When they launch the next 2 in the Spring it should be possible to do some position testing at the right time of the day.
Also with 22 GLONASS up there now it is possible to get a good GLONASS only position almost 24/7. With three more GLONASS to be launched in November they will have a full complement of 24 plus spares.
Paul in PA
I remember in the late 90's we had to plan every session. Sometimes would be out in the middle of the night, with a small window to get our observations. Now a crew can just grab the gear with a 95% chance of success, with no planning needed. Amazing how fast the Technology has improved for us. Hopefully this Light Squared Issue doesn't take us backwards.
I'm looking forward to better antenna technology that eliminates foliage or tree canopy as a signal obstruction...in fact if they can reduce that antenna size to 1 inch diameter to fit on the rod with bluetooth transfer of the positional data to a heads up display projected onto the sunglasses I'm wearing then we will be close to surveyor utopia ...
We will never reach utopia, I think I have seen posted on this board that when the HP EDM's came out and the HP 35 with it, that we had reached utopia! Not even close, by the time your antenna idea of utopia comes around it will be out of date, I think it is much like chasing the end of a rainbow, LOL!
SHG
Smaller diameter antenna = better reception as well as higher potential for multi-path.
Stephen