Loko GPS Tracker — Search & Rescue
Off-Grid GPS Tracker for Search and Rescue
Search and rescue operations happen precisely where infrastructure ends. Cell towers, Wi-Fi, and internet connectivity are unavailable at the moments that matter most. Loko GPS Tracker uses long-range LoRa radio to provide real-time team positioning across 20+ km of wilderness — no cell service, no internet, no subscription, and no single point of failure.
The Problem
Why SAR Operations Cannot Rely on Cellular GPS
The fundamental challenge in search and rescue is operational: the areas where people get lost are the same areas where cellular infrastructure does not exist. Every tool that depends on a mobile network becomes unreliable or completely useless the moment a team enters the search zone.
Critical failures SAR teams experience with cellular-dependent trackers:
- Real-time tracking stops updating once a team member leaves cell coverage
- Base camp loses visibility of field teams in remote terrain
- Subject tracking is impossible in areas without a network signal
- Battery life measured in days rather than weeks limits deployment duration
- Monthly subscription costs are a barrier for volunteer SAR organisations
- Cloud server outages create single points of failure during active operations
- Roaming charges accumulate rapidly during international SAR deployments
A GPS tracker for search and rescue must work everywhere, always — without depending on any network that can fail.
Operational Use Cases
How SAR Teams Use Loko in the Field
Loko provides shared situational awareness across an entire operation without any infrastructure. Every team member's position is visible at base camp and in the field simultaneously.
Mountain & Alpine Rescue
Track rescue teams across ridge lines, in gullies, and below tree line where cell coverage never reaches. LoRa signals penetrate terrain that blocks cellular radio and maintain contact at elevation.
Wilderness & Forest SAR
Dense forest kills cellular signal within metres. LoRa's spread-spectrum modulation penetrates vegetation far better than GSM, keeping teams connected across large search grids in forested terrain.
Subject Tracking & Escort
Attach a Loko Air to a subject once located. Monitor movement in real time on a shared offline map — useful when subjects need escorted evacuation over long distances back to safety.
Base Camp Coordination
The base camp coordinator holds Loko Ground and monitors all field team positions on the Loko app. No satellite data plan required. No internet needed at camp. Complete operational picture on one screen.
Air & Drone Coordination
Mount Loko Air in a helicopter or on a drone to share its position with ground teams. All field units and air assets appear simultaneously on the same offline map, improving coordination across large search areas.
Coastal & Water Rescue
LoRa signal travels exceptionally well over open water. Track rescue boats, shore teams, and swimmers simultaneously from a command position on shore — no maritime data connection required.
How It Works
Fully Off-Grid. Fully Real-Time.
Loko eliminates every network dependency in the tracking chain. GPS position acquisition, radio transmission, reception, and map display all function without a cellular signal, Wi-Fi connection, or internet access at any stage.
Loko Air locks GPS position from satellites
Each team member carries a Loko Air tracker. It receives signals from GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou constellations simultaneously, determining precise position without any network connection. GPS satellites operate independently of ground infrastructure.
Position transmits via LoRa radio — point to point
Loko Air broadcasts the GPS coordinate using LoRa (Long Range) radio — a spread-spectrum modulation that achieves 20+ km range in open terrain. The signal travels directly through the air to Loko Ground. No towers, gateways, or servers are involved at any point.
Loko Ground receives all trackers simultaneously
The base coordinator or team leader carries Loko Ground — a handheld receiver that tracks every Loko Air unit within radio range. Deploying it on elevated ground (a ridge, vehicle roof, or drone) dramatically extends effective coverage of the search area.
Live positions on an offline map — no internet required
Loko Ground pairs with a smartphone via Bluetooth. The free Loko app (iOS & Android) displays all team positions in real time on a pre-downloaded offline topographic map. Track history, distance, and last-known positions are all available with zero connectivity.
Field tip: Place Loko Ground on a hilltop or vehicle roof to maximise radio line-of-sight across the search area. Every metre of elevation at the receiver directly extends operational range. Learn more about LoRa radio propagation on the GPS & LoRa Technology page.
Specifications
Technical Capabilities for SAR Operations
Every specification that matters for professional search and rescue use.
| Capability | Loko Specification | SAR Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Radio range | 20+ km (open / elevated terrain) | Covers large search grids from a single base receiver |
| Network dependency | None — LoRa P2P radio | Operates in zero-coverage terrain with no degradation |
| Battery life | Up to 1 year | Multi-day operations without recharging |
| Tracker weight | 14 g | Negligible addition to any team member's loadout |
| GNSS constellations | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou | Faster position fix and higher accuracy in any region |
| Simultaneous trackers | Multiple per receiver | Full team visibility from a single Loko Ground unit |
| Offline map support | Built into Loko app | Topographic map display with zero connectivity |
| Subscription required | None | No recurring cost for volunteer organisations |
| Server dependency | None | No cloud outage can disable the system mid-operation |
Full RF parameters, GNSS configuration, and LoRa settings are documented on the Loko Technical Specifications page.
Comparison
Loko vs Other SAR Tracking Options
Several technologies are used in search and rescue. Understanding the differences helps teams choose the right tool — many use more than one.
| Feature | Loko (LoRa radio) | Cellular GPS tracker | Satellite tracker / PLB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Works without cell service | ✅ Always | ❌ Never | ✅ Always |
| Real-time team map view | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Where coverage exists | ⚠️ With subscription plan |
| Subscription required | ✅ None | ❌ Monthly | ❌ Monthly ($15–$65) |
| Battery life | Up to 1 year | 1–5 days | Up to 1 year (varies by mode) |
| Update frequency | Configurable (seconds) | Near real-time (with coverage) | 2–10 min intervals typical |
| Multiple trackers on one screen | ✅ Yes, offline | ⚠️ Via cloud app | ⚠️ Via cloud app |
| Fully offline operation | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ⚠️ Sends via satellite, app needs data |
| Hardware cost per unit | Low | Low–Medium | High ($300–$700+) |
| No cloud single point of failure | ✅ None | ❌ Cloud-dependent | ❌ Satellite network dependent |
Note: Loko is a team situational awareness tool, not a personal distress beacon. For emergency alerting to rescue services, a PLB or satellite communicator remains the correct device. Loko and PLBs serve different functions and are best used together — Loko coordinates the team, the PLB calls for outside help.
Who It Is For
SAR Organisations That Benefit from Loko
Any team operating in environments where cellular coverage is absent or unreliable can improve coordination and safety with Loko:
- Volunteer mountain rescue teams operating on limited budgets with no subscription capacity
- National park SAR units covering vast wilderness areas with no mobile infrastructure
- Cave rescue teams requiring tracking through environments that block all cellular radio
- Avalanche and ski patrol teams coordinating across multiple slopes and ridgelines
- Maritime and coastal rescue teams exploiting LoRa's exceptional open-water range
- Disaster response organisations operating in areas where infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed
- Expedition leaders conducting multi-day treks in remote terrain requiring team accountability
- Trail race and ultramarathon organisers tracking participants across large off-grid courses
Field Deployment
Maximising Range in SAR Terrain
LoRa radio follows the same propagation physics as all radio signals. Understanding these principles helps SAR coordinators maximise operational coverage:
- Elevation is range. Every metre of height at Loko Ground extends the radio horizon. A receiver on a hilltop or vehicle roof will cover significantly more of a search area than one held at waist height in a valley.
- Ridgelines are natural obstacles. Team members on the opposite side of a ridge from Loko Ground will have reduced range. Plan receiver positions to maintain line-of-sight to anticipated search areas.
- Forest reduces range, not eliminates it. LoRa's spread-spectrum modulation penetrates vegetation far better than GSM. Expect 2–5 km in dense forest versus 20+ km in open terrain — still far exceeding cellular tracker performance in the same environment.
- Multiple receivers extend coverage. Deploy additional Loko Ground units at forward operating bases to cover a larger total search area from different vantage points.
- Pre-download maps before departure. Download the relevant topographic area in the Loko app while still on Wi-Fi. Once in the field, the app runs entirely without connectivity.
For a deeper understanding of LoRa signal propagation and radio range variables, read the GPS & LoRa Technology Guide.
FAQ
Questions SAR Teams Ask About Off-Grid GPS Tracking
What GPS tracker works without cell service for search and rescue?
Loko GPS Tracker uses LoRa radio to transmit real-time location data between team members and a base coordinator — no cell service, no internet, and no subscription required. It achieves 20+ km range in open terrain and works in mountains, forests, and any remote environment where cellular networks do not reach.
How do search and rescue teams track people in remote areas?
Effective SAR tracking in remote areas requires radio-based GPS systems that operate independently of cellular infrastructure. Loko uses LoRa P2P radio — the tracker on each team member transmits GPS coordinates directly to a command receiver over 20+ km, with no towers, gateways, or internet involved at any point.
Can GPS work without internet in an emergency?
Yes. GPS satellites broadcast signals from orbit that any receiver can read without a network connection — GPS has never required the internet. Loko uses this offline GPS position and transmits it via LoRa radio to a receiver, delivering real-time location data with no internet at any step of the process.
How far does an off-grid GPS tracker work for search and rescue?
Loko achieves 20+ km in open or elevated terrain. In dense forest or deep valleys, the practical range is 2–5 km. Deploying the Loko Ground receiver on elevated ground significantly extends coverage. For very large search areas, multiple receivers can be deployed at different vantage points to extend total coverage.
How is Loko different from a personal locator beacon for SAR?
A PLB is a one-way emergency transmitter that sends a distress signal to a satellite network and triggers a rescue response. Loko is a continuous situational awareness tool that displays live positions of all team members throughout an entire operation — before, during, and after an emergency. PLBs call for help; Loko coordinates the response team. They serve different purposes and are commonly used together.
Does a SAR GPS tracker need a subscription?
Loko has no subscription fees. There is no SIM card, no cloud server, and no monthly charge — ever. This is particularly important for volunteer SAR organisations that cannot sustain recurring costs across multiple trackers and team members.
How many team members can be tracked at once with Loko?
Loko supports multiple Loko Air trackers connected to a single Loko Ground receiver simultaneously. An entire field team appears on one map, allowing base camp to maintain full positional awareness of all personnel in real time.
Does Loko work internationally for SAR operations?
Yes. Loko communicates via LoRa radio rather than a cellular network, so there are no roaming charges, no carrier restrictions, and no SIM card requirements. It works anywhere GPS satellites are visible — which is everywhere on Earth.
Getting Started
What a SAR Team Needs to Deploy Loko
The system is two components. No server configuration, no account creation, no network provisioning.
- Loko Air — one per team member or tracked subject. Clips to a pack, harness, collar, or equipment mount. Multiple units broadcast simultaneously to a single receiver.
- Loko Ground — one per command position or base camp. Receives all trackers within radio range and pairs to a smartphone via Bluetooth.
Before the operation: download offline map tiles for the search area in the Loko app while still connected to Wi-Fi. Once in the field, the app operates entirely without connectivity.
Setup instructions are in the Setup Guides. Full hardware specs are on the Technical Specifications page. LoRa propagation is explained on the GPS & LoRa Technology page.
Real-Time Team Tracking. Zero Infrastructure.
Loko keeps every member of your SAR team visible on the map — in any terrain, in any country, with no network to depend on and no subscription to maintain.
Shop Loko →