I just did a GPS test with my 410 plb. It shows me more than 31 miles away from my true location. Testing is great, but if you have no mechanisms to do something about failed or bad tests, what is the point?
I recently had an accidental activation while fishing offshore on a friend's boat. 1ft seas became 2ft seas as a storm approached. We picked up anchor and left for smoother waters but on the way I must have bumped the railing or side of the boat. The PLB was in my pants pocket and activated without me knowing. Nice to know it works but now I am looking for a hard case to carry it in.
There is no penalty for accidentally setting one off, however, if you were to do so intentionally to create a hoax there are stiff ones including jail. @@alanbanh
Having your plb in a bag or your car also doesn't consider if you fall into a hole, fissure or off a cliff and now do not have access to your plb. It's worthless if you cannot reach it.
***** Heads up; DO NOT USE THE SATELLITE PHONE STORE TO PROVIDE YOUR BIVY! The Satellite Phone Store's Bivy that I have has been down for going on 2 months, and Barry Hipple at the Satellite phone store basically sent me an "F you" letter saying that even though they bundled the Galileyo service they are not at all responsible in helping me get the issue resoled. Not a company that you can trust your life with.
