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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,343 Likes: 2
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,343 Likes: 2 |
I have come to the conclusion that if I need reliable in reach to in reach communication, I need somebody back home with a cell phone that can relay the info. Text the person with the cell phone and then let them text the other person with the inreach. We've done the same. I am usually the problem as I don't turn my inreach or phone on for long periods. I think I'd be in the same boat if i had a sat phone, so never pursued that.
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,629 Likes: 21
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,629 Likes: 21 |
I'm on my third ACR PLB. Great summary PaulBarnard.
Here's a distillation. A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or EPIRB transmits as a "406 distress beacon" which is monitored by the SARSAT network. In the US it's NOAA and the response team is the USCG. Long way of saying there's a lot of resources watching out for PLB signals and as shared here, the coast guard WILL respond. Please register your device with NOAA. It allows them to check on false alarms with the alternative number you provide in the registration.
Downside: They're one way communication only. You activate and a call to the cavalry is sent. No "honey i'm ok" message capability.
Advantages: Even with the robustness of the network, 406's don't carry an annual fee. Internal battery is long lasting (no more "dangit I forgot to put batteries in this thing"). But as mentioned above replacement batteries are expensive and not worth replacing. Plus...the units keep getting smaller and lighter. My first ACR was the size of an overstuffed 6" Sub Sandwich and weighed about a pound. My latest is the size of a small dinner roll and lives permanently in my pack.
SPOT doesn't work for me because of it's coverage. It uses the Globalstar Satellite phone network which at the time of it's launch was in decay. I'm reading that they're now investing in new satellites so the network has a better future. Two-way communications that SPOTX brings would be nice, but the bullet proof, single purpose distress signals of an ACR is a worthwhile tradeoff for me.
Last edited by ChrisF; 02/17/25.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 59,211 Likes: 154
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 59,211 Likes: 154 |
not a PLB so much imho but a Garmin in reach has been all we have had for years. Only caveat is some days I can text from AK to TX and have an instant reply from my wife. At the same time I can text my boss 7 miles or less away and get no reply for hours or until the next day. Kind of like old SPOT.
Keep meaning to call them and ask why. Is it inreach to inreach? Those are weird and sometimes they don’t show up Inreach to cell is quick. yes, in reach to in reach. Even sitting next to each other is weird. Still have to call them I guess. Just to see if I can adjust a setting or something. If not it is what it is. Its created some issues that would have been a LOT easier had we been able to communicate quicker. Like bring game bags or a packer or other things, especially when the cub flew all the way out etc... Regardless its nice to have the ability even if not as timely as we would like. Ends up the work around is text the wife, she texts the boss and back and forth...
We can keep Larry Root and all his idiotic blabber and user names on here, but we can't get Ralph back..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over....
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 59,211 Likes: 154
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 59,211 Likes: 154 |
I have come to the conclusion that if I need reliable in reach to in reach communication, I need somebody back home with a cell phone that can relay the info. Text the person with the cell phone and then let them text the other person with the inreach. Duh, sorry, missed this reply. Thats what we started to do 2 years ago.
We can keep Larry Root and all his idiotic blabber and user names on here, but we can't get Ralph back..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over....
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 17,504 Likes: 6
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 17,504 Likes: 6 |
I thought it was a bit disconcerting that the Bering Air plane which crashed on the ice recently was not readily located by the ELT or similar transmitter that all commercial aircraft are supposed to have on board. Makes one realize that none of this technology is magic.
Sometimes, the air you 'let in'matters less than the air you 'let out'.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 59,211 Likes: 154
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 59,211 Likes: 154 |
I thought it was a bit disconcerting that the Bering Air plane which crashed on the ice recently was not readily located by the ELT or similar transmitter that all commercial aircraft are supposed to have on board. Makes one realize that none of this technology is magic. Its not magic for sure. But I'd rather try than not.
We can keep Larry Root and all his idiotic blabber and user names on here, but we can't get Ralph back..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over....
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