How can i monitor shipments in transit with gps locators.?

Question

I am looking for disposable or cheap transmitters that are available for real time tracking

Answer 1

The GPS is the easy part. Consider Qualcomm,  a system for tracking trucks over the US. they use GPS and Satellite return.  You could do this with GPS and simple cellular. but the parts arent simple fm transmitters. and agreements with a cell provider.. unless your willing to put up a tower on every interstate in the US and worldwide?  If you are only looking for RFid tech?  All you want to know is where to find cheap RF emmiters. I can find you some at a 20 cents a pop :) wont work,  and they wont sell to you..

Answer 2

A GPS device only needs to be a receiver to be a fully functional GPS Navigational System. Most GPS devices have only receiver capabilities.

To have a functional GPS Tracking System the GPS device must also be able to communicate with a tracking service information about its' location. Therefore the GPS device must be both a Receiver and a Transmitter.

While it seems that the GPS service that you're seeking should be easily available because all the technology that we currently have makes it fairly easy to do, it just isn't economical to do that yet.

You can buy tracking devices and service but it is still pretty expensive for these types of things because the GPS is only a receiver and you have to include another technology to be the transmitter part.

This can be done with cell-phones but what happens when you're out of cellular range or roaming in another area that doesn't have your service provider.

You're best bet is to get insurance for your shipment unless this is a service that you're trying to develop. If it's something that you're trying to develop - good luck! Services like this already exist but they're pretty costly.

You can find more information about GPS devices at http://www.sourcegps.com