SPOT

Occasionally, you may see SPOT check in messages posted on America Out of the Box.  SPOT Messengers are small, inexpensive satellite transmitters that send simple messages tagged with the user's location.  The possible messages are OK (check in), HELP (non-emergency assistance) and 911 (emergency).  These devices can perform important safety functions in outdoor activities like mountaineering, boating and travel in remote areas.  However, you will only see OK (check in) messages posted; we will never send a SPOT request for aid (HELP or 911) via America Out of the Box.

An older SPOT messenger like mine.

While our SPOT messenger has important safety benefits, it can also document locations and times for other reasons.  SPOT messages contain a link that allows a viewer to see the location from which they were sent.  For example, here is a SPOT check in message from the British Virgin Islands:

Jay's Spot Beacon
Latitude:18.44948
Longitude:-64.70977
GPS location Date/Time:05/01/2010 08:01:27 EDT

Click the link below to see where I am located.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=18.44948,-64.70977&ll=18.44948,-64.70977&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Message:Jay Meyer has checked in. At the time of this message he was OKAY at the location shown, and did not need help.

We may use SPOT check in messages to document our visit to a significant location (e.g., a landmark or mountain peak), or our progress on a route.  We hope you will enjoy seeing SPOT messages from our journey.  But remember: we will never send a SPOT request for aid (HELP or 911) via America Out of the Box, and you should never misinterpret a SPOT check in message as a request for aid.