NorthStar 961 Reference Manual page 26

Chapter 1 - Quick Start
For new systems
Checking GPS signal
quality
Page 1-12
2. To proceed, accept the ADVISORY MESSAGE by pressing
any key.
If chart CDs for your geographical area have already been
installed onto the system's hard drive, and after GPS
signals are acquired, you'll see your vessel symbol
centered on the CHART screen at your present position.
Until GPS signals are acquired, a small position-fix circle
will be located at the last known position.
If there aren't any charts covering your geographic
location installed on the hard drive, a plotter grid will be
displayed instead of a chart.
It's normal to hear a single beep whenever you press any of the
keys. An invalid keypress, however, elicits a single "boop," which
sounds like an off-key beep.
When you first turn your 961/962 on, you'll see your present
vessel position at the center of the chart, represented as a
only
small circle. A 961/962 that recently has been used either at or
near that same position will usually be ready to navigate within
several minutes.
If GPS signals aren't acquired soon enough, however, your last
position fix (from the last time the 961/962 ran) will be
represented by a small position-fix circle; you'll see an alarm
message in the upper portion of the CHART screen; and you'll
hear the GPS alarm beep. This sequence often occurs when a
system is used for the first time in a new location hundreds of
miles from where it was last used, and means that the system
is searching for the necessary satellites. This data should take
two to five minutes to acquire, after which the 961/962 is
ready to navigate.
After satellite data has been acquired, you may check the
quality of the received GPS signals by viewing the various
satellites' SNR readings; see "GPS receiver status summary"
starting on page 5-2. For an introduction to GPS, see "Highlight
One: Basic navigation terms" starting on page 1-15.
NOTE:
961/962 Operations and Reference Manual, Rev. A