I also want to add my welcome ASKAR and I 100% agree with your assessment. The inability of rescuers to communicate with the people who activate a beacon whether it be of the PLB or SPOT variety will continue to create issues for SAR. SAR is headed to the scene expecting the worst when all we may have is a lost hiker who has simply given up hope of getting out but is otherwise in good shape.

I am hoping the new generation of two-way communicators like DeLorme's InReach will negate some of the waste of resources. Its not even out yet and will take some time to catch on, but I'm willing to bet SPOT (Globalstar), Garmin, and others are working on versions which will make these issues a thing of the past.