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EPIRB

Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 10:17

Rod2

We are about to launch into our long long awaited trip around oz and I think we have most things covered. One area that we would like some feedback on is EPIRB's. Is it necessary?? We have HF and UHF and we do travel outback a lot on our own. Rod
ThreadID: 38248 Replies: 5
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AnswerID: 197764   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 10:24

Mike Harding replied:

Depends.

If you're going to areas where you won't have passing traffic for a few days and they're too far out to walk back from or you're not too confident in the bush (and if you were I suspect you would not be asking this question) then even though you have an HF set I would say it would be good insurance. In 99% of remote areas UHF CB will be totally useless as a safety device.

This comment will attract lots of opposition but I would buy the VHF unit the GME MT310, I think they're about $250.

Mike Harding
Reply 1 of 5
FollowupID: 456315   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 10:39

Kiwi Kia posted:

Do a site search here, this subject has been VERY well covered recently. Search on EPIRB.

If you decide to purchase then I would say you must get the 406 MHz (MHz =mega hertz).

DO NOT get the old type 121 MHz type even though some stores are still promoting them. The 121 MHz recieveing system has a very limited life. As the satellites fail they are not being replaced but the new 406 system is being added to all the time.
FollowUp 1 of 8
FollowupID: 456317   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 10:48

Footloose posted:

Aircraft will continue to monitor 121 meg for some time. AFIK there are no commercial systems availiable for sale that even come close to the portability and price of the MT310's which are availiable second hand or you can still hire.
FollowUp 2 of 8
FollowupID: 456333   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 13:29

Member - Vincent A M (NSW) posted:

I agree the 406mhz is the way to go & are registered to you (from $480.00) so they (rescue teams) know who it is they are looking for. Just recently I picked up a brand new one in Wollongong NSW for a customers boat in Jervis Bay the supplier had tested it but had forgotten to turn it off & put it back in the box I did not even reach Nowra (1HR) & had a phone call to tell me I was being Monitored & to turn it off (Not bad)
in one hour Canberra had picked it up, rang the importer, who rang the supplier, who rang me & it had not even been registered at that stage

Ps I would buy a sat phone instead or hire one (great investment)
FollowUp 3 of 8
FollowupID: 456335   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 13:39

Footloose posted:

Yep, great on a boat. And it saves the taxpayer lots as accidental activation of epirbs is more than common. Makes their job much easier. But how practical for a 4wd or bushwalker ? Twice the price. Twice as big and bulky ??
Sat phones aren't always all they're cracked up to be, either. A search of the archives here will soon establish that.
FollowUp 4 of 8
FollowupID: 456336   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 13:50

Rod2 posted:

Thanks Guys for the feed back,
We'll look into a MT310. Sounds like good advice. The HF is good and we usually get very good coverage. The 'cook' just wants a back up if something happens to me.(s'pose she could trade me in)
FollowUp 5 of 8
FollowupID: 456382   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 17:49

Member - Vincent A M (NSW) posted:

Footloose I agree that they are bigger & bulky & I would not bush walk with one however in the 4wd that bit of bulk the 406mhz works well & it will pin point you to about 5klms pretty well. the 121.5 & 243mhz works to about 20klms in perfect conditions & have a lot more limitations in mountains,valleys gorges etc the cost difference between the 2, $170 verse $450 yes its more expensive for something that works well, certainly beats sitting around waiting & lets remember something has gone BAD big time if you have activated it.
FollowUp 6 of 8
FollowupID: 456400   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 18:59

Mama June posted:

We bought a GME MT310 and took it with us on our recent trip to the Kimberley. We didn't use it so we'll probably sell it, but I don't know if I am allowed to do that on this site.
June
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FollowupID: 456405   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 19:30

Mike Harding posted:

There is a "Trader" section but I don't know if you have to be a member to use it?

I don't suppose anyone would get too upset if you made another brief follow-up with your e-mail address.

In fact this would be a _very_ good time for people with VHF EPIRBs who "probably" won't use them again to sell - would benefit both parties.

Mike Harding
FollowUp 8 of 8
AnswerID: 197768   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 11:08

Troop-a-dour replied:

Where are ya?? You can borrow my (unused) MT300- on a use it/replace it deal!!
Reply 2 of 5
AnswerID: 197803   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 15:13

robak (QLD) replied:

Remember that HF and UHF only work if you have power to them. In some (unlikely) instances - like if your vehicle catches fire, is flooded or in an accident,- these may become useless.

R.

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teewah beach
Reply 3 of 5
FollowupID: 456351   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 15:46

Member - Andrew (QLD) posted:

EPIRBS burn just as well ;-)

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It may be that my sole purpose in life is to
serve as a warning to others!
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 456353   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 15:54

Mike Harding posted:

Not if you have a "Grab Bag" they don't :)
FollowUp 2 of 2
AnswerID: 197807   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 15:48

robak (QLD) replied:

well, yes they do, but you can take them out of the car along with all your other gear before it all goes up in smoke.

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teewah beach
Reply 4 of 5
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AnswerID: 197924   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 05, 2006 at 09:50

Kiwi Kia replied:

The satellite system that supports 121.5 MHz analogue distress beacons is in the process of being replaced. Already it is significantly degraded and it will cease operation altogether in February 2009. If you have a 121.5MHz distress beacon which may also be called an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon), PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) or ELT (Emergency Locator Transmitter) you need to switch to a 406MHz distress beacon.

The above is from a full page advertisement now appearing in New Zealand outdoors magazines. The advertisement is sponsored by Police, Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres, CAA & Ministry of Transport. www.beacons.org.nz
I am sure that if you check with Australian SAR you will get the same advice. NOTE, Feb 2009 is only 106 weeks away!

FACT ! The 121.5 MHz system is failing rapidly and is NOT being replaced, it is being superseded by the 406 MHz system.
Reply 5 of 5
FollowupID: 456492   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 05, 2006 at 10:33

The Landy posted:

We had an 121.5Mhz installed in an aircraft we operated and it does not necessarily rely on a satellite system for it to be detected as it transmits a signal on VHF frequency 121.5Mhz. This frequency is monitored by all RPT aircraft overflying Australia. So the satellites becoming redundant won't necessarily mean that 121.5Mhz units won't be detected if they are transmitting, but clearly the opportunity to detect is downgraded.

However, if I was in the market for one today I would clearly go for the new generation....
Currawinya NP
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"Those who think it can't be done shouldn't bother the person doing it"
FollowUp 1 of 4
FollowupID: 456493   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 05, 2006 at 10:45

Kiwi Kia posted:

Hi Landy, As an ex commercial pilot I am familiar with the operations of 121.5

In an emergency, an activated 406 MHz beacon WILL be heard and a recovery operation initiated.

In an emergency a 121.5 MHz beacon MIGHT be heard. Australia is a BIG country. If I had to activate an epirb then I would like to be assured that the signal WILL be heard.

FollowUp 2 of 4
FollowupID: 456495   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 05, 2006 at 11:01

The Landy posted:

Hi Kiwi

It seems we are in agreement............"So the satellites becoming redundant won't necessarily mean that 121.5Mhz units won't be detected if they are transmitting, but clearly the opportunity to detect is downgraded."

I'm with you, buy the new generation.......
Currawinya NP
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"Those who think it can't be done shouldn't bother the person doing it"
FollowUp 3 of 4
FollowupID: 456508   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 05, 2006 at 12:27

Kiwi Kia posted:

Yes, that's it Landy, I just want people to be aware of the situation and make an informed decision when spending there $. I have a very good friend who is a manager at a rescue coordination centre and I wish I had the time to tell you some of the real life and recent alerts and real full scale operations that they carry out. They have heaps more operations then the public get to hear about and the time delay before recovery phase for non epirb events can be the difference between life and death. The time difference between pinpointing the location of a 406 beacon can be almost up to a day quicker then a 121 beacon. To encourage people to change from the 121.5 MHz to the 406 MHz system I would not be surprised if laws are changed to charge people for non emergency activations some time late in 2009 ! (but that's another story).
FollowUp 4 of 4