HI My 1993 vintage V850 Echo Sounder with the external GPS receiver (looks like a white Mason jar) had become erratic in locking on satellites. Sitting at the dock it takes a long time to find them and then some drop out. In trying to find out what is going on I have found in the set up i.e. Menu - Navigation - Satellite Status - EST - and entering the estimated present Lat & Long it then asks for Ant Height, the UTC date and Time. When I enter the date i.e. 080821 (Aug 21 2008) it immediately reverts to back to 890106 (Jan 06, 1989). The last digit, the day, will increment at UTC midnight. The manual says it will lock in faster if you input a time within 15 minutes of the present UTC time I don't recall taking note of this date before. I fixed the erratic problem - I think - by by cutting off the connector at the V850 and resoldering it, however, the "Date" is still not resettable or I should say regardless what I put in it reverts to Jan 1989 ?? but it locks in 4 satellites quickly now and doesn't seem to drop them. Is it necessary to have the correct year? John Gallagher

A >I don't recall taking note of this date before. Given that it is a 1993 device, I think you are looking at a classic Y2K bug. Given the low cost of gps's these days, I would say it is long overdue for replacement. Best, Steve

Steve Thanks. Yes the Y2K issue was a thought of mine. It is not mission critical as I also have a Garmin feeding Nobeltec. The V850 is interfaced with my Raytheon radar and it displays range and brng to the V850 waypoints which I like. I know their are more bells and whistles in the market today but it suits me at this time. John > A > >>I don't recall taking note of this date before. > > Given that it is a 1993 device, I think you are looking at a classic > Y2K bug. Given the low cost of gps's these days, I would say it is > long overdue for replacement. > > Best, > > Steve > _______________________________________________ > http://lists.samurai.com/mailman/listinfo/trawlers-and-trawlering > > To unsubscribe or modify your subscription options (get password, change > email address, etc) go to: > http://lists.samurai.com/mailman/options/trawlers-and-trawlering > > Trawlers & Trawlering and T&T are trademarks of Water World > Productions. Unauthorized use is prohibited. > > > !DSPAM:448,48b04c08227565324517474!