Fangy and I did a bit of testing today. First off stated with me at the end of Olive Road Falcon, and Fangy at the eastern end of Nairns foreshore. A distance of about 9km, no signal was received, so I moved closer to Mandurah keys Marina a distance of 4.7km, still no signal. Then drove to the end of Beecham St, just over a Km away from Fangy, this time he had a signal from me. So then I drove west to the Creery Island carpark, at 2km away we had no signal, so I started walking towards Ross and he had a signal at 1.8km apart.
I have a feeling my receiver has a problem, as couldn't pick up his signal.
These tests were done with the units at waist high on the waters edge, trying to simulate a unit help up at arms length while sitting on a board.
I think we need to see just how much height above the water affects the signal range, and if orientation of the unit is a factor.
If the antenna has any directional bias. Aiming it at where your mates are and keeping your hand out of the way, would help
Does anybody have a signal strength meter???
One thing we noticed, the identification sent isn't the "nickname" that's set in the config file, it's the identity number that's seems to be part of the unit, I'll ask Julien about this.
The other thing we noticed, is that the signal isn't sent when you press the button, and every minute thereafter. The signal goes when the GPS time reaches an even minute, so although Ross and I were Kms away and pressing our buttons at random times, the signals would transmit simultaneously.
So don't be concerned if nothing seems to be happening immediately after the button press. Just keep your eyes on the display, and when the instruction come round to "raise motion now" get it as high above the water as you can.
Activate it and then let it be. If you start it, stop it, start it, stop it, you'll both always be transmitting at the same moment and "talking over one another". I'll add a nickname cache. Remember, don't rely on it. It's made to broadcast positions and scores on speeds spots. Not find you in the middle of the Channel.
I'll re-do some tests later today because I could reach 5km armband-height to armband-height. I know others have made this test too, I'll call them.
> I think we need to see just how much height above the water affects the signal range
I found this to be quite a simple explanation :
I thought the emergency thing was an interesting feature, but of course not relevant to me. Then I spent 45 minutes swimming in 10 degree water today, and it was not clear whether I was making any progress towards the shore. In 40 years of windsurfing and a few thousand sessions, this was just the second time my board got away from me. The swim in Maui was a lot nicer! Plus I had the rig to hold on to there, which somehow made me feel better (although all the windsurfers who came to check if I was fine helped even more). Today, Nina had stopped sailing already, so I was alone in the water.
I'm planning to put in an order for two Motions soon.
