ProRecreator wrote on Feb 13^th, 2009 at 4:30pm:

Apparently, there was a satellite outage, so my spouse became concerned when the email messages suddenly stopped mid-trip.

Hi ProRecreator. Yeah that would be a problem way worse than not knowing!

Just to fill you in a bit. Three of us, KF Magic and myself shared the ride to Canada. KF and MP took a bizarre-o overland route into the park. I entered on my own separate, normal permit. Jimbo and the outfitter who dropped MP & KF off on some logging road were their main SPOT go to guys I think.

A few days into our trips, I half expected to meet up with KF and Magic at a tentatively and very loosely agreed upon lake. I expected them to be early if they showed at all. They were late and I got tired of waiting but was eventually relieved to hear them coming later that day. I worried a little, off and on but only a little because they had that SPOT thingy.

As I recall I worried less than at least one of those who were getting the e-mails. One had not all that unusual e-mail difficulties, another had location problems but I believe he got the e-mails, etc., and the other, oh wait, she just got bored and didn't check it daily.

That's my recollection. Feel free to correct as necessary. Point is, there are always weak links with something new and IMO Magic had it right renting it for the month or whatever so at least he was comfortable using it. Personally, I'd be afraid I'd accidentally hit the wrong button at some point.