Coastal Test Range

Precise tracking and positioning is provided by a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) utilizing the DOD’s GPS in conjunction with Differential Corrections generated in RTCM SC-104 format. These corrections can be broadcast from any of four Beach Sites located along Thomas Drive on the Gulf of Mexico via HF radio modem for over-the-horizon (OTH) operations or UHF radio modem for line-of-site (LOS) operations. Dedicated computer systems are used to provide a real-time graphical display, instantaneous speed, heading, crosstrack error, LAT/LON, local x-y and Florida State Plane x-y coordinates, and more. Accuracies with this system are typically 1 meter or better. Accurate DGPS coverage extends over a 150-mile radius from Panama City Beach.