The SPOT for Civil Air Patrol Use

Unless you have had your head in the sand you have probably heard of the SPOT.  This little orange box incorporates traits of an ELT, APRS, and a black berry phones.  The SPOT takes your GPS position, and on command delivers your position via the globaltar sat phone network.  Those of you who have been around CAP for a while know that Globalstar’s phone’s suck, and CAP’s SDIS program has suffered as a result of this particular sat phone providers reliability.  Fortunately the SPOT does not run on the duplex signal that is needed for phones to work.  This system is one way communication, and works very reliably on the Simplex aspect of the satellite. 

The SPOT takes one of three signal reports from the field.  A SPOT beacon can, with the push of a button send an OK message.  This message is preconfigured, and sent via e-mail, or text message to a list of designated recipients.  Those people who get your OK message will receive your latitude and Longitude overlaid on a Google map for easy reference.  The Help button has very similar features as the OK button, only the formatted text asks the recipient to help you out of what ever Jam you just got yourself into.  The last messge feature is the panic button.  911 contacts the GEOS rescue center.  This center is staffed 24/7.  When a 911 call comes in they immediately alert your contacts, and the closest authorities to send rescue resources to your position. 

Along with the messaging features SPOT also provides a tracking option.  Activating the unit in a special way instructs it to send a position report every 10 minutes  This allows onlookers to log into a web site and follow your progress real time. 

This tool has some incredibly powerful uses for Search and rescue teams.  CAP has a habit of sending air crews, and ground teams into disaster areas.  In some cases these teams have no Cell contact, and their only means of communication is through a high bird relay.  I know that I have been on many ELT missions,, and I have lost contact with my aircraft.  In those cases you feel completely cut off.  If something were to happen no one would know.  To solve this problem a SPOT could be issued to teams.  Help, and OK messages could be passed in place of 30 minute VHF radio check ins.  The Spot could also be used as a blue force tracker to ensure that teams are working in designated Search areas. 

Overall this could be an excellent SAR tool.  At 150 per unit, and an extra service fee each year it might not be realistic for members to purchase these units, but CAP already buys Radios, and has a very large service contract with Globalstar.  You never know what arrangements could be made at the corporate level.