For those interested, next week will be my first trip since installing a APRS system in the van. APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) among other things allows Amateur Radio Operators (HAMS) to track your whereabouts anytime you are in range of a Digipeater (A HAM radio station set up to receive your signal and pass it along to the network). It was talked a little bit about in the following thread;
viewtopic.php?p=26483#p26483
Below is an example of a tracked route.
Anyway, if your curious, you can use this link and follow our trip path. It should be actively tracking beginning Saturday.
http://aprs.fi/?call=KJ6DSD-9
Its an experiment so I might not have all the bugs worked out, but if you see our van stopped in the middle of Nevada for a couple of days in the same spot better call search and rescue, because thats not the plan. The way I have it set up, anytime the ignition is turned on in the van, it should beacon out our position every couple of minutes. Could come in handy if some low life decides to steal it.