kkeenan 13 #1 November 27, 2007 There have been some discussions about landing out and carrying a cell phone for help. Something I have thought about is a grid map of the DZ area. If a large aerial photo of the DZ area is lined off in a grid with numbered squares, it would be a great aid to communication. If folks carried a small card with the same grid photo on it, they would be able to tell the DZ, or EMS how to get to them or to a landing accident, etc. That is assuming that the local EMS folks have the same map. We recently had an incident in Lake Wales where something like that would have been incredibly useful. When you're in the middle of nowhere with unmarked roads and paths, it's very hard to communicate your location, even if you are talking to someone. Kevin K._____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy_Copland 0 #2 November 27, 2007 I like it.1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skytash 0 #3 November 27, 2007 me too - let's think of a prize to award the first DZ to have one! tash Don't ever save anything for a special occasion. Being alive is a special occasion. Avril Sloe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougH 270 #4 November 27, 2007 I think a few newer cellphones have built in GPS and can provide 911 dispatchers with your location."The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy_Copland 0 #5 November 27, 2007 The thing i like about it is its not complicated as long as one has common sense. The DZ to use one gets to give me free jumps to see if i can use my common sense 1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,053 #6 November 27, 2007 Billvon Question: Is it possible to use the frequency of the radio in an aircraft to locate the frequency of a cell phone as a homing beacon?Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeForsythe 0 #7 November 27, 2007 QuoteBillvon Question: Is it possible to use the frequency of the radio in an aircraft to locate the frequency of a cell phone as a homing beacon?NoTime and pressure will always show you who a person really is! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,400 #8 November 27, 2007 >Is it possible to use the frequency of the radio in an aircraft to locate >the frequency of a cell phone as a homing beacon? ADF frequencies in an aircraft works from ~200-1700KHz. Cellphones operate either in cellular (800mhz) or PCS (1900mhz) bands. So short answer - no. On the other hand, if you wanted to carry a portable NDB and turn it on once you landed, the airplane might have a shot at finding you! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,053 #9 November 27, 2007 Thanks to you and Mike. During night jumps we have search sectors and have everyone turn their cell phone ringers on high in case we have to look for someone and they aren't able to dial. Just thought I'd ask since there seems to be a good idea going on here. Very good thread.Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #10 November 28, 2007 the effectiveness would vary based on the geography of the DZ. It's probably more trouble than gain for the DZs I know. Most are wide open and free of cover. Hollister would be a good candidate as there are several typical out targets north of the LZ and because of the housing in between you're a ways off. The places without good landmarks - it will be nearly as difficult for the off lander to know where he is, esp if the reason it is an off injury landing is a reserve deploy. The whistle and "East of the LZ" may be more effective. And of course for those people who are hopeless with maps, could they send the EMS off course with bad information? (but is bad info worse than no info?) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
psipike02 0 #11 November 28, 2007 QuoteI think a few newer cellphones have built in GPS and can provide 911 dispatchers with your location. Yeah my cell phone does that, just found that out after i called in an accident for my friend. it goes into "Network GPS mode" and makes this cool little sound and shows a map of where they are relative to my location...never knew my phone did that...haPuttin' some stank on it. ----Hellfish #707---- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
upndownshop 0 #12 November 28, 2007 Good for the Pilots to have a copy too... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peckerhead 0 #13 November 28, 2007 Transponders? Moutaineers have been using them for some time. as a professional ski patroller I was required to wear one at all times in case I ever became lost or buried in an avalanche. Have we really got to the point that skydivers need beacons? Not directed to the OP just a general question. Cell phones are only helpful if you can use them and know where you are. ELTs for all? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martin-o 0 #14 November 28, 2007 I'm not sure if this is a local thing but where I jump, at least the local, ambulances use maps with numbered sectors. We have a few copies of these to use in emergencies. It was I who bought them cause I thought it was a really good idea, but 5 years later I'm still not aware of a single occasion when they have actually been used ... /Martin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,400 #15 November 28, 2007 >Cell phones are only helpful if you can use them and know where you are. Well, as someone else pointed out: 1) most cellphones nowadays have aGPS or some other locating service - it's an e911 requirement in many places. Call 911 and your location appears on their monitor. 2) if you are looking for someone who's incapacitated, you can call their phone and listen for the ring. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixlpr 0 #16 November 28, 2007 So what is the big deal? If its not a cross-country jump we don't leave lets say 5 km radius of the airport, so our ground person can see if someone is landing out. How often do you land out? Jumping with an emergency bacon sounds like jumping with a floatation device in the desert. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peckerhead 0 #17 November 28, 2007 2) if you are looking for someone who's incapacitated, you can call their phone and listen for the ring. Unless the battery is dead. Sorry Billy Vee, you will never get me to advocate gizmos or gadgets. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougH 270 #18 November 29, 2007 I think we are beyond the point where a cellphone is just a gadget or a gizmo. Does you vcr flash 12:00 all the time? "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zing 2 #19 November 29, 2007 Mine might be, but I covered the clock with black electrical tape years ago.Zing Lurks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buffdiver 0 #20 November 29, 2007 What about wingsuits? Not trying bring on any more regulations but last time we did a night flock, my DZ required us to have cell phones. I think this was a great idea. If in the right location it could be easier to loose your berrying when flying a suit that has a possible 2-4 mile radius. Its nice to have a contact no matter what particular jump you are doing or what time of day it is taking place at. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
itllclear 1 #21 November 30, 2007 QuoteOn the other hand, if you wanted to carry a portable NDB and turn it on once you landed, the airplane might have a shot at finding you! Unless like most of the planes in which I've recently been, it doesn't have an ADF!"Harry, why did you land all the way out there? Nobody else landed out there." "Your statement answered your question." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,400 #22 November 30, 2007 >Unless like most of the planes in which I've recently been, it doesn't have an ADF! Clearly the planes you are renting are far too snooty for DZ usage. A good DZ aircraft has (at most) one working VHF radio, an ADF, a yellowed plastic instrument panel bezel with INOP stickers all over it, and a $99 GPS attached to the yoke that someone bought on Ebay. (joke, that was a joke people) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zing 2 #23 November 30, 2007 I always wondered what all that broken stuff behind the inop stickers was supposed to be fore back when the old airplanes I flew were brandy new and everything worked.Zing Lurks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
itllclear 1 #24 November 30, 2007 QuoteA good DZ aircraft has (at most) one working VHF radio, an ADF, a yellowed plastic instrument panel bezel with INOP stickers all over it, Usually the stuff behind the INOP sticker includes the ADF. A good operation will just remove all that stuff to save weight. I remember flying some jumpers for a demo in a 206. After I let them out, ATC was giving me some headings to fly to avoid traffic. Of course, all the gyro instruments had been removed (and there was even a 337 for the removal) and I had to rely on the mag compass. Glad I teach that stuff on a regular basis to keep current!"Harry, why did you land all the way out there? Nobody else landed out there." "Your statement answered your question." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 1,623 #25 November 30, 2007 Quote> (joke, that was a joke people) In order for anything to be funny it has to have an element of truth. That was funny.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
