epirb rb3s

Old type

The 'new' epirbs run on 406MHZ.

Leroy

shane,

The new 406Mhz EPIRBS like the GME MT410 (no GPS - $429) or the GME MT 410G (with GPS - $589) are available from Whitworths Marine.

$589 may look a lot for the MT410G but the more accurate location (45 metres) due to the built-in GPS, is a big improvement on the basic MT410 which only gets the rescuers within a 5km radius.

These units are the most compact to my knowledge.

Whitworths Marine

If a helicopter is being used to locate the missing party, then they will use their aircraft receiver to home in on the exact location using the beacons 121.5MHz transmissions.

just bought the GME with GPS in it. This will locate you down to 45metres. Spending a week on the kayak on the Gordon River in Tasmania. Done this once before a few years ago and felt very confortable knowing that the EPIRB was with me! Never plan for snake bites etc.
Personally I think they should have a govt subsidy on them to make them cheaper (especially now that the digital is so accurate and eliminates false alarms - contact Next of Kin etc).

Shane,

Your question was answered correctly by John; however some of the references to accuracy and frequencies in later replies may need a little further explanation. The accuracy referred to relates to the possible position reported to the Australian Central Search and Rescue office (CENSAR) by the satellite as it passes within range and obviously the more accurate the better from the point of view of search parties. This is particularly important in marine situations.
The old system uses 121.5 and 243 mhz but from February 2009 the SAR satellite will only react to 406.025mhz. This new system allows for very accurate position reports thereby mostly eliminating the “search” part of the rescue. However the beacon still requires a homing frequency signal so that a human being can find it! So your new beacon must include 406.025 and 121.5 frequencies.

Usually the first action on receipt of an EPIRB signal is for CENSAR to contact Airservices Australia's Air Traffic Control Centres and request any passing aircraft to listen out on 121.5 mhz to confirm the signal. Simultaneously the responsibility for a search is established. In many cases the beacon has been accidently activated, but it still has to be found. Specialised search aircraft have an instrument which will point directly to the signal. However it is possible to search using a VHF radio by tuning just off frequency and flying (or driving) in a straight line until the signal starts to fade. A series of headings are then flown tuning the radio further off frequency until a signal is picked up. This, combined with a visual search usually locates the beacon. Often the beacon is found in a parked aircraft at an airport! The whole business is taken very seriously by the authorities.

There is a lot of information on the web about all of this and there is no doubt that the new system is much better than the old, but in the end it boils down to someone spotting the person or vehicle in distress.

Kingo
(ex Air Traffic Control)