About Beacons
406MHz – Clearly a better system
There are currently two (2) types of distress beacon – analogue and digital. All over the world, people are making the switch to the new, digital 406MHz beacons. The older 121.5MHz and 243MHz analogue beacons will soon cease to be monitored by satellite, and become obsolete.
Why is a 406MHz beacon better?
+ Faster. Once activated, the signal from a 406MHz beacon can be picked up almost instantly by satellite. The old 121.5MHz and 243MHz beacons can take six hours or more to determine your location - which could be six hours too late.
+ More Accurate. With a 406MHz beacon we can reduce the search area to within 20 square kilometres. With the addition of GPS, the search area reduces to only a few metres. This is a huge improvement on the 121.5MHz and 243MHz system, which has a search area of over 1260 square kilometres.
+ Right Response. With registered 406MHz beacons, alerts are cross-referenced against a database of registered owners. Having this information improves our ability to help you in an emergency, and to respond appropriately. Being able to contact you or your nominated contacts also saves time and resources from being wasted on false alerts – out of the 1300 121.5MHz and 243MHz activations in the last two years, only 9% were for a real emergency.
+ Works. Only 406MHz beacons will be monitored by satellite from 1 February 2009.
The table below shows in more detail why 406MHz is a better system:
|
|
121.5MHz/243MHz Beacons |
406MHz Beacons |
|
Signal type |
Analogue |
Digital |
|
Coverage |
The |
The entire globe. |
|
Identification |
121.5 beacons are anonymous. They don't tell rescue authorities who's in trouble, or even what's in trouble. |
406MHz beacons have a unique identification code, which is part of its signal. When properly registered with the RCCNZ, the code provides information about the boat, aircraft, or person carrying the beacon. This includes the owner's emergency contact details and the country of registration. |
|
False Alerts |
All alarms must be tracked to the source, wasting valuable time and resources. |
Enables false alarms to be resolved with a simple radio or phone call. |
|
Alert time |
Orbiting satellites take 90 minutes on average to receive the signal but it may take up to 5 hours depending on the conditions. Processing the 121.5 signal may take an additional 45 minutes. |
The 406MHz signal may be received within seconds by Geostationary satellites. If detected by a polar orbiting satellite, detection time will be longer. The extra information provided by a 406MHz beacon will, in most cases, help authorities locate you faster. |
|
Location |
Accurate to 20 km but more information is needed to determine the real location. This usually requires at least two satellite passes &/or independent intelligence which takes more time. |
Accurate to approximately five (5) km. Some 406MHz beacons use Global Positioning System (GPS) and have an accuracy of 120 metres. With GPS, an accurate location can be determined with one satellite pass 95% of the time. |
|
Rescue time |
Rescuers must wait for confirmation of the beacon's position before sending a search & rescue team. This takes more time. |
If the 406MHz beacon is registered, it will enable rescuers to know more about who you are, where you are, what your vehicle looks like and your emergency contact details. This can save valuable time. |
|
Signal power |
0.1 Watt |
5 Watts. |
|
Future Technology |
From February 2009 the international satellite system (COSPAS-SARSAT) will no longer process the 121.5MHz or 243MHz signal. This will make all 121.5MHz and 243MHz beacons obsolete. |
406MHz beacons are already well supported and are saving lives all over the world. |
Disposing of old beacons
Old distress beacons need to be correctly disposed of in case they accidentally activate and trigger a false alarm. Active beacons have been found at the bottom of rubbish tips, triggering expensive and unnecessary search operations. Please take the batteries out before disposing of an old beacon or return it to your beacon retailer.
It is also important to the environment that beacons be disposed of correctly. The batteries are normally toxic and must be disposed of in accordance with the relevant regulations.
If you sell or dispose of a registered 406 MHz beacon, please let RCCNZ know by phoning 0800 406 111.
Beacon care and maintenance
Like any item of safety equipment, your Distress Beacon needs to be maintained.
•
• Servicing
• Preventing False Alarms
• Testing
Some beacons require specific maintenance and testing procedures. For more detailed information, refer to the appropriate section under Land, Sea or Air.
How often?
Batteries have an expiry date printed on the beacon label. Have the battery replaced before the expiry date. Usually, beacons have a battery life of 2-5 years depending on the beacon model. Just to be extra sure, test your beacon once a month in the test mode and check it's working. See the beacon manual or label for test instructions.
Do not attempt to replace the battery yourself. The beacon may not work in an emergency if the replacement battery is not the correct type or is incorrectly fitted. Batteries should be replaced by an approved dealer listed in your owner's manual.
If you own a 121.5MHz or 243MHz beacon, at your next battery change you should upgrade to a 406MHz beacon.
Servicing
Beacons need to be tested and serviced for:
• Water-tightness.
•
• External damage.
• Signal strength.
How often?
◦ Whenever the battery needs replacing (use-by date on the label).
◦ Whenever coding of the beacon has been altered because of a change of country, or the vessel, aircraft or vehicle ownership has changed.
Who Services it?
Usually the manufacturer or distributor. The agent or distributor where you bought the beacon can make arrangements on your behalf.
Preventing False Alarms
In the past, valuable search and rescue resources have been wasted on false alarms, as there's no way of telling an accidental activation from a real emergency.
Now, with properly registered 406MHz beacons, most false alarms can be resolved with a simple phone call. As a beacon owner there are, however, some things you can do to further guard against accidental activation:
• Store the beacon where it can not be knocked & accidentally switched on
• Always make sure the switch is in the 'safe' or 'off' position
• Keep away from children & curious passengers
Remember, if your beacon has been activated inadvertently, turn it off and then advise RCCNZ on 0508 4 RCCNZ (0508 472 469) or 0800 472 269.
Testing
• EPIRBs and PLBs can be tested at any time using the self-test function without the need to notify RCCNZ.
• ELTs in situ in aircraft are not normally tested using the self-test function.
• ELTs in situ in aircraft and in accordance with AIP can be tested for five (5) seconds only. RCCNZ must be notified 48 hours in advance of the test and you need to supply your 406MHz ELT Hex ID.
• Any 406MHz beacon tested for longer than five (5) seconds must be coded with the TEST protocol and the 121.5/243MHz homing transmitter disabled
• Any test longer than five (5) seconds will require two (2) days notice. You will need to contact RCCNZ and provide the information listed in the operational tests section of your manual.
• A test of a 406MHz beacon for longer than five (5) seconds with an OPERATIONALLY coded protocol is NOT permitted under normal circumstances.
• Any request for tests with an operationally coded beacon will need to be discussed with RCCNZ's COSPAS-SARSAT Adviser during normal business hours on 0800 406 111.
