PLB Suggestion

When I registered my PLB, I set up a gmail account and included that name and the password on the registration form.

That way, when I loan the PLB to others I can send an e-mail to that gmail account and, if the PLB is activated and the rescuers cannot reach me - they will still be able to access the gmail account to get information about who is using the PLB.

Also, I sent an e-mail to the account and listed a lot of information that would not fit on the registration form - personal descriptions, vehicle descriptions, supplies carried, etc.

Oh, I used the PLBs serial number as the name for the gmail account and it is so long and unusual it hasn't yet been hit with any spam.

Just an idea.

great idea!

That is a great idea.

Do gmail accounts "time out" if you don't have activity or visit them often enough? I have a yahoo mail account that keeps timing out on me.

I think the registration site had a field in which you could put any related information. Another possibility would be to just access the registration site and enter the user's information and even trip specifics. The fact that I can go into the site and modify it at any time is pretty powerful. The one extra thing that might be nice would be the ability to attach a few documents (trip plans, maps, etc...).

Ironically the registration site is down right now.

I'm sure they time out eventually. I have an (almost) inactive account that I didn't check for just over two months and it was still active.

I have a Gmail account that I haven't checked in over a year, don't ask why. I just tried to log in, and it's still there <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

If you load your plans there at the start of every trip and delete them at the end, you'll keep it alive even if they change their "never, ever gonna go away" policy.