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GPS advice sought for newbie (Boy Scout Project)

 
Mon, 11/07/2011 - 1:40pm

Hello

My name is Michael Lough
I apoligize in advance if this is not the appropriate forum to post this.. Advice would be welcomed:)

I live in Ypsilanti, MI and I’m seeking advice concerning a project that I’m researching for a local Boy-Scout project (I’m involved with scouting through my Nephew)

In a nut-shell ---(I need advice concerning GPS options)

What we would like to do is have our Scouts put a 'message in a bottle' hopefully to reach other Scouts in far-off-lands

Our first attempt will probably be a release into the great lakes, hopefully to contact the exotic peoples of Canada... LOL

We would like a GPS to track the movement on Google Earth/or other site

Eventually, we would like to 'launch' in the pacific (for several months of duration)

Currently; the Boy-Scouts of Michigan don't have access to unlimited funds (unfortunately)
That would be the Girl-Scouts... (Due to Cookie Sales) LOL

Could you point us in the right direction concerning purchasing/making a GPS bottle please??

Any Ideas/advice/etc. would be greatly appreciated (We'll make you an 'Honorary Scout')

Thanks in advance –

Michael

‹ Veterans Day Nov 11, 2011 Motorcycke Riders...curious who else rides>>> ›
Mon, 11/07/2011 - 2:31pm

.

Welcome to the site. First thing you should do is delete your personal info (phone number & email address) from your post. Otherwise you're gonna get hit with tons of spam. If folks want to respond directly to you they can always use the Contact tab by clicking on your username.

As far as gps trackers, you're gonna need a specialized tracker which uses satellites to report its position. A normal gps tracker which uses cell towers to report its position obviously won't work in the great lakes/ocean.

You may want to check out this site since they've actually created numerous ocean gps bottles. http://www.gpss.force9.co.uk/bbcbot.htm

Good luck with your project. Please keep us updated with its status.

Mon, 11/07/2011 - 2:41pm

GPS advice sought

Thanks GadgetGuy2008
I appreciate that advice.
I'm actually in contact with the Creater of that website. Very Cool Gentelman:)

Mon, 11/07/2011 - 4:00pm

Interesting project

Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

--
It's these changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes Nothing remains quite the same With all of our running and all of our cunning If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane
Mon, 11/07/2011 - 4:18pm

Good luck!!

Good luck!!

Tue, 11/08/2011 - 12:44am

Travel bug

What about using a travel bug or trackable via Geocaches? You can go to geocaching.com, click on Play and then Find Trackables to read all about them. You'll need to buy a Travel Bug dog tag which are only $5. You can attach this tag to a "bottle" or some other item and then add a log. You drop it in a geocache with a mission, like the one you stated above, and then fellow geocachers pick up the dog tag and move it to the next cache. When ever someone pick it up or drops it off, they log the tag at geocaching.com. You'll see all the logs and they even have a map to show where the tag has gone. People can upload pictures to their log too.

Tue, 11/08/2011 - 5:31pm

Thanks for the advice people

Thanks slobeavis:
I'll have to research your suggestion since I have no idea what a travel bug is. LOL
I can imagine that the individuals that use this site are 'travelers of the world'
I spent 8 years on a cruise-ship as a musician.
I highly recommend it. smile

Tue, 11/08/2011 - 6:11pm

A travel bug is not what you

A travel bug is not what you are looking for based on your requirements in your 1st post. A travel bug is physically moved from 1 location to another by an individual. If I hear you correct you are trying to track (locate) something as it floats across the lake or ocean.

--
Nuvi 2460LMT.
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 7:17pm

Seems to me youre looking

Seems to me youre looking for small device with great battery life. Trackback is simple but not sure about its battery life.

Wed, 11/09/2011 - 6:26pm

Orange County Sea Scouts BSA

I know that they track the location of boats in the open ocean yacht races.
They must use some type of GPS tracking to do that.
Maybe the Sea Scouts here in Newport Beach, CA can help you?
contact Orange County Sea Scout District Executive, Tom Hartmann at thomash@ocbsa.org.

--
It's these changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes Nothing remains quite the same With all of our running and all of our cunning If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane
Wed, 11/09/2011 - 6:53pm

Thanks for the advice people

Thanks islanderswp!!!
I contacted the gentelman.

Anyone know where I could buy an appropriate GPS bottle? (minimun 2-months of battery life)

Thanks

Thu, 11/10/2011 - 5:42pm

????

Beats the heck out of me!

--
Flip Garmin Street P.330 Garmin 255WT Garmin LM50
Fri, 11/11/2011 - 12:48pm

GPS in a Bottle

Here is an interesting website that demonstrates the (GPS) in a bottle concept. (Very Cool) I communicated with the website owner, and he is a very interesting (and cool) individual as well

If you like GPS, it will be worth your time:)

http://www.gpss.force9.co.uk/bbcbot.htm

Post Script: We are still looking to purchase/make a GPS bottle.

Have a Great Day!!!!
Michael