is filmed no where near the Arctic Circle. The series was filmed on the ice roads that service the diamond mines north of Yellowknife.

That was the first season, they were banned from filming there again by the diamond mines that control the ice roads. So they hunted and found the Artic roads to use for the second season.

Edited July 7, 2008 by coggins

[NoBetterName]

Hi Meckers:

 

"Ice Road Truckers" is filmed no where near the Arctic Circle. The series was filmed on the ice roads that service the diamond mines north of Yellowknife. People up here use GPS all the time and they work fine.

 

NoBetterName:

 

GPS works fine in whiteout conditions.

 

Just thought it would be the same as being in a heavily wooded area.

[+trainlove]

Even thought the inclination of the GPS satellites is only 55 degrees, they are 12,600 miles above the surface (nearly 63% of the way to geostationary altitude) they can see well over the pole. But around the pole the satellites you see will never ever be overhead as they are for most of the rest of us, so your DOP will suffer.