Time to Beat my Drum Again

John,

Noticed a couple of weeks ago that my GME410G battery has reached its expiry date.
At a cost of $199 plus shipping to replace the battery, compared with $299 for a new MT410G, it is a no brainer which choice to make.

Pretty cheap insurance I reckon.

Afternoon Bill

Yes mate that's exactly what I will be doing in a couple of years - good reason to buy Australian made in this case. Mind you the price has come down considerably since I bought my 410G.

Cheers

Hi Bill and John

I am in the very same situation as both of you. I like John renewed my 410G around a month ago, but have not received the new sticker as yet. Like Bill, my 410G is due to be replaced in the new few months and like Bill has found out, it is just as cheap to buy a complete new unit.

The up side is that nearly 7 years ago, I paid close to $600 for it then and now they are half the price.

Unlike the spot that is dear to use on a yearly subscription, our PLB's cost nothing to renew.


Cheers

Stephen

Hi Ron,

The chap that is missing is not a local station man from the area, but a tourist from Whyalla, and this morning Police held grave fears for his safety and finding him alive. Even though the days are still mild up in the area, the nights are now getting quite cold and without proper food, water and clothing, every hour that passes without finding him alive makes it a more serious issue.

Lets all hope they do find him very soon.


Cheers



Stephen

Hi Ron,

I should have also posted this link.

Missing Man


Cheers


Stephen

Thanks Stephen, the article does say he has been to the area before and is experienced in the bush.

However, as we've seen in recent times, a lot of these so-called "experienced in the bush" people, aren't as experienced as the relatives try to make out, and they do some silly things.

As you rightly point out, leaving your vehicle is the biggest no-no.

With a vehicle you've got shade in Summer and warmth in Winter (by sleeping in it) - you have fuel to make a fire - and a vehicle is easily seen by aerial searchers, whereas a human on foot is very hard to find, unless the searchers are equipped with heat-seeking thermal imaging equipment.

Cheers, Ron.

Yep, very important part of my kit, plus HF. The spot device is great for allowing others to track you in real time plus send text and/or SMS messages in a pre-configured format. If I was to take a decision to walk out, which I would be reluctant to do, I am trackable to about 5 meters. Just need to have back up batteries and some sustenance.

Hi Notso and Leigh

The Spot units are a great unit, but their down side it they are dear to use and a yearly basis and great fees and how advanced you want to go, compared to no running costs at all on a PLB

It would be interesting to see how your brother in law was able to keep the Spot charged up all the time, as like Leigh has said he would have needed a good supply of back up batteries, again something that you do not have to worry about with a PLB.


Cheers and Keep Safe.


Stephen

Not too sure how he managed to keep up with the batteries, but we were able to track him all the way.

Even used Flight Simulator in Google Earth to fly the route. Only crashed and killed me and my wife 14 times.

I have a 1st generation Spot. In tracking mode during the day and with two OK messages each day and left on continuously (just idling at night) the recommended lithium AA cells last about 4 to 5 weeks.

I am not sure of the battery life of a "Spot" but the "Spot Gen 3" does have a low battery warning light. Recently purchased one & it has so far tracked us in excess of 80 Hours.
In this case, had he had one, he could be tracked until the battery failed. If he had activated the "SOS" signal when the warning light began flashing & stayed put he should stand a good chance of being located quickly.
I am not saying they are better than a LB but surely better than nothing.
Lets hope he is found alive & well in the near future

Hi all. There seems to be some healthy discussion re the merits of PLBs and the Spot devices. I know I have raised the issue with my parents whom are both in their 70s and still go remote camping for months at a time. One of factors which is tending for us to lean towards the SPOT device in favour is that there are many possible scenarios where they would like to send a message for help= but not actually life threatening. Eg car break down in remote location. They have food and water for weeks however may need assistance to get moving again. ?are we correct in thinking the SPOT would be more useful in this scenario.doc.

I'd agree, best not to set off an ELB unless it's an emergency.

Hi Oz Doc

Could I please ask a couple of questions regarding the Spot, as to be honest, I know about them but not their cost and features.

How much is the minimum contract yearly subscription please, as when I looked, the minimum was around $300 and went up in price depending on extra services.

Are the units waterproof and used safely out in all elements, including rain, or being dropped into water?

In the event of an emergency, how long is it before the Australian Authorities are informed from the overseas people that manage the system?

If your parents are in remotes areas for extended times, I would highly recommend to also use and carry a Satellite phone for a number of reasons. If the scenario you mentioned above and your parents were going to be trapped for weeks without help, you are justified in setting off the PLB, as if you are in an area and help has not arrived, it would then be classed as a potential life threatening situation, and again a Sat phone if used, you could speak first hand with family of those coming to help.

Another good scenario of PLB v Spot is in my own personal situations. Often when in the bush or even kayaking, I always carry my very small emergency backpack that contains my Satellite phone, PLB, hand help UHF, 1.5 litres of water, signal mirror to name just a few items that I hope I will never have to use.

Those that carry a spot and head off on foot, do they take it out of their vehicle and carry it with them? Also one instance that can and has happen and will be life or death....a snake bite.

A young lad had left Melbourne last year and was heading to Darwin. Worried family had not heard of him and contacted Police. It was not until a few months later that the tragic events were told.

The poor lad went off of the Stuart Highway north of Glendambo and bogged his vehicle. While collecting wood to put under the tyres to try and gain traction, he was bitten by a Mulga snake and not being able to drive out or get help, he died a lonely and tragic death.

If he carried a PLB and set it off, authorities in Canberra would have know his exact location within metres in under 20 minutes and help would have been in action straight away after one of three phone calls. Help may have saved his life, as it would have taken him hours to die in an unconscious state, but like I said, help may have saved his life. Yes you can say that if he had a Spot, he could have set it off, but from what I have been told, it would have been hours before Authorities were informed in Australia and any help actioned.


Cheers and thanks for a good debate.



Stephen

Stephen,
I have a Spot. I am also aware of the protocols that exist between the Spot SOS service and AusSAR.

If a Spot SOS (the 911) button is actvated the signal is received in Canada. There is a formal agreement between the Canadian authorities and AusSAR whereby the SOS, if located in AusSAR's area of responsibility, will be transferred immediately to AusSAR.

I have a mate who worked in AusSAR. He was familiar with the Spot agreement and advised that the delay in Australian response would be in the order of 20 minutes.

Cheers

Stephen, we have some mates (unnamed) currently out in the desert who have a spot device. If you click on the link they gave you you can see exactly where they are. I have followed their progress over the course of today and their location has been updated every 10 minutes off the satellite to my iPad. I reckon you'll convert sooner or later. I loan my unit to a remote bush walker so his family knows exactly where he is and how he is progressing in Tas and NZ etc. If he suddenly dropped dead at least they know exactly where to find him rather than waste the time of rescuers trying to piece it together. Both have their strong points I suppose.

Hi stephen, my folks looked into sat phones but when we did the math it seemed cheaper for the spot. They have had an epirb but its out of date now. So they were looking to replace it. Thats when i suggested they look into the spot. They have friends with sat phones but arnt keen on the cost and ease of use.doc

Hi Stephen,
My 1st Gen Spot costs me $164.99 a year and has done for 6 years.
This plan covers Ok, Help and SOS functions plus tracking.
Tracking can be linked to multiple sites (EOtrackme etc).

Cheers
Alan

Hi Stephen & Alan,
The "Spot Gen 3" manual states it is rated IPX7 waterproof: Up to a depth of 1m for up to 30 minutes.
The thing that concerns me is its operating temperature -30 to 60 C. Will have to be cautious about leaving it unshaded on the dash of the vehicle.
As Alan stated above the cost is US $164.99. A$225.66 P.a. That's less than 62 cents per day. The tracking is every 10 minutes. For more info check findmespot.com
Alan,
What has been your experience regarding battery life? Do you take precautions regarding high temperatures ?

Cheers,

Hi Allan

Battery life is about 6 weeks.
I used to change the batteries before each trip however now just carry spares. There is a battery warning indication (and unit still operates in that mode).

The heat has never worried it. It usually just sits on the dash on the ute or is cable tied on the front rack of my quad bike.

Cheers
Alan

Hi Alan, Frank, Leigh and last but not least, Allan

Thanks for that very interesting information on the Spot, greatly appreciated. Now it looks like another piece of kit to get and to have some fun with. It sounds like most of you are on the basic contract and get great good value for money.

Checking the internet, you can get the new Spot 3 for under $200 and now with the cost of the pre paid sat phone deals being cut back, it would make more sense to head into a spot.

Thanks to you all for your great replies.



Cheers


Stephen

Hi Bill

I did not state that his vehicle had broken down at all, these facts at this stage are not known.

What I said was in a general situation that if any person is in a situation where your vehicle does break down, never leave it, as it is easy for a vehicle to be spotted from the air, and almost impossible for a lone person to be spotted from the air.

It sounds like he may have sent on foot hiking and has run into serious trouble.


Cheers



Stephen

Hi Lazylux

Yes things are now very strict out in the mining camps and safety is taken very seriously.

When one of my sons was working up in Moomba, a strict protocol must be followed and details of where all vehicles are heading is logged. They are to keep in regular contact back to Moomba and if they do not hear from you within two hours, emergency teams are sent out to retrace your steps and look for you.

One day when they were out, their radio died and they were a long way out of Moomba, but the car was still working fine. Not wanting to get into any trouble, they started their long drive back to Moomba, and by the time they got back to the security gate, a helicopter team had already been sent out to look for them, so yes they do take being lost very seriously.


Cheers



Stephen

Hi Lazylux

My son is a licensed surveyor and was involved in a number of projects, including the geo thermal plant, gas lines at Jackson and Belera, to name a few places were were worked up there.


Cheers


Stephen

Cheers Les

You can never have enough safety items and until more people can be converted, we will sadly see these incidents happing .



Cheers



Stephen

Nice stuff .I worked Siesmic and back in 80s we were ready to shut down in late November but Oil company lease was running out so we drove over to Jackson for a hurried exploration for couple weeks .The flies and heat incredible. And bulldust unbelievable.Our crew discovered one of the biggest oil reserves in Australia.The Adelaide News back then put article about Jackson and a photo of a tent that we lived in and said we worked in harsh conditions .Still got clipping of that.We were on $4.50 hr.

Hi Lazylux

I bet $4.50 an hour back then would have been a kings ransom, as these days you shift the decimal point to the right and add on around and extra $5 and that is their hourly wage, some even getting a lot more times that by 12 hours and $600 plus dollars is an unreal daily wage.......lucky buggers then times that by seven and you can see they have a very comfortable weekly wage.

All the Best.


Cheers



Stephen

Stephen L yeh we worked long hrs 7 days a week.Bought my 1st house cost 65k should have bought more but who knew the cost of living would go so high...cheers