Perhaps checking your SPOT's functionality with SPOT LLC is warranted?

Glad that guy is okay. Do we know how he was rescued?

Two way communications are super important. I never did buy a spot because I live in AK and they suck here, I picked up an inreach instead, and it has been great.

schu

Well I guess it is time to check it. I would have a hard time putting something on ebay I knew did not work

Get a real 406mhz PLB. They're about the same size these days.

Rescuers contacted via cell phone eventually, so the article says:

https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/article226474740.html

https://www.kiro7.com/news/north-sound-news/nas-whidbey-helicopter-crew-rescues-two-snowmobilers-in-separate-crashes/923142305

I can't believe the told him to sell it on ebay. That is possibly criminal knowing it does not work and may/would endanger someones life. I would be responding to the company with a letter and possible legal action and see where they go.

It sounds like the author is more ethical than that.

This is just in time as I was about to pick one up. Now I will go with the Delorm.

SPOTs customer service leaves something to be desired. I switched to an InReach for two way comm, and didnt realize the SPOT was on auto renew. Got the bill, called them and essentially they said “too bad”. Said they could cancel service but no refund.

I would never purchase one of their devices again.

And, Z, these devices do several tasks that a PLB doesn’t. But you’re right....if you need no shit EMERGENCY come get me, a PLB is a better deal.

MTV

This is a little scary to read about. I think I’ll give Delorme/Garmin a call and set up an SOS test on my inreach for peace of mind.

My InReach completely failed before a flight. It took (5) days to get an exchange (had to send my unit back to Garmin) And then reading the fn fine print it said the “new” unit, I received, was “refurbished”.

Carry a backup (or two) PLB EPIRP(s). ADSB is also pretty amazing too. All my chopper flights are tracked via my transponder.

Zzz wrote:Get a real 406mhz PLB. They're about the same size these days.

Those aren't 2-way either. How would you know it's working?

akschu wrote:

Zzz wrote:Get a real 406mhz PLB. They're about the same size these days.

Those aren't 2-way either. How would you know it's working?

Test newer PLB EPIRBs via a nullified signal to SARSAT per manufacturer instructions...

https://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/EPIRB_inspecting.pdf

Just got talking to SPOT tech support after a 31 minute hold. Got info on how to test SOS feature. To save you guys 31 minutes of your life here is the info. You have to call GEOS at 1-855-238-1908. Planning on doing this tomorrow.

Here is the link that describes out to test an inreach:

https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=H ... tab=topics

The test sends a message in both directions. Now, this doesn't test the SOS button, but assuming that the button itself works, and that the inreach uses the same path/code/systems to send normal (and test) messages, there is no real technical reason to believe it wouldn't work.

I suppose you could be super paranoid and do a functional test by hitting the SOS buttons and see if any helicopters show up, but I suspect that might come with a bill....

For me personally, I want two different systems to provide redundancy, and at least one system that I can use to communicate with non emergency people. In the airplane I have a 406 elt (with the GPS feeding it) and on me I have an inreach. If I'm in a crash, I'm hitting both, if I have a dead battery and can't get it propped, I'll use the inreach to text a friend....

8GCBC wrote:Test newer PLB EPIRBs via a nullified signal to SARSAT per manufacturer instructions...

https://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/EPIRB_inspecting.pdf

I don't see anything in that document that allows you to confirm that comsat actually got the test signal, only that they ignored it and there is an indication on the PLB. Am I missing something?

akschu wrote:

8GCBC wrote:Test newer PLB EPIRBs via a nullified signal to SARSAT per manufacturer instructions...

https://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/EPIRB_inspecting.pdf

I don't see anything in that document that allows you to confirm that comsat actually got the test signal, only that they ignored it and there is an indication on the PLB. Am I missing something?

Do you own one (a new style) EPIRP? Read the directions from the manufacturer.

8GCBC wrote:
Do you own one (a new style) EPIRP? Read the directions from the manufacturer.

No, I'm using my critical thinking. In order to truly test, you would need some out of band confirmation that comsat got the message, not just a light on the PLB. Looking at this manual:

Artex Resqlink
https://www.acrartex.com/download-produ ... ent?id=935

You find that the battery is not user serviceable, so testing is limited to battery life.

Anyway, On pages 12-14 are the test modes:

1. Internal hardware self test. (you get 60 of these per battery)
2. Internal hardware with GPS functional test. (You get 12 of these)
3. Full testing with conformation to your cell phone, but it's optional and comes from 406link.com

At that page you can see that they want $40 a year for the testing, and this:

We are currently making upgrades to the 406Link system. We are currently not accepting new subscriptions.

Awesome.

I'll stick to my inreach and have my 406 aircraft ELT as a backup.

akschu wrote:

8GCBC wrote:Test newer PLB EPIRBs via a nullified signal to SARSAT per manufacturer instructions...

https://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/EPIRB_inspecting.pdf

I don't see anything in that document that allows you to confirm that comsat actually got the test signal, only that they ignored it and there is an indication on the PLB. Am I missing something?

Here's a self test on the ACR ResQ Link. After reading the manual, the best I can tell is that it's just a test of the unit's ability to get a GPS fix. It does not have a handshake of any kind with satellites. How to tell if it's transmitting on 406mhz? I'm not sure unless you have a receiver that can pick up 406mhz. The old 121.5mhz were easy because they make the woop woop and you can hear it on your av band transceiver.

Ultimately though, the 406 mhz PLB is just a radio beacon that will work whether or not it's registered. The paid subscription is not necessary.

Interesting ACR closed 406 testing registration (reading above), it seemed OK here in Hawaii just a minute ago. $40.00 is a small amount to test a satellite beacon. But, they didn’t let you register? Maybe you have a suspicious IP address that is blocked. Maybe you need to purchase one first?

Anyway, my InReach is used with suspicion now, after it failed. A backup PLB EPIRB is still a good idea for the stuff I do.

Sounds like he had an older Gen 2, and that his buddy's Gen 3 wouldn't work either. Coincidence? Maybe, just maybe, he was in a draw or canyon in the mountains with poor satellite reception. How long did he try? Satellites move around, maybe in an hour he'd have a signal. So a button stopped working on an out-of-warranty 5 year old consumer electronic device, boo hoo. Society owes me.

I still use a SPOT, cheapest 2.5 minute tracking around, the rest is gravy. Up in the Yukon my borrowed motorcycle had a SPOT stuck to it, but the owner still gave me a sat phone to carry. Whatever lets you sleep at night.

Thanks for the testing information. Still too many crashes not getting found.

Karmutzen wrote:Sounds like he had an older Gen 2, and that his buddy's Gen 3 wouldn't work either. Coincidence? Maybe, just maybe, he was in a draw or canyon in the mountains with poor satellite reception. How long did he try? Satellites move around, maybe in an hour he'd have a signal. So a button stopped working on an out-of-warranty 5 year old consumer electronic device, boo hoo. Society owes me.

I still use a SPOT, cheapest 2.5 minute tracking around, the rest is gravy. Up in the Yukon my borrowed motorcycle had a SPOT stuck to it, but the owner still gave me a sat phone to carry. Whatever lets you sleep at night.

Thanks for the testing information. Still too many crashes not getting found.

So, as far as I can tell, SPOT uses a couple of geostationary satellites for their services. What that means is that the satellites don't move relative to Earth's surface, so if your signal is blocked by mountains or something else, you are out of luck.

I believe that inreach uses the Iridium network, which has a network of satellites that are in polar orbits, meaning that they move across the sky. Because of this, if your signal is blocked, it may work later due to satellite movement.

Here is a image from wikipedia showing the movement and ground coverage.


The ELT beacon satellite system is closer to the Iridium method.