[pct-l] SPOT messenger vs McMurdo PLB

Sun Mar 27 15:07:32 CDT 2011

I think that's only part true.  Nextel and verizon can't share repeaters as they are different protocol.  Nextel uses iden while verizon uses cdma.  Sprint though also uses cdma but ATT uses GSM. 

Or perhaps nextel switched to cdma when sprint took over.  Hard to keep track. But not all cell phones can make emergency calls on all networks. 

AsABat
PCT Water Reports SoCal http://pct.4jeffrey.net
Send water updates to water at 4jeffrey.net

"Paul Robison" <paulrobisonhome at yahoo.com> wrote:

>
>... But if, say you have nextel and don't have service;  but there is a
>verizon cell tower around;  you can call 911...  They MUST provide you
>this service. So depending on your carrier you can have 911 lots of
>places you can't make a call.
>
>Sent from my iPod
>
>On 2011-03-27, at 3:09 PM, <dnielsen at djmurphycompany.com> wrote:
>
>> 
>> 
>> I heard that many cell phones have a 911 feature that connects via
>cell and
>> satalite and sends an emergency signle with location.  Does anyone
>know
>> about that?
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net
>[mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
>> On Behalf Of Edward Anderson
>> Sent: Sunday, March 27, 2011 9:58 AM
>> To: John Abela; pct-l at backcountry.net
>> Subject: Re: [pct-l] SPOT messenger vs McMurdo PLB
>> 
>> John, 
>> While I never used the 911 button, and I seriously doubt that I will
>ever
>> need 
>> it,  but - having that possibility along is smart.  John Donovan was
>a very 
>> experienced hiker - and yet, he lost the trail in the snow.  He would
>still
>> be 
>> alive and hiking again this year if he had brought along a SPOT. In
>fairness
>> to 
>> his memory, the SPOT was not on the market yet when he died.  It is
>now -
>> and 
>> only a fool would not bring one, or some other reliable rescue
>signaling
>> device. 
>> 
>> 
>> Think about this:  The successful TV program "I Shouldn't be Alive"
>would
>> not 
>> exist if all of those people had had a way of calling for rescue.
>> 
>> MendoRider
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> ________________________________
>> From: John Abela <pacificcresttrail2011 at gmail.com>
>> To: Toby Maxwell <tmm19 at geneseo.edu>
>> Cc: "pct-l at backcountry.net" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
>> Sent: Sun, March 27, 2011 9:11:35 AM
>> Subject: Re: [pct-l] SPOT messenger vs McMurdo PLB
>> 
>> 99% of going with a SPOT is about "peace of mind back home"
>> 
>> If that is something that is not important to do, save yourself some
>> weight and do not buy either of them. On the PCT you are rarely going
>> to go a day w/o seeing somebody unless you are out in the front of
>the
>> pack.
>> 
>> Solution solved.
>> 
>> 
>> On Sun, Mar 27, 2011 at 9:03 AM, Toby Maxwell <tmm19 at geneseo.edu>
>wrote:
>>> Hmmm, seems like while they are definitely different tools, I may be
>>> inclined to go the PLB route.  I think there's probably a lot of
>reasons
>> to
>>> go either way, but I kind of like that I will not be obligated to
>check in
>>> all of the time.  I was initially reluctant to consider carrying
>either of
>>> these because of trying to avoid technology on the trail.   It seems
>to me
>>> that one of the largest perks of the PLB is that there is
>>> no subscription ever which makes it the sort of thing that will get
>>> continually brought on backcountry adventures as opposed to the SPOT
>which
>>> could become useless if my wallet is feeling a little too
>ultralight.
>>>  thanks for the great advice!
>>> 
>>> -Toby
>>> 
>>> On Sat, Mar 26, 2011 at 9:07 PM, Paul Robison 
>> <paulrobisonhome at yahoo.com>wrote:
>>> 
>>>> My spot has only failed to send one message and it was in a moving
>car.
>>  It
>>>> told me immediately that it failed to send.
>>>> 
>>>> Also I use the tracks and used it rim to rim on the grand canyon
>never
>> lost
>>>> service.
>>>> 
>>>> It's not as good for rescue as a 'real plb' ... But it's 100 times
>better
>>>> than nothing.  Anywhere the pct is,  I feel it would suffice,  when
>> combined
>>>> with effective back country skills,  and a knowledge of good signal
>>>> techniques when they get close; you'll be fine...
>>>> 
>>>> My humble opine...
>>>> 
>>>> Sent from my iPod
>>>> 
>>>> On 2011-03-26, at 8:37 PM, Edward Anderson <mendoridered at yahoo.com>
>> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>> Hi Toby,
>>>>> I was completely satisfied with my SPOT. During over five months
>on the
>>>> PCT all
>>>>> of my OK messages got through,  That gave my wife real peace of
>mind. I
>>>> sent a
>>>>> message from every location - one every day when I got to camp.
>>>>> MendoRider
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> ________________________________
>>>>> From: Toby Maxwell <tmm19 at geneseo.edu>
>>>>> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>>>>> Sent: Sat, March 26, 2011 2:30:05 PM
>>>>> Subject: [pct-l] SPOT messenger vs McMurdo PLB
>>>>> 
>>>>> Hi,
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> I was curious if anybody has used this 'McMurdo' Personal Location
>> Becon
>>>>> (PLB) device.  After doing some research on the SPOT messenger, it
>> seems
>>>>> there are some mediocre reviews and that, while it has more
>features,
>> the
>>>>> subscription may be a pain and that people have experienced issues
>with
>>>> it
>>>>> getting signal etc.  This PLB does not require a subscription, but
>is a
>>>>> little less fancy, and according to some, much more reliable.  If
>> anybody
>>>>> has experience with either, it'd be great to hear about, it'll
>also no
>>>> doubt
>>>>> make my mom a happier person...  thanks!
>>>>> 
>>>>> heres links to both;
>>>>> McMurdo:http://www.rei.com/product/791972
>>>>> SPOT:
>>>>> 
>>>>
>http://www.amazon.com/SPOT-Satellite-Messenger-Orange-Black/dp/B002PHRDO2/
>> ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1301174788&sr=8-2
>>>> 2
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> thanks,
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> -Toby
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>> 
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>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -- 
>> John B. Abela
>> www.RedwoodOutdoors.Com
>> 
>> In God's wildness lies the hope of the world - the great fresh
>> unblighted, unredeemed wilderness. The galling harness of
>civilization
>> drops off, and wounds heal ere we are aware. ~ John Muir
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