This is an old thread, and that article, based on the first comments, came out 4 months ago. But regardless, there is something picked out of the article:
The guy sending the false alarm had programmed his "Custom Message" button with a stupid message:
"HELP!!! I AM ALIVE SOMETHING IS TERRIBLY WRONG SEND HELP IMMEDIATELY." Those messages cannot be changed out in the field -- they are programmed at home on the SPOT website, and only one message can be set.
There is no difference between that message and the SOS button. The Custom Message button can be mistakenly activated, while the SOS button is protected by a cover, and it takes real determination to activate the signal.
I like somewhat the idea that people should be charged for sending false alarms.
