You are supposed to register it with the local government org. In the US, that is the NOAA. When the PLB activates, the receiver which is either the Coast Guard or Air Force will attempt to contact you before they send the distress call to whatever local S&R there is. Obviously if they can't reach you, they will send help anyway.
I'm aware they will attempt to call you, I still think it is fair to call it all or nothing because the only reasonable response to a PLB activation with no response from the phone call is to assume someone is in mortal peril. If you do respond to the call, why did you activate the PLB when you could have called?
You are supposed to register it with the local government org. In the US, that is the NOAA. When the PLB activates, the receiver which is either the Coast Guard or Air Force will attempt to contact you before they send the distress call to whatever local S&R there is. Obviously if they can't reach you, they will send help anyway.