The Spot Satellite tracking system for Good Days and Bad. by David Norwood.
Simple SPOT. I first used a friends SPOT in Northern Idaho on a day that might have been big. He was not planning on going over the back toward tiger country, but it was on my menu. As it turned out we all stayed out front and the SPOT was not needed but had I gone big it would have been just the ticket for safety and a retrieve. When I started planning my next trip a SPOT was my first purchase. The SPOT system has a number of valuable features that all XC pilots should consider. Here is how it works:
Run Spot, Run. The SPOT transmitter is a about the size of a normal GPS. It fits nicely in your flight deck or a pocket if you like. It has four different operational modes: 911, HELP, OK and TRACK. Each operation is initiated with the press of a button on the front of the device. The device itself appears indestructible. I am sure it floats and can survive significant impact though I hope not to test those abilities. Lets put it this way; it is rugged. When you activate one of the four options the SPOT uses normal GPS satellites to determine your location and then transmits your location coordinates along with codes that corresponds to your request for 911, HELP, OK or TRACK to a network of communication satellites. The message is then down linked to the SPOT response center and then forwarded depending on the request.
Good Day Spot Besides being a great safety device I use SPOT for retrieve. Cell phones are still the primary tool for contacting my retrieve but when you land out cell coverage may not be available and the SPOT transmits from anywhere it can see the sky. Every SPOT user has an account with the SPOT system. Accessible via the web your account lets you configure the way the SPOT response center treats a given 911, HELP, OK or TRACK request. Prior to a given flight day I put the cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses of my likely retrieve partners into my SPOT account and when I press the (HELP) or (OK) button a request for retrieve with GPS locations is automatically sent to up to 10 phone/e-mail contacts via SMS and the Web.
The (HELP) message automatically transmits every 5 minutes for one hour and can be reactivated or turned off at any time. This is great when you are hiking or you might hitch a ride and your phone isn't working. - Every 5 minutes your retrieve crew should get an update on your current location. Below is an example of what shows up on their cell phone when I press (Help):
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it M:David has landed and needs retrieve his current GPS coordinates are: Latitude:46.2341 Longitude:-119.4973
I use the (OK) button for letting people know I am going to self retrieve and the (Help) button when I am hoping for a ride from them. The (OK) button only transmits one time with the message you have put on your account page for an (OK) response. This is my (OK) message:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it M:David landed safe and is going to self retrieve - If your near by stop and give me a ride. Thanks Latitude:46.2341 Longitude:-119.4973
I always press my OK button following a flight unless I need a retrieve. This message not only goes to the cell phones I have preconfigured but it goes to my tracking web page so my wife and others can see that I am OK.
On good days the (911) button will not be used and it is recessed on the unit to protect against accidental activation. The TRACK option is not all that useful on good days except as a curiosity. Once activated it transmits your location every 10 minutes to a website that is available for public or private viewing with a Google Earth overlay. A race committee or curious friends could use this to TRACK your flight from their computers at home or comp headquarters. The US Nationals will be experimenting with this at Dunlap. The TRACK information is 2D and does not include altitude. This function doesn't seem that valuable to me for good days but on bad days it may prove invaluable.
Bad Day Spot SPOT is a great backup for retrieves but it really shines if things go wrong. If you are ever so unfortunate to have an accident then one of two realities will present themselves: Either your conscious, stuck or hurt or you are totally disabled (unconscious or worse.) If your hurt or stuck say in a tree then the (911) button and or the (Help) button may be pressed. The (911) button will cause the SPOT system operators to contact the local Fire/Medical/Rescue system on your behalf. The SPOT operators will treat all (911) activations as true emergencies continuing their efforts to help until you are found or you cancel the call by repressing the (911)button for 3 seconds. Again your GPS coordinates will tell your rescuers where to find you. If you are a world traveler then I recommend you also subscribe to the extra cost GEOS rescue service (www.geosalliance.com). This service is offered at a very discounted price (90% off) when you activate your SPOT account.
VERY Bad Day SPOT If you come down and are unable to even press a button then it is a very bad day. If you have SPOT tracking activated the only good reality is that eventually someone will notice your absence, your crew, your family or someone. If you have told them about your habit of using SPOT then they can find you on your tracking log which will show your current location. The likelihood of your being missed will determine how long before SPOT will do you any good. But at least the SPOT transmitter will be found and eventually given to a friend since you will not likely be using it soon if ever. (Not a pleasant thought but a reality). By the way it is a good idea to note your TRACKING web address when you register for Comps. If you are lost during a Comp or fail to check in the organizers will have a leg up in resolving your absence if they know your TRACKING site address.
It was the TRACKING option let me charge the cost of my SPOT on my wife's entertainment account rather than mine own. She said she wanted me to get it so she could find me if I didn't come home. So, I got the SPOT and it didn't even tag my Paragliding funds. A great tool for Good Days and Bad.
INFO: Web site: http://www.findmespot.com/ Cost: $169.99 list - found mine for $114 on Amazon Annual fee: Basic $99 - with Tracking $149.99 Cons: 1. The web site and account software are not as slick as they might be and are sometimes a bit slow. 2. SPOT only transmits when it has a clear view of satellites. I have found it to miss an occasional TRACK transmission but all in all it works great. Pros: Rugged, Small and Battery Life is fabulous.
WHY I SPOT: One of the cardinal rules of Paragliding is "Never Fly Alone." My problem is that I fly mid-week and often XC. Both put me at risk of being alone. Either no one can get off to fly with me or if I go XC I may be on my own even if I launched with a friend. I fly with SPOT so that I am never totally alone. If things go bad and I am by myself my SPOT will bring a friend to my side even if I can't make the call. |