Found it

[lemasquegris]

I heard Richard Branson has one of these. I'd like one. Add that to the MacBookPro on my wishlist, and I'll be happy.
The idea of being able to be found by S.A.R. is worth it to me. :)

Comments

[m4dh4tt3r.livejournal.com]

heh. you could always just carry an ELT (Emergency Locator Transmitter) in your pack. it'd probably be a lot cheaper. :-P

it's part of our annual SAR training to practice locating an ELT. it's actually quite a lot of fun.

[lemasquegris]

it's part of our annual SAR training to practice locating an ELT. it's actually quite a lot of fun.

Some people must laugh at Geocachers who think they're so cool. You don't have exact coordinates to work with, you need to use a radar, or something that can listen and track a signal, right?

Yeah, it would be a lot cheaper, but they seem so big I'd have to wear one around my neck, like I was Flavor Flav or something.

[m4dh4tt3r.livejournal.com]

yes, we use a radio locator. an ELT transmits on radio frequencies. there are ways to triangulate the signal. it's very similar to using radio beacons (VORTAC in piloting terms) to plot your position and/or navigate aircraft.

one of the first things they teach you in SAR is that GPS can be a useful tool, but you really shouldn't rely on it. for that matter, the same is taught pilots, as well. GPS is for sissies. :-P

a personal ELT (called a PLB - Personal Locator Beacon) isn't much bigger than a cell phone.