This may have been covered before, but here goes. In our local paper there is an AP artical stating NOAA plans to announce a new program today: The "personal locator beacon" will be available starting July 1 and will cost $300 or more. Just as the satellite rescue system has watched over piolts and boaters for two decades, the new handheld devices will allow those on land i.e. hikers, hunters, climbers to call for help. Pete