Some comments on the performance of my SPOT during flights this year,
2009, before and after I relocated it from my parachute harness to a
flat position on the forward instrument panel cover. BOTTOM LINE...
place you SPOT in the glider in a horizontal position with an
unobstructed view from horizon to horizon.

I fly "WX" a Discus 2A. Last year and for the first six flights this
year my SPOT was located on my parachute shoulder harness and is
aligned about 45deg to horizontal. Starting with my 06/28/09 flight at
Parowan it was re-located to a horizontal position on the forward
instrument cover.

Here are some statistics on the number of drop-outs during tracking
mode (updates every 10minutes). The percent number is the number of
dropout per flight. The number of track is the total (i.e. includes
the tracks that were lost). Results showed a dramatic improvement:

Date No Tracks No Drop Outs Per Cent Drops

03/15/09 12 2 17%
05/05/09 36 16 44%
06/19/09 22 8 36%
06/22/09 15 3 20%
06/23/09 28 5 18%
06/24/09 19 7 36%

Total dropouts cumulative: 31%

After re-locating to flat orientation forward instrument panel cover

06/28/09 29 0 0%
06/30/09 30 0 0%
07/01/09 25 1 4%
07/03/09 31 1 4%
07/04/09 23 0 0%
07/14/09 37 3 8%

Total dropouts cumulative: 4%

Walt Rogers, WX