[outstripp]

this might be interesting with MacENC:
http://www.amazon.com/Spot-Satellite-Per...339&sr=8-1

[adjuvantjfoster]

To better understand what you see in the link posted, look at the comment quoted below:

5.0 out of 5 stars SPOT ON!!!!, December 12, 2007
By DanielB (Chattanooga) - See all my reviews
Please ignore the comments about Globalstar service below, he has no clue about this product. Globalstar is having problems with its duplex service S-band amplifiers which only affects two-way traffic. I should know I have a Globalstar satellite phone. SPOT uses the L-Band uplink (simplex modem) which is used to track trucks etc. this network is running at full efficiency. I have this product and it works better than my expectations. About this product: it is not a personal locator beacon and if you wish to use this solely for emergencies, I would recommend another product. A true personal locator beacon because it works in all conditions and all-terrain (I also own one by ACR). SPOT needs to have an uninterrupted view to the satellite. In other words in heavy canopy this product does not work very well but in broken canopy or in the open this product works great (samething is true with my handheld GPS). I use this product to communicate with family and friends on my progress when backpacking, biking, or just out and about. I do use this product in heavy canopy areas and send a signal when I cross a road or powerline crossing. I still carry my personal locator beacon for real emergencies but this product helps in non-emergency situations. For more operational details you can download the manual at www.findmespot.com

My cell phone doesn't work when I'm away from cell towers or underwater while scuba diving nor in caves. Similarly SPOT will not work if it cannot contact the satellite. As with all communication devices, they all have limits and parameters that they operate in. You should know this before buying any product like this.

More about SPOT is shown on the Panbo blog:

http://www.panbo.com/archives/2007/12/mo..._suit.html

After reading the Panbo blog and the follow on comments on Panbo, what is it you yourself imagine as your use of SPOT?

[outstripp]

I see your point. At first i thought i would send position updates to the folks on the homefront, but since the positions display in Google Earth, they really don't need MacENC.