Location accuracy on Iphone6

Billy Adams

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Aug 25, 2016, 5:26:25 PM8/25/16

to aprs.fi

I have noticed, when Not MOVING, as in at my home location.

Almost each and every time, my accuracy varies from pretty close to exact, to 180 or more Meters away..

This happens regularly, even though me or my phone does not move.. Kinda Odd..

Heikki Hannikainen

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Aug 28, 2016, 2:35:27 PM8/28/16

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Is this while you're inside at your home? The GPS / location accuracy is
not very good indoors, and it'll vary while it switches between location
sources: GPS, mobile network based cell ID positions, wifi hotspot
geolocation. It gets better when you go out and move.

- Hessu

Billy Adams

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Dec 10, 2016, 10:16:05 AM12/10/16

to aprs.fi

has been a while since I posted the original message, and I now have an iPhone 7+.

This phone is responding in the same way as the iPhone6.

Specifically when start the aprs.fi app on the iPhone7+ I have accuracy of close to 100 meters. Can leave alone for a good length of time, and nothing changes.

I can and I do stop/restart aprs.fi multiple times in a period of a few seconds and with each stop / restart my accuracy improves to somewhere around 6 meters.

This is a consistent condition, as in every time I start the app on my iPhone, both the new 7 and the old 6, the same thing occurs.. Not a big deal, but sure seems ODD to me..

The phone knows where it is, in other Location enabled apps, but NEVER in aprs.fi.

12/7/2016

Jim Alles

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Dec 26, 2016, 10:08:17 AM12/26/16

to aprs.fi

I would guess your other apps mask what is going on (filter?), while APRS app & aprs.fi is showing the ground truth of the equipment.

Inside a structure is really problematic for GPS - watch your satellites status to see.

This is also a problem in city canyons formed by many high-rise buildings.

The mobile phone providers want you to see a smooth user experience - different priorities.

Google 'GPS' and explore the wikis - weather (like clouds, and rain) can effect the reception of those satellite radio transmissions. Also, space weather throws things for a loop, but most people are not aware of it when it does.

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/communities/global-positioning-system-gps-community-dashboard

I like to use a Bluetooth-connected GPS dongle with my 4G tablet, rather than rely on 'assisted GPS'.