Some GPS receivers may malfunction on or after 6 April 2019

Some GPS receivers may malfunction on or after 6 April 2019
February 12, 2019
https://www.zdnet.com/article/some-gps-receivers-may-malfunction-on-or-after-6-april-2019/

 

Sounds like BS. And my security software hasn't allowed me access to ZdNet in years. So I think double BS.

 

Hello zapjb:

Thank you and mood!

I mostly agree with your assessment of the published release quoted above. It's a shame the author/editors could not use their abilities to find scholarly references the way they should have been taught in school. What? Two more minutes? Shame...

https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Memorandum_on_GPS_2019.pdf

 

Weren't they going to have to update the GPS system because the magnetic Norton pole is moving faster then expected?

 

I still have the Aviation GPS I bought in 1995. I do recall the date issue in 1999. The GPS showed an incorrect date but correct lat/long. I also recall President Clinton turning off Selective Availability, which was used to introduce a 100 metre (variable) error in the calculated position for non military GPS.

I turned the old GPS on today and it took 15 minutes to download an Almanac and display a position. Lat/long and time are correct but the displayed date is 30 June 1999.

 

Hello Brian K:

Is a software update from the Aviation GPS manufacturer available?

 

1PW,

An update was never offered. I think every GPS since 1999 will no longer have this bug.

This GPS has a slow processor. The displayed position is 6 seconds behind real time. Not an observable problem when you are flying at ten thousand feet but if you are just above the trees you will be 600 metres beyond the waypoint before the GPS announces arrival.

 

Hello Brian K:

I retrieved my Garmin eTrex Vista (circa early 2000s) out of deep storage and installed batteries. Its almanac download took closer to 30 min. and needed extra time to reacquire. Its installed software needs a v3.70 > v3.80 ( March 18, 2008 ) update but its date did display 13-FEB-19 (okay). So I still need to verify the situation called out in mood's original post. Yes - some personal electronics of that period would seem to function at a glacial pace now.

 

1PW,

My GPS date today is 01 July 1999. Yesterday it was 30 June 1999.

I doubt your GPS is affected with this bug.

I'll check my GPS date before and after 06 April and report back.