GME MT410 406MHZ PLB
Click Image to Enlarge
 		Section Image

EPIRB

In this article, we discuss what EPIRBs are, the various types including PLBs and their role in Search and Rescue. Digital 406 MHz Epirb distress beacons save lives.
Article By: ExplorOz and John Greig (TLCC)   Updated: 16 Feb 2009
Advertisement

 What is an EPIRB?

EPIRBs stand for Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons and are used in emergency situations to assist Search and Rescue parties locate people who may be in some sort of distress or danger. These tracking transmitters also known as distress beacons or emergency beacons are commonly used to aid in the detection and location of distressed boats out at sea.

EPIRBs do not really allow "communication" as it is essentially an emergency beacon designed only to be used to request emergency response in the case of severe accident when no other form of communication can be made. ERIRBs do not require a network service and will always transmit a beep in any location.

Other Types of Emergency Beacons

There are two other types of beacons and these are: ELTs which stand for Emergency Locator Transmitters which is used when aircraft is in distress and PLBs which stand for Personal Locator Beacons and is used for personal use, where someone in distress is away from normal emergency services.

TIP

 ELT’s (Emergency Locator Transmitters) are generally reserved for aviation use, and are permanently fitted in aircraft.

 PLB or EPIRB?

For land use, which of course includes 4WD touring, AMSA, (the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, who are responsible for detection and search and rescue in our 52.8 million square kilometre region of world responsibility), recommend the use of a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon). They are smaller and more lightweight than an EPIRB, and are thus easily carried on your person, in a backpack or in the vehicle. EPIRB’s are essentially designed as maritime distress beacons, because they have inbuilt flotation, and an inbuilt strobe light. Generally, an EPIRB will be a larger unit than a PLB.

How much?

A new 406 MHz PLB without GPS capability will set you back in the region of $400. A new 406 MHz PLB with inbuilt GPS capability will set you back in the region of $600. But when you look at the fact that a GPS capable unit reduces the search radius to about 100 metres, it’s got to be the way to go. When you really need to be rescued, every second counts, so the smaller the search area, the quicker you should be found.

TIP

 A PLB is not a substitute for a 406 Mhz Marine EPIRB. Where Australian & International Law require a 406 Mhz EPIRB to be carried, this product does not meet these requirements.

 How do EPIRBs Work?

EBIRBs as well as ELTs and PLBs interface with Cospas-Sarsat, the international satellite system for Search and Rescue. When activated, these beacons send out a distress signal that, when detected by non-geostationary satellites, can be located by triangulation similar to the way GPS satellites let GPS Units know where their position is.

Beacons that transmit in the 406 Mhz frequency, transmit digital signals and this signal can be uniquely identified almost instantly (via GEOSAR) and a GPS position can be encoded into the signal, therefore providing both instantaneous identification and position. This signal can then be homed in by Search and Rescue aircraft, boats and/or ground search parties who can come to the aid of the distressed boat, aircraft or person.

 Important Note on EPIRBs

The internationally owned satellites that monitored the 121.5 MHz distress beacons have now been switched off and therefore, it is absolutely crucial that you upgrade to a digital 406 MHz distress beacon immediately - if you have not done so already.

406 MHz distress beacons save lives. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) that coordinates all aviation and maritime search and rescue across Australia’s 53 million square kilometre search and rescue region, no longer has the ability to detect an analogue 121.5 MHz distress beacon via satellite.

406 MHz beacons must be registered with AMSA. Registration is free and can be done on-line at the AMSA web site. When upgrading to a 406 MHz distress beacon it is essential that old analogue models are appropriately disabled and disposed of responsibly so that they do not trigger false alarms. More advice about distress beacons is available from the AMSA web site: www.amsa.gov.au/beacons or by calling 1800 406 406.

 Register Your 406 MHz Beacon!

406 MHz beacons are smarter and safer because they can also identify their owner. They transmit a unique code, unique that is to your beacon. So if you register your beacon with AMSA, they will know exactly who you are; what make and model of vehicle you are in; its colour and registration number. And they will have contact details for you including your HF callsign (if you have one); your sat phone number (if you have one); mobile telephone number(s); and whether you have UHF capability. (As a 4WD club member, you should at the very least, have good UHF communications).

If you have registered with AMSA, the moment they first detect your emergency signal, they will know from the unique code that the transmission is from your vehicle. They can immediately begin to try to contact you to ascertain firstly; that it is indeed an emergency; secondly, where you are and the nature of the emergency. So if you have HF or sat phone capability, the whole rescue process could be in operation before the satellites have confirmed your position. (They may be able to phone or call in to you, even though you may not have been able to get a call out from your position). This could sometimes spell the difference between life and death.

So, ensure you REGISTER your details with AMSA. It’s a FREE service.

 Emergency EBIRB Activation

In an emergency, HF radio or sat phone are far better options than simply activating your beacon. The two-way communication capability of HF or sat phone provides the certainty of knowing that someone is actually coming to assist you. And, you can inform potential rescuers of the exact nature of the problem. However, if all you have is a distress beacon, the first indication you may have that someone is coming to assist you, is when a search aircraft or helicopter over flies you, or a ground party comes over the hill. And of course, they won’t know the nature of your emergency until they actually get to speak to you, probably on your UHF. So your beacon should be considered as a device of last resort to be used in the event that you have no other method of contact, or your other communications processes have either failed, or are ineffectual.

If you are using a sat phone or HF radio in an emergency situation, it’s highly likely that you will also be asked at some stage to activate your distress beacon (if you have one), so that searching aircraft can home in on your exact location.

And remember, in many emergency situations assistance is sometimes sought far too late. Sadly, this has also meant on a few occasions that help has also arrived too late. So assess your situation, make a decision, and act on it. Just don’t leave it too late.

AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority)

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority is a largely self-funded government agency with the charter of enhancing efficiency in the delivery of safety and other services to the Australian maritime industry.

AMSA will generally pick up a distress signal from a 406 MHz beacon (whether GPS enabled or not) within about 5-10 minutes of activation if the distress beacon is in sight of one of the satellites in geo-stationary orbit over the Equator. However, an actual location from a non-GPS beacon may take a little longer to be established as an over flight of a Polar orbiting search and rescue satellite is required. Polar orbiting satellites pass over the Australian region (on average) every 90 minutes, with actual passes being anywhere from minutes to (up to) 5 hours apart depending on the orbit of the satellites. So if the first satellite location is inconclusive, it may take hours rather than minutes before your location is resolved by a second satellite pass. Conversely, GPS capable beacons automatically transmit a GPS location over the satellite uplink frequency so an accurate position can be gained with the initial distress signal alert from satellites in geo-stationary orbit over the Equator. This could be a huge advantage in an emergency.

Want more info?

More information can be gained from the AMSA Web Site or call 1800 406 406 (office hours) and speak with the AMSA team.

 Beacon Hints & Tips

Which Brand of Beacon?

AMSA will tell you that every unit on sale in Australia meets the appropriate standard, and thus will do the job efficiently and effectively. It is simply a matter of your personal preference as to brand, size, shape, features, etc., and of course, price.

Know Your Beacon

Make sure you know exactly how your beacon is activated for maximum effect. Aerial position and the ground location where you activate the unit can be critical to ensure good connectivity with the satellites. And make sure you regularly test the unit, and replace batteries, in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations.

Disposal of Old Beacons

When you buy your new beacon, DO NOT THROW YOUR OLD ONE IN THE BIN!! Binned beacons have been known to go off accidentally. It can then be a heck of a job to find the beacon in a garbage dump somewhere to shut it off. Battery World stores will happily accept your old beacon for disposal. Alternatively, most retailers of new beacons will also accept your old one for disposal.

 Article Feedback

If you wish to Send Feedback please Logon Now

What Others have Posted

TOOLEY : 25 Mar 09 11:49
I am in the market for a personal EPIRB, we are looking at buying a ...
Member - Lionel A (WA) : 13 Mar 09 18:06
Hi all, tried navigating around the EO Shop and it seems Im no bett...
rocco2010 : 13 Feb 09 13:58
Gidday There is an item in The West Australian newspaper today th...
darrell.QLD : 15 Jan 09 09:33
Just reading about the new epirbs and came across this.... 'The Aus...
Member - Mike DID : 8 Jan 09 07:38
[url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/kayakers-missing-police-r...

 Related Pages

Communications Equipment Review Communications Equipment Review
Communications equipment is especially handy whilst travelling and often essential. It is considered necessary that each vehicle venturing into the outback should be equipped with a UHF radio combined with one emergency long-distance voice communication device as an absolute minimum. [Feature Story]
Communications Communications
This page gives you access to all the relevant site pages about communications equipment.
Topics Index Topics Index
Each Topic contains a range of detailed and useful articles on products, services and issues. This section is full of practical tips, ideas, photos and factual information. Each topic has links to relevant Manufacturers, Retailers and Operators that can be found in our Directory; plus links to relevant Posts in our Forum; and links to related Trader listings.
Satellite Phone Satellite Phone
With the evolution of satellite technology to deliver phone, television, radio, internet connectivity and many other services, travellers today are now capable of sending and receiving fast and reliable video, data and audio content regardless of distance from infrastructure.
Staying in Touch when Travelling Staying in Touch when Travelling
With today's technology, it is no longer a valid notion to assume that you will have limited access to modern communication methods whilst you are away from home. There many devices available including satellite phones and HF radios, although email communication still remains relatively cheap and easy and most of us probably feel as if we could not live without it!
Satellite TV Satellite TV
Satellite TV systems enable viewers to receive free to air and/or pay TV channels in remote locations where land-based television reception is either poor, or non-existent. In fact, Australians have had free to air Satellite TV since 1985. The free to air service broadcasts programming from the 7, 9 and 10 networks plus has five ABC and four SBS services, and there are no monthly fees.