> Climbers have successfully used GPS devices for many years, but they are not 100% reliable. [...] Sometimes, it will send incorrect coordinates because the signal bounces off the mountain walls. Also, they require a clear sky view
Somewhat, but GPS receiver performance has improved greatly in the last 25 years.
Back in the day, you'd put a carefully oriented GPS antenna on the top of your car and still expect to lose signal when going between tall buildings.
These days a backseat car passenger with a metal car roof between them and the sky, paying no attention to the antenna's orientation, can almost always get a fix even in the densest of built up areas. And it's not just wifi or cell tower tracking - it's a proper satellite fix, with the precision to give turn-by-turn navigation instructions in good time.
A mountaineer's personal locator beacon might not get the full benefits (unlike a smartphone in an urban area, they probably won't get the fast fix A-GPS provides) but I'd still expect them to get the high sensitivity and multipath rejection modern receivers provide.
Somewhat, but GPS receiver performance has improved greatly in the last 25 years.
Back in the day, you'd put a carefully oriented GPS antenna on the top of your car and still expect to lose signal when going between tall buildings.
These days a backseat car passenger with a metal car roof between them and the sky, paying no attention to the antenna's orientation, can almost always get a fix even in the densest of built up areas. And it's not just wifi or cell tower tracking - it's a proper satellite fix, with the precision to give turn-by-turn navigation instructions in good time.
A mountaineer's personal locator beacon might not get the full benefits (unlike a smartphone in an urban area, they probably won't get the fast fix A-GPS provides) but I'd still expect them to get the high sensitivity and multipath rejection modern receivers provide.