A hikerRon hide combined with an ernie66 puzzle. The cache is a
4x8 plastic jar wrapped in camo tape and filled with goodies.
The WAAS system is a relatively new addition to global
positioning. Due to disturbances in the atmosphere and other
factors, signals from the GPS satellites can be distorted,
resulting in a slight error in the reported position of the
receiver, typically up to 50 feet.
An array of ground stations at known, fixed points receives the
GPS satellite signals, compares the received information with their
known positions, and computes a correction value. This correction
is transmitted to a WAAS satellite which then broadcasts it back
down to Earth. The GPS unit receives this and applies the
correction to the received GPS signals, resulting in a typical
position accuracy of 10 feet or so.
Observers in the continental US can see several of the WAAS
satellites. For example, GPS users might notice their unit
receiving from satellite number 48, the PanAm satellite. PanAm is
in a geo-stationary orbit directly over a subpoint on the equator
at longitude 133.0 degrees west.
To find this cache, start at the listed coordinates (parking
nearby), then head exactly 2000 feet directly toward the PanAm
satellite.
