Navigating the Grid: How GPS Works (Poster)

February 19, 2026

Whether you’re navigating a cross-country road trip or just trying to find the nearest coffee shop, the Global Positioning System (GPS) is the invisible hand guiding your journey. But have you ever wondered how a tiny chip in your phone knows exactly where you are on the planet?

The U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) Bookstore offers a “How GPS Works” poster that breaks down this invisible tech into a stunning visual guide.

GPS relies on a constellation of at least 24 satellites orbiting high above Earth. The process boils down to these three steps:

  • Signals: Satellites beam out their location and a precise time stamp.
  • Timing: Your device calculates how long the signal took to arrive at the speed of light.
  • Trilateration: By measuring distances from at least four satellites, your receiver pins down your exact latitude, longitude, and altitude.

The poster serves as an excellent resource for:

  • STEM Educators: A foundational tool for teaching physics, geometry, and aerospace technology.
  • Aviation & Maritime Hubs: A reliable reference for pilots, sailors, and logistics professionals.
  • Tech Enthusiasts who appreciate the engineering behind everyday tools.

Ready to master the grid? You can pick up the official How GPS Works poster directly from the GPO Bookstore now.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THIS RESOURCE?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger Trudy Hawkins is the Senior Marketing & Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication & Information Sales Office supporting the U.S. Government Online Bookstore (https://bookstore.gpo.gov).

Leave a Comment » | Government Printing Office (GPO), Science & Technology, Technology, Telecommunications | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

The Map of the Airwaves: Celebrate Public Radio Broadcasting Day

January 13, 2026

Today, January 13, 2026, marks Public Radio Broadcasting Day. While digital media evolves, radio remains a uniquely reliable lifeline, reaching listeners where the internet cannot. To celebrate, we are highlighting a favorite for enthusiasts and professionals alike: the NEW 2025 United States Frequency Allocations: The Radio Spectrum Poster.

Available through the Government Publishing Office U.S. Government Bookstore, this best-selling poster is the definitive visual guide to our nation’s airwaves. It transforms the invisible infrastructure of communication into a clear, color-coded map.

The poster utilizes color codes to illustrate the parts of the radio spectrum allocated to various types of radio services, including amateur (ham) radio, commercial radio, television broadcasting, radio navigation, mobile, satellite, and others. Essential facts about the poster include the following:

  • The definitive and most current official copy of the 2025 US Radio Spectrum Frequency Allocations, crucial for regulatory adherence and operational planning.
  • Substantial size for optimal readability: 39″ x 27″ (inches).
  • Expertly printed using fade-resistant, premium archival inks on high-grade 100 lb. premium matte paper. This ensures vibrant colors, crisp detail, and long-term durability.
  • Proudly Made in the USA.
  • Unframed, offering flexibility for the buyer to customize their display.

For those who want to dive deeper into the rules of the road, the Manual of Regulations and Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management is also available to explain the “how” behind the map.

Radio Milestones

  • 1906: First radio broadcast by Reginald Fessenden.
  • 1910: On January 13, the first public radio broadcast featured a live performance from the Met.
  • 1920: KDKA in Pittsburgh begins the first commercial broadcasts.
  • Today: Radio remains the most accessible medium, requiring no subscription or high-speed data to keep the public informed.

Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional, the Radio Spectrum Poster is the perfect way to appreciate the technology that keeps us connected.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger Trudy Hawkins is the Senior Marketing & Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication & Information Sales Office supporting the U.S. Government Online Bookstore (https://bookstore.gpo.gov).

6 Comments | Department of Commerce, Telecommunications | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins