Beacons | Q&A

With the addition of GPS, authorities will not only be advised that you are in distress, but also your exact location. This removes any need to ‘search’ for you and enabling them to launch immediately into your rescue operation, saving even more valuable time. They also provide a much faster fix on your position.

When are they going to stop monitoring 121.5MHz?

From February 1, 2009, the 121.5MHz and 243MHz distress frequencies will cease to be monitored by satellite. If you have a 121.5MHz or 243MHz beacon you should not wait until this date. Make the switch to 406 MHz now – it's speed, reliability and accuracy could help in saving your life.

What is an EPIRB?

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) are distress beacons designed for maritime environments. These devices are designed to float in water.

What is a PLB?

Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) are designed for personal use, mainly by bushwalkers, cross-country vehicle clubs, mountaineers and other adventurers on land. They’re also used in gliders. They're small and lightweight, and designed to fit into pockets. They are manually operated.

Where do I buy a distress beacon?

For details of leading New Zealand retailers and distributors of 406 MHz beacons go to our Purchase A Beacon page.

What is 121.5 MHz or 243MHz?

Older, analogue distress beacons transmit their signal on 121.5 Megahertz (MHz) or on 243MH

Why are they going to stop monitoring 121.5MHz?

121.5MHz and 243MHz beacons are now obsolete, unreliable technology. Rather than waste resources monitoring the old frequency, worldwide efforts are being concentrated on the superior 406MHz system. COSPAS-SARSAT made the decision to cease satellite processing of 121.5 MHz and 243MHz in response to guidance from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). These United Nations organizations mandate safety requirements for aircraft and maritime vessels and have recognised the limitations of the 121.5 MHz and 243MHz beacons and the superior capabilities of the 406 MHz alerting system. It is faster, more reliable and more accurate, and is already assisting in the saving of lives. The decision was also made to reduce the chronically high false alarm rate from analogue distress beacons. Currently 97% of distress beacon signals are false alarms.

What is an ELT?

Emergency Location Transmitters (ELT’s) are designed for aviation use. They are hard-wired into the aircraft. They are fitted to activate on impact or can be activated manually. All beacon types are available as standard models or with the addition of GPS.

Who is RCCNZ?

The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand manages all Class III search and rescue missions in the New Zealand Search and Rescue Region (NZSRR). When you activate your distress beacon a satellite will detect your signal and send information to RCCNZ, which will then begin a search and rescue mission for you. RCCNZ is based in Lower Hutt, Wellington. It is part of Maritime New Zealand, which is a Crown Agency. For further information, visit www.maritimenz.govt.nz.

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What is an ELT functional test?

This is normally carried out from the cockpit to check if an ELT is functioning correctly. Because this test involves transmissions from the beacon it must not last longer than five seconds.

What do I do with my old 121.5MHz beacon?

Dispose of it properly by contacting the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand on 0800 406 111 to find out your nearest beacon disposal centre or by sending it to the Rescue Coordination Centre by courier, handing it in to your nearest Police station or handing it to the retailer from whom you purchase your 406 MHz beacon. DO NOT THROW IT AWAY (that may lead to a helicopter search of your nearest landfill).

What is 406MHz?

Modern distress beacons transmit on 406 Megahertz (MHz). It is a digital system that is fast, reliable and accurate. As well as helping rescuers find your position, 406MHz beacons transmit an identification code. When the beacon is registered with the RCCNZ, this reduces the number of false alarms and provides rescuers additional information, so they can locate you faster.

What is a HEX ID?

The unique identity of each and every 406 MHz distress beacon, made up of 15 alpha-numeric hexadecimal characters.

What is an OPERATIONAL test?

A test of a 406MHz beacon that requires confirmation of correct processing by the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system.

Why shouldn't I just keep my 121.5MHz beacon? Overflying aircraft will still monitor that frequency.

It is true that aircraft will still monitor 121.5MHz and that this frequency is used for direction finding purposes on 406MHz beacons. However, 121.5MHz will NOT be monitored by satellites from February 2009 so NO alert will be raised.

Where can I find the Hex ID on my beacon?

You should find your beacon’s Hex ID on a label affixed to the beacon or in the beacon documentation provided by your beacon manufacturer. If you have difficulty locating your beacon Hex ID, contact your beacon manufacturer.

What is the Ground Segment?

The COSPAS-SARSAT ground segment consists of: Local User Terminals (LUT’s), which receive beacon signals relayed by the satellites and process them, to determine the beacon location; and Mission Control Centres (MCC’s), which accept the output from the LUT’s, convey alert and location data to appropriate search and rescue authorities and exchange system information messages with other MCCs

Why should I not buy a beacon from overseas or over the Internet?

Each country has an individual 406MHz code. Unless specified, a beacon from overseas will be coded for another country and have to be registered in that country. When it is activated, the satellite will notify the wrong Rescue Coordination Centre, which could mean a long, potentially life-threatening delay. Beacons bought overseas cannot be registered in New Zealand, unless the beacon coding is changed to the New Zealand Country code (512).

What is a distress beacon?

A distress beacon is a small electronic device that, on activation, broadcasts a signal to a satellite. This signal alerts the Rescue Co-Ordination Centre that you are in danger.

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What is a Local User Terminal (LUT)?

An earth receiving station that receives beacon signals relayed by COSPAS-SARSAT satellites, processes them to determine the location of beacons, and forwards the signals to a Mission Control Centre (MCC). The New Zealand MCC servicing New Zealand is the Australian Rescue Coordination Centre, located in Canberra.

When should I use a distress beacon?

Distress Beacons are only for use in life-threatening situations. In the event of an emergency, you should first signal other people in your area using radios or other methods of attracting attention. Mobile phones can be used too, but don't rely on them. The phones may be out of range, have limited battery power, or become water-damaged. The procedure to set off a distress beacon varies from device to device. Make sure you read the instructions on how to operate your particular beacon before you have to use it. The instructions are on the beacon label. EPIRBs work best when floating in the water but make sure the beacon is attached to something by the lanyard so that it does not float away. On land, ensure that the PLB is placed in the open away from overhangs so that it has the greatest view of the sky and therefore the best opportunity to be detected by orbiting satellites and over flying aircraft.

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What are the different types of beacons?

– Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs). EPIRBS are for use in maritime applications. These devices are designed to float in water. – Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT). ELTs are designed for use in aircraft. They may be fitted to an aeroplane or helicopter so that they activate on impact and can be activated manually. – Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs). Used by bushwalkers, mountaineers and other adventurers on land. They are designed to fit into pockets. They are not specifically designed for use in the marine and aviation environments,. PLBs are portable units that operate much the same as EPIRBs or ELTs. These beacons are designed to be carried by an individual person and manually operated.

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What if I accidentally set my beacon off?

The most important thing is to turn it off and let RCC know as soon as you can. If you are flying contact Air Traffic Control and ask that they notify RCC of the inadvertent activation. Likewise, if you are on a boat, get a message to RCC through the local Coastguard or Coast Radio Station. There is no penalty for accidentally setting off your beacon. If you use your beacon or it is accidentally activated, have it serviced to ensure the battery still has enough life to power the beacon for the required 48 hours continuous operation.

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I have heard that there may be other safety products that could be better than 406 beacons, is this true and do SAR services endorse other products?

The primary aim of the New Zealand SAR services is the successful search and rescue of people in emergency situations. In principle we support any system or product that assists in this goal, however we are to a large extent reliant on other bodies such as the CAA, Maritime New Zealand, and the international satellite monitoring service, Cospas-Sarsat, to determine and advise the appropriate recommended safety devices for regulatory or international standard purposes. The 406 distress beacon is now the international standard for distress beacons. However we also recommend that no safety device is a substitute for the exercising of good judgement and the following of sensible safety procedures. Any alternative technology should be submitted to the relevant body for appraisal.

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Why shouldn’t I just wait for the prices of 406 beacons to reduce, or for a better solution to be developed? Why wouldn’t I wait until the end of 2008 to change over?

For three good reasons; the number of satellites monitoring the 121.5MHz are already being phased out and as a result there are already less satellites monitoring this frequency now than there was in 1999. Secondly the 406 beacons bring enormous benefits that will your improve chances of survival if you are in an emergency situation. Thirdly, the benefits of 406 beacons mean that our search & rescue operations can work more efficiently.

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Why is this change happening?

The international council that controls the satellite system, Cospas-Sarsat, decided in October 2000 to fully cease processing 121.5 MHz analogue signals by satellite on 1 February 2009. From that date only 406 MHz beacons will be detected by satellite. The phase-out started in 2000 and has meant a slow but steady decline in the number of satellites monitoring the 121.5MHz frequency, culminating in the frequency no longer being monitored at all from February 2009. The decision was made to reduce the chronically high false alarm rate from analogue distress beacons. Currently 97% of distress beacon signals are false alarms.

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What are the problems caused by false alarms?

As every beacon alert in and around NZ is treated as a genuine emergency until proven otherwise, false alarms are tying up scarce search and rescue time and assets. RCCNZ is concerned that someone in a genuine emergency may get an undersized search and rescue response because search and rescue assets are tied up chasing a false alarm. This has not occurred in NZ to date, but the concern by many authorities around the world that it could happen, (coupled with the large and now avoidable expense of tracking false activations to source), has led to the international decision to phase-out the analogue frequency.

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How do the 406 beacons prevent false alarms?

The digital beacons transmit an identity code on the 406 MHz frequency that can be cross-referenced with a database of registered 406 MHz beacon owners at the RCC. This database includes phone numbers, next of kin contacts, information on the type of vessel, how many people it usually carries and other vital information that enable the right response to the emergency to be provided. On false alarms, it enables us to make a call to the registered beacon owner to see if he/she is in genuine distress or just has a beacon transmitting by accident. Many maritime false alarms occur because the switch on the distress beacon has been bumped on.

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How much better are the 406 beacons?

406 MHz beacons are detected more quickly and accurately (to within approximately 5 km by satellite compared to about 20 km for the analogue beacons) which has an obvious safety advantage. As well, depending on the location of the 406 MHz beacon it may be detected within minutes, compared to the average one hour and 30 minutes it takes to get confirmed satellite detection from a 121.5 MHz analogue beacon.

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When should I change?

As soon as you possibly can in order to improve your chances of survival in an emergency. From a practical perspective we believe a good time to look at digital 406 MHz beacons is when the batteries on your analogue 121.5 beacon expire.

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Do distress beacons always work?

No safety equipment can be 100% guaranteed as they are dependent on variables such as correct usage and the circumstance of the emergency, but the new 406 generation of distress beacons are superior to previous models, and when used correctly will save lives. Distress beacons are not the only safety equipment that should be used in outdoor recreation, and are not intended to replace essential safety equipment such as VHF radios or lifejackets. The 406 generation of distress beacons are the new international standard and will be the only frequency monitored by international satellite, and as such will remain a critical part of New Zealand’s search and rescue operations.

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Who is the public education campaign aimed at?

This campaign is aimed at anyone who owns or uses a 121.5MHz distress beacon for work or recreational purposes.

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What if I buy a 406 beacon from overseas?

It is important that the 406 beacon is coded and registered for New Zealand in order for search & rescue services to contact owners in the event of the beacon being activated. Each country has an individual 406 code. Beacons bought overseas cannot be registered in New Zealand. A beacon from overseas could be coded for another country. When it is activated the satellite will notify the wrong Rescue Coordination Centre which could mean a long, potentially life-threatening delay.

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What is happening in 2009?

The International Cospas-Sarsat System will cease satellite processing of 121.5/243 MHz beacons from 1 February 2009. All beacon owners and users should begin taking steps to replace their 121.5/243 MHz beacons with 406 MHz beacons as soon as possible. Cospas-Sarsat made the decision to cease satellite processing at 121.5 MHz in response to guidance from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). These United Nations organizations mandate safety requirements for aircraft and maritime vessels and have recognised the limitations of the 121.5 MHz beacons and the superior capabilities of the 406 MHz alerting system.

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Will SAR respond to an activated 406 beacon?

Yes. When you activate your 406 distress beacon a satellite will detect your signal and send information to RCCNZ which will then begin a search and rescue mission for you. All beacon activations are investigated to the source: The RCC is charged with identifying all distress beacon signals. There is no cost to the beacon owner/ user for this service. Reducing the cost of false activations is one of the key benefits of 406 Beacons: They do this by unique identification codes that is referenced against an owner registration database, so that owners can be quickly contacted to determine if an activation is real or false and appropriate action quickly and efficiently deployed. 406 Beacons are a lot quicker and more accurate in identifying a distress situation: Detection times are reduced and the search area is dramatically reduced.

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When should I use my distress beacon?

When you belive that you are in grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance.

As a tramper, I haven’t used a 121 beacon before, why should I use a 406 beacon?

We believe that it is good safety practice to carry a 406 beacon when going into remote and hazardous areas within NZ. It is inexpensive insurance that in the unlikely event that something does go wrong, you can seek search and rescue assistance. However a distress beacon is no substitute for good judgement and following accepted safety procedures. In many cases tramping clubs and other organisations have distress beacons available for hire at very reasonable rates, and this is another means by which an individual can access this important safety device.

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Where can I find the Hex ID on my beacon?