ACR Electronics Y1-03-0250, RLB-38 Step TWO HOW the Beacon Works, How your beacon brings help

Page 7

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 23,500 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 or download coordinates from an external 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).

Y1-03-0250 Rev. B

6

Page 6 Page 8
Image 7
Page 6 Page 8
Contents Owner Vessel Radio Call Sign UIN # Page Table of Contents Appendix D WARRANTY, Useful Life POLICY, NoticesStep 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 WorksOptional External GPS interface Anatomy of your beacon Activation switch with Witness TabTop View Switch PositionsCategory 2 QuickDraw Bracket Category 1 SeaShelter3 BracketActivating your beacon Y1-03-0250 Rev. B Witness tab will break once placed in the on position Turning off the beacon Tips for Optimum Deployment of AN Activated BeaconFalse alarms Date of Installation Example Step Three Installing the BeaconPage Category I bracket Category II bracket Installing the Optional optical GPS interface cable On a routine basis aboard ship, do Routine beacon maintenanceBattery replacement Step Four Maintaining the BeaconY1-03-0250 Rev. B Servicing the SeaShelter3 and the HydroFix HRU Changing ownership or contact informationTo remove the expired HRU To install the new HRUServicing the QuickDraw Self-Testing the beaconHow the external GPS interface works Appendix a Using and Testing the GPS SystemsUsing the external GPS interface Testing the external GPS interfaceCompatible GPS receivers LED indication of GPS fixGeneral overview Appendix B the COSPAS-SARSAT SystemGENERAL/ Environmental Appendix C Technical SpecificationsLimited Warranty Appendix D WARRANTY, Useful Life POLICY, NoticesProduct EC Declaration of Conformity
Top Page Image Contents