Solo backcountry emergency communications

[oscar the grouch]

seems amazon likes if for the most part.

http://www.amazon.com/SPOT-CONNECT-...l_formats&filterByStar=four_star&pageNumber=1

19 5stars
11 4 stars
20 1 stars all with the same issue. Iphone. which doesnt surprise me

I dont care if it saves waypoints or tracks or updates facebook or allows people to find me (actually hate that idea) ONLY want something incase the unforseen happens or an emergency medical situation. inreach plan is more than im willing to pay for something i may never need and have gone 30 years without already. it has more features than i want and an initial cost that im not willing to pony up.

 

[pugslyyy]

apparently you read here more than i do. I didnt realise that the spot was out of favor across the entire forum and the whole internet...... I do wonder how they stay in buisness

Would you rather know that a call for help as been received, or hope that it has?

If something happened to your spouse/parent/child would you rather someone be able to contact you?

Would you be able to interact with rescuers (know when they are coming), or just be waiting hoping someone is on the way?


As you've seen by your searches, most people cite the inability to receive as the deal breaker for the Spot when compared to the inReach. If that's not an issue (and you are going to be traveling inside the Spot coverage zone), then Spot is cheaper.



Spot seems to be repositioning their product for satellite based vehicle/asset tracking - I think they offer a good solution for that.

"As SPOT continues to grow, we remain committed to offering affordable assistance to those who may need it. Now with the new SPOT Trace, everyone can benefit from SPOT's satellite technology. Track valuable assets and receive a text or email when movement is detected. "

 

[calicamper]

I know a few folks who pack Satellite phones with them but this is primarily because they often lead groups of people and if they have any sort of medical emergency its the smartest thing to have from a liability stand point for calling in medical help. For the solo adventurer I would say that its no different than the Around the world Sailors which case personal Epirb is the cheapest and best approach the issue that typically happens with both Spot devices and EPIRB units is that the user does not register it with a current contact and a delay occurs due to the contact not responding to the inquiry of an emergency beacon to confirm that yes the location and the unit would indicated there is a problem. Spot due to legal reasons does not sell their device as an emergency beacon but when used correctly and properly registered and such its a very nice and quite good product for the solo overlander type to use so family can keep tabs on them and know that things are going OK etc. The EPIRB is pretty much the industry standard for emergency notification and locating a person etc but the biggest important factor is having all your contact data on record current or it could result in delay trying to sort out why the unit is going off and trying to confirm that yes someone is using it and probably in trouble and has triggered it.

 

[Matt_OCENS]

To the OP: it seems like you are interested in a variety of distinct capabilities, so I will try to address the capability part (not associated costs). Others have addressed a lot of these points, but I will try to summarize from my perspective.

PLB vs. Messaging device (Spot/inReach): PLB is a onetime use, one way signal, and no other features.

Spot vs. inReach: Spot is one way communications (outbound)--inReach is two-way. inReach uses the Iridium network which is the most comprehensive in the world. Regardless of all of the other features on the inReach, being able to receive a message can be valuable when trying to coordinate a rescue, confirm acknowledgment of a sent message, or simply keep in touch with someone. (BTW, someone brought up the cost of ownership on the inReach, and you have to keep in mind that the Freedom plans are available which allow you to turn your service on and off, so if you are a seasonal user, you can factor this into your cost of ownership analysis).

HAM vs. sat phone: A sat phone allows you to make a regular phone call to anyone in the world and it doesn't require a license.

Sat phone vs. messaging device: A sat phone will allow you to do everything a two-way messaging device will along with being able to make and receive phone calls.

 

[yagoiiivomaltmoor]

For my application the PLB + inReach makes sense. I hadn't looked into these deeply enough and wasn't aware of the new Explorer version. I like redundancy despite the weight and cost penalties. I also fish the Great Lakes from an 18' Lund so having the PLB+marine radio connected to my Lowarance GPS is great. Horses for courses.

Agree that a sat phone is overkill, probably. Been on a few fishing charters offshore and each captain used an Iridium phone for comms. If I had a group to worry about then I'd probably be renting a sat phone.

 

[yagoiiivomaltmoor]

Spot vs. inReach: Spot is one way communications (outbound)--inReach is two-way. inReach uses the Iridium network which is the most comprehensive in the world. Regardless of all of the other features on the inReach, being able to receive a message can be valuable when trying to coordinate a rescue, confirm acknowledgment of a sent message, or simply keep in touch with someone. (BTW, someone brought up the cost of ownership on the inReach, and you have to keep in mind that the Freedom plans are available which allow you to turn your service on and off, so if you are a seasonal user, you can factor this into your cost of ownership analysis).

Thanks - this is the key to me.

 

[Christophe Noel]

I'm surprised/disappointed that AFRCC hadn't done anything with the signal in 2 hours. I wonder if they were waiting for multiple satellite passes? My experience was that we got notification more quickly but mobilization takes time. Trying to DF an ELT/EPIRB/PLB signal without GPS coords was definitely challenging but I suspect that problem is an artifact of the pre-GPS days. In the back of my head I'd expect 12 hours response in the backcountry (decent weather) after activating.

Thanks for the inReach info. Didn't realize they used the Irifium satellites that I have high confidence with. That solves my need.

It's important to understand how PLBs work. Once the signal is received by either the Air Force or Coast Guard, the signal signature is then compared to the PLB registry database. The contact associated with the registration of that device is then called...on the phone...for further information. That way they don't dispatch resources unnecessarily. Somewhere in that process the AF dragged their feet for two hours until WE called THEM.

The inReach is really trippy to use once you and your contacts get the hang of it. When I was in Iceland this summer on a bicycle trip, I was approaching a huge river crossing. My wife at home was following my progress on Google Maps. I was nearing the river and heard a, "Ding." She sent me a message that read, "Be careful at that crossing." I crossed the river and didn't even have to send her a text saying I made it. She just saw my tracking progress and knew I was okay. The following week I heard another, "Ding." The message read, "I think you missed your turn.." She was right, kind of. But, it was totally bizarre knowing I was being watched by my wife 5,000 miles away. For a solo traveler in very rugged country that made me feel warm and fuzzy. Try THAT with a radio.

I would say, get an inReach, use it, then ask yourself if you need a PLB. Having sent literally hundreds of messages through my inReach, including Facebook posts from 14,600 feet in the Ecuadorean Andes, it's ridiculously effective. My wife and I have real time text exchanges from opposite ends of the world, with the same speed as we do texting across the span of our living room. The delay is at times no more than a second or two. Knowing the SOS signal goes to GEOS in Texas and not some office where an Airforce Airmen may or may not rush to my aid is important to me. GEOS is in the business of good old commerce. If they don't deliver...they close shop.

 

[AlbanyTom]

I love the idea of inreach, or any irridium text based solutions, for all the reasons that CN lists. Two way text communication has lots of advantages over rescue/emergency only devices, and one way text things.

If I were going to go out alone, like the OP, and had plentiful funding, I'd have an inreach, a 2m handheld, and a cell phone. Inreach primary, 2m for backup, and also that it provides real-time short range voice communications, and longer range if you're within range of a repeater.

If you eliminate the satellite options - and I don't know why you would - and you're out of repeater range, then you're looking at HF ham radio. Low power with morse code or digital modes, or 20+W if you want to use voice, and a way to put up a decent sized wire antenna. Absolutely doable and reliable, but a PITA unless you like things like that.

 

[yagoiiivomaltmoor]

Absolutely doable and reliable, but a PITA unless you like things like that.

I do not. For example, I'll be hunting elk in the Big Horns this October solo in a few miles deep for 5 days. Want to keep my pack and gear under 40lbs. Lugging around extra electronics with back-up batteries is no good.

Thanks for reminding me why a handhold mobile is important. Don't know why I didn't think about short-range voice comms with a handheld. That's worth the weight.

 

[wirenut]

It's important to understand how PLBs work. Once the signal is received by either the Air Force or Coast Guard, the signal signature is then compared to the PLB registry database. The contact associated with the registration of that device is then called...on the phone...for further information. That way they don't dispatch resources unnecessarily. Somewhere in that process the AF dragged their feet for two hours until WE called THEM.

The inReach is really trippy to use once you and your contacts get the hang of it. When I was in Iceland this summer on a bicycle trip, I was approaching a huge river crossing. My wife at home was following my progress on Google Maps. I was nearing the river and heard a, "Ding." She sent me a message that read, "Be careful at that crossing." I crossed the river and didn't even have to send her a text saying I made it. She just saw my tracking progress and knew I was okay. The following week I heard another, "Ding." The message read, "I think you missed your turn.." She was right, kind of. But, it was totally bizarre knowing I was being watched by my wife 5,000 miles away. For a solo traveler in very rugged country that made me feel warm and fuzzy. Try THAT with a radio.

I would say, get an inReach, use it, then ask yourself if you need a PLB. Having sent literally hundreds of messages through my inReach, including Facebook posts from 14,600 feet in the Ecuadorean Andes, it's ridiculously effective. My wife and I have real time text exchanges from opposite ends of the world, with the same speed as we do texting across the span of our living room. The delay is at times no more than a second or two. Knowing the SOS signal goes to GEOS in Texas and not some office where an Airforce Airmen may or may not rush to my aid is important to me. GEOS is in the business of good old commerce. If they don't deliver...they close shop.

While not as good as a satalite for sure you should read up on ham radio and APRS. It can and does work simillar to what you describe. You would have a GPS and a radio and it would transmit your position to receiving stations. (If there are any where you are, that's the question.) It gets put on the ham radio APRS network as well as the internet. Your wife could watch your progress on a computer. Messages can be sent too but I think you're wife would need a ham license also.
I'm looking into this as a way of being able to text with my wife when out of cell range. (she has a ham license too.)

 

[Christophe Noel]

While not as good as a satalite for sure you should read up on ham radio and APRS. It can and does work simillar to what you describe. You would have a GPS and a radio and it would transmit your position to receiving stations. (If there are any where you are, that's the question.) It gets put on the ham radio APRS network as well as the internet. Your wife could watch your progress on a computer. Messages can be sent too but I think you're wife would need a ham license also.
I'm looking into this as a way of being able to text with my wife when out of cell range. (she has a ham license too.)

Ya, I just don't see it as a viable competitor to my inReach. Aside from the fact my inReach worked just as well in my own zip code as it did just a few miles south of the Arctic Circle in Iceland is a major factor. I'm headed to Nepal soon, and again, it'll likely work perfectly. I also like the ability to push location notifications to FaceBook with the touch of a button. That puts my location in front of hundreds of friends and family. That's not just a trivial means of sharing kitschy travel progress, but with one push of a button, everyone I know, knows where I am. Traveling solo in a foreign country miles from a road...that feels good.

 

[oscar the grouch]

i just activated my spot connect. It works great thru testing. all features seem to go thru and the links in the messages are working perfectly. one way coms aside its not generic help messages. 14 predefined messages plus unlimited type and send. i travel the US not abroad. this will more than fulfil my needs.

 

[pugslyyy]

i just activated my spot connect. It works great thru testing. all features seem to go thru and the links in the messages are working perfectly. one way coms aside its not generic help messages. 14 predefined messages plus unlimited type and send. i travel the US not abroad. this will more than fulfil my needs.

Glad it is working out! So was cost the deciding factor for you?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[calicamper]

Some folks actually may only want one way communications while traveling ;-)

 

[oscar the grouch]

Glad it is working out! So was cost the deciding factor for you?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Yes. EBay picked up one for 40 and 100 a year is good for a safety net i never plan on using. Not going to be checking in all the time or updating a status. The girl is usually with me and when she isn't a one way message of OK is plentiful.

I have a large support network of friends who have all volunteered to be on the list for break downs and being able to type and send with the connect lets me tell them exactly what i need vs a generic help message.

Cost was a huge factor. I've made it this far without dying although I've been in some crap situations Ive always managed to fix it so far. Now i have a send the medics button I should be good.