Re: SPOT Versus ELT Analysis (Long)

"Does NOAA carry more weight to get non-US emergency teams to answer the 
phone and come to your
rescue?"

I doubt it.  Search and Rescue is activated by the sheriff in most states 
and they will respond as soon as practicable under the cir***stances.  The

key is the re****t and certainty of what has happened.  The 121.5 MHz ELTs 
can take a fairly long time to locate, and the satellite positions may not

be accurate.  We have been sent out on searches from re****ts from the 
satellites and learned they were off by 20 miles or more.  We have had to 
get close enough with ground vehicles to pick up the signal.  Change to
the 
higher frequency will substantially improve the original re****t.  CAP may
be 
activated sooner by a government organization, though, since it is 
quasi-governmental.  SAR groups like accurate information and it does not 
matter where it comes from.

As to activation times, it all depends.  Depending upon the information
and 
when it is received, CAP and SAR might not begin the search undil the 
following morning - especially if the re****t is filed late in the
afternoon. 
It takes time to plan the search.  Often, there is a "hasty" search where
a 
quick serach is made using such techniques as going to hilltops and trying

to receive the signal with gain antennas and driving around in automobiles

in possible areas with direction finding equipment.

I have been to many crashes where the ELT was destroyed, so it was not 
useful.  That would be a big advantage for SPOT, since you would be
leaving 
bread crumbs - not only of your trail but also your direction and speed. 
That history would be invaluable.  It is really difficult to look for a 
downed aircraft when you are not sure what state they are in..

Colin Lamb