Mounting the Marco Polo Locator
I’ve been looking at trackers and watching too many YouTube reviews.
My conclusion was to get the Marco Polo for these reasons.
1. The bluetooth devices, while inexpensive, have a very limited range. Better than nothing.
2. Cellular trackers need a SIM card and a cellular contract. Another cell phone bill didn’t appeal to me. The main reason for not getting a cellular tracker is this: No cell service; no location. Seriously, the cell service at my house is either 1 bar or “No Service”. Without WIFI calling I’d have nothing.
Additionally, I can think of a number of times in remote areas that I had no cell service.
3. RF trackers (like the Marco Polo) have a 1-2 mile range, are extremely accurate and have no monthly fee. The tracker battery will broadcast for 3 days if fully charged (tracker mode). 15 days if not being tracked.
After spending a few days deciding where (and how) to mount the new Marco Polo (waterproof model) on the MP, this is what I came up with.
Freewill rear landing foot (I drilled two holes for the mounting plate), the Marco Polo mounting plate, two pieces of 0.300” long brass tubing, two 4-40X 0.625” stainless steel screws and two 4-40 nuts. Nuts were Loctited onto the screws.
The instructions suggest that the antenna be oriented vertically for greatest range. In the highly unlikely event of a crash,
it seems that the odds are greater for the MP to be on its landing pads or on its back. (Unless its hanging sideways in a tree.)
There is sufficient prop clearance to the antenna. Not sure about the regular model of the Marco Polo, but the waterproof version has a stiff rubber sleeve over the antenna. It seemed quite difficult to move it into the prop circle.
Alternatively, I could rotate the Marco Polo 180º to orient the antenna down.
I’ve been looking at trackers and watching too many YouTube reviews.
My conclusion was to get the Marco Polo for these reasons.
1. The bluetooth devices, while inexpensive, have a very limited range. Better than nothing.
2. Cellular trackers need a SIM card and a cellular contract. Another cell phone bill didn’t appeal to me. The main reason for not getting a cellular tracker is this: No cell service; no location. Seriously, the cell service at my house is either 1 bar or “No Service”. Without WIFI calling I’d have nothing.
Additionally, I can think of a number of times in remote areas that I had no cell service.
3. RF trackers (like the Marco Polo) have a 1-2 mile range, are extremely accurate and have no monthly fee. The tracker battery will broadcast for 3 days if fully charged (tracker mode). 15 days if not being tracked.
After spending a few days deciding where (and how) to mount the new Marco Polo (waterproof model) on the MP, this is what I came up with.
Freewill rear landing foot (I drilled two holes for the mounting plate), the Marco Polo mounting plate, two pieces of 0.300” long brass tubing, two 4-40X 0.625” stainless steel screws and two 4-40 nuts. Nuts were Loctited onto the screws.
The instructions suggest that the antenna be oriented vertically for greatest range. In the highly unlikely event of a crash,
it seems that the odds are greater for the MP to be on its landing pads or on its back. (Unless its hanging sideways in a tree.)
There is sufficient prop clearance to the antenna. Not sure about the regular model of the Marco Polo, but the waterproof version has a stiff rubber sleeve over the antenna. It seemed quite difficult to move it into the prop circle.
Alternatively, I could rotate the Marco Polo 180º to orient the antenna down.
