Is sorta a hand held transponder (like pilots have)....it's on the 406 MHz band....when activated....it emits a distress signal...which is monitored by NOAA (but you must register your unit with NOAA...it's satellite technology...so the signal goes up not around obstacles..doesn't need to look for a tower...like cell phones....
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: JordanVw@aol.com 
  To: chuckphoto@EARTHLINK.NET ; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
  Sent: Friday, January 07, 2005 11:24 AM
  Subject: Re: Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)

  In a message dated 1/7/05 3:58:10 AM Eastern Standard Time, chuckphoto@EARTHLINK.NET writes:

    Any PLB's in use by WESTY owners....what make and model do you have....

    Thanks

  what the hell is a Personal Locator Beacon????   :<)

  chris