How to Get Fresh Data

This guide explains how to get the data you need from Aware Outdoors.

Send a message with your location to a specific Aware Outdoors email address or the SMS number. We'll show you how to do that with compatible satellite communication smartphone apps.

Within a few minutes, Aware Outdoors sends your data to your satellite communication device in one or more messages.

Sending Commands

Below you'll find step-by-step instructions for sending commands with popular satellite communication devices. Click on your device type to see details.

  1. Launch the Earthmate, Explore or Messenger app and check that your inReach device is paired with your phone
  2. Tap the Messages icon (iOS: at the bottom of the screen, Android: left-side menu)
  3. Tap on an existing message thread, or
  4. Start a new message by tapping the compose message icon ( or ) at the top right of the screen
  5. Tap in the "To:" field and enter an email address or click on the Add Contact button ( or ) at the right and search for an existing contact
  6. Ensure the "Message location" option is enabled to include your location in your message.
  7. Garmin apps don't allow empty messages so write something brief such as "hi" and then tap Send

For more details see the Garmin documentation on the Garmin Messenger app for inReach Messenger and inReach Mini 2, the Garmin Explore app for inReach Mini 2, or the Garmin Earthmate app for inReach Explorer, inReach SE and inReach 1.5, inReach Explorer+, inReach SE+, and inReach Mini.

  1. Launch the ZOLEO app and check that your ZOLEO device is connected to your phone
  2. Tap the Chats icon in the bottom left of the screen
  3. Tap on an existing message thread, or
  4. Start a new one by tapping the compose message icon
  5. Search for the contact or enter the email address
  6. Tap the location pushpin icon to send the message with your current location

For more details see the ZOLEO knowledge base.

  1. Launch the Bivy app and check that your Bivy Stick device is connected to your phone
  2. Tap the MESSAGES icon at the bottom of the screen
  3. Tap on an existing message thread, or
  4. Start a new one by tapping the compose message icon at the top right of the screen
  5. Tap in the "To:" field and type the command email address
  6. Tap the red location button to fill in your location
  7. Tap the blue arrow button to send the message

For more details see the Bivy Help Center.

Aware Outdoors Commands

Air Quality

What it is:

Most recent air quality index (AQI) measurement closest to your specified location, and a brief AQI forecast (if available)

Reply messages: 1-2

Example:

  • AQI: 57 Moderate is the nearest AQI measurement for fine particulates (PM2.5)
  • The word "Moderate" comes from the US EPA level of concern described here
  • dist 0 mi N tells you that the weather station providing this measurement is 1 mile north of your specified location.
  • 11/25 9:00 AM PST tells you that the measurement was recorded on November 25 at 9:00 AM PST
  • The AQI forecast, when available, is also for fine particulates (PM2.5)

Checkin

What it is:

Provides a location update to Aware Outdoors. Used for the CalTopo Location Bridge and Message Groups features. No reply message will be sent to your device.

Reply messages: 0


Elevation

What it is:

The elevation at your specified location

Reply messages: 1

Example:


Fires

What it is:

A list of fires detected within 60 miles (100 km) of your specified location

More details:

If multiple fires are detected near each other, they are combined into a single report. The report indicates your distance to the nearest detection. The confidence level of each detection is labeled:

  • HI: high confidence
  • md: medium confidence
  • lo: low confidence

Data comes from NASA FIRMS remote sensing and is updated multiple times a day.

Reply messages: 1-2

Example:

  • 6/15 7PM PDT: the month/day, time and timezone when the data was gathered
  • HI: 12 mi E the nearest fire, 12 miles east, is a "high confidence" event
  • md: 21 mi SW this fire is a "medium confidence" event, 21 miles to the southwest
  • The remaining fires are low confidence, where the temperature difference between the detection and the surroundings is low enough that it may not be a true fire

Forecast

What it is:

Weather forecast for the next few days (two entries per day)

Reply messages: 1-2

Example:

  • Forecast elev 3287ft indicates that the elevation at the center of the forecast region is 3287 feet above sea level. If you are at a significantly higher or lower elevation you should adjust the forecast appropriately (examples).
  • 9/6d: is the forecast for today and 9/6n: is the forecast for this night. If you send your command in the evening, today's daytime forecast will not be included
  • 9/7d: is the forecast for the next day (daytime) and 9/7n: is the forecast for the next night

Help

What it is:

Replies with a list of available commands

Reply messages: 1


Park Alerts

What it is:

Current park alerts if you are in a US National Park

Reply messages: 1-20

Example:

  • 1/2 indicates that the message is the first of two

Precipitation Forecast

What it is:

Hourly precipitation forecast for the next 48 hours: chance of precipitation and type

Reply messages: 2-6

Example:

  • @9/18 CDT indicates that the forecast begins on September 18 and the times are in Central Daylight Time
  • 11p: 0 at 11 PM the forecast calls for a 0% change of precipitation
  • 2: 13 rain at 2 PM the forecast calls for 13% change of precipitation in the form of rain
  • 3: 15 at 3 PM, 15% change of the same type of precipitation
  • Note: the month, day, hour and AM/PM are included at the start of each message in case the messages arrive out of order or some are lost

Quake

What it is:

Recent earthquakes centered within 75 miles (120 km)

Reply messages: 1-2

Example:

  • 9/6 7:02PM PDT indicates that the earthquake happened on September 6 ad 7:02PM Pacific Daylight Time
  • M 1.6 is a magnitude of 1.6 on the Richter scale
  • 2 mi WSW of Anderson Springs, CA means the earthquake was centered 2 miles west-southwest of Anderson Springs, CA
  • 70 mi NNW means the earthquake was centered 70 miles north-northwest of your specified location

Snow Depth

What it is:

Nearest snow depth measurements (as many as will fit in one reply message)

Reply messages: 1-2

Example:

  • 1mi WNW: this measurement station is 1 mile WNW of your specified location
  • elev 9327ft: elevation of the measurement station
  • Deadman Ck Near Kennedy Meadows - Sonora Pass: description of the measurement station location
  • 12in: measured snow depth

Temperature Forecast

What it is:

Hourly temperature for the next 48 hours: actual temperature and apparent temperature. If the actual and apparent temperature are within 5 degrees Fahrenheit, only the actual temperature will be shown.

Reply messages: 3-6

Example:

  • @4/21 PDT indicates that the forecast begins on April 21 and the times are in Pacific Daylight Time
  • 5p: 58 at 5 PM the forecast calls for 48°F temperature and the apparent temperature will be similar
  • 11: 37 (31) at 11 PM the forecast calls for 37 temperature with a 31°F apparent temperature (wind chill)
  • Note: the month, day, hour and AM/PM are included at the start of each message in case the messages arrive out of order or some are not delivered

Weather

What it is:

Most recent weather observation near your specified location, and a brief summary of any active weather alerts

Reply messages: 1

Example:

  • 9/6 10AM PDT: month/day, time and time zone of the observation
  • Temp 68 F: temperature in degrees Fahrenheit
  • Wind 2mph SW gust 5: wind is 2 miles per hour from the southwest with gusts of 5 miles per hour
  • DewPt 54 deg F: dew point in degrees Fahrenheit
  • RelHum 62%: relative humidity
  • 2mi NW elev 759ft: the observation is from 2 miles northwest of your specified location at an elevation of 759 feet above sea level
  • Alerts: none: no active weather alerts found

Weather Alerts

What it is:

Full text of all active alerts in your area. These may be sent in many numbered messages

Reply messages: 1-20

Example:


Wind Forecast

What it is:

Hourly wind for the next 48 hours: wind speed, gust speed, direction from which the wind will come

Reply messages: 3-6

Example:

  • @9/18 CDT indicates that the forecast begins on September 18 and the times are in Central Daylight Time
  • 11p: 8 12 SSW at 11 PM the forecast calls for 8 miles per hour wind, gusts of 12 MPH fromt the SSW direction
  • 12a: 6 9 at 12 AM the forecast calls for 6 MPH wind, 9 MPH gusts from the same direction as at 11 PM
  • Note: the month, day, hour and AM/PM are included at the start of each message in case the messages arrive out of order or some are not delivered

Test

For test messages: you will receive a reply with a portion of your message

Reply messages: 1


Device Verification

Used only when adding a device to your account

Reply messages: 0 (reply will go the email address you used to create your Aware Outdoors account)