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Old May 1st 08, 08:11 PM posted to sci.geo.satellite-nav,rec.aviation.soaring,alt.satellite.gps
5Z
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Posts: 405
Default SPOT should be ashamed

On Apr 30, 7:56 pm, "D.Rizzato" wrote:
I phoned England where the provider of the 911 is located
asking to test my SPOT,s 911 I was told that there are not willing and able
to
have the system tested ! So if I can not test the 911
like a ELT what is the use, all it provides me with is a false security.


Except for a few bits in the message itself, there is no difference
between 911, HELP, or OK. You can test it to your heart's content by
sending either of the latter messages to yourself or friends.

I don't know about the UK, but in the US, dialing 911 from my house
just to see if it works is not permitted. So I have to trust that if
I get a dial tone, I'll be able to reach 911.

It's possible that the connection between the SPOT message handling
center and their 911 center is down, but I assume the message handling
system will keep trying until a human acknowledges the request. It's
also possible the 911 button on your unit is broken, but then the LED
won't flash, and you'll know it. If the LED flashes, and if a recent
OK message went out, you can be fairly confident that the 911 will go
out as well.

As for customer support, I've had excellent response with general and
technical questions. Every business, no matter how good, will
occasionally **** someone off and with the internet, we find out about
it much more often that in the past.

Bottom line, this device is damned inexpensive for what it provides.

-Tom