On 02/21/2010 10:39 AM, Dj Merrill wrote: [ snip ] > Not sure I understand - how will the APRS antenna be any different if > it is installed in the same aircraft as the ELT? How will APRS be any > better than a PLB, which is generally carried either on your person or > in your nearby flight bag while in flight (ie, somewhat protected inside > the cabin)? > Very good question and the answer is the usual glass half empty or half full.
An ELT/PLB is only activated and sends out a position report when you have an emergency; if it and or you survived long enough to send out the signal. An APRS is continuously sending out and logging position reports. No one has to be monitoring the APRS reports; so when you are over due your track can be called up and your smoking hole will, more than likely, be where your course line stops. This does assume that there is someone that is concerned enough about you to be worried when you do not show up on time. If there is no one in that category then I guess it doesn't really matter if you are found or not :-P Yes I am one of the gray haired Hams who had to take the code test to get their license (WB9KJW in 1971) and actually have somewhat more faith in the APRS system than the the ELT system. Steve Eberhart
