SWConnect/SpotWalla

[Bill Lumberg]

I'm having no luck showing up on SpotWalla maps, or joining pages. All the configuration settings look good. Account is good and I'm logged in. Device is green all the way across. But for some reason I'm not showing in active users on the main map page. Tips?

 

[RJAMT]

Are you talking about messages or tracking? On mine messages are included in the base price but obviously you have to press the button and hold it until the light flashes to send one.

Tracking is an extra monthly charge and you have to push the tracking button to start sending data. That assumes you connected the Spot to your computer and updated the settings.

No offense intended if you already know all this.

 

[Fred W]

Do you have a home area security enabled? It will not update your location until you are beyond 25 miles (I think) from your defined home area.

 

[Bill Lumberg]

No, but that's a good thing for me to check. I think part of the problem may have been I was too deep in the government bunker for the device (iphone) to initialize. I may be making something simple, hard. Wouldn't be the first time. With TOH coming up, and a SS1K in the works, just trying to get things working so I have a track as a backup. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Uncle Hud]

Three points, and PM or call me if you still have no luck:

1: Got to have cell service. Can create issues in Georgia mountains and remote areas where cell service is iffy, but the US Interstate system is supposed to have 100% coverage.

2: Got to have created a trip on the Spotwalla site. Select start/end times; make sure the end doesn't occur before the beginning (DAMHIK); and make sure 'sharing' settings are cool. You can create the trip afterwards, but the phone/Spot device must have been dropping bread crumbs during your trip. (You can also go in after your return, and create a new trip that shows .... for example ... your route for only a few hours out of a multi-day trip.)

3: Got to be outside your security zones. FredW's half right on that point: No spots will be shown inside a security zone, but you create them, set a center point, and establish a radius. For the record, even special messages will not be posted inside a security zone.

I have created security zones around myself and my loved ones. They're not centered on the house (I can be super-paranoid) and of varying sizes. The Spotwalla display will show the last spot outside the zone, then the next subsequent spot outside the zone even if it's 24 hours later. This can cause some concern for those following your track: "His location hasn't moved in an hour, and he was less than 2 miles from Mom's house."

 

[Bill Lumberg]

Thanks. Doing a long day when TOH opens. Was going to tie in a SS1K, but I have to fly to D.C. the next day, and that's a bit much for one weekend.

 

[Rambler]

Three points, and PM or call me if you still have no luck:
1: Got to have cell service. Can create issues in Georgia mountains and remote areas where cell service is iffy, but the US Interstate system is supposed to have 100% coverage.

2: Got to have created a trip on the Spotwalla site. Select start/end times; make sure the end doesn't occur before the beginning (DAMHIK); and make sure 'sharing' settings are cool. You can create the trip afterwards, but the phone/Spot device must have been dropping bread crumbs during your trip. (You can also go in after your return, and create a new trip that shows .... for example ... your route for only a few hours out of a multi-day trip.)

3: Got to be outside your security zones. FredW's half right on that point: No spots will be shown inside a security zone, but you create them, set a center point, and establish a radius. For the record, even special messages will not be posted inside a security zone.

I have created security zones around myself and my loved ones. They're not centered on the house (I can be super-paranoid) and of varying sizes. The Spotwalla display will show the last spot outside the zone, then the next subsequent spot outside the zone even if it's 24 hours later. This can cause some concern for those following your track: "His location hasn't moved in an hour, and he was less than 2 miles from Mom's house."

Good tips. Checking my Spotwala now. Planning to do the northern locations of this year's GTGA over the weekend.

Thanks for posting.

 

[smithpa68]

Also might want to try a different browser. IE used to need a compatibility mode or it wouldn't display for me. Not sure if that has changed or not. I have been using Chrome and Edge lately.