Hi,

That is a very cool device. I look forward to tracking cross-country
soaring flights using them.

Paul Remde

"5Z" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hm,
The active tracking option might be what turns this device into
something extremely useful in case of an emergency. Once in the habit
of enabling the realtime tracker for each flight, then if an accident
does occur, searchers will have a place to start looking.

Even if the connection to the satellites is marginal, I expect that
due to being airborne and the device being autonomous and sending just
a data packet instead of voice, it should be able to get through at
least a couple times per hour. If it gets through every 10 minutes,
then that's even better.

Each glider operation with internet access could set up the methods to
track all local pilots, and the dream of getting real time competition
tracking into the mainstream may have just turned into reality.

If I read the review article correctly, the unit will cost $150 with a
$150 per year subscription ($100 basic + $50 for real time). This is
starting to look like a near perfect passive tracking and emergency
"locating" solution. An ELT or PLB is still a must, but the realtime
tracking will at least provide a starting point for the search.

-Tom