Garmin GPS III Plus - Manual (Page 18)

Let’s start with the Satellite Status Page, which is the page you’ll view while
your unit is getting a position fix. If you’re not already on this page, press PAGE or
QUIT until it appears. The Satellite Status Page shows you status information that
helps you understand what the receiver is doing at any given time, and it’s a page
that you’ll want to occasionally refer back to as you use your unit. It features a sky
view of available satellites, corresponding signal strength bars, the status of your
current position fix (acquiring, 2D, 3D, etc.), and your estimated position error
(EPE). You can also tell how much battery power is remaining, and you can adjust
the screen contrast/backlighting by pressing the rocker keypad.
Satellites are indicated on the sky view and the signal strength bars by their
corresponding number, from 01 through 32. The sky view shows where it is looking
in the sky for each satellite, by indicating the direction and elevation (angle above
the horizon). The signal strength bars depict the relative strength of the signal from
each satellite being received. The taller the bar, the stronger the signal.
The signal strength bars give
you an indication of what sat-
ellites are visible to the receiv-
er, whether or not they’re being
used to calculate a position fix,
and the signal quality.
If satellite reception is lost,
or an insufficient number of
satellites are available, you
will be alerted with a ‘Poor
Coverage’ receiver status and
message.
8
GETTING STARTED
Satellite Status Page
Satellite Status Page
Receiver Status
Battery Level
Indicator
Signal Strength Bar
Sky View