E mail from BeepTool, page-569

Let us leave this one on a technical point, what is the free space attenuation on the equator using L band up and down link over 800 Klm through a hot steamy water laden tropical lower atmosphere? How many watts of power is needed to overcome the free space loss and have a usable signal? Did you know that upper L band GPS signals drop out if there is a high level of atmospheric water such as clouds? Data rates drop, errors increase and it goes to pot. 0.5 watt sat phone? 2 watt sat phone? Isotropic antenna? This is doomed for be a hit and miss affair.

Little do we understand Will Robinson.