Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Microcap & Penny Stocks : Globalstar Telecommunications Limited GSAT -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: pcstel who wrote (20979)	1/6/2001 7:40:09 PM
From: Pierre	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 29987

I asked them if they used CB Radios in case of an "emergency".. They started laughing.. and said.. Yeah!! We have "those" as a backup.. One of the "Desert Rats" said.. "Follow Me"!.. He proceeded into a Rec. Vehicle.. Inside I was amazed. This guy had a Laptop computer that was displaying "In Real Time".. A map of the desert around them, and 4 Vehicles out "On the Desert" whose exact positions were being updated on the screen.. They were using Amateur Radio Packet Radio... (BTW.. Us Amateur Radio Buffs have been using Packet Radio for well over a decade now!" I think you make the opposite point, pcstel. The system you described is pretty cool, but not much help if you're alone without a "mission RV" following you. And even if there is, what you really want if you're in trouble is the ability to get help now, not hope somebody notices your buggy hasn't moved in a couple of hours. Add to that the more mundane ability to simply call home, or office, or wherever you want to whenever you want to. These guys spending these megabucks for gizmos that may be useful (you really don't want to rely on cb in anything with serious terrain differential) will surely spring the few additional bucks it takes to get them the last word in safety and convenience. The more I'm out there (only recently have I taken up desert off road motor cycling) the more sense this phone makes. For the price of the phone and a $150 gps I can deliver all the information necessary to get me home safely. Additionally, I can do some things that your "mega buck" buddy can't do - I can talk to someone. Say I drop my bike, or it breaks, or it just runs out of gas (ask me how I know) - I call camp if no emergency, but I call life flight if needed, and get medical advice in real time right to the guy who needs it - me. I don't have to wonder if somebody noticed my blip stopped moving. I don't have to hope there's somebody within cb range - and then wait while they try to pass on the message. Now if I can just figure out how to rig an epirb to my helmet so it deploys should I land on my head and knock myself too senseless to phone, I'll have your mega buck buddy one upped - and at a fraction of the cost. (last sentence a <g> - sort of) The point I'm making, pcstel - is that what you saw out there is the reality of desert outings. Damn little communication available. Put a full blown phone system in a guys hand while he's out there and he's as in touch as if he were in Times Square - that's safety plus convenience - and a lot cheaper to have than what you saw in that rv. There's a reason these phones are selling well to the marine market (at least that's what I've been able to discern from my limited resources) and it's the same reason they'll sell to desert rats and week end warriors of every stripe. There is simply no other way to as cheaply, effectively and completely stay in touch. The sat phone covers every base, from safety to convenience. Go you desert camels, go! Pierre