Solar Flares

[El and Bill]

A rare event, but one that should be kept in mind--

December 6th there was an unpredicted (and unpredictable) solar radio burst that affected most GPS receivers on the sunny half of Earth. Some GPS units lost accuracy, others lost position.The December event produced 10 times more radio noise than any previously studied event.

Solar activity rises and falls in 11-year cycles, with the next peak expected in 2011, so the December event was unusual in this phase of the cycle but not unprecedented since events can occur at any time, just more common near the cycle peaks.

There are other reasons for GPS failure, other than mechanical or electrical problems on your individual boat -- we have experienced GPS failure when in proximity of military installations -- apparently the result of intentional blocking to protect the facility.

What's to worry? Nothing. The bursts are rare (although probably will increase to 2011) -- what's important for us is simply to be aware of the fallacy of any electronics, and have a backup alternative (radar, depth sounder, good paper charts and compass, etc) when anticipating navigating in darkness or fog or when in new or difficult waters.

[dotnmarty]

[Hunkydory]

El and Bill

Appreciate the heads up information. With our lack of experience and tendency to go in new and difficult waters we are guilty of over reliance on the GPS. We do have all the back ups you mentioned but are not as proficient in there use as those with more experience and time would be. Yours is a good reminder for the need not only to have the back up ability to navigate but to occationally take the time to practice its use.

Jay

[thataway]

Solar flares causing brief disruption in GPS signals have been reported for some time--as they have disrupted radio communications of certain types for a very long time. It is interesting that something is being made of this in the media 4 months after the fact--I suspect that it didn't really cause any major problems, or we would have heard of it immediately.

For the most part solar flares are brief. As Bill notes, it is not uncommon to loose GPS signals in the proximity of naval bases or war ships. We have found that some recievers are more susceptable than others to this military effect.

Solar activity has some positive effective on certain radio frequencies.

Some times we become too dependant (myself included at this point) on technology. Consider that it is still a good idea to have a compass which is properly compensated and a deviation table is present--as well as paper charts, with the ability to drop back in time to before we had all of the electronics. We still note where we are on the charts as we travel, and often make a mark with a pencil, as we did 40 years ago.

[tsturm]

If you can't read a chart or use a compass you should not be on the water. You need to be aware of your location at all times. The fog will roll in someday & the GPS & Radar & VHF will fail.

Have a good one

[Valkyrie]

Oh, those solar flares!

I was afraid that I was going to have to go out and spend even MORE money on safety gear!

Nick
"Valkyrie"

[Alasgun]

When the fog rolls in and the GPS, Radar AND VHF fail, your battery is dead and the boat wont start either! At that point you needn't look at any silly ole chart, just wait a bit and it will be clear to you where you are.
ON THE ROCKS!

Mike on Huda Thunkit

[Hunkydory]

Yes sometimes its the rocks or the equivalent that start the real adventure. We've had some good times getting unlost or out of prediciments sometimes self induced other times ---- happens. Prevention and chart ect knowledge is great but if we all waited till we were experts in these areas to go out and explore the far places, there would be even more boats tied to the docks with owners bragging about where they going to go, but its always sometime in the future.

Jay

[ORCA]

HI Jay

You are damn right

Hey, whats about some pictures of your Mokai???

Regards Chris

[Hunkydory]

Chris

Knew we would see eye to eye on the subject of risk and adventure.

Should have some pictures of the Mokai worth posting this summer. Actually if we would have brought the camera there would have been been some worth viewing during our learning curve on the snake river try out in March. It got alittle hairy with no reverse and my 1st time in a kayak motorized or not. Sure was pleased with the ease of access from mokai to c-dory and back. Much easier than the dingy.

Jay

[SeaSpray]

Jay,

I would really like to hear more about your experience with the Mokai. Have you carried it on the CD22? How do you carry it? Have you had it in any waves? The demo videos just show it being used in fairly calm water. I would like to know how it would do in 20knts of wind and 2 ft waves.

Is it really practical for 2 people for an hour ride?

It sure looks like fun but I don't know if I could get the 100 lb boat on top of the C-Dory.

Thanks,
Steve

[El and Bill]

Not our thread, Jay -- and your tale is an interesting one. Look forward to your experience with whitewater in the Mokai.

[Hunkydory]

Steve have attempted to answer your questions on new topic started by me. 1st try out of Mokai with CD22. Thought we shouldn't this much out of topic on this thread.

[Hunkydory]