Homing beacon

[writer for life]

Is this a real thing? Can someone attach a small homing device on a person and track them in present day? What would be the range, etc?

[dclary]

Yes.

In fact, according to my readout, you're just a few miles from your home right now.

Interesting.

[UserName]

With GPS tracking, the range is accurate to within a few feet or something. If that's what you mean by range. Using a network of satellites, GPS signals can be tracked on most of the earth. Of course, look this stuff up to make sure, because I'm not positive.

[dclary]

The US army is using GPS tracking software in every armored vehicle in this war --- something only wished for in Gulf War I.

Every vehicle on the battlefield, friend or foe is identified by satellite, fed GPS coordinates, and pumped into realtime computer displays in the vehicle, with each battlefield object identified friend, foe, ally, etc.

Very cool.

[Joseph Gillis]

Something tells me I'd notice if someone put a GPS unit in my pocket.

[dclary]

Not if it were Cleo... :)

[Proveniebam]

Yes:

On the Car (http://www.aclu.org/WorkplaceRights/WorkplaceRights.cfm?ID=7468&c=179)

On a boat (http://www.iccwbo.org/home/news_archives/1999/anti_piracy_tracking_system.asp)

On the body.... (http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2002/1/10/145805.shtml)

Examples of Personal Tracking Devices (http://www.findware.co.uk/)

As seen on Oprah (http://www.wherifywireless.com/corp_home.htm)

All this stuff is on the open market. You can bet your bottom dollar someone has it much smaller without affecting the range.

Tracking using a Cell Phone (http://www.spyworld.com/Track.htm)


These are GPS systems. There are a number of other solutions, whereby the person is tagged with a very small device. This is suitable for short range tracking:
2-4 Mile Systems (http://www.trackingproducts.com/products/protrak_one.html)

Tracking in the workplace (especially section 7.10) (http://www.agd.nsw.gov.au/lrc.nsf/pages/r98chp07)

Using Covert Tagging Methods (http://www.snapshield.com/www_problems/United_Kingdom/Springtime%20for%20spies%20and%20cops.htm)


Hope this helps....

[Cleo]

:lol :lol :lol :lol

Oh now that was funny Clary!

[hunterjordan]

Talk to NASCAR. Yesterday during the Talledega race, a NASCAR official stated that very soon, they would be able to get rid of 'the race back to the line' after caution, because they could chart the exact position of all the cars at the time the yellow is thrown.