how many wraps does it take

That's funny.

They leased the satellites from Hughes and another company so they still use them on high value systems because cell systems don't cover the entire country.

 

A lot of these new systems are bluetooth connected and gps tracked ,and even if they aren't functioning they can see that the truck is moving. The qualcomm is outdated, but these new tablet ELD's, as bad as they suck, are much more capable.

 

There's a lot to be said for "continuous cloud Backup" eLog systems such as Omnitracs systems, especially for office managed fleets. Even if a truck ventures out of cell coverage somewhere in the desert, the office can still see where the driver's logs/hours were at before they went out of range.

 

Just to add some clarity to this post.

The division of Qualcomm that did trucking technology all these years became "Omnitracs" a few years ago. So yes, there are hundreds of thousands of what you would call "Qualcomms" in trucks still - especially in the bigger fleets. There are many models that are older out there because they are built tough and are still running - you are correct. So when you say "the Qualcomm is outdated" you are correct in the sense that there are tons of MCP model units still running all over that are older because Omnitracs (formerly Qualcomm) has been around for 29 years doing it long before there was ever a mandate. For instance, the older Qualcomm devices needed at white dome receiver on the back of the truck.

But if you fast -forward to 2017, Omnitracs has two styles of units that are both on the leading edge just as they always were. Just new models. One (the IVG) is an 8" screen ruggedized tabled hard-wired, and one is like what you called "bluetooth connected" to your phone or tablet (the XRS.) And they are both at the leading edge of "capable." New times, new models. And they both do cloud backup all day. If the unit goes out of cell signal, then it saves the data until cell signal is found again and then uploads it. And the old white dome on the back is gone. They both just plug into the ECM port with one wire.

data source and transparency: I install both new kinds of Omnitracs all day at the moment.

 

I admit I haven't bothered looking at whether there's still a dome up there because it doesn't really matter. You're not going to get any load assignments. You're just going to get routed into a shop to fix it. How long do you think you can keep up that cat and mouse game? The only way you can get by with it is if the company lets you and otherwise you get fired.

 

Cutting a wire would be faster.

Maybe see where the thing is drawing power from? It's not installed by the manufacturer so there's gotta be an aftermarket tap somewhere. Maybe a fuse to pull.

(Btw: I don't endorse this, you get fired it's on you.)