GPS tracking and transponder for MV

[bm_cricket]

Hi all,
I'm bringing an electric tricycle this year. I'll lock it in camp and when I'm not riding it. Has anyone found a good and simple tool for GPS tracking of where you go plus something that can link into very very intermittent cellular signals or peer to peer networks at Burning Man? There are a zillion iPhone apps that can track GPS data, and a few that do dynamic peer to peer networks for text messages and such, but nothing that seems to combine those things.

I want to find something to 1) track how much I use the trike for battery operation and 2) find it on the playa if someone happens to steal it.... not that anyone would do such an awful thing, right?

[some seeing eye]

The only solution to 2 is satellite or an amateur radio license.

[bm_cricket]

The only solution to 2 is satellite or an amateur radio license.

It turns out I found a solution to problem 2... for next year. There is a product being designed and scheduled for release in Fall that builds a small peer-to-peer network of antennas that let cell phones send SMS to each other. There are plenty of apps that send GSP to SMS.... but it won't be ready until next year. So I keep looking!

[GreyCoyote]

Take a peek at APRS, the "automatic packet reporting system". This is a mesh-type network that uses radios (generally in the 2-meter band) that has a nationwide (worldwide) footprint. And its free.

The transmitters can be very small, easily concealed, and are battery powered. A 1 watt tracker would cover most of BRC.

Woe to the asswipe who swiped your bike. This would pinpoint him to with a few feet.

[bm_cricket]

Woe to the asswipe who swiped your bike. This would pinpoint him to with a few feet.

That sounds wonderful! If someone actually did try stealing it I just imagine showing up in camp with a hand full of black rock rangers (or maybe a BLM) and saying "hi".

[mooserider]

Woe to the asswipe who swiped your bike. This would pinpoint him to with a few feet.

That sounds wonderful! If someone actually did try stealing it I just imagine showing up in camp with a hand full of black rock rangers (or maybe a BLM) and saying "hi".

And it really isn't that hard to pass the Technician class (entry level) amateur radio license exam, if you know basic electronics and read the relevant operating regulations. You might even be able to do it and get your license before BM if you hurry up and find an examination time/place. There are online places to take practice exams. And some of the amateur walkie-talkies have APRS and GPS built into them, so they can point the real-time direction and distance to your vehicle's tracker as you are walking towards it.

[bm_cricket]

And some of the amateur walkie-talkies have APRS and GPS built into them, so they can point the real-time direction and distance to your vehicle's tracker as you are walking towards it.

I have a lot of learning to do....

[maladroit]

It might be cheaper and easier to lock your trike.

Or, set up one of those car alarms. Walk away and make it chirp and flash the blinkers as you click the remote.

[Meat Hunter]

Isn't there a little Garmin radio/GPS that allows one radio/GPS to see where the other radio/GPS is located that does not require any licensing or permitting?

Planting one unit on a hidden place the trike (like under a front or rear basket) might be an easier and less expensive way to locate your stolen trike than a more sophisticated and technical set-up.

I need to check into this more for myself and my tricked-out electric trike.

Thanks for beginning this thread.

[mooserider]

I'm actually planning on using this capability myself, by leaving a weather station reporting status in my camp, and carrying the HT with me. If I get lost or disoriented, I just turn on the HT, ping my weather station to get it to report immediately, and start walking home with the nav display in the HT.

[Meat Hunter]

Yup. It is a Garmin Rino 650. This radio allows one to see where their friends (who also have a Rino 650) are located. It is a bit pricey.

Other Garmin's that cost less may also have this capability. But, if time is short and money is not, this might be the way to go.

I always try to lock my trike when I step away from it, but sometimes I forget. For what an up-market electric kit costs + the cost of the trike, it might just pay for it's self - even if you only need it one time.

[bm_cricket]

Yup. It is a Garmin Rino 650. This radio allows one to see where their friends (who also have a Rino 650) are located. It is a bit pricey.

Other Garmin's that cost less may also have this capability. But, if time is short and money is not, this might be the way to go.

I always try to lock my trike when I step away from it, but sometimes I forget. For what an up-market electric kit costs + the cost of the trike, it might just pay for it's self - even if you only need it one time.

I should really look into this...It's not really a tricycle........

IMG_20150727_205120165.jpg

[Meat Hunter]

That is a nice piece of transportation and would be a real loss if it were stolen.