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LongPac Web Pages & Tracking Map

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I've posted on the SSS web site a page for the 2009 LongPac that includes a link to the new transponder tracking page. http://sfbaysss.org/Longpac_2009.html

Most of the transponders are programmed to start transmitting Monday night after 10p.m. I will try testing a few transponders over the weekend to make sure the satellite account and map are setup and linked together properly.

Matt
 
Nice job, Matt!

Please note that Bandicoot and RedSky are also entered (any others?). Somebody needs to transcribe their entry information into Compete-At so they show up. Both have had their inspections and are finishing up their punch lists.
 
Transponder location on deck

Administrator said:
Most of the transponders are programmed to start transmitting Monday night after 10p.m. I will try testing a few transponders over the weekend to make sure the satellite account and map are setup and linked together properly.
Click to expand...
Hi Matt -

I've put the transponder on deck, tied down to the top of the life raft case, facing up.

Do we have any indication of how sensitive the transponders are to location on the boat? If I put the unit on the transom it is located below the metal surface of the solar panel; if I put it on the cockpit floor it gets stepped on; the safest place is on top of the life raft, which puts it beneath the boom (unless reaching).

Are you or RC in a position to let a boat know that a transponder is not working well? If so, and word gets back out to the fleet, the skipper could try moving the unit to another location on board.

And what's the delay between when the unit sends a signal and the signal appears on the chart? I'm trying to see if we can set up the transponders, look at the signal in the morning and if it does not appear, then move the transponder and then I'd need to know when to go back and check out the chart.

- rob
 
Transponder Tests

Tomorrow morning, I'll know better if there are any problems. The transponders are programmed to transmit every 2 hours after tonight. The signal can be blocked by objects in the way and I'm not sure if this will be a problem or not.

Since the satellites are located over land, a slight inclination to the east might help but I think it shouldn't be a problem. If the signal is blocked temporarily, the transponders will make several attempts to tranmit at the 2 hour interval.

I work right next to Alameda and I'm willing to come out tomorrow and plug in a laptop to any transponders that aren't transmitting wherever they might me located in the bay area.
 
Transponder tracking not working yet

I'm heading down to the marina with my laptop to see if I can figure out why the time delay on the transponders didn't work properly.

I'll give you all a call later today or post on the forum my results as I figure this out.
 
Global Star Account in SSS name

The problem was that the global star account hadn't yet been changed over to the SSS. The program is running properly on the transponders. Now that the account is in our name the transponders are starting to report in properly this morning. If you click on the google map link on the transponder page you can see the latest transponder data.

Whew, I was afraid I'd have to drive all over the bay area today or hop on and off peoples boats before the race to get this working. It seems like all is well and in a couple hours, I'll have a better idea which transponders, if any are not reporting.

Matt
 
Thanks SSS

I hope everyone has a wonderful sail. Go fast, be safe, and most of all, have fun! Thanks to all who put this together, and thanks Alan for spending time on my boat and giving me good advice.

See you on the water.

AJ Goldman
Second Verse
 
Thanks Matt

The transponders are great and my family is so excited to follow the race. My students are also following, a little embarassing when I come DFL.

Oh well, all for fun!

Thanks again Matt.

AJ Goldman
Second Verse
 
Tracking the LongPac

Matt,

This is very cool. How often are the updates?

When you have a chance it would be good to know if there are boats that didn't start (DNC). It looks like there are boats still in their berths?

Tom (Wishing I was out there!)
Dazzler
 
Okay I was a sceptic, but this IS cool!

Tom, the updates are every two hours (last was at about 1530). Looks like Rob tweaked his transponder - his updates are almost a half-hour later than the others (Rob would do that!).

The Google Earth overlay is amazing. Tricky though - the link is hiding under "Velocious" on the list and the Google Maps link is hiding under "Bandicoot" on the list - same for everyone else?

Whoever said that sportboats can't point should look at where Greg (Outsider) ended up. He's outpointing the whole fleet.
 
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Bob,

Yes, it was Rob's report times that were confusing. It see now that all the others are about the same time.

Does anyone know if Ergo, Bandicoot, Galaxsea and Constellation started or is it just a transponder issue?

Tom
 
Transponder issue.

Bandicoot's says 1500 on May 20, the other three show approx. 0900 this morning. So I guess that's four bad ones out of 25, about the same transponder failure rate as I've seen in other races.

Update - Now we have everybody but "Trunk Monkey," who didn't take a transponder. "Velocious" appears to be headed home. Tatia, just kidding about techie Rob - all in fun. I'm interested in hearing from Matt regarding the earlier missing signals, and whether he was able to fix them via laptop, got word to the boats to check/move the boxes, or what.
 
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course

I've done this race a few times and never exited north of the Farallones, they must be on a nice SW breeze. This might make it interesting for the way back. I assume at some point the NW will come in and the fleet will tack back to starboard. It will be likely that the rumbline for the return trip will put them right through the mid - north Farralone islands. Not necessarily where you want to be, especially at night....

Liking the transponders, nice job to the board.
 
Reply

Tiger Beetle's take on this was one had to definitely be out the Far Islands by midnight. Thanks Travesio for your assessment, please keep them coming.

I assure you Rob e did not adjust his transponder.
Now, stupid me am trying to track by lat/long and I can't figure it out with the fancy Google interface. Help?

Thanks
 
Hi Tatia,

If you click on the icon the lat/lon is available at the bottom left. If I understood your question correctly.
 
Thanks Dan!
Complete user err/ (duh) on my part. I do have to say after being RC and an avid follower for the past 3 LP's, for me the transponders sure beat the "waiting, waiting. staring at the PC monitor twice daily (waiting) for the check in email to arrive"
Thanks again
 
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