GPS Blocking Exercise Cornwall UK June 2007

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/6719639.stm

<quote June 4th 2007>

MoD set to block sat nav systems

People in Cornwall have been warned satellite navigation systems will not
work later this week as the Ministry of Defence carry out a jamming
exercise.
The aim of the GPS blocking exercise is to find out how interference could
affect military personnel. It will take place on Thursday and Friday.

The MoD said its Portreath base would be the base.

The effect will extend for a radius of 11 km (7 miles) which would cover
Camborne and Redruth.

"Although GPS provides highly accurate information, the radio signals from
the satellite are extremely weak and are susceptible to both jamming and
unintentional radio interference," said the MOD in a statement.

"The trials are taking place to better understand these effects on military
equipment and therefore will help to protect our forces."

An MOD spokesman said all the emergency services which might use the systems
have been informed and if an emergency is under way, the MOD can suspend the
trial.

All ambulances are fitted with satellite navigation and in a statement,
South Western ambulance service said it was aware of the jamming exercise
and that key staff had been informed.

Falmouth Coastguard said it had also been told.

<end quote>

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Fred