EPIRB's

[Alpine_Sapper]

As of February 1, 2009, the US Coast Guard and other SAR personnel can no longer detect analog 121.5 or 243 MHz distress signals from satellites. Boaters, aviators and others using emergency distress beacons are urged to equip their vessels/aircraft with a digital 406 MHz beacon. The law requires US beacons to be registered with the NOAA (http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov/).

For more information:
http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/

[crashdive123]

Some additional info on this was talked about here. http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/showthread.php?t=5385

[wildWoman]

We just bought an personal locator beacon (of the 406 MHz variety). Sure gives you peace of mind, although I would have preferred something like the Spot that allows you to send out a message calling for assistance from friends, in case you don't need a fully fledged rescue. I think that scenario is way more likely than an actual life-threatening situation. But the feedback about the Spot has been pretty bad, and the only other option would be a sat phone...so we went with the EPLB.

[RunsWithDeer]

I looked into the spot and thought the $99 annual subscription for the base package was steep, and then if you wanted to add the ability to send a message with your location to friends added another $49 a year. I went with the ACR Terrafix 406.

[wildWoman]

Yeah, we got the ACR MicroFix 406. Hopefully one of these things you lug around and never have to use.

[Teacher]

I just resently recieved the Spot as a gift by my family, apparently not coming home for days at a time makes them worry some. From all the test trips I have done with it, it is amazing. I know the subscription is a bit on the high side but after having it along on just one trip[ to the bush, I cant imagine being without it. As long as these type devises dont lure people into a false sence of securitry and into taking unnessesary risks.