Considerations for Selecting GPS Modules

The Global Positioning System, which is also best known as GPS, is accessible from almost everywhere on our globe and provides exact coordinates of your current location so that you can figure out where you are. Usually GPS modules are small, light weight, inexpensive and also pretty easy to use. There are numbers of GPS modules on the market these days and it can be hard to figure out what you need for your project. There are some features that you want to look into before you pick. Hopefully this guide will decode GPS a little bit to help you choose the right one.

Size

 

Size matters a lot at the time of choosing a GPS module. GPS modules are getting smaller and smaller. Even our cell phone has one in it. GPS modules are available with or without a built-in antenna. The antenna will affect the ability to capture satellite signals and affect the performance of the module.
 

Power Requirements

 

GPS modules can use a lot of power, on average of around 30mA at 3.3V. GPS antennas also use amplifiers that draw extra power. That’s why; buy a unit that has low power consumption, and make sure to use an appropriate antenna.
 

Number of Channels

 

The number of channels that your GPS module runs will affect your time to first fix. The more frequencies that you can check at once, the faster you will find a fix. After you get a lock, some modules will shut down the extra blocks of channels to save power. A GPS module with 12 or 14 channels will work just fine for tracking. In effect a minimum 3 are  required.
 

Accuracy

 

Check the accuracy of the GPS module. It can vary between modules, time of day, clarity of reception, etc. Most GPS modules can get it down to +/-3m, but if you need sub meter and centimeter accuracy, then it will be pretty expensive. Accuracy of a GPS is to a great extent governed by the government and not by the module.
 

Antennas

 

Many GPS modules come with ceramic antennas to pick up GPS L1 frequency of 1.57542 GHz. There are some other GPS antenna technologies such as Chip and Helical, but they are not common and also a bit more expensive. They require more amplification and filtering.
 

We hope this guide will help you a little in selecting a GPS module to meet your needs. In order to purchase high quality and hi-tech GPS modules, browse the online store of Star Lite International, LLC today. We have the best selection of GPS modules and accessories in our store for OEM applications. For further details, visit our website http://www.starlite-intl.com. We also offer volume discounts.

Purchase CB Radios for Emergency Communication and Driving Safety

Most of you might be aware of FM radios but are ignorant about the popular radio communication walkie-talkies from the Seventies era, known as the CB radios or Citizen band radios. These two way radio communication devices are still used by many long haul truck drivers for communicating in emergency situations. The CB radios have not become totally obsolete in this smart mobile application world. They still retain a place on every truck’s dashboard for its emergency calling or communication capabilities that enable users to communicate with others in a short range anonymously.

Earlier, CB radios were used to help people communicate inexpensively with each other using a CB radio range. It was actually intended for the military but later gained popular among taxi cab operators who used the radios to be in touch with their drivers without spending a lot. The popularity of Citizen band radios exploded during the seventies and made long-haul truckers a big fan of them. They were normally used to alert other truckers of bad climate condition and speed traps that were established by the police mainly to catch speed away trucks.

Unlike the licensed amateur band or ham radio service, a CB radio user can communicate with multiple CB users over a short distance, roughly a four miles range. A License is not mandatory for CB users. The maximum RF output power allowed by law is 4 Watts. CB radios can communication is not private and other CB users can listen in to a conversation and then join the conversation if they so chose. The CB radio network is too broad and can be accessed in remote areas where the phone line connection is either weak or unavailable. Therefore, hundreds of thousands of truckers are seen using these devices to warn their community about possible emergency conditions or road threats.

Star Lite International has a good collection of CB radios including Cobra low cost mobile CB radio with soundtracker, Cobra ultra clear handheld CB radios, Midland CB radios with weather scan and other latest models of radio communicative equipments to help you build a community of hobby group within close distance. If you are a truck driver or a road transport agency worker looking to give your fellow men any kind of emergency warning like to hold back speed or take necessary precaution for a risky road condition ahead, then our varieties of CB radios can be extremely helpful. Using the most perfect of all CB radios at Star Lite International, you can avoid a fatal accident and enjoy greater driving safety in every climate condition.

No matter whether it is rain, snow, fog, potholes on the road or an accident prone point, or just for fun, purchase a CB radio and keep in touch. Star Lite International also offers a wide selection of VHF Marine radios, GMRS/FRS radios, 10 meter Amateur radios, commercial radios, radio scanners, GPS antennas, GPS modules and more. Please visit us on line and make your purchase on our secure line!