[pct-l] SPOT Locator

[arm chair]

The other possibility is sat phone, but I found this:

I've always recommended Iridium over GlobalStar, just because they have
always had better coverage worldwide and better, if not great, customer
service. I can't claim any inside knowledge, but every once in a while I
call it right by accident.

Having said all that, *I would never bet my life on a sat phone connection*.
They are great when they work, but a 406 MHz distress beacon is a lot more
reliable. Too many times I have been in situations when the sat phone should
have worked, no problem, but didn't.
http://www.equipped.org/blog/?p=55

Also a review of the spot:

first review -
http://www.equipped.org/SPOT_ORSummer2007.htm

updated review -
http://www.equipped.org/blog/?p=73


- armchair




On Sat, Apr 12, 2008 at 10:03 PM, arm chair <armchairhiker at gmail.com> wrote:

> What about the option of carrying a sat phone?
>
> I understand that some can be affordable. Service can be turned on when
> needed for a hike etc.
>
> - armchair
>
>
> On Sat, Apr 12, 2008 at 2:32 PM, Wayne Kraft <wayneskraft at comcast.net>
> wrote:
>
> > I don't have one of these, but I've done all my pre-purchase research
> > and I
> > intend to purchase one shortly.  From what I've read, the device works
> > most
> > reliably when it is laying flat (horizontal) and not worn vertically on
> > a
> > belt or in a pocket.  In order to make the tracking function work, you
> > would
> > probably need to figure out a way to carry it horizontally on your
> > shoulder,
> > pack or the top of your hat.
> >
> > IMHO, the tracking function is the least important and is really just a
> > gimmick anyway.  There are three other functions: OK, Help and 911.
> >  These
> > are initiated by pushing a button on the device.  Of these three, the OK
> > function is the most important to me.  It sends a message to my wife (or
> > anyone else I designate) telling her I am OK at a particular location
> > and it
> > keeps her from worrying about me. If she never hears from me again, she
> > can
> > at least provide the SAR team with my last known location and the
> > knowledge
> > that I would have sent an "OK" every few hours if I were able. This is
> > my
> > main reason for carrying such a device.  I would use it at each morning
> > before I start off, at each rest break long enough to get a signal out
> > and
> > in the evening when I've selected a campsite.
> >
> > The Help button sends a message to whoever you designate and means you
> > are
> > in trouble at a particular location, but not enough trouble to require
> > an
> > official rescue.  I can see myself using this on the trail if I actually
> > have designated someone who has the ability to find my location on the
> > map
> > and come get me.  I can also see using this at a deserted trailhead with
> > no
> > cell coverage if I discover my car won't run.  I think it would be
> > important
> > to work out a protocol with your designated recipient as to what type of
> > situation would cause you to request help and no rescue.  I have a hard
> > time
> > seeing when this might be appropriate unless you have someone on your
> > team
> > prepared to get you out even if you can't walk out yourself.  I would be
> > concerned about using this in a situation where I am, say, lost and in
> > no
> > immediate danger with plenty of food and water, but it would depend, I
> > suppose, on who is receiving the message and what your agreement is.
> >
> > Finally, the 911 function is for when the sh*t has hit the fan and you
> > want
> > lawyers, guns and money ASAP.
> >
> > As an aside, I recently bought a map of an interesting non-PCT hike
> > through
> > the Pueblo Mountains in remote southeast Oregon between the town of
> > Fields,
> > Oregon and the town of Denio on the Oregon-Nevada border.  There is no
> > official trail in this area and the hike involves locating a series of
> > irregularly spaced rock cairns along sketchy game trails and through 20
> > miles of open country.  The "Help" button would be singularly useless in
> > this environment because my support team would likely be 450 or so miles
> > away by road and unlikely to drive to Fields or Denio and locate me
> > off-trail any time soon after pushing the button.  The text on the back
> > of
> > the map contains this interesting passage:  "An injury can mean that a
> > helicopter rescue team must fly you out.  Another hiker is required to
> > go
> > for help.  The cost of such a rescue is the responsibility of the
> > hiker."
> >
> > I've never actually heard of someone being charged for such a rescue
> > performed by a taxpayer funded rescue operation in Oregon and I think an
> > actual airborne ambulance service might be covered by my health
> > insurance,
> > but I suppose it is something to think about and I will probably be
> > looking
> > into some form of rescue insurance.  It would clarify the decision to
> > press
> > the 911 button a bit.
> >
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> >
>
>