On Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 1:10 PM, Bob Myers <qajaqbob_at_gmail.com> wrote: > > > However, for some reason the coverage maps fade out before Hawaii. > Not sure why that is for a satellite based device. > > http://www.findmespot.com/ExploreSPOT/Coverage.aspx > It looks as though they are using geostationary satellites; and only 5 of them with specific directivity on the antennas (or perhaps two receivers with directional antennas on only 3 satellites). At any rate, they don't cover the open ocean at all; or even the southern half of Africa or northern half of Greenland. I wonder if this situation is temporary pending a larger number of customers. Satellites aren't cheap. But the major disadvantage of using geostationary satellites instead of the polar-orbit satellites (which is what GPS and the older Transit use) is a lack of coverage in the high latitudes (far north and far south) which is exactly where expeditions like to go. So the farther north and south you go you will be able to get a position; you just won't be able to tell anyone about it. Craig Jungers Moses Lake, WA *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue Jul 22 2008 - 13:34:39 PDT
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