So, having been reading (and very occasionally posting) since the outset, it appears that these detected ACARS 'pings' are the definitive article, the 11th tablet of stone and thus an eternal truth? These signals to a satellite are 110% reliable data? ... and the lack of any information on previous pings should be regarded as unimportant, or potentially disturbing a pre-conceived idea?
In consequence all other possibilities are to be discarded, because these 'pings' are deemed so absolute that no other feasible options can be considered?
I earnestly hope that the subsequent investigation will be more rigorous.