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Getting satellite signals – Garmin GPSMAP 296 User Manual

Page 12

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Getting Satellite Signals

After you turn on the GPSMAP 296, the unit automatically begins

searching for satellites. The GPS Page appears while the unit is

gathering satellite signals and acquiring a fix. This process should

take only a few minutes. While the GPSMAP 296 is getting satellite

signals, the GPS Page shows the status as “Acquiring Satellites.”
It can take a few minutes to acquire satellites and show your current

location on the map. Be patient as the unit acquires satellite data.

To get signals more quickly, be sure the antenna is raised to the up

location shown in the image on

page 1

.

GPS Tab

NOTE: While acquiring satellites, the Map Page can show the

wrong location, such as China. This does not mean your unit

has the wrong data loaded. The GPS receiver needs a few more

minutes to acquire satellites and find your current location.

Viewing GPS Status With the GPS Tab

The GPS tab provides a visual reference of satellite acquisition,

receiver status, and accuracy. The sky view and signal strength bars

give an indication of what satellites are visible to the receiver and

whether they are being tracked.
As the receiver locks onto satellites, a signal strength bar appears

for each satellite in view, with the appropriate satellite number

underneath each bar. The numbers shown below each bar represent

the particular satellite that is being received. Numbers above 33

indicate WAAS satellites.
The sky view shows a birds-eye view of the location of each satellite

relative to the receiver’s last known location. The outer circle

represents the horizon (north up), the inner circle represents 45º

above the horizon, and the center point represents a location directly

overhead. You can also set the sky view to a Track Up configuration,

causing the top of the sky view to align along your current track

heading.
A power source indicator shows the unit is operating off battery

power (

), that the unit is charging (

), or that an

external power source is in use (

).

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GPSMAP 296 Pilot’s Guide

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