In reference to md 600 driver saying, "I would also add that if pilots used there one and only com to switch to 121.5 you would get a lot of mistaken calls.."
Since the world’s search-and-rescue coordinators plan to stop monitoring both 121.5 MHz and 243 MHz on February 1 2009 because of the increase in false calls, why does crab think that pilots on a budget are going to fork out on an expensive receiver, UHF or VHF', that in a 'low level' or geographically unsuitable environment will be as much use as laxative bath salts!
(121.5MHz will remain the aircraft emergency distress frequency and therefore will continue to be used as a homing signal by 406MHz and MOB Beacons for search and rescue aircraft and surface vessels.)
I think Max Contingency covers this thread nicely.
In the meantime, perhaps the CAA could with initial licence issue, include a set of these
for those without the extra radio fit in order to hear crabs whining and know when to stay away!