Beacons Required?

I have owned a SPOT device for two years. I initially had issues, which were largely caused by user error. Because it can send a message within a couple minutes in a test situation, I expected the same response in the field, or rather, in the mountains. I was disappointed enough times that I told my family to not panic if an OK message failed to reach them. The technical aid personal from SPOT suggested that I leave the unit on for 20 minutes, which I was reluctant to do at first. However, after I realized how long their batteries last and followed that guideline, I have had a much improved success rate of messages being received. The GPS maps that accompanies the email message also provides additional information for my trip reports. I use SPOT for road trips, too. The daily check in gives my elderly parents a lot of comfort and entertainment as they follow my route. I have never had the need to use the HELP or 911 functions, though the HELP button did work in a test situation.

The technical aid personal from SPOT suggested that I leave the unit on for 20 minutes, which I was reluctant to do at first. However, after I realized how long their batteries last and followed that guideline, I have had a much improved success rate of messages being received. The GPS maps that accompanies the email message also provides additional information for my trip reports.

Leaving the unit on certainly helps, but I have had issues sending messages in the forest where my partners GPS was working perfectly. I have had other issues where the sky is somewhat obscured and that is somewhat to be expected, but I have also had missed messages on summits and in open glaciers. I hope I never need to use the Help or 911, but if I do, I hope they work. One interesting thing is when it does work it is just amazingly accurate on the map. Repeatedly I have gotten back, checked the emails and wondered at how accurate the location was.

I like the idea of the SPOT device. Seems it can be very handy, even beyond hiking the BC.

I also like the idea of the Spot and will eventually get one more for my family than myself. I agree with the opinion of Portland Mountain Rescue of why PLB's should not be mandatory. If the government of Oregon is serious about making people pay for rescue will they provide professionals like Europe? And if that is the case would rescue insurance be offered?

I have always wondered why when a climber needs rescue or a search party sent out, people freak out about the cost of rescue, but if a hunter is missing or a sailboat needs rescuing, there is not the same response?

...I have always wondered why when a climber needs rescue or a search party sent out, people freak out about the cost of rescue, but if a hunter is missing or a sailboat needs rescuing, there is not the same response?

Me too. And even more so for recreational users of commercial aircraft that need rescue, e.g. tourists today flying to Jamaica sliding off the end of the runway in a storm, and people in car crashes on recreational trips needing rescue. Seattle Fire Dept had 64,427 EMS calls in 2008. A good number of those were for people engaged in recreational pursuits, and some of those were not Seattle residents or taxpayers. No charge for the all-professional, paid union-member rescues. Never a question, even though some of those drivers and passengers have put themselves at high risk, driving distracted, drunk, fatigued, with equipment in poor condition and in bad weather, for non-essential travel.

There seems to me to be some confusion in the National press regarding PLB's and Avalanche beacons. In one news program people were talking about PLB's but using a Tracker in a demo. It seems like a less reactive response and more education for the public might be in order.

In my case I would like to hear more about GPS muddle the frequency of some Avalanche beacons. Is this true? If so could it be possible with PLB also?