SPOT for Johnny Long?

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  • Agent X
    Head of Speaker Ops
    • Oct 2001
    • 121
    #1

    SPOT for Johnny Long?

    Johnny Long & his family are out in the sticks of Uganda. A relatively stable country but still not the safest place in the world. There is a nifty piece of technology out there called SPOT it's a relatively low cost satellite locator/messenger with solid basic functions. A SPOT Complete Bundle -which included purchase of the SPOT hardware unit and 1 year of Basic Service and 1 year of Tracking Services is $319.97. Services is between $99-$149 a year after that. Would you support the purchase and support of this product for Johnny?
    8
    Yes, Johnny rocks and I care about his status.
    100.00%
    8
    No, Johnny is smart enough and can take care of himself.
    0%
    0

    The poll is expired.

    Last edited by Agent X; August 6, 2009, 07:10. Reason: The Question.
    AMFYOYO
    Tags: None
    • noid
      Fun Enforcement Agent
      • Oct 2001
      • 2394
      #2
      Re: SPOT for Johnny Long?

      The SPOT units seem to be hit or miss. If theres crazy terrain or low clouds, the unit is pretty worthless. If the conditions are nice, it works as advertised. I know of 2 Search and Rescue operations in the last year up here in WA where the reporting party contacted us by way of their SPOT unit, so when they work they work well (in fact, one of those missions the subject most likely would have died if they hadnt been able to get ahold of us).

      So, it all depends on what type of terrain he's moving through out there. I know Uganda has some the highest rainfall in the world, so I would imagine its very cloudy all the time and this may not do him much good..

      I return whatever i wish . Its called FREEDOWM OF RANDOMNESS IN A HECK . CLUSTERED DEFEATED CORn FORUM . Welcome to me

        Comment

        • Agent X
          Head of Speaker Ops
          • Oct 2001
          • 121
          #3
          Re: SPOT for Johnny Long?

          Your absolutlety right Noid. It's also on the edge of the SPOT coverage area. I talked to tech support and they said it should work, but that it will take up to 20 minutes to transfer. But I figure we are all 6000+ miles away. So the support we would provide would come less from the 911 button then from the help button. Also the check in I'm doing button would be most reassuring even if it takes a while to get out.
          AMFYOYO

            Comment

            • Rhetorical
              Member
              • Mar 2009
              • 2
              #4
              Re: SPOT for Johnny Long?

              I voted "Yes" because it's the truth - I like Johnny and care about his status and, from a spectator's perspective, it sounds like a very cool idea.

              However, I also find myself wondering if he might simply prefer a donation to HFC (especially while BigFix is matching dollar for dollar). But then, depending on its functions (I haven't made it to the SPOT site yet), I could also see something like that having some potential marketing uses for HFC as well, which could potentially exceed a mere donation by a large margin.

                Comment

                • theprez98
                  SpoonfeederExtraordinaire
                  • Jan 2005
                  • 1507
                  #5
                  Re: SPOT for Johnny Long?

                  Originally posted by noid
                  The SPOT units seem to be hit or miss. If theres crazy terrain or low clouds, the unit is pretty worthless. If the conditions are nice, it works as advertised. I know of 2 Search and Rescue operations in the last year up here in WA where the reporting party contacted us by way of their SPOT unit, so when they work they work well (in fact, one of those missions the subject most likely would have died if they hadnt been able to get ahold of us).

                  So, it all depends on what type of terrain he's moving through out there. I know Uganda has some the highest rainfall in the world, so I would imagine its very cloudy all the time and this may not do him much good..
                  Agree 100%, any obstructions can and do mess with the ability of the SPOT messenger to work.
                  "\x74\x68\x65\x70\x72\x65\x7a\x39\x38";

                    Comment

                    • Agent X
                      Head of Speaker Ops
                      • Oct 2001
                      • 121
                      #6
                      Re: SPOT for Johnny Long?

                      Originally posted by theprez98
                      Agree 100%, any obstructions can and do mess with the ability of the SPOT messenger to work.
                      Yeah but apparently the unit resends until it gets the message through, which is pretty cool. My best guess is that the message the unit sends is very short...
                      AMFYOYO

                        Comment

                        • xor
                          not
                          • Aug 2007
                          • 1347
                          #7
                          Re: SPOT for Johnny Long?

                          I think Johnny could better use one of these if the shite hits the fan over there.

                          http://www.lwrci.com/Products/M6A4/t...4/Default.aspx

                          xor

                          Personally I think they should be handed out with every visa issued to an American in Africa.

                          Just saw an episode of Locked Up Abroad last night dealing with Africa. British guy working with the United Nations performing weapons destruction. No way you would get me over there in a para-military role or any other for that matter, and not be allowed to carry. I've spoken to folks who were there clearing land mines of all things, and they ended up getting shot at.
                          Last edited by xor; August 7, 2009, 23:05.
                          Just because you can doesn't mean you should. This applies to making babies, hacking, and youtube videos.

                            Comment

                            • Quiet
                              Casino Goon
                              • Jul 2004
                              • 128
                              #8
                              Re: SPOT for Johnny Long?

                              Current US State Department travel advisory for Uganda.

                              The thing about taking firearms overseas, is you will need to get approval from the country you are traveling to and you need to get approval from US Customs & BATFE in order to bring it back to the USA.
                              It would be easier to pick up something local and dispose of it prior to coming back.
                              “If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun.” - Dalai Lama (Seattle Times, 05-15-2001).

                                Comment

                                • erehwon
                                  nowhere
                                  • Dec 2001
                                  • 425
                                  #9
                                  Re: SPOT for Johnny Long?

                                  While commendable for thinking about getting Johnny a SPOT, I'm not convinced it would work as advertised in that part of the world. For a few bucks more he could get a Thuraya new and even less used from a returning service member or contractor from one of the sandboxes.
                                  Nonnumquam cupido magnas partes Interretis vincendi me corripit

                                    Comment

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