| 406 MHz Distress Beacon Search and Rescue teams will find you faster if you activate a superior 406 MHz beacon. It is detected more quickly than a 121.5MHz beacon and can be located to within 5kms. If the 406 MHz beacon also has a built-in Global positioning System, the location can be pinpointed to within 120 metres. A 121.5MHz beacon will only narrow your position down to 20kms. What is a satellite distress beacon? Satellite beacons take much of the search out of search and rescue. When activated, beacons transmit a signal to the Cospas-Sarsat global search and rescue satellite system which processes the information to obtain a position. This information is relayed to Australian Search and Rescue (AusSAR) in Canberra. |
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| Beacons come in many shapes and sizes. They include Emergency locator
Transmitters (Ells) found in aircraft, hand-held Personal locator
Beacons (PLBs) and marine-based Emergency Position Indicating Radio
Beacons (EPIRBs). 2009 - a change is coming From February 2009 the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system will no longer process the 121.5 MegaHertz (MHz) frequency used by most distress beacons. The distress frequency used by the satellite network will be 406 MHz. Why the change? AusSAR detects many false distress alerts from non-beacon transmitters that interfere with the 121.5 MHz frequency and from inadvertently activated beacons. in Australia about 98 percent of the distress alerts detected are false. |
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False alerts can be resolved quickly with 406 MHz beacons as they
transmit a digital signal that identifies the owner. AusSAR keeps
a register of 406 MHz beacon users and can simply make a phone call
to determine if there is a genuine emergency or not. If there is a problem, a 406 MHz beacon will eliminate much of the guesswork in a search by telling AusSAR your name, address and the type of boat, aircraft or vehicle you are in. 121.5 MHz beacons are based on obsolete analogue technology that does not support an identifying message. In most cases, when these beacons begin transmitting, an expensive search has to be launched to determine if there is someone in distress. These searches could divert rescue resources away from a genuine emergency. |
| What should you do? 2009 may seem a long way off, but you should start planning to upgrade now. If you already have a 406 MHz beacon then you need not worry as long as it is registered. If you are not sure call AusSAR on 1800 641 792 and ask a search and rescue officer to check. You should have your beacon's fifteen character hexadecimal code ready for AusSAR. if you are relying on a 121.5 MHz beacon, you could upgrade when your beacon's battery is due to be replaced or you could simply make the change now. 406 MHz beacons are more expensive, but the price is expected to fall over time. Regardless of the price, if it saves your life, it is cheap insurance. |
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| AMSA Contact Details Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) 24 Hour Emergency contact numbers: 1800 641 792 (Maritime) 1800 815 257 (Aviation) 406 MHz beacon registration advice: Telephone: 1800 641 792 Additional information on distress beacons can be found at:www.amsa.gov-au/beacons Additional information about the Cospas-Sarsat international satellite system can be found at: www.cospas-sarsat.org/index_Frame_English.html |
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