Crestline Soaring Society

I got a SPOT satellite messenger recently. I only have a couple of tests with it but a friend has flown with one for years and likes it.

By pressing different buttons you can get the SPOT to send three kinds of messages. All include your GPS coordinates and a link to your location on google maps.

Messages:

1. I’m ok.
You can prewrite the exact text. Goes to whatever email addresses and SMS text enabled cell phones you have set up on the website.

2. I need help.
You can prewrite the exact text. Goes to the same list as #1.

3. 911.
This one goes to the 911 authorities.

You can also have SPOT send the #1 “I’m ok” message automatically every ten minutes. If you were unconscious, the thing would keep sending "I'm ok" but at least people might know where to find you.

SPOT talks back to the satellite, so it does not depend on cell phone service. It is very cheap for a satellite locator, costing about $150 for the device and about $100 a year for the service (I got all the service options, seems like a good idea).

For XC retrieves if you are in an area with good cell coverage for your driver SPOT might be easier than radioing your location updates, especially if your driver has something like an iPhone, which can directly open the google maps link. (Of course, you still might want to radio your intentions to your driver.)

There’s also another option. You may have wondered what Twitter could possibly be for? Well, here's an example. Someone has made it so you can connect your SPOT messenger to a twitter account. Then, all someone has to do is text "follow [your twitter name]" to 40404, and they will get your Spot's broadcasts. This way a driver you just met on launch could receive your SPOT’s broadcasts. In a couple of tests this seems to work. Any number of people can follow your progress (or see that you landed in the bushes without finding a second climb) this way.

My friend uses his SPOT to let his wife follow his flights, whether he is in Valle or near home in Boston. She worries less being able to get updates. He has not needed the 911 feature but it’s nice to know it’s there.

And it’s not just for flying. I took it with me on an 8 mile hike up Wildrose Peak next to Death Valley the other day. We started a little late in the day, the temperature was falling, and the trail was deserted after the first half mile. There is no cell service anywhere around Death Valley, no chance of help there. The chance of trouble was minimal, but it was nice to know the 911 call was in my pack if we somehow needed it.

The trick might be in how you keep from doing things you would do just because you have a SPOT along.

Here is the SPOT home page, with lots more information. This is also where you go for activation after you buy one and have it in hand:
http://www.findmespot.com/en/

I bought mine at Amazon where I have free shipping, but you could shop around. (I think the SPOT page above has a holiday special right now):
Here

To get your twitter on, go here:
http://twitter.com/

To connect your Spot to your Twitter account, go here:
http://spotretrieve.blogspot.com/

Below is a sample message (via email).

James

From James's satellite SPOT messenger: automated all is well message
ESN:0-7398546
Latitude:41.3807
Longitude:-73.7997
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:10/24/2008 15:46:12 (GMT)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=41.3807,-73.7997&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1