Beacon Monitoring System

How the 406MHz Monitoring System works

1 A distress beacon is activated.

2 The signal is transmitted to the nearest sub-orbital satellite. These can be satellites that remain in stationary position over the same area of the earth's surface or those that are constantly circling the earth in polar orbits.

3 The signal is transmitted from the satellites to the nearest local user terminal (LUT). These are placed around the globe, to ensure signals are received almost immediately.

4 The signal is passed to the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand.

5 The RCCNZ mobilizes rescue resources and directs them to the coordinates of the signal.

For more information click on COSPAS-SARSAT.