Is there a difference in the satellite signal versus cell tower signal in terms of effect on a human health?

Well, the NAVSTAR GPS satellites orbit the earth at ~12,600 MILES, and cell towers are spaced withing several miles of us, so it would, I think, be safe to say that cell signals are much more likely to have an effect. Also, it is the cell phones transmitter that is a concern--a GPS receiver is just that, a receiver, just like your FM radio.

If you're interested in GPS technology, the Wiki article is a good place to start learning:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Positioning_System

Ah, so that's why you hear people complain about drivers using their cell phones while driving, but you never hear anything bad about them using their GPSr... ;)

Welcome to the site, gpsfaq. If you don't mind my asking, how is it someone with a web site about GPS information comes to geocachingmaine.org to ask such a question?

And it's the microwave signals from tower to tower that are the most dangerous (the way it was put to me when I was doing the refrigeration on the towers "don't stand in front of the microwaves because if they become active they'll make your *insert name for male reproductive organs here* shrivel up like rasins...*) the microwave signals excite water molocules causing them to heat up and evaporate...

i heard a story on the news a few years back, about a lady who lived near a tower, there was a malfunction with the tower, and it was broadcasting a low frequency microwave signal and pretty much fried all the vegitation in her yard...

I'll get the marsmallows!!! :D

This could be "rural legend", but I've been told that when testing the Over the Horizon radar in Moscow (Maine!) - see our "Over the Horizon (http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=f7c6ab94-33c9-4595-9e2f-e791b7247a21)" cache - small animals in front of the antenna were toasted quite nicely.

:eek: :eek:

"toasted small animals" :eek:

One of my favorite snacks...
:p :p

Just don't tell Jock and Sweetie!

Someone asked me this question, but I am not too much detailed on terms of signal strengths and etc... any time you get reciever you are emplifying signal as a result waves are stronger, the good things is that its not next to your body but far away attached to a car window.

After researching for some time I am able to report that signal is quite harmless, but no definitive study was done, so use GPS with caution.

I do not agree with what you say.

The GPS signal from the satellites is around you whether you have a GPS or not, just as radio and TV and received cellphone signals are around you whether you are using them or not. Of these only a cellphone is a transmitter and therefore may have a stronger signal when using it.

I do not believe that any caution is necessary when using a GPS except to pay more attention to where you are stepping than to the GPS screen. Watching the screen while stepping off a cliff hurts, a lot.

I do not believe that any caution is necessary when using a GPS except to pay more attention to where you are stepping than to the GPS screen. Watching the screen while stepping off a cliff hurts, a lot.

Unless of course, you have some fluffy, low frequency radio signals to break your fall. ;)

I do not believe that any caution is necessary when using a GPS except to pay more attention to where you are stepping than to the GPS screen. Watching the screen while stepping off a cliff hurts, a lot.

:D :D :D :D :D

Not to mention tripping on roots, twisting your ankle in that little divot in the trail, missing the trail and going head-long into an alder thicket/thorns/boggy area (pick one or all of the above) or of course going right pass the cache that is right in plain view. ;) :D

For the record, I agree with you . . . this thread kind of reminds me of the cell phone warnings on the gas pumps. While the older cell phones may have had some potential to cause a spark, research on the newer tech seems to indicate that the potential hazard is over-stated, but nevertheless we have the warning labels . . . :rolleyes:

Sounds like you have experiences similar to mine. :D :D :D :mad: