I was referring to voice communication on 121.5 MHz by a 2-way radio. If this is legal in emergencies it would seem to be an option. The radios are available, are small and light weight, and relatively inexpensive. They would have to be carried solely for the potential emergency and not be used otherwise. They also have the emergency beacon capability on 121.5. If they were used it would have to be in a life or death situation and it would have to be carefully explained that this was not an aircraft down. Obviously there is potential for misuse. What is one person's opinion of an emergency may not be perceived that way by the Federal Communicaiton Commission, and therefore deemed illegal use.
The whole idea may be moot now that the 406 MHz PLB's are, or are about to be, authorized in the US. They would obviously be the better solution, although more expensive.
Hudgens