I've been having some trouble getting my SPOT Beacon to go reliably into
tracking mode. I appears at this point to be a case of following the
instructions too carefully. I'll let you know.

However, this statement in the email from customer service set me back a
step:

"When your using your unit on your boat, are there any other GPS or two-way
devices in the vicinity? If so, this is a possible reason why the unit
isn't working properly. SPOT will not work to its full capacity if you
introduce other electronic devices - such as a GPS device. It works much
better as a stand alone device."

I've written back to find out more, specifically what "vicinity" means.
I've had it tracking successfully with a handheld GPS operating about 9 feet
away and feeding position data to a DSC VHF about 4 feet away. It may have
missed some tracking fixes but I'm not sure yet.

The unit is advertised for use in aviation which in which GPS units are
nearly as ubiquitous and closer than in boats and the RF and radio
environment much more cluttered.

I'll keep you all informed.

--
Roger Long