DJ Merrill wrote: > I'm an Amateur Radio Operator, and a fan/user of APRS (I even support > two I-Gates), but I don't think it even comes close to replacing a PLB > or 406Mhz ELT. APRS relies on a series of ground relay transmitters and > "friends and family" to notice that your blip isn't moving anymore (and > not just out of range of a ground receiver). A PLB/406Mhz ELT hits a > satellite and immediately notifies someone in the search and rescue chain.
What you may have missed on Sam Buchanon's site is that there are ham operators with systems set up that are constantly looking for "emergency" packets, and help would be on the way very shortly after broadcasting them, especially after a quick Google Maps search showed the plane flying along at 160 mph, then losing speed and altitude, and "landing" at somewhere other than an airport. Maybe that's wishful thinking, but it might also be wishful thinking that you'd have the time or presence of mind to set off a PLB before impact, or that a PLB will work under a thick canopy of trees. I've had a 406 MHz ELT in my plane for about a year a half, but what worries me is what kind of shape it and it's vital antenna connection will be in after I go into the trees somewhere. Maybe Steve Fossett's not a good example, but if he'd had an APRS in the plane instead of a PLB (which I don't think he had either), he might have been found before he died, and a lot of money and effort would certainly have been avoided in the search regardless of whether he'd survived the crash. A lot of crashes happen on takeoff, where there's minimal time (or brain bandwidth) to do anything but try to save your butt. Will you have time to dig out that PLB and activate it? Will your ELT still be intact after impact? I'm not saying a 406 MHz ELT is worthless or a PLB is worthless, but I think an APRS has an equal place in the triad, especially for the price and minimal weight penalty. It's hands off, and always working...no thinking or "good luck" required. I just threw it out there as another option. If nothing else, the very light weight has to be attractive. Having said that, a pilot buddy showed me his new PLB yesterday that only cost $250, but I think I'll wait for them to come down some more. Mark Langford N56ML "at" hiwaay.net website at http://www.N56ML.com --------------------------------------------------------
