Old EPIRB - is it any good?

Submitted: Friday, Sep 07, 2007 at 18:40

ThreadID: 49442 Views:5850 Replies:4 FollowUps:10

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Bilbo

I'm having a "Huck Out" at my place - there's all sorts of junk getting the "A".

But I have here a EPIRB of about 1997 vintage. It's a GME MT300 that uses the 121.5 & 243 MHz freqs. It is COSPAS/SARSAT satellite compatible. It prolly needs a new battery.

So is it worth keeping it and getting a new battery or shall I 'huck it out"?

Having VKS737 and a Codan means that I don't really need an EPIRB unless things are REAL bad, but it'd be a shame to "Huck It" if it's a "Good Thang". Bear in mind that never did buy this EPIRB anyway. It's a leftover from someone else.

Bilbo - "The hoarding hobbit"

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Reply By: handy - Friday, Sep 07, 2007 at 18:53

Friday, Sep 07, 2007 at 18:53

the old ones are going out in 2009 and the battery is nearly as much as the epirb. cheers

AnswerID: 260914

Follow Up By: Peter McG (Member, Melbourne) - Friday, Sep 07, 2007 at 19:30

Friday, Sep 07, 2007 at 19:30

New battery will cost you 160 from GME. Worth doing if your going to take it on a trip before 2009 - battery life is only 5 years - about 80/year.

Peter

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FollowupID: 522328

Reply By: Mike Harding - Friday, Sep 07, 2007 at 19:51

Friday, Sep 07, 2007 at 19:51

Hang on to it - it doesn't eat much... does it? :)

The batteries in it are good for 10 years shelf life (EPIRB rated for 5 years) and will still power it for a while longer all things being equal.

As you have HF... if you get to the point where you need an EPIRB too then you're as good as dead so why not go with the last chance?

Mike Harding

AnswerID: 260925

Follow Up By: Bilbo - Friday, Sep 07, 2007 at 20:07

Friday, Sep 07, 2007 at 20:07

EXACTLY, Mr Harding,,,,,,,,

As usual Mike you are fund of relevant and useful info.

I'lll keep it. One never knows one's luck in one's raffle does one.

Bilbo

FollowupID: 522333

Follow Up By: Flash - Friday, Sep 07, 2007 at 23:49

Friday, Sep 07, 2007 at 23:49

ALL commercial aircraft listen for them..... so even though they are "being phased out" eventually, you'll still be heard if lost.

So don't chuck it out.
Horoo

FollowupID: 522376

Follow Up By: Member - Rotord - Saturday, Sep 08, 2007 at 08:58

Saturday, Sep 08, 2007 at 08:58

After JAN09 the old beacons wont trigger an automatic alert , however all rescue aircraft will home onto the new 406 beacons using the 121.5 freq . So , if you can advise the rescue authorities [ police or RCC ] by HF that you are transmitting on an old 121.5 beacon they can send an aircraft to find you .

FollowupID: 522399

Reply By: aroundwego - Friday, Sep 07, 2007 at 20:07

Friday, Sep 07, 2007 at 20:07

If you don’t replace the battery please don’t 'huck it out". You can take it into any Battery World and they can dispose of it for you (for free). If you haven’t got a store near you call 1800 406 406 and they should be able to tell you the best way to dispose of it. Have a look at this page for disposal details:
Disposal of Beacons Guide

So many old beacons are thrown in the bin and end up at the tip, or get found/stolen, and are then set off. Searching for these takes up a lot of resources.

Other then that, I fully recommend that if you want a beacon switch over to the new 406 Beacons - the prices have dropped heaps - To get a small one like the one you have - are now around the $400-500 mark. And if you ever need to use one - you will appreciate the fact you have a new 406. Some of the benefits to the new system can be found at this siteClick Here for Beacon Comparison

As you can probably guess I have a bit of an interest in the subject - but no I don’t sell them

Cheers
Pete

AnswerID: 260934

Follow Up By: Bilbo - Friday, Sep 07, 2007 at 20:10

Friday, Sep 07, 2007 at 20:10

Thanks Pete. I wouldn't pay for a new one as I have HF radio. Hence, as Mike H says above, if I then need an EPIRB than I'm as good as dead anyway This one was "acquired by default"

Thanks again,

Bilbo

FollowupID: 522334

Follow Up By: disco1942 - Friday, Sep 07, 2007 at 22:56

Friday, Sep 07, 2007 at 22:56

Pete

That link did not work for me.

Probably the main guts of that link is that you should take the battery out of the unit before disposing it. Luckily I did not have to look for units wrongly disposed, but the stories from some of my colleges who have had to dig through smelly garbage tips on dark wet nights were not moral boosting.

PeterD

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FollowupID: 522371

Follow Up By: Bilbo - Friday, Sep 07, 2007 at 23:02

Friday, Sep 07, 2007 at 23:02

What a top idea!! Pull the pin on it and chuck it in the bin just before the bin-man turns up!!

Brilliant hoot!!

Half of Australia searching Rockingham Rubbish Tip!!

Just jokes, just jokes fellas!!

Bilbo - "The needs medical help hobbit"

FollowupID: 522372

Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Saturday, Sep 08, 2007 at 17:13

Saturday, Sep 08, 2007 at 17:13

BILBO! Stop antagonising the natives! :)

FollowupID: 522447

Follow Up By: aroundwego - Saturday, Sep 08, 2007 at 19:50

Saturday, Sep 08, 2007 at 19:50

Peter D
See if this link is better'
http://beacons.amsa.gov.au/disposal/Beacon_Disposal.asp

Just for info, at lease 5 malicous activations between Perth and Busselton in last 30 days. Each one required aircraft and people to locate

FollowupID: 522477

Reply By: Pezza (Bris) - Saturday, Sep 08, 2007 at 16:46

Saturday, Sep 08, 2007 at 16:46

Hey Bilbo,
Hope you a profitable trip mate ?
Was just thinking, when you finish that " huck out " of your shed you should always do one of your 4by after a good trip too, whilst doing that one you should find a great big 'V' shaped hunk of iron under the bonnet that will make a good boat anchor for your next trip off shore mate, LOL !

Avahobbitgoodn
Pezza

AnswerID: 261040