Is your tracker GPS only?

[Surfer]

Then read this http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8494225.stm Your caravan which may be fitted with a tracking device and could get nicked and you may be none the wiser. Perhaps PC magazine should an article on this.

If you have the original and proper TRACKER fitted then you have no worries as they use VHF in addition to GPS so they can still located your caravan even if the thieves are using a jamming device in additon to the solar flare problem.

 

[Lutz]

The BBC article talks about the possibility of a 10 metre error due to a potential solar flare problem. On the basis of this I fail to see how GPS positioning would be inadequate to serve the purpose of locating a stolen caravan. What sort of accuracy can you expect from a VHF system? Surely nothing better than with GPS?

 

[Entwood]

I'm guessing the OP is mixing up some elements .....

I think what is being alluded to here .. is the fact that most trackers communicate with the tracking centre by a built in mobile telephone. As it is easy to purchase "blockers" (check a well known auction site) even though there use is illegal. These things have a range of 10-15 metres, it is theoretically possible to "block" a tracker "calling home" to report the movement. However .. the moment to blocker moves out of range the tracker WILL call home .. and the theft is reported.

The GPS element is only the position ... not the messaging .. and a small error in postion matters not as said.

 

[Surfer]

You may not have read the whole article as it alludes to blips of up to 10 minutes where the GPS is not working and this could occur at frequent intervals making toi difficult to trach a caravan using GPS. Agree about the 10 metre problem etc but that is not of any consequence. In addition to the above it is now very easy to buy GPS jammers so your caravan cannot be tracked.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I have read the article that Ian points to, and like Nigel I don't think the general operation of trackers is going to be significantly affected except where the solar flare activity is at its maximum and the article points out that there may be significant disruption to satellite communications inc GPS. The technology already exists to block both GPS and Mobile Phone services so the theft rate of 'Trackered' vehicles is unlikely to change.

Frankly if your operation of your tracker is your greatest concern, then I think you need to review your priorities. If GPS fails due to interference from the activity of the Sun, then how many people are going to loose their way whilst relying on GPS to guide them? What about the emergency services that now make much use of GPS to get to incidents? Heaven forbid that some remembers how to use a map!

Although aircraft and shipping may use GPS as part of their navigation systems, I cannot believe there are not back up procedures for when signals are lost. Some how Magellan managed to navigate across the Atlantic without even a map!

The Sun activity is major event and it will have a temporary impact on a variety of technologies and thus lifestyle, The public should take more care when planning new journeys and have some notes and a map to follow.

I suspect the article whist well intentioned has been 'sexed' up a bit to make more news worthy.

 

[Lutz]

Regardless of possible inaccuracies or even inablility to locate via GPS, I still fail to see how VHF would alleviate the problem. The latter is much like locating a mobile phone via the mobile phone transmitters, and that is a lot less accurate. Besides, VHF is a lot easier to jam than GPS.

 

[Mark_374552382]

Regardless of possible inaccuracies or even inablility to locate via GPS, I still fail to see how VHF would alleviate the problem. The latter is much like locating a mobile phone via the mobile phone transmitters, and that is a lot less accurate. Besides, VHF is a lot easier to jam than GPS.

Easy solution, just get a tracker that doesnt communicate via GSM SMS or GPRS and get one that communicates back to the satellites. The GPS drift is nominal as I can track my caravan now and see it quite clearly amongst the others at the site. Google AxTracker.