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> Satellite-based emergency signals don't seem to be practical or economic enough yet for ubiquitous usage.

It's not as much a tech or time problem as it is a physics problem. Getting a signal from many Earth transmitters to a satellite receiver takes a lot of power on the transmitter side. More power by a lot than for one satellite transmitter to a bunch of Earth receivers!

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Physics isn't really an issue. Locator beacons are a thing. But they're standalone GPS size (i.e. not watches) and have subscription fees in the $100+ per year category so they're really more for people like solo hikers in remote areas etc. as opposed to the average consumer.

> Physics isn't really an issue. Locator beacons are a thing. But they're standalone GPS size (i.e. not watches) and have subscription fees in the $100+ per year category.

These caveats are caused by the physics. They're mostly batteries and antennas due to power constraints, and operating the receivers is expensive even with the tradeoffs they make.

Speaking of watches, the Breitling Emergency has a built in locator beacon. Not exactly cheap though.

Interesting! It also does seem to be a little bit of an operation to activate. I suspect that for most situations where you might have a realistic need for such a device, carrying a small Garmin or SPOT isn't a big deal.

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