FYI, at the GP all the spots are synchronised on the grid immediately before the launch. So given the limitations of the Spot device we get what we get. Because the transmissions are 10 minutes apart often it will look as though a pilot has missed the turnpoint when in fact it just didn't transmit until after he had turned. So forget the track just take a snapshot of where everyone is each ten minutes or so.
ROSS From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jacques Graells Sent: Wednesday, 23 March 2011 3:53 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [Aus-soaring] spot tracking There was a few questions about spots used for tracking the gliding GP, here are the answers. The purpose and main use of a Spot tracker is as a location device in case of accident or landing out, tracking increases the chances of being located as it will report the current or last position even if the pilot is un-concious. (providing the spot is with the pilot) Tracking on fancy maps or following a contest via spot tracking is a side benefit, it is not the primary purpose for a glider pilot to carry a spot. * The spot tracking site used for the the GP now also works with Firefox * The updates are every 10 min, that can't be changed. * The 10 min updates sent from the spot do not drift over the day they keep coming at the exact time + 10 min * The placement of the spot is critical, best reception and transmission is achieved when the device is flat, facing the sky, for us glider pilots from a safety and functional point of view the ideal placement is on the parachute strap on the shoulder. (or on top of your helmet if you wear one and are 160cm tall :)) * The delay in the updates as sent from spot are not consistent, even if the device sends the position to spot, at times it might be available within a minute, other times I have seen 5 or 10 minutes delay Cheers Jacques
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