Apparently a bit of a bugger to set up. There are additional (minor) costs associated with the Delorme unit. See the R.A.S. post below by Jim Payne, who first told me about the original SPOT. http://groups.google.com/group/rec.aviation.soaring/browse_thread/thread/f610fa5a4c3599a3/0c9dda8456ec0d32?hl=en&lnk=gst&q=delorme#0c9dda8456ec0d32
This year Globalstar is launching at least 18 more satellites using Soyuz rockets. http://spaceflightnow.com/tracking/ I'm still using SPOT 1, and have an APRS "black box" hardwired into the glider. When the instrument panel is turned on, it sends one location report, then waits until there is movement before sending additional reports every three minutes: Lat, Lon, Altitude, Speed, and Direction. http://www.aprs.net.au/ Or an example of a track: http://aprs.fi/?call=KG6UNS-7&dt=1279929600&mt=roadmap&z=11&timerange=43200 This history is much better than SPOT history, but if you're searching for a missing pilot, hopefully they are found by the end of the week! You'll notice that my APRS.fi track ends at 00:00:00 Zulu, it's necessary to go to the following day to see the rest of the flight. APRS requires an amateur radio licence, but beyond the initial purchase has no fees. It has been quite reliable, except when "rock polishing" below ridge top height. Some improvements in the black box firmware to address this (primarily, allowing more "bounces" from digital repeaters) have happened since mine was delivered, so it will get upgraded soon. Jim ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jet Pilot Nov 27 2010, 9:25 pm Newsgroups: rec.aviation.soaring From: Jet Pilot <[email protected]> Date: Sat, 27 Nov 2010 21:25:29 -0800 (PST) Local: Sat, Nov 27 2010 9:25 pm Subject: Report on DeLorme PN-60w SPOT Forward | Print | Individual message | Show original | Report this message | Find messages by this author The latest satellite tracking device is the DeLormePN-60w which can do text messages along with position data via SPOT. It does this but it is not user friendly. The text entry process is not easy (although you can put in 14 preselected messages and send the one that is appropriate like "Task complete."). SPOT charges extra for texting. (50 cents a message or 100 messages for $29.99 or 500 for $49.99). SPOT will let you upgrade a SPOT 1 to a SPOT 2 but requires new service for the DeLorme. Out of the box the DeLormeneeded a firmware upgrade and the user needs to download data from a computer to the DeLormeso computer-challenged pilots might get frustrated setting it up. Position data still do not include altitude although now the pilot could manualy put it in. The SPOT device is separate from the DeLorme. The two communicate via bluetooth so the SPOT could be placed somewhere with a good view of the sky out of the pilot's reach. Once up and running the DeLormehas status information that gives insight into when the last message went out and how many meassages have been sent. Think wave, JP ________________________________ From: Stuart & Kerri FERGUSON <[email protected]> To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. <[email protected]> Sent: Tue, January 4, 2011 4:05:03 AM Subject: [Aus-soaring] The Next Generation Spot - Interesting http://www.delorme.com/about/pressreleases/SPOTcommunicator.htm _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list [email protected] To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring
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