Science and Technology news... :: View topic - SPOT

ps56k · Guest

anyone know more about how these things work
with no external antenna...
Also - looking at the global coverage map - it>s interesting,
in that it is mostly the northern hemi - but not over the complete oceans ??

FYI - had read about this new device in a Backpacker magazine.
Here it is live -
http://adventurescience.ca/follow-the-team.html

here>s the device website
http://www.findmespot.com/explorespot/spotmessenger.aspx

--
----------------------------------
"If everything seems to be going well,
you have obviously overlooked something." - Steven Wright

ps56k · Guest

I was just amazed that it could transmit any kind of token signal to a
satellite,
even a LEO type -

I think I saw it on TV,
http://www.findmespot.com/MediaCenter/SPOTVideoTour.aspx

along with reading about it in Backpacker.

Marc Ramsey wrote:
[quote]They are GPS receivers which can transmit (only) location fixes to the
GlobalStar network of low earth orbit satellites, in tracking mode a
new fix is transmitted every 10 minutes. The orbits have been
arranged to provide continuous coverage for satellite telephone in
specific areas, hence the gaps.

A number of glider pilots I know use them so others can keep track of
their flights. Tracking fixes from a glider over the U.S. appear on
their web site every 10 to 30 minutes, at times (for unknown reasons)
there are gaps of an hour or more. Overall, glider pilots are happy
with them, hikers, boaters, etc., will probably have differing
experiences...

Marc

ps56k wrote:
anyone know more about how these things work
with no external antenna...
Also - looking at the global coverage map - it>s interesting,
in that it is mostly the northern hemi - but not over the complete
oceans ?? FYI - had read about this new device in a Backpacker magazine.
Here it is live -
http://adventurescience.ca/follow-the-team.html

here>s the device website
http://www.findmespot.com/explorespot/spotmessenger.aspx[/quote]

Marc Ramsey · Guest

They are GPS receivers which can transmit (only) location fixes to the
GlobalStar network of low earth orbit satellites, in tracking mode a new
fix is transmitted every 10 minutes. The orbits have been arranged to
provide continuous coverage for satellite telephone in specific areas,
hence the gaps.

A number of glider pilots I know use them so others can keep track of
their flights. Tracking fixes from a glider over the U.S. appear on
their web site every 10 to 30 minutes, at times (for unknown reasons)
there are gaps of an hour or more. Overall, glider pilots are happy
with them, hikers, boaters, etc., will probably have differing
experiences...

Marc

ps56k wrote:
[quote]anyone know more about how these things work
with no external antenna...
Also - looking at the global coverage map - it>s interesting,
in that it is mostly the northern hemi - but not over the complete oceans ??

FYI - had read about this new device in a Backpacker magazine.
Here it is live -
http://adventurescience.ca/follow-the-team.html

here>s the device website
http://www.findmespot.com/explorespot/spotmessenger.aspx

[/quote]

ps56k · Guest

ahhhhhh - should have read the "about us" first :)
http://www.findmespot.com/AboutUs.aspx

SPOT Inc., a subsidiary of Globalstar, Inc., (NASDAQ:GSAT)
provides lifesaving communications technology
that allows users to communicate from remote locations around the globe.

ps56k · Guest

ps56k wrote:
[quote]anyone know more about how these things work
with no external antenna to upload data...
http://www.findmespot.com/ExploreSPOT/HowItWorks/Network.aspx[/quote]

[quote]Also - looking at the global coverage map - it>s interesting,
http://www.findmespot.com/ExploreSPOT/Coverage.aspx
in that it is mostly the northern hemi - but not over the complete
oceans in the southern hemi ??
FYI - had read about this new device in a Backpacker magazine.
Here it is live -
http://adventurescience.ca/follow-the-team.html

here>s the device website
http://www.findmespot.com/explorespot/spotmessenger.aspx

--
----------------------------------
"If everything seems to be going well,
you have obviously overlooked something." - Steven Wright[/quote]

Tom H. · Guest

"ps56k" <pschuman_no_spam_me@interserv.com> wrote in message
news:Gpwek.29429$co7.3985@nlpi066.nbdc.sbc.com...
[quote]I was just amazed that it could transmit any kind of token signal to a
satellite,
even a LEO type -

I think I saw it on TV,
http://www.findmespot.com/MediaCenter/SPOTVideoTour.aspx

along with reading about it in Backpacker.

Marc Ramsey wrote:
They are GPS receivers which can transmit (only) location fixes to the
GlobalStar network of low earth orbit satellites, in tracking mode a
new fix is transmitted every 10 minutes. The orbits have been
arranged to provide continuous coverage for satellite telephone in
specific areas, hence the gaps.

A number of glider pilots I know use them so others can keep track of
their flights. Tracking fixes from a glider over the U.S. appear on
their web site every 10 to 30 minutes, at times (for unknown reasons)
there are gaps of an hour or more. Overall, glider pilots are happy
with them, hikers, boaters, etc., will probably have differing
experiences...

[/quote]

[quote]Marc

ps56k wrote:
anyone know more about how these things work
with no external antenna...
Also - looking at the global coverage map - it>s interesting,
in that it is mostly the northern hemi - but not over the complete
oceans ?? FYI - had read about this new device in a Backpacker magazine.
Here it is live -
http://adventurescience.ca/follow-the-team.html

here>s the device website
http://www.findmespot.com/explorespot/spotmessenger.aspx

[/quote]
When I was looking into sat phone rental a couple of years ago I found that
Globalstar has had problems with some of their birds failing, and having to
reposition the remainder to try to cover areas with the most traffic. How
well and they will do in the future is iffy in my opinion, and if the
company fails, then the SPOT is likely to become a relic at that point. I
can>t be sure of the business condition of Globalstar, but it is something
to keep in mind if you are serious about buying a SPOT

ps56k · Guest

Tom H. wrote:
[quote]"ps56k" <pschuman_no_spam_me@interserv.com> wrote in message
news:Gpwek.29429$co7.3985@nlpi066.nbdc.sbc.com...
I was just amazed that it could transmit any kind of token signal to
a satellite,
even a LEO type -

I think I saw it on TV,
http://www.findmespot.com/MediaCenter/SPOTVideoTour.aspx

along with reading about it in Backpacker.

Marc Ramsey wrote:
They are GPS receivers which can transmit (only) location fixes to
the GlobalStar network of low earth orbit satellites, in tracking
mode a new fix is transmitted every 10 minutes. The orbits have
been arranged to provide continuous coverage for satellite
telephone in specific areas, hence the gaps.

A number of glider pilots I know use them so others can keep track
of their flights. Tracking fixes from a glider over the U.S.
appear on their web site every 10 to 30 minutes, at times (for
unknown reasons) there are gaps of an hour or more. Overall,
glider pilots are happy with them, hikers, boaters, etc., will
probably have differing experiences...

Marc

ps56k wrote:
anyone know more about how these things work
with no external antenna...
Also - looking at the global coverage map - it>s interesting,
in that it is mostly the northern hemi - but not over the complete
oceans ?? FYI - had read about this new device in a Backpacker
magazine. Here it is live -
http://adventurescience.ca/follow-the-team.html

here>s the device website
http://www.findmespot.com/explorespot/spotmessenger.aspx

When I was looking into sat phone rental a couple of years ago I
found that Globalstar has had problems with some of their birds
failing, and having to reposition the remainder to try to cover areas
with the most traffic. How well and they will do in the future is
iffy in my opinion, and if the company fails, then the SPOT is likely
to become a relic at that point. I can>t be sure of the business
condition of Globalstar, but it is something to keep in mind if you
are serious about buying a SPOT
[/quote]
tnx - it was just more of an academic interest.
A few years ago, 1998-2001, I had invested in the Motorola sat project -
Iridium -
and we all know how well that worked out...

Marc Ramsey · Guest

ps56k wrote:
[quote]Tom H. wrote:
"ps56k" <pschuman_no_spam_me@interserv.com> wrote in message
news:Gpwek.29429$co7.3985@nlpi066.nbdc.sbc.com...
I was just amazed that it could transmit any kind of token signal to
a satellite,
even a LEO type -

I think I saw it on TV,
http://www.findmespot.com/MediaCenter/SPOTVideoTour.aspx

along with reading about it in Backpacker.

Marc Ramsey wrote:
They are GPS receivers which can transmit (only) location fixes to
the GlobalStar network of low earth orbit satellites, in tracking
mode a new fix is transmitted every 10 minutes. The orbits have
been arranged to provide continuous coverage for satellite
telephone in specific areas, hence the gaps.

A number of glider pilots I know use them so others can keep track
of their flights. Tracking fixes from a glider over the U.S.
appear on their web site every 10 to 30 minutes, at times (for
unknown reasons) there are gaps of an hour or more. Overall,
glider pilots are happy with them, hikers, boaters, etc., will
probably have differing experiences...

Marc

ps56k wrote:
anyone know more about how these things work
with no external antenna...
Also - looking at the global coverage map - it>s interesting,
in that it is mostly the northern hemi - but not over the complete
oceans ?? FYI - had read about this new device in a Backpacker
magazine. Here it is live -
http://adventurescience.ca/follow-the-team.html

here>s the device website
http://www.findmespot.com/explorespot/spotmessenger.aspx

When I was looking into sat phone rental a couple of years ago I
found that Globalstar has had problems with some of their birds
failing, and having to reposition the remainder to try to cover areas
with the most traffic. How well and they will do in the future is
iffy in my opinion, and if the company fails, then the SPOT is likely
to become a relic at that point. I can>t be sure of the business
condition of Globalstar, but it is something to keep in mind if you
are serious about buying a SPOT

tnx - it was just more of an academic interest.
A few years ago, 1998-2001, I had invested in the Motorola sat project -
Iridium -
and we all know how well that worked out...
[/quote]
Yes, it died and was reborn as GlobalStar...

Marc Ramsey · Guest

Marc Ramsey wrote:
[quote]ps56k wrote:
Tom H. wrote:
"ps56k" <pschuman_no_spam_me@interserv.com> wrote in message
news:Gpwek.29429$co7.3985@nlpi066.nbdc.sbc.com...
I was just amazed that it could transmit any kind of token signal to
a satellite,
even a LEO type -

I think I saw it on TV,
http://www.findmespot.com/MediaCenter/SPOTVideoTour.aspx

along with reading about it in Backpacker.

Marc Ramsey wrote:
They are GPS receivers which can transmit (only) location fixes to
the GlobalStar network of low earth orbit satellites, in tracking
mode a new fix is transmitted every 10 minutes. The orbits have
been arranged to provide continuous coverage for satellite
telephone in specific areas, hence the gaps.

A number of glider pilots I know use them so others can keep track
of their flights. Tracking fixes from a glider over the U.S.
appear on their web site every 10 to 30 minutes, at times (for
unknown reasons) there are gaps of an hour or more. Overall,
glider pilots are happy with them, hikers, boaters, etc., will
probably have differing experiences...

Marc

ps56k wrote:
anyone know more about how these things work
with no external antenna...
Also - looking at the global coverage map - it>s interesting,
in that it is mostly the northern hemi - but not over the complete
oceans ?? FYI - had read about this new device in a Backpacker
magazine. Here it is live -
http://adventurescience.ca/follow-the-team.html

here>s the device website
http://www.findmespot.com/explorespot/spotmessenger.aspx

When I was looking into sat phone rental a couple of years ago I
found that Globalstar has had problems with some of their birds
failing, and having to reposition the remainder to try to cover areas
with the most traffic. How well and they will do in the future is
iffy in my opinion, and if the company fails, then the SPOT is likely
to become a relic at that point. I can>t be sure of the business
condition of Globalstar, but it is something to keep in mind if you
are serious about buying a SPOT

tnx - it was just more of an academic interest.
A few years ago, 1998-2001, I had invested in the Motorola sat project
- Iridium -
and we all know how well that worked out...

Yes, it died and was reborn as GlobalStar...
[/quote]
No it wasn>t, my mistake...

Gene S. Berkowitz · Guest

In article <vhzek.12362$LG4.11510@nlpi065.nbdc.sbc.com>,
pschuman_no_spam_me@interserv.com says...
[quote]Tom H. wrote:
"ps56k" <pschuman_no_spam_me@interserv.com> wrote in message
news:Gpwek.29429$co7.3985@nlpi066.nbdc.sbc.com...
I was just amazed that it could transmit any kind of token signal to
a satellite,
even a LEO type -

I think I saw it on TV,
http://www.findmespot.com/MediaCenter/SPOTVideoTour.aspx

along with reading about it in Backpacker.

Marc Ramsey wrote:
They are GPS receivers which can transmit (only) location fixes to
the GlobalStar network of low earth orbit satellites, in tracking
mode a new fix is transmitted every 10 minutes. The orbits have
been arranged to provide continuous coverage for satellite
telephone in specific areas, hence the gaps.

A number of glider pilots I know use them so others can keep track
of their flights. Tracking fixes from a glider over the U.S.
appear on their web site every 10 to 30 minutes, at times (for
unknown reasons) there are gaps of an hour or more. Overall,
glider pilots are happy with them, hikers, boaters, etc., will
probably have differing experiences...

Marc

ps56k wrote:
anyone know more about how these things work
with no external antenna...
Also - looking at the global coverage map - it>s interesting,
in that it is mostly the northern hemi - but not over the complete
oceans ?? FYI - had read about this new device in a Backpacker
magazine. Here it is live -
http://adventurescience.ca/follow-the-team.html

here>s the device website
http://www.findmespot.com/explorespot/spotmessenger.aspx

When I was looking into sat phone rental a couple of years ago I
found that Globalstar has had problems with some of their birds
failing, and having to reposition the remainder to try to cover areas
with the most traffic. How well and they will do in the future is
iffy in my opinion, and if the company fails, then the SPOT is likely
to become a relic at that point. I can>t be sure of the business
condition of Globalstar, but it is something to keep in mind if you
are serious about buying a SPOT

tnx - it was just more of an academic interest.
A few years ago, 1998-2001, I had invested in the Motorola sat project -
Iridium -
and we all know how well that worked out...
[/quote]
It>s making money now, primarily from DoD contracts...

--Gene

ps56k · Guest

Marc Ramsey wrote:
[quote]Marc Ramsey wrote:
ps56k wrote:
Tom H. wrote:
"ps56k" <pschuman_no_spam_me@interserv.com> wrote in message
news:Gpwek.29429$co7.3985@nlpi066.nbdc.sbc.com...
I was just amazed that it could transmit any kind of token signal
to a satellite,
even a LEO type -

I think I saw it on TV,
http://www.findmespot.com/MediaCenter/SPOTVideoTour.aspx

along with reading about it in Backpacker.

Marc Ramsey wrote:
They are GPS receivers which can transmit (only) location fixes
to the GlobalStar network of low earth orbit satellites, in
tracking mode a new fix is transmitted every 10 minutes. The
orbits have been arranged to provide continuous coverage for
satellite telephone in specific areas, hence the gaps.

A number of glider pilots I know use them so others can keep
track of their flights. Tracking fixes from a glider over the
U.S. appear on their web site every 10 to 30 minutes, at times
(for unknown reasons) there are gaps of an hour or more. Overall,
glider pilots are happy with them, hikers, boaters,
etc., will probably have differing experiences...

Marc

ps56k wrote:
anyone know more about how these things work
with no external antenna...
Also - looking at the global coverage map - it>s interesting,
in that it is mostly the northern hemi - but not over the
complete oceans ?? FYI - had read about this new device in a
Backpacker magazine. Here it is live -
http://adventurescience.ca/follow-the-team.html

here>s the device website
http://www.findmespot.com/explorespot/spotmessenger.aspx

When I was looking into sat phone rental a couple of years ago I
found that Globalstar has had problems with some of their birds
failing, and having to reposition the remainder to try to cover
areas with the most traffic. How well and they will do in the
future is iffy in my opinion, and if the company fails, then the
SPOT is likely to become a relic at that point. I can>t be sure
of the business condition of Globalstar, but it is something to
keep in mind if you are serious about buying a SPOT

tnx - it was just more of an academic interest.
A few years ago, 1998-2001, I had invested in the Motorola sat
project - Iridium -
and we all know how well that worked out...

Yes, it died and was reborn as GlobalStar...

No it wasn>t, my mistake...
[/quote]
also had Globalstar during the same time period 1998-2001 - lost my ass on
that too....
$32 down to $1 - the symbol also changed, so maybe they went bankrupt ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globalstar

here>s Iridium - after their bankrupt history -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridium_(satellite)

PonderosaSports.com · Guest

Saturday July 5, 2008 the SPOT - FINDMESPOT rescue device failed under
very visible conditions.

Kent Couch of COUCHBALLOONS.COM flew a lawn chair with helium balloons
from Bend, Oregon to Cambridge, Idaho.

One of the sponsors, SPOT, provided tracking information for publicity
and rescue. According to Mark Knowles, event coordinator, an hour into
the flight, the FINDMESPOT servers failed support.

Kent landed safely no help to SPOT. Ground crews in Idaho were
promised a mashup between FINDMESPOT and GOOGLEMAPS. The anticipated
recording of the flight over the Snake River and into Idaho was lost.

Excuses are many. One offered is that the servers were hit too hard by
the National media exposure. Maybe SPOT is not as serious about there
products capability as they advertise. Had Kent needed rescue, that
excuse would have been of limited comfort.

Had James Kim been depending on the SPOT product, his death would not
have boded well for SPOT
_________________________
Cliff Harrison
PonderosaSports.com
Horseshoe Bend, ID
N43.9668 W116.1888

Tom H. · Guest

"Gene S. Berkowitz" <first.last@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:MPG.22e494f9353ed824989923@news.verizon.net...
[quote]In article <vhzek.12362$LG4.11510@nlpi065.nbdc.sbc.com>,
pschuman_no_spam_me@interserv.com says...
Tom H. wrote:
"ps56k" <pschuman_no_spam_me@interserv.com> wrote in message
news:Gpwek.29429$co7.3985@nlpi066.nbdc.sbc.com...
I was just amazed that it could transmit any kind of token signal to
a satellite,
even a LEO type -

I think I saw it on TV,
http://www.findmespot.com/MediaCenter/SPOTVideoTour.aspx

along with reading about it in Backpacker.

Marc Ramsey wrote:
They are GPS receivers which can transmit (only) location fixes to
the GlobalStar network of low earth orbit satellites, in tracking
mode a new fix is transmitted every 10 minutes. The orbits have
been arranged to provide continuous coverage for satellite
telephone in specific areas, hence the gaps.

A number of glider pilots I know use them so others can keep track
of their flights. Tracking fixes from a glider over the U.S.
appear on their web site every 10 to 30 minutes, at times (for
unknown reasons) there are gaps of an hour or more. Overall,
glider pilots are happy with them, hikers, boaters, etc., will
probably have differing experiences...

Marc

ps56k wrote:
anyone know more about how these things work
with no external antenna...
Also - looking at the global coverage map - it>s interesting,
in that it is mostly the northern hemi - but not over the complete
oceans ?? FYI - had read about this new device in a Backpacker
magazine. Here it is live -
http://adventurescience.ca/follow-the-team.html

here>s the device website
http://www.findmespot.com/explorespot/spotmessenger.aspx

When I was looking into sat phone rental a couple of years ago I
found that Globalstar has had problems with some of their birds
failing, and having to reposition the remainder to try to cover areas
with the most traffic. How well and they will do in the future is
iffy in my opinion, and if the company fails, then the SPOT is likely
to become a relic at that point. I can>t be sure of the business
condition of Globalstar, but it is something to keep in mind if you
are serious about buying a SPOT

tnx - it was just more of an academic interest.
A few years ago, 1998-2001, I had invested in the Motorola sat project -
Iridium -
and we all know how well that worked out...

It>s making money now, primarily from DoD contracts...

--Gene
[/quote]
Right!! Motorola and its partners invested $5 billion or so in Iridium,
after bankruptcy it was a fire sale and the new owner picked it up for $25
million, so they had no R&D invested and much lower debt financing costs, so
their cost of business is much lower than the original and they can actually
make profits and stay in business. I do not know if they are healthy enough
to replace satellites as they fail. I have rented Iridium phones for about
3 weeks total over the last couple of years and had reliable service.

Tom

Marty Ryba · Guest

"Tom H." <tom_reader@att.nospam*.net> wrote in message
news:q3Jek.231554$SV4.116737@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
[quote]Right!! Motorola and its partners invested $5 billion or so in Iridium,
after bankruptcy it was a fire sale and the new owner picked it up for $25
million, so they had no R&D invested and much lower debt financing costs,
so their cost of business is much lower than the original and they can
actually make profits and stay in business. I do not know if they are
healthy enough to replace satellites as they fail. I have rented Iridium
phones for about 3 weeks total over the last couple of years and had
reliable service.
[/quote]
I work for the space division of a defense electronics contractor, and
numerous primes are discussing how the constellation can be replenished as
the satellites near the end of their service lives (our company built and
integrated the bus electronics on the first ones; it was one of the first
"assembly line" operations on any space program). The problem is finding
financing (especially in this climate) for the capital needed; even with
some features stripped out it could run billions. The DoD is very worried,
but they can>t justify that quantity of coin on it. The Thuraya system is
active and viable in the currently "hot" areas of the world, but that could
change. It>s also significantly less secure than Iridium. The Mobile User
Objective System (MUOS) was supposed to take over this mission, but that>s
costing too much and coming on too slowly (thanks Navy). The TSAT program is
in limbo. I>m glad I work GPS programs.

-Marty R.

Keith · Guest

On Sun, 13 Jul 2008 15:42:44 -0500, "ps56k"
<pschuman_no_spam_me@interserv.com> wrote:

[quote]anyone know more about how these things work
with no external antenna...
Also - looking at the global coverage map - it>s interesting,
in that it is mostly the northern hemi - but not over the complete oceans ??

FYI - had read about this new device in a Backpacker magazine.
Here it is live -
http://adventurescience.ca/follow-the-team.html

here>s the device website
http://www.findmespot.com/explorespot/spotmessenger.aspx
[/quote]
A "hands-on" eview is available here
http://www.gpspassion.com/fr/articles.asp?id=244


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