ACR Electronics 2842, PRO 406, RLB-37 Step TWO HOW the Beacon Works, How your beacon brings help

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STEP TWO - HOW THE BEACON WORKS

1.How your beacon brings help

406 MHz beacons are a type of portable emergency equipment that transmits a distress signal to search and rescue (SAR) organizations. The purpose of these beacons is to aid SAR teams in tracking and locating ships or individuals in jeopardy as rapidly as possible.

The 406 MHz frequency is a worldwide dedicated emergency frequency that is detected by a special system of satellites called the Cospas-Sarsat system. This satellite system was established by, and continues to be supported by, its primary benefactors - the USA, Russia, Canada and France. The Cospas- Sarsat system has saved over 24,800 lives - and counting - since its inception. See Appendix G or the Cospas-Sarsat website for more information about the system at www.cospas-sarsat.org.

When a 406 MHz beacon is activated, the digital distress message is sent to Cospas-Sarsat satellites and, in turn, the distress message is relayed to SAR. The distress message contains important information about the beacon and its owner. Additional information about the beacon is accessed by SAR from the beacon registration database. At the same time the 406 MHz signal is activated, a 121.5 MHz signal is turned on. The 121.5 MHz signal is used by SAR to home in on the beacon as they approach it.

The 406 MHz signal is detected by multiple satellites and from that information the location of the beacon can be calculated. This data alone is sufficient for SAR to find persons or ships in distress in a reasonable timeframe. However, as a further enhancement, some beacons have a GPS engine onboard. This feature allows the beacon to acquire current location coordinates from an internal GPS receiver. The coordinates are added to the ID of the unit, which is transmitted with the 406 signal. This enables the SAR authorities to locate the beacon to an accuracy of 110 yards (100 m).

Y1-03-0242 Rev. B

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Contents Owner Vessel Radio Call Sign UIN # Page Table of Contents Step ONE Registering Your Beacon Suitland Road Suitland, MD What country should I register in?How do I register? Noaa Sarsat Beacon RegistrationDo I need a radio license? How your beacon brings help Step TWO HOW the Beacon WorksAnatomy of your beacon Activation switch with Witness TabInternal GPS engine Top View Switch PositionsCategory 2 LowPro3 Bracket Category 1 SeaShelter3 BracketActivating your beacon Y1-03-0242 Rev. B Page Turning off the beacon False alarmsY1-03-0242 Rev. B Date of Installation Example Step Three Installing the BeaconMounting location Page Category I bracket Category II bracket On a routine basis aboard ship, do Routine beacon maintenanceBattery replacement Step Four Maintaining the BeaconY1-03-0242 Rev. B Servicing the SeaShelter3 and the HydroFix HRU Changing ownership or contact informationTo remove the expired HRU To install the new HRUServicing the LowPro3 Self-Testing the beaconExtended GPS test Internal GPS position system Appendix a Using and Testing the GPS SystemsLED indication of GPS fix General overview Appendix B the COSPAS-SARSAT SystemGlobal Positioning System GPS MHz Transmitter Appendix C Technical SpecificationsLimited Warranty Appendix D WARRANTY, Useful Life POLICY, NoticesStandards ProductNotified Body RegulationsSigned on behalf of ACR Electronics Inc International Maritime Organization Shore Based MaintenanceEuropean Representative
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