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Backcountry Fever

SPOT for Remote Tracking and Emergency Communication

Posted on December 26, 2011March 4, 2022 by Backcountry Fever

I just activated the coolest Christmas gift ever… a SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger! Now when I go into the backcountry, my wife doesn’t have to worry about me getting stranded or lost without the ability to call for help.  This will also come in handy when we go out exploring where I can see two benefits:

1. Friends and family can follow our tracks online as we take part in outdoor adventures and,

2. We can request help either through a pre-configured help message to a friend list or dispatch an official SOS to 911 emergency services in the event something serious happens.

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION

It wasn’t long ago that our only mechanism for such communication in remote mountain areas was done with an amateur radio (ham radio).  Cell phone coverage is generally spotty and not something you would count on.  Ham radio coverage is a little better.  It just depends on how quickly someone would hear your distress calls over the air.  With a SPOT messenger, you only need to press a button to dispatch whichever resources you decide are necessary for the situation at hand (friends or EMTs).

REMOTE TRACKING

As for seeing real-time tracks on a map, we were doing this with the Automatic Packet/Position Reporting System (APRS) from a GPS connected to a special ham radio.  I had a Kenwood TH-D7 handheld with a Terminal Node Controller (TNC) that allowed 1200/9600bps packet communications.  When connected to my Garmin eTrex GPS, this combination transmitted coordinates over digipeters that got picked up by APRS through IGates.  I’ve done many-a-trip using this gear and related infrastructure, for both adventure-related activities and other.  It’s been a fun setup to play with but the SPOT sure has made this a lot easier!

SPOT vs. APRS

Here’s my short list of pros and cons for each.  The advantage with APRS is that the tracking “service” is free – data is just passed across the open airwaves.  The downside is that it’s a little complicated with multiple components (ham radio, GPS, specialized cable), battery management of two devices, still subject to signal strength and coverage issues with local digipeters, as well as amateur radio operation requiring a license.  The advantage with a SPOT is excellent coverage via satellite, immediate access to help at the push of a button, not to mention a compact, simple, single device that does not require a license nor any technical knowledge whatsoever.  However, the downside is the annual subscription for real-time tracking, no two-way communication capability and an opportunity for abuse (don’t send out an SOS to deliver an ice pack for your twisted ankle because you’re 20 miles from the trailhead!).

I can wait to get out and start using my cool new SPOT satellite messenger!

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Had to stop and see Amicalola Falls before leaving Georgia. I confirmed a total of 600 steps up the 1/2 mile climb from bottom to top of this 550` waterfall. It was worth the side trip.

#amicalolafalls #amicalolastatepark #amicalola #stateparks #georgia #waterfall #waterfalls #lotsofstairs #lovestairs #legworkout #legwork #notstrenuous #notdifficult #nottoohard #sidetrip #worthit #exploregeorgia #visitgeorgia

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Had to stop and see Amicalola Falls before leaving Georgia. I confirmed a total of 600 steps up the 1/2 mile climb from bottom to top of this 550' waterfall. It was worth the side trip.

#amicalolafalls #amicalolastatepark #amicalola #stateparks #georgia #waterfall #waterfalls #lotsofstairs #lovestairs #legworkout #legwork #notstrenuous #notdifficult #nottoohard #sidetrip #worthit #exploregeorgia #visitgeorgia

The last stop on my End of Summer East Coast Highpointing Tour: Brasstown Bald for #28 of 50

The Arkaquah Trail from Track Rock Gap is like an Appalacian-style hike in the jungle... a bunch of ups and downs through dense foliage and viney rhododendron shrubs. Turned out to be another 12-mile day RT with about 3,400 of gain. Not bad for the highest point in Georgia.

#arkaquahtrail #trackrockgap #brasstownbald #brasstownwilderness #georgia #statehighpoint #highestpoint #tallestpeakingeorgia #tallestpeak #lookouttower #lookout #tower #summit #summitchaser #highpointing #highpointers #peakbagging #peakbagger #appalacianstyle #hiker #hikerlife #hikega #notreallygoatworthy #cherokeecountry #cherokee #jungleforest #wildrhododendrons

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The last stop on my End of Summer East Coast Highpointing Tour: Brasstown Bald for #28 of 50

The Arkaquah Trail from Track Rock Gap is like an Appalacian-style hike in the jungle... a bunch of ups and downs through dense foliage and viney rhododendron shrubs. Turned out to be another 12-mile day RT with about 3,400 of gain. Not bad for the highest point in Georgia. 

#arkaquahtrail #trackrockgap #brasstownbald #brasstownwilderness #georgia #statehighpoint #highestpoint #tallestpeakingeorgia #tallestpeak #lookouttower #lookout #tower #summit #summitchaser #highpointing #highpointers #peakbagging #peakbagger #appalacianstyle #hiker #hikerlife #hikega #notreallygoatworthy #cherokeecountry #cherokee #jungleforest #wildrhododendrons

The trails through the forests of the East are so green! The only downside is that they all kinda look the same.

#greenforest #lushcanopy #pisgahnationalforest #appalachianmountains #humidclimate

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The trails through the forests of the East are so green! The only downside is that they all kinda look the same.

#greenforest #lushcanopy #pisgahnationalforest #appalachianmountains #humidclimate

White markings on the trees (called blazes) marked the Foothills Trail to Sassafras Mountain in South Carolina. Blue blazes marked the Mt. Mitchell Trail to that summit in North Carolina. I wonder if that`s where the term "blazing the trail" comes from 🤔

#whiteblazes #foothillstrail #blueblazes #mtmitchelltrail #blazingthetrail #blazingthetrails #blazethetrail #hikethecarolinas #hikecarolina #hikenc #hikesc #appalachianmountains

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White markings on the trees (called blazes) marked the Foothills Trail to Sassafras Mountain in South Carolina. Blue blazes marked the Mt. Mitchell Trail to that summit in North Carolina. I wonder if that's where the term "blazing the trail" comes from 🤔

#whiteblazes #foothillstrail #blueblazes #mtmitchelltrail #blazingthetrail #blazingthetrails #blazethetrail  #hikethecarolinas #hikecarolina #hikenc #hikesc #appalachianmountains

South Carolina`s highpoint is down in the books now at #27. Took the Foothills Trail for a nice and easy walk in the woods for 9 miles RT.

#sassafras #sassafrasmountain #foothillstrail #statehighpoint #highpoint #highestpoint #tallestpeak #southcarolina #stateline #hikesouthcarolina #hikesc #easyhike #notgoatworthy #peakbagging #peakbagger

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South Carolina's highpoint is down in the books now at #27.  Took the Foothills Trail for a nice and easy walk in the woods for 9 miles RT.

#sassafras #sassafrasmountain #foothillstrail #statehighpoint #highpoint #highestpoint #tallestpeak #southcarolina #stateline #hikesouthcarolina #hikesc #easyhike #notgoatworthy #peakbagging #peakbagger

If you`re ever in Asheville to do the Carolina highpoints, ya gotta stop in at "Hole" for some of the best donuts I`ve ever had. These are as fresh as it gets with them made-to-order... my favorite was Toasted Almond Sesame!

#hole #doughnuts #donuts #holedoughnuts #holedonuts #holedonutsasheville #madetoorder #friedtoorder #asfreshasitgets #frieddonuts #asheville #northcarolina #bestdonutsever #toastedalmond #sesame #sogood #yummy #partyinmymouth #wheninasheville

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If you're ever in Asheville to do the Carolina highpoints, ya gotta stop in at "Hole" for some of the best donuts I've ever had. These are as fresh as it gets with them made-to-order... my favorite was Toasted Almond Sesame!

#hole #doughnuts #donuts #holedoughnuts #holedonuts #holedonutsasheville #madetoorder #friedtoorder #asfreshasitgets #frieddonuts #asheville #northcarolina #bestdonutsever #toastedalmond #sesame #sogood #yummy #partyinmymouth #wheninasheville
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