# Help! My GPS Receiver Won't Pick Up WAAS Satellites

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-my-gps-receiver-wont-pick-up-waas-satellites/341899>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 27, 2006, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-my-gps-receiver-wont-pick-up-waas-satellites/341899 "2006-01-27T20:10:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\
**Post date:** [January 27, 2006, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-my-gps-receiver-wont-pick-up-waas-satellites/341899/1 "2006-01-27T20:10:42Z")

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My Garmin eTrexLegend Personal Navigator won’t pick up any WAAS satellites. I’ve enabled WAAS in the interface menu and set the GPS mode to normal (per the user’s manual) and still… nothing. According to the FAA’s WAAS coverage website, central Illinois should have good WAAS coverage. Is there something I’m doing wrong? My unit is outside under light tree cover with a somewhat clear view of the sky.

Thanks.

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**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\
**Post date:** [January 27, 2006, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-my-gps-receiver-wont-pick-up-waas-satellites/341899/2 "2006-01-27T20:46:39Z")

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> [@HeyHomie](#):
>
> Is there something I’m doing wrong? My unit is outside under light tree cover with a somewhat clear view of the sky.

You’ve answered your own question. According to [Garmin](http://www.garmin.com/aboutGPS/waas.html)

[quote]  
For some users in the U.S., the position of the satellites over the equator makes it difficult to receive the signals when trees or mountains obstruct the view of the horizon.

Better climb one of those trees. 😃

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**Author:** ![DogMom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9c0ed/32.png) [@DogMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DogMom)\
**Post date:** [January 27, 2006, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-my-gps-receiver-wont-pick-up-waas-satellites/341899/3 "2006-01-27T20:53:34Z")

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If you’d like a bunch of GPS geeks to give you tips & tricks as to how to get better reception and how to get the most out of your GPSr, you might want to visit [The forums at geocaching.com](http://www.geocaching.com/forums/register.aspx)

They’re usually pretty helpful over there if you have a technical question, and are always willing to help someone out with their GPSr difficulties.