Posted on 12/13/2024 7:34:02 AM PST by BenLurkin
Modern tractors rely on precise GPS coordinates to navigate fields. But with charged particles distorting radio signals from GPS satellites, some of them started acting erratically, stopping abruptly or weaving back and forth.
"I would guess 80 percent or more of all farmers in the Midwest use at least basic GPS for something — whether it's auto-steer or yield mapping," John Deere service manager Ethan Smidt told SpaceWeather. "At least 50 percent of all farmers are VERY reliant on GPS and use it on every machine all year long."
During particularly violent solar storms, charged particles fill the Earth's ionosphere, the part of the Earth's upper atmosphere that creates a protective barrier between us and electrically charged particles from the Sun.
The layer is also responsible for transmitting GPS signals from satellites down to the surface. So changing densities of the ionosphere, caused by this bombardment of charged particles, can distort radio signals as they make their way through.
Ramstad recalled to SpaceWeather that her GPS "was off by close to a foot" during the day. "By nightfall, there was no controlling the Autosteer."
And farmers should expect more chaos, as NASA has predicted that solar maximum could last for another one to two years.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
The future is now
“Just to save a couple dollars on operators who can steer one without it.”
The new farmers use the autosteer to get maximum coverage.
My friend the local corn farmer makes an incredible return on his dry land Texas corn crop. You would not believe the returns.
There's an on-board speed limit sign reader.
Solar flare - got a message on my home phone voice recorder around 1991-1992
Checked the answering machine it was pure static - I don’t know it it took over a call or what
It was during the big solar activity
Phone base had a big antenna
“Intelligent tractors”.
And what did the plow say to the tractor?
Pull me closer, John Deere.
My 2023 Tucson seems to see the speed limit sign. It doesn’t post the limit in n my dash until I pass an actual sign.
I have operated Combines. An experienced operator is just as efficient. It is not rocket science. Get a good operator, pay him what he is worth, and this expensive tech is not needed at all.
“Where would the speed limit be transmitted from?”
The navigation service database. Garmin has the same feature.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.