......A millisecond burst would
require very little power, and could encode position, aircraft type &
"N" number and whatever else. The signal only needs to be sent once,
and would save time, money, and lives. A hunter or hiker or pilot
could add a brief text message as well, to indicate urgancy.
Oh, one other thing, considering the cost of a gps & transmitter, it
should be affordable to anyone, maybe the price of a 'chute or less.
Why don't we all have these?

The 1.6 GHz EPIRBs are already available:


The 1.6GHz EPIRB uses the INMARSAT satellites in geostationary orbit.
These satellites do not fly around the planet and appear to remain in
one fixed spot over the earths surface, (the stationary part of
geostationary).


They are equipped with a GPS receiver so that when they are activated
the alert signal, beacon ID and beacon position are transmitted.


See http://www.navtec.de/english/epirb2.htm

Tony V.