what I dont get is doesnt anyone have an iphone?
cant we locate someones phone with satellites?
Originally Posted by bigcockpussylicker
so not even the plane can use satellites? they can't figure out where it was before it vanished?
You are suggesting I can't use a Iphone without cellular or Wifi signal? right?
1st off:I thought nowadays planes had WI-fi available? they do on southwest...so someone could have tracked them and seen where someone was before they "vanished"
Originally Posted by bigcockpussylicker
I don't know what you are responding to, but I never said or implied what is in your second post.
Planes absolutely can and do communicate with satellites. That is how WiFi on the plane communicates with the ground. Your device uses only the WiFi link. The plane's satellite link then relays the WiFi data to/from the ground stations.
But your original question was "Why can't we locate iPhones with satellites?". You then repeated it (somewhat) by asking if I meant that you can't use your iPhone without cellular or WiFi.
The answer is you cannot use any conventional cell phone to communicate directly with a satellite.
When your iPhone is communicating, it is either communicating through the cellular link to terrestrial towers (range measured in at most low double digit miles) or by the WiFi link (range normally measured up to 150 feet or so) or by the Bluetooth link (range normally measured up to 10-15 feet).
If you want to communicate directly with a satellite, you have to use a satellite phone ($$$), not some Samsung or Apple phone you get at the Verizon store.
And if the plane has a satellite connection, the plane can be tracked directly. You don't need to track the phones of anyone in the plane - if that is even possible.
I doubt GPS in cell phones even works on planes.
First, most operate in assisted GPS mode where they get initial position information from cell towers. That is why cell phone GPS can find your position in ten seconds or so. That isn't available at 35,000 feet and at 600 MPH.
Also, the planes probably travel too fast for the GPS receivers in the cell phones to get accurate readings if they operate autonomously rather than in assisted mode.
So, the best way is to simply get the GPS information from the plane itself. The GPS in planes is far more powerful and accurate under adverse conditions than what is in your cell phone.
