GPS Tracking and Off-Line Tracking Solutions for Life Beyond Cell Coverage

In the past, a phone with no signal was as good as being unable to put eyes on anything of consequence. Cell bars would go and so too would any trace of a vehicle or a teammate, a working dog or one’s hiking companion. The very reason mesh radio-based GPS tracking has seen such a rapid rise is to fill that void.  

By way of small LoRa radios these systems can relay location data between devices without the need for a cellular tower. One has in effect an off-line solution suited to the likes of ranchers, K9 handlers, hikers and tactical teams.  

We will be looking at how the technology is put to work in this guide and make the case for why it is superior to a cellular tracker out in the back country, not to mention what device is right for the mission. After reading through, putting together a field tracking setup you can depend on ought to be a straightforward matter. 

Why Standard GPS Tracking Struggles Without Cell Service 

You will not find a GPS tracker without cell service requiring the kind of cell towers that are the bane of most consumer trackers. The way a conventional unit operates is to ping a tower, put its coordinates on a server and stand by for a data refresh.  

In a canyon or out in the country on some ranchland, let alone in the woods, such a process is quickly undone. One might be taken in by the coverage maps until putting in a walk down into a valley. 

A GPS tracker with no need for cell service has a different approach. Radio hops are used to store and relay location data rather than towers; add another device and you have more range. There is no reliance on one carrier’s infrastructure. 

Then there is the satellite GPS tracker for those wanting to be covered in the wilderness proper, mobile signal or not. They function in nearly any terrain but tend to come with a monthly tab and less frequent updates. Mesh-based GPS tracking is an alternative that does away with subscriptions and gives position updates in a matter of seconds as opposed to minutes. 

When an emergency is at hand, it is something of a luxury to have a search team put off by a satellite ping cycle while the clock runs down. With fast, subscription-free GPS tracking, decision-makers are kept in the loop at no cost. 

How Off-Line Tracking Solutions Use Mesh Radio Networks 

For off-line tracking, a mesh-based approach will have one forgo the cell infrastructure in favour of LoRa radios of a small and battery-powered variety. The network is such that any given device can put out a message on behalf of another, forming a web of radio coverage that is self-healing in nature and only gets better with the addition of new nodes. 

Then there is Meshtastic, an open-source platform and the standard bearer for this sort of thing. On hardware that does not break the bank it operates to disseminate text, GPS data and information from sensors over a decentralized network. Should a node go down the mesh is unfazed; the devices are wont to flood one another with messages to ensure continuity. 

Meshtastic vs MeshCore for GPS Tracking 

A point of distinction is worth making for those who put meshcore and meshtastic head-to-head in terms of location tracking. Where MeshCore is concerned with structured messaging via repeaters and room servers, it is Meshtastic that one will find better suited to GPS and telemetry work or any field experimentation of a general nature; the mapping tools, hardware support and documentation are all more advanced at present.  

There is a reason hikers and hunters as well as mobile teams turn to Meshtastic for sharing their position while on the go: its flooding mesh has no trouble adjusting to the terrain. MeshCore has its place in a network for the private messages one might send over a fixed repeater. But if position awareness is what is required, Meshtastic is the obvious place to start. 

Building Range with Solar Repeaters 

On its own a handheld radio has its range. With a meshtastic solar repeater one can do away with that constraint. Put the unit on a fence post, ridge or the roof of a building and it will relay signals to far off nodes. There is no need for battery changes as the solar power sees to it the equipment runs on. Deploy several meshtastic relays over a property or along a patrol and what was a few miles becomes many; long range communication is made even more practical for it. One sees the value in this where there is no cellular to be had, as on a ranch or at a remote worksite or hunting lease. 

The build must be up to the task. A meshtastic device that can stand up to the elements, dust and the odd drop will not let you down on an extended deployment. SpecFive are a case in point: their devices are weatherproof and come pre-flashed, so they are ready to put to work as soon as they are unboxed. 

For a fixed installation a multi-unit relay bundle is called for. Two or four solar repeaters will maintain a mesh over rough country. Place them along a patrol loop or the boundary of a property. A team working a large job site or campground may well begin with two and put in more when they have identified any weak spots. And since the repeaters are solar powered, there is no having to make a trip out to some isolated spot for a battery. 

GPS Tracking Devices for Different Off-Grid Needs 

Not every mission needs the same hardware. Off-grid teams tend to fall into a few clear categories. Each one carries distinct tracking requirements. 

1. Off-Grid Dog Tracker for K9 Handlers and Ranch Work 

A working dog will put in more ground than a handler on foot. To stay on top of that, an off-grid tracker is fitted to the collar and relays position data over the mesh with regularity; tree cover does not impede it.  

You will find this kind of device is the order of the day for ranchers, owners of hunting dogs and S&R K9 units. There are no cellular dead zones to obscure the animal. Add in 20 to 40 feet of accuracy and updates at 30 second intervals and the handler have every reason to be sure the dog is close by. 

But one needs as much mounting versatility as precision. For a family pet the tracker can be clamped to an ordinary collar, while the unit is just as at home on MOLLE gear for a working dog. The housing is weatherproof, so mud or rain and rough brush are of no concern; there is no need to coddle the thing from one outing to the next. Should a handler require greater distance there is an extended range option. An external antenna of a size to extend range is useful in open country where the dog may have left the group some way behind. 

2. Vehicle and Convoy Tracking 

There are challenges to be had with fleet coordination in off-grid or rural territory. To ensure a mobile unit is always in view of the mesh, one puts a meshtastic car node in the truck cab. On a patrol route or with a convoy the vehicle node from meshtastic will serve as an anchor for the network. Those on foot can then make use of its superior power and antenna with their handhelds. In effect the vehicle becomes a relay on the move, putting coverage within reach of anyone in the vicinity. 

3. Tactical Teams and ATAK Integration 

For the military, law enforcement and emergency responders a simple app is not enough when it comes to mapping. With ATAK meshtastic integration one can put mesh radios in direct communication with the Android Tactical Assault Kit, providing teams with a live map for common situational awareness. The meshtastic Atak device is made to do just that, relaying encrypted position data to the interface. Teams will find their message data coming through the very channel they are accustomed to from training. Then there is the ranger device for the hiker or prepper; it is a more compact, civilian option for long-range talk and puts the technology within reach of those who are not so specialized. 

4. Drone and Aerial Support 

The same kind of tracking is applied to more than just the ground teams. Telemetry can be sent back to a ground station by a meshtastic drone payload, and it will continue to function in circumstances that would put a line-of-sight radio out of its depth. Put a lightweight repeater on an aircraft and the network can be made to span terrain that a ground unit could not do on its own. One finds this of value during a search over any expanse of large, irregular country. 

5. Handheld Options for Everyday Users 

Tactical hardware is not a must for all users. A meshtastic phone is more to the liking of hikers and campers, or any number of informal outdoor types. The appeal of such a handheld is that it is unencumbered by the weight of tactical mounts; it is a light device made for text, and GPS sharing. Ease of use is what matters with these units. In a matter of minutes, a novice will have an app paired to the device and be on a channel. One can put up a location share without having to tinker with the firmware. 

Choosing the Right Off-Line Tracking Solutions for Your Team 

The choice of hardware is a matter of the terrain, the size of the group and what the mission calls for.  

• One ranger device and an app on the phone will do for a hiker going it alone; a ranch or tactical outfit will require something more substantial. In most cases a combination of solar repeaters, vehicle nodes, and handhelds will see you through. 
• There are those who find a radio wanting in some way. With a rugged compact like the SpecFive Strike, one has a portable linux computer centered on a mesh radio that provides offline mapping and messaging as well as emergency reference tools.  
• For a less imposing, pocket-sized affair, there is the Mini trekker line, the first place to go if basic GPS tracking is all that is wanted without the encumbrance. 

At a meshcon you will find manufacturers, first responders and hobbyists in attendance. They put their gear up for comparison and exchange firmware. It is useful for a buyer to be there, if only in a virtual capacity, to get a sense of his options. When devices are side by side it is easier to tell which is suited to the environment before parting with any cash. 

Meshtastic text is supported on some networks so teams can have a word over the mesh and not just text, affording real-time coordination on top of the GPS data the infrastructure is putting out. That makes for a good deal more versatility in the field from a single piece of equipment. 

In the end the advantage is off-line tracking that does not need a cellular tower or a monthly bill to make people, animals and equipment visible within range of the mesh. The kind of coverage available now is hard to match with what a cellular map would have you believe. 

Common Questions About Off-Line Tracking Solutions 

1. Does mesh-based GPS tracking work without any internet connection? 

That is correct. The devices put out LoRa radio waves to communicate to one another; there is no need for the internet.  

2. How many devices does a small team need? 

To get going, two or three can do so with a handheld radio apiece. Put a solar repeater in the base camp or on a vehicle and the range is appreciably longer; any unit already in hand will make use of it right away. 

3. Can these devices replace a satellite messenger entirely? 

In the case of a regional operation or day trip, certainly. One would be well advised to have satellite as a backup if the group is venturing into some very remote country where there are no mesh nodes in the vicinity. Then again, it is not uncommon for teams to have the two systems running in tandem when an emergency is at hand. 

4. Does weather affect off-line tracking solutions? 

As for the weather, LoRa signals do not let themselves be impeded by snow or a bit of rain and fog. You will find that range is curtailed more by thick undergrowth and other obstructions than by what is in the forecast; line of sight is of greater consequence. 

Do off-line tracking solutions require any technical setup? 

Most devices arrive pre-flashed and ready to pair with a phone app. A new user can set up a channel and start sharing GPS tracking data within a few minutes, without touching firmware. 

Final Thoughts 

One should not have to forgo dependable GPS tracking as soon as the cell bars are gone. With a mesh radio network running on Meshtastic firmware, that is no longer an issue. Such networks put real-time updates at your disposal with an extendable range and without any subscription fees.  

Whether the task is to keep tabs on a working dog or put in some coordination for a convoy, or to back up a tactical unit via ATAK, it can be done. A proper mix of solar relays, repeaters and handhelds will provide an off-line tracking solution you can count on in nearly any location. The rancher or hiker, the first responder and search team alike are served by this mesh technology; they merely set it up in keeping with what their mission demands. 

For devices of a more rugged nature that are made for this sort of work, SpecFive has mesh units, GPS trackers and solar repeaters that are ready to go. Every one of them is shipped from us already flashed and tested, field-ready for deployment.