I have a SPOT unit, and it is great. As a disabled hunter, I have found it very easy to use, and the tracking feature is great.

As most of your know, PLB's have been around for a long time. I carry SPOT for the simple reason it has more functions than just send a distress signal. Trail Note is nice, but what if you had a change of plans! A bridge out or the fish not biting or your hunting area is swamped by other hunters or you got a tip for a hot spot. With PLB's your OK and with Trail Note your probably not able to up date yur change in plans. The beauty with SPOT, my Wife and friends can not only track my whereabouts, they can intercept me or I can send them a OK message. For Emergency I have the 911. During my 20 years in the Military, I was able on a no notice to cut and run to assist Local, State and Federal Agencies with there Search and Rescues and for me "SPOT" is it and the reason I carry it is very simple. I'm in my 50's now, but most of all if I need it for a emergency, it will be for someone else, perhaps you and believe me it's a very small world!

I remember that day Denise called and said lets go, so I grabbed the 22-250, 50 rounds and the Johnny Stewart call. While exiting the main Gate at Holloman AFB for our hunting area located on the most northern end of Fort Bliss Military Reservation east of US54 and south of Alamogordo New Mexico, I noticed I didn’t reinstall the radio. I figured I didn’t need it and pressed on the accelerator. Had a good time we did, 5 coyotes and a few Jack rabbits. While pulling into my driveway, Mrs. Smith my neighbor and wife of another hunting buddy said we have been trying to reach you on the radio and Mike is out on a search! A Boy Scout was climbing a rock cliff in Dogwood Canyon just a mile or 2 just north were I was hunting fail over 15 feet puncturing a lung and other serious injuries. The young boy died while being air lifted out.

Some of you may take crack shots at those such as me for having electronic equipment such as a GPS and SPOT. You have no clue who I am, the training, experience and my abilities. Not only I carry a GPS and SPOT, I also carry a field programmable dual band VHF and UHF transceiver capable of not only transmitting and receiving on Amateur Radio Frequencies, but as well on Government frequencies including Law Enforcement and Air Evac. Those in the S&R, Law Enforcement and Red Cross say I’m a rolling Command Post.

About that young Boy Scout that died on that Sunday, the following day at work my Branch Chief said laughing out loud, “He deserves it!” and chastised me for taking interest in the State Police Search and Rescue in Alamogordo New Mexico. The following morning, he came and stood in front of my disk and said with tears, I’m sorry for what I have said yesterday and he did so in front of the entire office for all to hear. That young man was the son of his best friend, the same boy that went to school, came over for sleep over’s and played together with his son.

What I find in some of those that lack knowledge especially in experience, make up in ignorance!

By the way chuckles, who said I fall out of that stand using a fall restraint and safety harness?

GPS and SPOT can't fix stupid?

Who’s chuckling now!