About beacons

406 MHz – clearly a better system

There are currently two types of distress beacon – analogue and digital. All over the world, people are making the switch to the new, digital 406 MHz beacons. The older 121.5 MHz and 243 MHz analogue beacons have ceased to be monitored by satellite, as of 1 February 2009, and will become obsolete.

The table below shows in more detail why 406 MHz is a better system:

Disposing of old beacons

Old distress beacons need to be correctly disposed of in case they activate accidentally and trigger a false alarm. Active beacons have been found at the bottom of rubbish tips, triggering expensive and unnecessary search operations. There is also the risk that someone may think one of the old 121.5 MHz EPIRB’s is a useful safety device.

It is also important to the environment that beacons are disposed of correctly. The batteries are normally toxic and must be disposed of in accordance with the relevant regulations. Please take the batteries out before disposing of an old beacon, or return it to your beacon retailer. Some suppliers will trade in old 121.5 and 243 MHz beacons.

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 through:

• battery replacement
• 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.

Battery replacement

How often do I need to replace my beacon's battery?

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 121.5 MHz or 243 MHz beacon, don’t replace its battery, instead upgrade to a 406 MHz beacon.

Servicing

Beacons need to be tested and serviced for:

• water-tightness
• battery condition
• external damage
• signal strength.

How often does my beacon need to be serviced?

• 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 406 MHz beacons, most false alarms can be resolved with a simple phone call (0508 472 469). 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 and accidentally switched on.
• Always make sure the switch is in the 'safe' or 'off' position.
• Keep away from children and curious passengers.

Remember, if your beacon has been activated inadvertently, turn it off and then advise RCCNZ on 0508 4 RCCNZ (0508 472 469).

Testing

• EPIRBs and PLBs can be tested at any time using the self-test function without the need to notify RCCNZ.
• ELT’s in situ in aircraft are not normally tested using the self-test function.
• ELT’s in situ in aircraft and in accordance with AIP can be tested for 5 seconds only. RCCNZ must be notified 48 hours in advance of the test and you need to supply your 406 MHz ELT Hex ID.
• Any 406 MHz beacon tested for longer than 5 seconds must be coded with the TEST protocol and the 121.5/243 MHz homing transmitter disabled
• Any test longer than 5 seconds will require 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 406 MHz beacon for longer than 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 Advisor during normal business hours on 0800 406 111.

Myths about distress beacons

MYTH
121.5 MHz and 243 MHz Beacons will be monitored after 1 February 2009.

TRUTH
On 1 February 2009 the satellite system monitoring 121.5 MHz and 243 MHz distress beacons was turned off worldwide. This means RCCNZ will not receive an alert and they will not be given an approximate location of the beacon by satellite if someone triggers this type of beacon.

It is true that aircraft will continue to monitor 121.5 MHz BUT being heard is dependent on an aircraft flying nearby the beacon and no location will be given. From a search and rescue point of view this is of little use, even if the alarm was raised by an aircraft the potential search area may be enormous.

MYTH
The 406 MHz distress beacons will not work on the West Coast of the South Island.

TRUTH
Beacons must have line-of-sight contact with satellites to communicate. Deep narrow gorges and large overhangs can affect beacon communications with the geostationary satellites, but the low orbit satellites will be able to pick up the 406 MHz signal – it just might take a little longer to raise an alert.

MYTH
The 406 MHz distress beacons were not monitored until February 2009.

TRUTH
406 MHz distress beacons have been monitired for a number of years.