ultimately how you're often found, is when a helicopter is dispatched to the area where the beacon signal comes from and that has often has its own homing system fitted, usually acting like a direction locator picking up the signal direct from the plb to work out where you are.
major western nations dont have to have issues about tracking where beacon signals are coming from and relaying it to other nations,
it all gets academic in third world countries where there can be little or no rescue service to rescue you from remote locations, let alone pick up where the signal is coming from in the first place.
This post has been edited by the author on 28 October 2015 at 11:19.
new ground satellite receiving station
http://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/112175-bay-satellite-station-complete.html
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/201776801/satellites-pave-way-for-easier-rescues
I wonder if the new collection of higher orbit satellites will effect how well locations can be calculated when none is transmitted.
Each country coordinates rescue effort for that country and whilst with an overseas PLB will get you rescued in NZ it is a requirement of the radiocomunications regulations that NZ residents have NZ coded PLB's and EPIRBS and that they are registered with the Maritime coordination centre in New Zealand the Australians will let you use a NZ address however for the sake of $20 to $50 to get a NZ coded unit is it worth the bother particularly when you can get one for $335 that is NZ coded and with a NZ warranty https://www.safetybeacons.co.nz/index.php/kti-safety-alert-sa2g-406mhz-plb-personal-locator-beacon.html
Just purchased a KTI Safety Alert 406MHz Personal Locator Beacon from the link above as my old GME units battery was due for replacement.
A great little unit and at that sort of price and size there is really no reason not to buy one
